Fasting: A Journey of Desperation and Dependence

 

Summary

In a message delivered by Pastor Nathan Funk, the focus is on the spiritual practice of fasting and its significance in the life of a believer. The message begins with an exploration of the concept of desperation as a catalyst for dependence on God. Pastor Funk shares a revelation that desperation often stems from despair, challenging the congregation to consider their own need for God in times of difficulty.

The message then delves into the biblical foundation for fasting, referencing Isaiah 40:31, which promises renewed strength to those who wait upon the Lord. Pastor Funk emphasizes the importance of fasting not as a religious act but as a means of surrendering obstacles that hinder one's relationship with God. He encourages the congregation to respect the times they live in and to seek God's direction and wisdom, especially during challenging circumstances.

Drawing from Psalm 34, Pastor Funk reassures that although afflictions may be many, God desires to deliver His people from all of them. He warns against religious actions that are performed to impress others or oneself, using the metaphor of a squeaky toy to illustrate how such actions can distract from genuine spiritual growth.

The message continues with a personal story from Pastor Funk's experience in Africa, where he encountered a family that had placed an image of Jesus among various other religious figures. This story serves as a reminder that God does not want to be just another addition to one's life but seeks a relationship of desperation and dependence.

Pastor Funk then addresses the practical aspects of fasting, advising the congregation to fast in a way that is directed by God, whether it be from food, social media, or other distractions. He stresses the importance of humility during the fast and the potential for temptation, as experienced by Jesus in Matthew 4. The message highlights that the period following Jesus' temptation marked the beginning of His earthly ministry, suggesting that a period of fasting can lead to significant spiritual breakthroughs.

The message concludes with a call to action for the congregation to embrace what God is doing in their lives, to step outside of themselves, and to enter into the ministry God has called them to. Pastor Funk urges the congregation not to let years pass by without responding to God's call, as the Israelites did on their way to the Promised Land.

Finally, Pastor Funk leads those who are ready to surrender their lives to God in a prayer of salvation and rededication. He emphasizes the importance of accepting Jesus into one's life, not as a mere symbol but as a true Lord and Savior. The message ends with a prayer for the upcoming 21 days of fasting, asking God to align the congregation's desires with His will and to rebuild their lives according to His plan.

Key Takeaways:

- Desperation can be a powerful spiritual state that leads to a deeper dependence on God. It is often through our most challenging times that we realize our own limitations and turn to God for strength and guidance. This realization is not meant to discourage but to encourage believers to seek God earnestly in their times of need. [01:01:02]

- Fasting is not about religious performance but about surrendering to God the things that stand in the way of His plans for our lives. It is a time to focus on God's voice and direction, respecting the times we live in and seeking His wisdom to navigate through life's difficulties. [01:02:29]

- God is not impressed by outward religious actions but is concerned with the condition of our hearts. True spiritual growth occurs when we allow God to remove our sins and disobedience, enabling Him to remodel our lives. This process often requires humility and a willingness to let go of the things that hinder our relationship with Him. [01:03:59]

- The practice of fasting should be a personal journey directed by God, not a public display of piety. It is a time to abstain from physical comforts to achieve spiritual breakthroughs, much like Jesus did during His time in the wilderness. The fast should be approached with a heart of humility and a readiness to face and overcome temptations. [01:20:00]

- Accepting Jesus into one's life is a transformative decision that goes beyond religious symbols or language. It is a commitment to live in relationship with God, acknowledging our need for His presence and guidance in our lives. This acceptance is the foundation for a life of faith and obedience to God's will. [01:27:43]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 40:31 - "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."
2. Psalm 34:19 - "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all."
3. Matthew 4:1-4 - "Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, 'If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.' But He answered and said, 'It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."'"

#### Observation Questions
1. According to Isaiah 40:31, what are the promises given to those who wait on the Lord?
2. In Psalm 34:19, what does the verse say about the afflictions of the righteous and God's response to them?
3. What was Jesus' response to the devil's temptation in Matthew 4:1-4, and how does it relate to the practice of fasting?
4. Pastor Funk mentioned a metaphor involving a squeaky toy. What was the purpose of this metaphor in the context of religious actions? ([03:59])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of waiting on the Lord in Isaiah 40:31 relate to the practice of fasting as described by Pastor Funk? ([01:01:40])
2. What does Psalm 34:19 suggest about the nature of God's deliverance, and how can this be an encouragement during times of fasting and prayer? ([01:03:09])
3. In Matthew 4:1-4, Jesus fasted for forty days and nights. How does this period of fasting prepare Him for His ministry, and what can we learn from this about the potential outcomes of our own fasting? ([01:20:00])
4. Pastor Funk shared a story about a family in Africa who had an image of Jesus among other religious figures. What lesson was he trying to convey with this story, and how does it relate to our relationship with God? ([01:18:25])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt desperate and turned to God. How did that experience deepen your dependence on Him? ([01:01:02])
2. Pastor Funk emphasized that fasting should not be about religious performance but about surrendering to God. What are some obstacles in your life that you need to surrender to God during this period of fasting? ([01:02:29])
3. How can you ensure that your fasting is directed by God and not just a public display of piety? What steps can you take to maintain humility during your fast? ([01:20:00])
4. Pastor Funk mentioned that God is not impressed by outward religious actions but is concerned with the condition of our hearts. What are some ways you can focus on genuine spiritual growth rather than outward appearances? ([01:03:59])
5. Consider the practical aspects of fasting mentioned by Pastor Funk. What specific type of fast (e.g., from food, social media, other distractions) is God calling you to undertake, and how will you approach it with a heart of humility? ([01:20:00])
6. Pastor Funk urged the congregation to embrace what God is doing in their lives and to step into the ministry God has called them to. What is one specific area of ministry or service that you feel God is calling you to, and how can you take steps to respond to that call? ([01:21:55])
7. Reflect on the prayer of salvation and rededication led by Pastor Funk. How can you make a commitment to live in relationship with God, acknowledging your need for His presence and guidance in your life? ([01:27:43])

