Embracing True Fasting: A Heart for God
Summary
In this message, I shared a personal story about a gym visit with my family, which served as a metaphor for our relationship with God. Just as my children tried to emulate my exercises, we often present our efforts to God, hoping to impress Him. However, God desires our presence and relationship more than our accomplishments. This sets the stage for our exploration of spiritual disciplines, particularly fasting and prayer, as outlined in Isaiah 58.
Isaiah 58 serves as a guide for fasting that pleases God. It emphasizes that fasting should not be about self-serving actions or seeking personal gain, but rather about justice, compassion, and humility. The passage critiques the Israelites for their superficial fasting practices, which were more about appearances than genuine devotion. God calls for a fast that breaks the chains of injustice, feeds the hungry, and shelters the homeless. This kind of fasting aligns with God's heart and leads to spiritual renewal and intimacy with Him.
We are reminded that spiritual disciplines are not about legalism or earning God's favor but about aligning our hearts with His will. True fasting involves a heart posture of humility, repentance, and a willingness to serve others. It is about seeking God's presence and allowing Him to transform us from the inside out. As we engage in fasting and prayer, we are invited to examine our motives and ensure that our practices are rooted in love and a desire to draw closer to God.
Ultimately, fasting and prayer are not about what we can get from God but about how we can be stewards of His blessings. It is a call to mature spirituality, where we are willing to give away what we desire most, trusting that God will meet our needs as we meet the needs of others. This journey of spiritual growth requires accountability, humility, and a commitment to living out our faith in tangible ways.
Key Takeaways:
1. God Desires Relationship Over Accomplishments: Just as my children sought my approval at the gym, we often present our achievements to God, hoping to impress Him. However, God values our presence and relationship more than our accolades. He invites us to emulate Him and grow in intimacy with Him, rather than focusing on our own efforts. [01:36]
2. True Fasting Aligns with God's Heart: Isaiah 58 teaches that fasting should not be about self-serving actions or appearances. Instead, it should focus on justice, compassion, and humility. God calls us to break the chains of injustice, feed the hungry, and shelter the homeless, aligning our fasting with His heart for others. [09:34]
3. Spiritual Disciplines Are About Heart Posture: Our spiritual practices should not be legalistic or self-centered. True fasting involves a heart posture of humility, repentance, and a willingness to serve others. It is about seeking God's presence and allowing Him to transform us from the inside out. [14:14]
4. Fasting and Prayer Are About Stewardship: Fasting and prayer are not about what we can get from God but about how we can be stewards of His blessings. Mature spirituality involves a willingness to give away what we desire most, trusting that God will meet our needs as we meet the needs of others. [28:30]
5. Accountability and Humility in Fasting: Engaging in fasting and prayer requires accountability, humility, and a commitment to living out our faith in tangible ways. It is a call to examine our motives, remove wickedness from our lives, and align our practices with God's will. [32:54]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:36] - Family Gym Story
[05:33] - Introduction to Spiritual Disciplines
[06:57] - Reading from Isaiah 58
[09:34] - True Fasting According to God
[11:28] - Lessons from Matthew 6
[14:14] - Heart Posture in Spiritual Practices
[16:55] - Biblical Examples of Fasting
[19:35] - Humility in Fasting
[20:53] - Clarifying Biblical Fasting
[24:13] - Duality of Nature in Fasting
[28:30] - Mature Fasting and Stewardship
[29:57] - Obedience and Deliverance
[31:41] - Accountability in Fasting
[32:54] - Removing Wickedness
[35:10] - Trustworthiness and Spiritual Authority
[36:14] - Jesus' Prayer for Unity
[36:59] - Call to Corporate Fasting
[38:00] - Conclusion and Call to Action
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Isaiah 58
Observation Questions:
1. What does Isaiah 58 say about the kind of fasting that pleases God? How does it differ from the fasting practices criticized in the passage? [09:34]
2. In the sermon, the pastor shared a personal story about a gym visit. How does this story serve as a metaphor for our relationship with God? [01:36]
3. According to the sermon, what are some of the wrong motives people might have when engaging in fasting and prayer? [14:14]
4. What are some specific actions mentioned in Isaiah 58 that align with God's heart for fasting? [09:34]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the metaphor of the gym visit illustrate the difference between seeking God's approval through accomplishments versus seeking a relationship with Him? [01:36]
2. Why does the sermon emphasize the importance of examining our motives when engaging in spiritual disciplines like fasting and prayer? [14:14]
