Fasting: A Path to Spiritual Clarity and Connection
Summary
In my sermon today, I began by welcoming everyone to First Baptist Peachtree City, especially our visitors, and encouraged them to fill out a guest card for prayer and connection purposes. I shared the joyous news of our church being debt-free for three years and recounted the initiatives we've undertaken since then, such as Shine Brighter, Think Smaller, and Live Bolder. These initiatives have led to the renovation of our facilities, the flourishing of our ministries, and the launch of a church planting initiative. I expressed gratitude for the congregation's generosity, which has allowed us to introduce a larger budget without borrowing money.
I then transitioned to the topic of fasting, a spiritual discipline that is often overlooked in modern Christianity. I explained that fasting is abstaining from food for spiritual reasons, to pursue God and align our hearts with Him. I highlighted that Jesus expected His followers to fast, as seen in Matthew 6, where He taught about fasting in secret to please God rather than to gain the approval of others.
I shared a personal experience of driving through dense fog and how it obscured the view, likening it to our spiritual lives where we sometimes struggle to see God clearly. I contrasted this with a clear night in Montana where the Milky Way was vividly visible, illustrating how fasting can clear the spiritual fog and allow us to see God more clearly.
I provided practical advice on how to fast, emphasizing the importance of starting small, making a plan, considering the impact on others, fasting with others for mutual support, and for those who cannot fast from food due to health reasons, to consider fasting from things like television, the internet, or social media.
I concluded by reminding the congregation of the importance of spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, worship, scripture memorization, and fasting, in abiding in Christ. I used the analogy of tuned mass damping in buildings to illustrate how the Holy Spirit stabilizes and strengthens us in our spiritual lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. Fasting is not just a physical act but a spiritual discipline that helps us to see ourselves and God correctly. It is about aligning with God's will rather than trying to align God with our will. This requires a humble heart and a clear understanding of our position before the Almighty. ([44:23])
2. The purpose of fasting is to draw closer to God, heighten our spiritual awareness, and refocus our faith on the issues we face, keeping them in the right perspective. It's not about gaining spiritual "oomph" but about seeking God's face and clarity in life. ([43:58])
3. Fasting should be approached with intentionality and a plan. It's not merely going hungry; it's a deliberate act of setting aside the seen and comfortable to pursue the unseen and eternal God. This discipline helps us to break free from the lust of the flesh and the lies of the evil one. ([38:11])
4. When fasting, it's crucial to consider its impact on those around us and to maintain love and care for others. Fasting should not be an excuse for unloving behavior; instead, it should enhance our pursuit of God while being mindful of our relationships. ([52:57])
5. The Holy Spirit acts as our tuned mass damper, stabilizing us in a sin-sick world. By engaging in spiritual disciplines, we allow the Spirit to thrive within us, enabling us to withstand the instability of life and grow in our Christian walk. ([01:00:54])
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 6:16-18 (NIV)
> "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
2. 1 Peter 5:5 (NIV)
> "In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'"
3. Nehemiah 1:4 (NIV)
> "When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Matthew 6:16-18, what instructions does Jesus give about the manner in which we should fast?
2. In 1 Peter 5:5, what is the relationship between humility and God's favor?
3. What was Nehemiah's response to the news about Jerusalem's walls, and how did fasting play a role in his reaction? ([42:06])
4. How did the pastor describe the purpose of fasting in relation to spiritual clarity and alignment with God? ([44:23])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize the importance of fasting in secret rather than for public display? How does this align with the overall message of humility in 1 Peter 5:5? ([39:26])
2. How can fasting help believers to see God more clearly, as illustrated by the pastor's analogy of the fog and the clear night sky? ([45:52])
3. What are some of the spiritual benefits of fasting mentioned in the sermon, and how do they relate to the examples of fasting in the Bible, such as Nehemiah's fast? ([42:42])
4. How does the concept of the Holy Spirit acting as a "tuned mass damper" relate to the practice of fasting and other spiritual disciplines? ([01:00:54])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current spiritual disciplines. How often do you practice fasting, and what has been your experience with it? If you haven't fasted before, what might be a good starting point for you? ([49:48])
2. The pastor mentioned starting small and making a plan for fasting. What specific steps can you take to incorporate fasting into your spiritual routine? ([50:16])
3. Consider the impact of your fasting on those around you. How can you communicate your intentions to your family or close friends without seeking their approval or recognition? ([52:06])
4. The sermon highlighted the importance of fasting with intentionality. What are some specific spiritual goals you hope to achieve through fasting, such as seeking clarity, breaking free from distractions, or drawing closer to God? ([51:15])
5. For those who cannot fast from food due to health reasons, what are some alternative forms of fasting you can consider, such as abstaining from social media or television? How might these alternatives help you to focus more on God? ([54:25])
6. Reflect on the analogy of the Holy Spirit as a tuned mass damper. How can engaging in spiritual disciplines like fasting help you to remain stable and centered in your faith amidst life's challenges? ([01:00:54])
7. Think about a time when you felt spiritually "foggy" or distant from God. How might fasting help you to clear away distractions and see God more clearly in your current situation? ([45:52])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Humility in Fasting
Fasting is a spiritual discipline that goes beyond mere abstinence from food; it is an act of humility before God. It is not about manipulating God to align with one's desires but rather aligning oneself with God's will. When fasting, individuals are called to approach the practice with a humble heart, recognizing their dependence on God and their need for His guidance. This humility allows for a clearer understanding of one's position before the Almighty and fosters a deeper relationship with God. By setting aside physical nourishment, one can become more attuned to spiritual matters and gain a better perspective on their life and faith. [44:23]
"Yet even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. (Joel 2:12-13 ESV)
Reflection: How can practicing fasting as an act of humility before God change your perspective on your spiritual needs and desires?