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Spiritual Desperation
Desperation can lead to a profound reliance on God, especially during our darkest moments. It is in these times that we recognize our limitations and the necessity of God's strength and guidance. This state of need is not to dishearten but to inspire a fervent pursuit of God's presence in our lives. [01:01:02]

Lamentations 3:25-26 - "The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."
Reflection: When have you felt most desperate, and how did that experience draw you closer to God?

Day 2: Surrender Through Fasting
Fasting is an intimate act of surrender to God, allowing us to clear the path for His will in our lives. It is a time to listen for God's voice and seek His wisdom, particularly when faced with life's challenges. This practice is about personal growth and spiritual clarity, not religious showmanship. [01:02:29]

Isaiah 58:6 - "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?"
Reflection: What obstacles are currently hindering your spiritual growth, and how might fasting help you overcome them?

Day 3: Heartfelt Growth Over Hollow Gestures
God values the sincerity of our hearts above the spectacle of our religious actions. True spiritual growth is achieved when we allow God to cleanse us from sin and disobedience, reshaping our lives in His image. This transformation often requires humility and a readiness to relinquish what obstructs our communion with Him. [01:03:59]

James 4:8-10 - "Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."
Reflection: What are some ways you can demonstrate genuine spiritual growth that goes beyond mere outward appearances?

Day 4: Personal Journey in Fasting
Fasting should be a personal and God-directed journey, not a public declaration of piety. It is a time to forsake physical comforts to gain spiritual insights, as Jesus did in the wilderness. Approaching the fast with humility prepares us to face and conquer temptations. [01:20:00]

Ezra 8:21-23 - "There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, 'The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.' So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer."
Reflection: How can you tailor your next fast to reflect a personal commitment to God rather than a public display?

Day 5: Transformative Acceptance of Jesus
Accepting Jesus is a life-altering decision that transcends religious symbolism. It signifies a commitment to live in a relationship with God, recognizing our need for His guidance. This acceptance lays the groundwork for a life of faith and adherence to God's will. [01:27:43]

Colossians 2:6-7 - "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
Reflection: What does accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior mean to you in your daily life, and how does it shape your actions and decisions?

Quotes

"Desperation comes out of despair and it really hit me like man I want to sing the the song the old worship song that I'm desperate for you but what we're saying is I need some despair in my life so that I can be totally dependent upon you." [01:01:02] (Download)

"The reason why I need to sacrifice my life and be crucified with Christ is not so that I can have this morbid scene of nailing myself to a cross, but to surrender the things in my life that stand in the way from the things that God wants for me." [01:02:29] (Download)

"God is for us no matter what our circumstances are, but when things get difficult, it is surely beneficial and sometimes even life-saving to have direction and wisdom to navigate through to victory." [01:03:09] (Download)

"Fasting is a time to set aside the physical in order to accomplish something supernatural or spiritual. If you need something to happen in the natural, you'll need a tool that will cut through the things that are bigger than what you can cut through." [59:37] (Download)

"Surrendering your life and allowing God to be a part and be a voice starts with knowing his voice and being in relationship with him because how can you know his voice if you've never allowed him to be a part of your life." [01:24:51] (Download)

"These hands are not capable of breaking through the parts of my life that are impossible for me but you recognize today that it's possible with God. With God all things are possible." [01:25:43] (Download)

"God's like I don't care about what you do, I want you to do the thing that pleases me and step into my love and accept the free gift of my love which is my son Jesus." [01:26:22] (Download)

"God's going to do something in your life that will launch you into the ministry that he's called you to that you've been avoiding or maybe you just don't know how that's going to happen." [01:21:15] (Download)

"I believe that there are some things for some of you in this room that God's been speaking to you over and over again and listen just like the Israelites how many years is it going to take for you just to just walk into the promised land." [01:22:30] (Download)

"God cares less about what you do than who you are, and this 21 days that we're stepping into has everything to do with you and what's happening on the inside of here then just the things that you do." [01:23:08] (Download)

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Transcript
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