3. In what ways does Isaiah 58 challenge the traditional understanding of fasting as merely abstaining from food? How does it expand the concept to include social justice and compassion? [09:34]
4. How does the sermon suggest that true fasting and prayer can lead to spiritual renewal and intimacy with God? [14:14]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own spiritual practices. Are there areas where you might be focusing more on accomplishments rather than building a relationship with God? How can you shift your focus? [01:36]
2. Consider the motives behind your fasting and prayer. Are there any self-serving intentions you need to address? How can you align your heart with God's will? [14:14]
3. Isaiah 58 calls for a fast that involves justice and compassion. What are some practical ways you can incorporate these elements into your spiritual disciplines? [09:34]
4. The sermon mentions the importance of accountability in fasting. Who can you invite into your spiritual journey to help keep you accountable? [32:54]
5. How can you practice humility and repentance in your daily life, especially in your interactions with others? What steps can you take to serve those around you? [19:35]
6. The sermon talks about being stewards of God's blessings. What is one blessing you can share with others this week, trusting that God will meet your needs as you meet theirs? [28:30]
7. Reflect on a time when you fasted or prayed with the wrong motives. What did you learn from that experience, and how can it inform your future spiritual practices? [14:14]
Devotional
Day 1: Relationship Over Accomplishments
In our spiritual journey, we often find ourselves trying to impress God with our achievements, much like children seeking approval from their parents. However, God values our presence and relationship with Him more than our accolades. He invites us to grow in intimacy with Him, focusing on being rather than doing. This shift in perspective encourages us to prioritize our connection with God over our accomplishments, understanding that He desires our hearts more than our deeds. [01:36]
"For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings." (Hosea 6:6, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways have you been prioritizing accomplishments over your relationship with God? How can you intentionally seek to deepen your intimacy with Him today?
Day 2: Aligning Fasting with God's Heart
True fasting, as outlined in Isaiah 58, is not about self-serving actions or appearances. It is a call to justice, compassion, and humility, aligning our practices with God's heart for others. The Israelites were critiqued for their superficial fasting, which focused more on appearances than genuine devotion. God calls us to a fast that breaks the chains of injustice, feeds the hungry, and shelters the homeless. This kind of fasting leads to spiritual renewal and intimacy with God, as it reflects His love and compassion for the world. [09:34]
"Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?" (Isaiah 58:6, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate acts of justice and compassion into your spiritual practices this week? What specific action can you take to align your fasting with God's heart for others?
Day 3: Heart Posture in Spiritual Practices
Spiritual disciplines are not about legalism or earning God's favor but about aligning our hearts with His will. True fasting involves a heart posture of humility, repentance, and a willingness to serve others. It is about seeking God's presence and allowing Him to transform us from the inside out. As we engage in fasting and prayer, we are invited to examine our motives and ensure that our practices are rooted in love and a desire to draw closer to God. [14:14]
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your spiritual life where you need to shift your focus from external actions to internal transformation? How can you invite God to renew your heart in this area today?
Day 4: Stewardship Through Fasting and Prayer
Fasting and prayer are not about what we can get from God but about how we can be stewards of His blessings. Mature spirituality involves a willingness to give away what we desire most, trusting that God will meet our needs as we meet the needs of others. This journey of spiritual growth requires accountability, humility, and a commitment to living out our faith in tangible ways. [28:30]
"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)
Reflection: What is one thing you desire most that you can offer to God as an act of stewardship? How can you trust Him to meet your needs as you meet the needs of others?
Day 5: Accountability and Humility in Fasting
Engaging in fasting and prayer requires accountability, humility, and a commitment to living out our faith in tangible ways. It is a call to examine our motives, remove wickedness from our lives, and align our practices with God's will. This process involves being honest with ourselves and others, seeking guidance and support as we strive to live a life that reflects God's love and grace. [32:54]
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (James 5:16, ESV)
Reflection: Who can you invite into your spiritual journey to hold you accountable and support you in your walk with God? How can you practice humility and openness in your relationships this week?
