Fasting: A Journey to Deepen Our Dependence on God

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound spiritual practice of fasting, drawing inspiration from Jesus' example in Matthew 4. As we refocus our lives and faith on Jesus, we are reminded of the importance of setting aside distractions to engage deeply with God. Fasting is not merely a tool to fix our problems but a practice that fosters dependence on God, reminding us of our need for His presence and guidance. It is an invitation to align our physical actions with our spiritual understanding, acknowledging that we cannot rely solely on our own understanding but must trust in the Lord with all our hearts.

We reflected on the story of Martha and Mary from Luke 10, where Jesus emphasizes the importance of being present with Him over being consumed by tasks. This narrative encourages us to prioritize our relationship with God, setting aside time to sit at His feet and listen. Fasting helps us direct our whole attention—body, soul, and mind—onto God, much like Daniel did when he set his face toward the Lord in prayer and supplication.

Moreover, fasting is an opportunity to hunger more for God's activity and connection in our lives. Jesus, during His time in the wilderness, demonstrated that true sustenance comes not from bread alone but from every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. This teaches us to seek fulfillment in God's presence rather than the temporary comforts of the world.

As we embark on a media fast this week, we are invited to disconnect from the noise of the world and tune into God's voice. This practice is a chance to refocus our faith, to hunger for God's presence more than anything else, and to experience His transformative power in our lives. Let us commit to this journey, trusting that as we seek Him, He will meet us with His grace, guidance, and peace.

Key Takeaways:

1. Fasting as Dependence on God: Fasting is not a quick fix for our spiritual problems but a practice that reminds us of our dependence on God. It aligns our physical actions with our spiritual understanding, emphasizing the need for God's presence and guidance in our lives. [37:23]

2. Directing Our Attention to God: Fasting helps us focus our entire being—body, soul, and mind—on God. It is an invitation to set aside distractions and be fully present with Him, much like Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet, prioritizing His presence over tasks. [44:49]

3. Hungering for God's Activity: Fasting is an opportunity to hunger more for God's activity and connection in our lives. Jesus' response to temptation in the wilderness teaches us to seek fulfillment in God's word and presence rather than the temporary comforts of the world. [51:10]

4. Refocusing Our Faith: As we refocus our faith on Jesus, fasting becomes a tool to realign our priorities, reminding us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and not lean on our own understanding. It is a call to engage deeply with God and seek His guidance. [38:24]

5. Invitation to a Media Fast: This week, we are invited to participate in a media fast, setting aside distractions to tune into God's voice. This practice is a chance to refocus our faith, hunger for God's presence, and experience His transformative power in our lives. [56:05]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [05:33] - Call to Worship
- [23:08] - Confession and Reflection
- [26:52] - Series Overview: Refocus
- [31:45] - Jesus' Example of Fasting
- [37:23] - Fasting as Dependence on God
- [38:24] - Trusting in the Lord
- [40:45] - Directing Our Attention to God
- [44:49] - Setting Our Face Toward Heaven
- [46:20] - Daniel's Example of Prayer
- [47:32] - Reflection on Distractions
- [51:10] - Hungering for God's Activity
- [51:59] - The Lure of Worldly Comforts
- [56:05] - Invitation to a Media Fast
- [58:09] - Prayer for Refocusing
- [59:51] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Matthew 4:1-11
- Luke 10:38-42
- Daniel 9:3

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Observation Questions:

1. In Matthew 4:1-11, how does Jesus respond to each of the temptations presented by the devil? What does this reveal about His priorities and reliance on God?

2. Reflecting on Luke 10:38-42, what are the differences in how Martha and Mary interact with Jesus? How does Jesus respond to each of them, and what does this teach us about priorities in our spiritual lives?

3. According to Daniel 9:3, what actions does Daniel take to seek God? How does this align with the practice of fasting discussed in the sermon? [46:20]

4. In the sermon, what is described as the primary purpose of fasting, and how does it differ from using fasting as a "spiritual fix"? [37:23]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Jesus' example of fasting in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11) illustrate the concept of spiritual dependence rather than self-reliance? What might this teach us about facing our own temptations?

2. In the story of Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42), what does Jesus' response to Martha suggest about the importance of being present with God over being consumed by tasks? How can this perspective shift our daily priorities?

3. The sermon mentions that fasting is an opportunity to hunger more for God's activity in our lives. How does this idea challenge the way we typically seek fulfillment and satisfaction? [51:10]

4. How does the practice of setting aside distractions, such as in a media fast, help us refocus our faith and deepen our relationship with God? What are the potential challenges and benefits of this practice? [56:05]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current spiritual practices. How might incorporating fasting as a regular discipline help you deepen your dependence on God? What specific steps can you take to begin this practice? [37:23]

2. Consider the distractions in your life that prevent you from being fully present with God, similar to Martha's situation. What practical changes can you make to prioritize time with God, like Mary did? [44:49]

3. During the media fast this week, what specific forms of media or distractions will you set aside? How will you use this time to engage more deeply with God and His word? [56:05]

4. Jesus resisted the devil's temptations by relying on Scripture. How can you prepare yourself to respond to temptations in your life with God's word? What specific verses can you memorize or meditate on?

