Is Fasting for Christians Today Pastor Vince Fenech March 2006

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Is Fasting for Christians Today?Pastor Vince
Fenech March 2006
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What does the Bible teach about fasting? Is it
for Christians today?

• Fasting, in the biblical sense, is the abstaining
  from food and drink for a spiritual reason.
• In the Old Testament era, the Jews fasted
  frequently, though there was only one fast
  prescribed by the law. Once each year, on the day
  of Atonement.
• The Hebrews were to afflict their souls (Lev
  1631),which meant fasting (cf.
  Isaiah 583).

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There are no compulsory fasts required of
Christians today.

• Why?
• The New Testament seems to take for granted that
  children of God would see the need to fast
  occasionally. Jesus Christ expects us to fast.
• When the Lords disciples were criticized for not
  fasting Jesus responded
• Luke 535 "But the days will come when the
  bridegroom will be taken away from them then
  (not if) they will fast in those days."

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In cautioning against improper motivation in
fasting, Jesus Christ warned

• Matt.616 "Moreover, when you fast, do not be
  like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For
  they disfigure their faces that they may appear
  to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you,
  they have their reward.
• 617 "But you, when you fast, anoint your head
  and wash your face,
• 618 "so that you do not appear to men to be
  fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret
  place and your Father who sees in secret will
  reward you openly.

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• Fasting, for the Spirit filled born again
  Christian, is strictly a voluntary matter.
• It should arise out of a feeling of intense need,
  not as a result of mere formality,religion,
  culture or tradition.
• Biblical fasting always occurs together with
  prayer in the Bible - ALWAYS.
• You can pray without fasting, but you cannot fast
  (Biblically speaking) without praying.
• Biblical fasting is deliberately abstaining from
  food for a spiritual reason communication and
  relationship with the Father.

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When, then, might fasting be of value?

• Fasting may be beneficial in times of personal
  sorrow. David and his men
  mourned and fasted upon hearing of the death of
  Saul (2 Samuel 112), Nehemiah did similarly when
  he was informed of Jerusalems critical condition
  (Nehemiah 14).
• Fasting and prayer would certainly seem to be
  fitting when a loved one is critically ill (2
  Samuel 1216). David for his baby
• Fasting frequently accompanied repentance as an
  outward and genuine indication of contrition for
  spiritual rebellion (1 Samuel 76). The people of
  Nineveh proclaimed a fast when brought to a
  recognition of their sins (Jonah 35).
• Fasting was practiced in connection with great
  and important religious events. Ordaining elders,
  sending out missionaries, evangelism.
  
  Moses
  fasted during that period when he was receiving
  the Law (Exodus 3428).
  
  
  Christ fasted prior to his encounter
  with Satan in the wilderness
  (Matthew 42).
  
  The church
  fasted before sending Barnabas and Saul on that
  perilous first missionary campaign (Acts 132-3).
• Fasting was certainly a tool in the dynamic
  ministry of Paul (2
  Corinthians 65 1127).

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Fasting can be abused

• The practice must never be employed as a
  substitute for personal godly living.
  Isaiah delivered a blistering rebuke to
  those who fasted, then pursued their own worldly
  pleasures (Isaiah 58).
  Moreover, fasting must not
  be an occasion for the exhibit of ones religion.
  The Pharisees were guilty of this very thing
  (Matthew 616-18).
• Finally, fasting must not be allowed to ignite a
  spirit of religious arrogance and self
  righteousness. This certainly could be a
  temptation
• ( Luke 189-14).Read

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Some benefits in voluntary fasting at certain
times.

• Reflect upon the following
• The Scriptures suggest that God honours fasting
  when performed as a token of deep and sincere
  dedication.
• Physicians indicate that moderate fasting can be
  a benefit to health, having the effect of
  allowing our systems to occasionally cleanse
  themselves.
• The mind appears to be able to plumb greater
  depths of contemplation during periods of
  fasting.
• Fasting can help one improve on self-discipline.
• Fasting can help one to cease from a bad habit.
• Fasting can also have the added effect of
  reinforcing our appreciation for those things of
  which were deprived during the periods of
  abstention.

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What Will Be Your Response?

• As we look at the Bible it becomes evident that
  fasting was practiced more often than Christians
  usually practice it today.
• I want to challenge you today to begin the
  practice of fasting and prayer.
• Some guidelines for you as you begin to make this
  a more regular part of your Spirit Filled
  Christian Life.
• The Lord will reward your efforts at fasting.

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• Reach a personal conviction on the subject
  through careful Bible study. -- Get into the Word
  on your own. See what the Bible really says about
  fasting. Check the things that have been said
  here, read the Scripture references listed in
  this study and the ones listed below, and go
  deeper.
• A physician's note Make sure you are medically
  able to fast before attempting it. Some brothers
  and sisters can only do a one-day partial fast.
  They drink different types of juice, but take no
  food or other liquid. God knows and understands
  their medical condition and does not expect them
  to harm their "temple" (1 Corinthians 619) in
  order to be spiritual.
• There are no rigid standards about fasting in the
  Bible that say you must do this or that.

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• Begin with short fasts and gradually move to
  larger periods of time if you desire. If you've
  never fasted before, you need to start slow.
  Don't start with a three day fast!
• Be prepared for some dizziness, headache, or
  nausea in the early going. Most of our bodies
  have never gone without food for longer than a
  few hours.
• Take days of and stay at home to fast and pray.
  We book days of for other celebrations.
• Break a prolonged fast gradually with meals that
  are light and easy to digest. Trying to gorge
  yourself following a fast will only make you sick
  and will leave you with an unpleasant memory of
  fasting.

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• Enter with a positive faith that God will reward
  those who fast with the right motives.
• Jesus Christ gave this promise "When you fast,
  your Father, who sees what is done in secret,
  will reward you openly" Matthew 618
• Biex ma tidhirx lill-bnedmin li int sajjem,
  izda lil Missierkom li hu fil-mohbi u Missierek,
  li jara fil-mohbi, ihallsek fil-berah Mattew
  618
• Mix your fast with prayer, Scripture reading,
  singing, or devotional reading.
• Remember fasting is not an end in itself.
• Seek the Lord, not the experience of fasting.

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• Keep checking your motives concerning your fasts.
  
• Hypocrisy and spiritual pride can easily creep
  in.
• There is a reward for fasting, but only fasting
  done with the right motives
• "Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to
  men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and
  lawlessness. (Matthew 2328).

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Fasting is being humble in front of our Mighty
Loving God

• Daniel 93 Then I set my face toward the Lord
  God to make request by prayer and supplications,
  with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.
• Danjel 93 U dawwart wicci lejn Sidi l-Mulej,
  biex infittex bit-talb u t-thannin, bis-sawn,
  bl-ilbies tal-penitenza, u bl-irmied.

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• Thank you all for coming.Please remember that
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  we are Christians by our Love Jn 37b