Quotes
"Because we just had, the separation was just too much and they just couldn't, couldn't keep away. And so as I was doing my exercises, it was a little bit of a functional one, you know, like deadlifts and box jumps and then I did some sit-ups, right? And so I was going through my motion and I, you can tell the character of my children. They're very, three very different individuals, right? Same womb. Who knew? Like, they were so different. My mother was from London and she, she sat on it. She, I mean, she just takes space and like, she doesn't know that it's not hers, you know? And she was just like, that's my mommy." [00:56:40] (40 seconds)
"And there's lessons to be learned from God in every moment, right? And so I just felt that the Lord really was teaching me how often we come before God like that. You know, the Bible says that our efforts are like filthy rags in his eyes. And sometimes we can come to his, his face and we just be like, look how good my efforts were here. Look at this degree Lord, I did great. And he's like, I made the universe. Well done baby, well done." [02:03:12] (25 seconds)
"You know, and I just think so often we can come with all these accolades that we think is going to impress God. And the Lord's like, I just want to be with you. I just, I'm hoping for you to just be like me. So how about you just copy me and emulate me and I'll cheer you on. I'm a good father, right? And as we enter into this word, I pray that that's how we come in. That God is encouraging and exhorting us to do all we can to look like him. Are we going to get it right? Are we going to be perfect? Probably not. But he's still there. Love you, baby. Keep going. You're doing great." [03:06:31] (37 seconds)
"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen? To loose the chains of injustice and tie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke. Is it not to share your food with a hundred people? Is it not to share your food with a hundred people? Is it not to share your hunger and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter? When you see the naked, to clothe them and not turn away from your own flesh and blood. When your light shine, then your light will shine forth like the dawn and your healing will quickly appear." [08:56:36] (33 seconds)
"And at the time that was common, where this Bible, this Isaiah 58 was written, the people of God were, they were religious about their practices. They did it because they had to, and they did it to show off. And God was saying, you're not doing it with Levav. And not only are you not doing it with Levav, you blame me. And then you start telling me that I haven't given you what you asked for as you were doing it, the way I didn't ask for it to be done." [14:14:50] (30 seconds)
"Because fasting and praying was regular back in the day. Everyone did it. There were so many reasons why they fasted and prayed. It was like the thing to do. So many people all the way through the Bible, you can read it, kings and leaders, when they wanted personal, personal and national repentance, they fasted. Entire nations fasted to get repentance and to get help from God. Anna, she fasted in anticipation of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The psalmists, because there's more than one writer of the psalmist, they fasted for the deliverance of their enemies." [16:11:14] (37 seconds)
"God is saying, if you're going to fast, fast the whole thing. Like take away wickedness. That's the heart that God is pouring back into the acts, the practice of spiritual fasting. And in his gracious, loving way, he always tells us, he gives us a rule book, etiquette, fasting etiquette that we may be able to live by. Isaiah 58, 67, is this not the fast that I choose to loose the bonds of wickedness, undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry?" [24:43:56] (38 seconds)
"If we're going to do this fast well, let's get accountable so that we can stop playing the blame game and take responsibility for some stuff. Stop judging other people and pointing out there, that's what a godly fast looks like. It's not just what we do with the food that goes into our body. If we're going to fast well, let's do all we can to remove wickedness from our lives because what does sin do? Separate us, creates a barrier between us and God. And God's trying to get closer to us, not further away." [32:54:62] (36 seconds)
"God is saying, if you fast well, if you fast mature, you're not thinking just about what I can give you, you're thinking about how much I can trust you. It's a stewardship issue. And we as a church, we've got to get trustworthy. Why? To whom much is given, much is required. We want all this blessing, Lord. Why? So you can sit heavy, sit and just live la vida loca. Why? The day we desire to be a blessing more than we desire to be a blessing. The day we desire to be blessed is the day the vats will open. I believe it." [33:30:04] (47 seconds)
"How much more powerful would it be for the entire church to lay down our own agenda and step into the will of God? Because how many know that we need breakthrough now more than ever before? So for me here, I'm going to say, I'm going to say, I'm going to say, I'm going to say, I'm like, what could we achieve? And so it's so much more than just about you. So much more than just about me. We're in this together." [37:42:93] (35 seconds)
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