5. Identify an area in your life where you are seeking fulfillment in temporary comforts rather than in God's presence. How can you redirect your focus to hunger for God's activity and connection instead? [51:10]

6. Reflect on a recent situation where you relied on your own understanding rather than trusting in God. How can you practice surrendering control and trusting God more fully in similar situations in the future? [38:24]

7. As you participate in the media fast, what specific prayers or intentions will you bring before God? How do you hope to see His transformative power at work in your life during this time? [56:05]

Devotional

Day 1: Fasting as a Path to Dependence on God
Fasting is a spiritual discipline that goes beyond abstaining from food; it is a profound practice that reminds us of our dependence on God. By setting aside physical sustenance, we acknowledge our need for His presence and guidance in our lives. This act of fasting aligns our physical actions with our spiritual understanding, emphasizing that we cannot rely solely on our own strength or wisdom. Instead, we are called to trust in the Lord with all our hearts, recognizing that true fulfillment and direction come from Him alone. As we fast, we are invited to experience a deeper connection with God, allowing His presence to fill the spaces we create by letting go of worldly distractions. [37:23]

Isaiah 58:6-7 (ESV): "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? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are relying on your own understanding instead of trusting in God? How can fasting help you shift your dependence to Him today?


Day 2: Directing Our Attention to God
Fasting serves as an invitation to direct our entire being—body, soul, and mind—toward God. In a world filled with distractions, it is easy to become consumed by tasks and responsibilities, much like Martha in the story of Martha and Mary. However, Jesus emphasizes the importance of being present with Him, prioritizing His presence over the busyness of life. By choosing to fast, we intentionally set aside time to sit at His feet, listen, and be fully present with Him. This practice helps us refocus our attention on God, allowing us to experience His peace and guidance in the midst of life's demands. [44:49]

Psalm 27:4 (ESV): "One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple."

Reflection: What distractions are currently preventing you from being fully present with God? How can you create space in your day to sit at His feet and listen?


Day 3: Hungering for God's Activity
Fasting is an opportunity to cultivate a deeper hunger for God's activity and connection in our lives. Jesus' response to temptation in the wilderness teaches us that true sustenance comes not from bread alone but from every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. By fasting, we express our desire to seek fulfillment in God's presence rather than the temporary comforts of the world. This practice invites us to experience a greater awareness of His work in our lives, as we learn to rely on His word and presence for true nourishment and satisfaction. [51:10]

Amos 8:11 (ESV): "Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord God, when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord."

Reflection: In what ways are you seeking fulfillment in temporary comforts rather than in God's presence? How can fasting help you hunger more for His activity in your life?


Day 4: Refocusing Our Faith
As we refocus our faith on Jesus, fasting becomes a tool to realign our priorities and remind us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts. It is a call to engage deeply with God, setting aside our own understanding and seeking His guidance in every aspect of our lives. By fasting, we create space to listen to His voice, allowing Him to shape our thoughts, actions, and decisions. This practice encourages us to place our trust in Him, knowing that He will meet us with His grace, guidance, and peace as we seek Him wholeheartedly. [38:24]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?


Day 5: Invitation to a Media Fast
This week, we are invited to participate in a media fast, setting aside distractions to tune into God's voice. In a world filled with constant noise and information, a media fast provides an opportunity to disconnect from the chaos and refocus our faith on what truly matters. By choosing to step away from screens and digital distractions, we create space to hunger for God's presence and experience His transformative power in our lives. This practice invites us to be intentional about seeking His guidance and peace, allowing Him to speak into our hearts and minds in a profound way. [56:05]

Psalm 46:10 (ESV): "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

Reflection: How can you intentionally disconnect from media and digital distractions this week to create space for God's voice? What specific steps will you take to ensure you are tuning into His presence?

Quotes

"Hope that you, as you are in this space and you engage with one another as we pray, as we read the word, as we sing together, that you will experience the presence of God, that you will know that you are loved by Him, and that He journeys with you in each and every day of your life." [00:04:58] (20 seconds)


"We have spent several weeks considering what it is to refocus our lives and to refocus our faith on the person of Jesus, to center in on Him in a brand new year that is given to each one of us." [00:27:09] (18 seconds)


"Fasting is not this spiritual fix. It's not this tool that will just tighten up the leaky faucet of our lives. Rather, the spiritual practice of fasting serves as this resource that engages us with the Father, and it reminds us physically of our absolute dependence on the Father in heaven." [00:37:32] (32 seconds)


"Fasting is an act of dependence on the Lord. Secondly, we can say that fasting directs our whole attention, body, soul, and mind, onto the Lord. Fasting casts our whole attention onto God." [00:40:40] (25 seconds)


"When you and I step into moments, moments of prayer, and we step into a temporary place of fasting, setting something aside in order to captivate and to set our attention onto the Father, to engage with Him." [00:45:37] (21 seconds)


"The spiritual practice of fasting is the temporary setting aside of activity or food that allows space, space for one to fully engage, to set our face towards God with our bodies, with our minds, and with our souls set on seeking, hearing, and engaging with our heavenly Father." [00:47:32] (19 seconds)


"We contemplate what it is to be people who fast. We do it not to garner God's attention, but we do it to hunger for him above all else in our lives. To set everything else aside in the busyness of our lives, in the confusion of the day, in the news of the world, in the chaos of our culture." [00:55:31] (25 seconds)


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Transcript
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