Day 2: Drawing Nearer to God Through Fasting
Fasting serves as a means to draw closer to God, to enhance spiritual awareness, and to maintain the right perspective on life's challenges. It is not about seeking a spiritual "oomph" but rather about seeking God's face with sincerity and clarity. When one fasts, it is an opportunity to refocus on God and to contemplate the issues faced in life through a spiritual lens. This practice helps to strip away distractions and allows for a more profound connection with God, leading to a heightened sense of His presence and guidance. [43:58]
"And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6:16-18 ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you incorporate fasting into your life to enhance your spiritual awareness and draw nearer to God?
Day 3: Intentionality and Planning in Fasting
Approaching fasting with intentionality and a plan is crucial for it to be a meaningful spiritual discipline. It is not simply about going without food but about consciously setting aside the comforts of the physical world to pursue a deeper relationship with the eternal God. This deliberate act helps individuals break free from the desires of the flesh and the deceptions of the evil one. By planning a fast, one can ensure that the time spent fasting is focused on spiritual growth and connection with God. [38:11]
"Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes." (Daniel 9:3 ESV)
Reflection: What is one step you can take to plan a fast that is focused on spiritual growth, and how will you implement it?
Day 4: Fasting with Consideration for Others
When engaging in fasting, it is essential to consider its impact on those around us. Fasting should not be an excuse for unloving behavior; instead, it should be a time when one's pursuit of God is accompanied by an increased mindfulness of relationships. Love and care for others should not be neglected but rather enhanced during a fast. This balance ensures that the spiritual discipline of fasting does not become self-centered but remains an act of worship that honors God and respects the community. [52:57]
"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?" (Isaiah 58:6-7 ESV)
Reflection: How can your fasting be a reflection of love and care for others, and what practical steps will you take to ensure this?
Day 5: The Holy Spirit as Our Stabilizer
The Holy Spirit acts as a tuned mass damper in our lives, providing stability and strength in a world filled with sin and instability. By engaging in spiritual disciplines like fasting, believers allow the Spirit to work more effectively within them, enabling them to withstand life's challenges and grow in their Christian walk. The Holy Spirit's presence in our lives is a source of comfort and guidance, helping us to remain steadfast in our faith and to live out the teachings of Christ in our daily lives. [01:00:54]
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." (Galatians 5:22-24 ESV)
Reflection: How does the Holy Spirit act as a stabilizer in your life, and what spiritual disciplines can you practice to strengthen this stabilizing effect?
Quotes
1. "Fasting is a spiritual discipline that truthfully in the modern church, we know little about and we practice even less. In fact, I would go so far as to say most of us, we understand feasting better than we know fasting. And yet, what we see from scripture, if we want to be on the correct side of scripture in the abiding life, then we need to not just know about..." [37:34]
2. "Fasting reduces the power of self, so that the Holy Spirit can do more intense work within us. And so, fasting helps us to not be ruled by the physical desires of this world so that we can grow in spiritual power, so we can have authority over the desires of our flesh, over the schemes of the world, and over the wiles of the devil." [38:11]
3. "The discipline of fasting breaks you free from the lust of your flesh, from the longings of this world. And from the lies of the evil one. Now, within the scriptures, the Bible actually has 77 unique passages about fasting. But the one that I want to focus on, the one I think is most important, is found in Matthew chapter 6, where Jesus is speaking at the Sermon on the Mount." [38:50]
4. "The benefit of fasting is that it should cause us to draw closer to God, it should heighten our spiritual awareness, and it should refocus our faith on the issues that we're facing to keep them in right perspective. In fact, in each of these situations in scripture, what we learn is the people that we're fasting, they weren't so much looking for some spiritual oomph." [43:32]
5. "It means that ultimately, fasting is the physical act of seeing correctly ourselves before God and correctly seeing God for who he is. And so it's about us aligning with God and his will rather than trying to get God to align with our will. This will never occur as long as you continue to see God for who you want him to be instead of for who he really is." [44:23]
6. "When we're remaining in and connected to Christ through the abiding life, our lives are fortified against even the harshest of elements, against the greatest temptations. When the instability of this world threatens to shake us to the point of collapse, the Holy Spirit through the abiding life works within us to pull us back to center..." [01:00:54]
7. "Fasting is not a license to be unloving. As we're seeking to love God, we should also be loving to others. Good fasting mingles the vertical pursuit with horizontal concern. If anything, others should feel even more loved and cared for. When we're fasting. And so to do that, you've got to think about how it's going to impact other people." [52:57]
8. "It's unlike any of the others because it's all about removing the clutter. It's all about breaking our earthly habits so that we're only addicted to you. It really is an important spiritual discipline. And so, Father, whether we're fasting food or fasting the internet or fasting social media, giving our spirit an inch of space..." [01:02:17]
9. "We've talked about the importance of prayer and worship. We've talked about the importance of the church and being a part of a church family in which you have true koinonia fellowship. We've talked about the importance of testifying and sharing our faith. We've talked about the importance of serving and ministering to others." [56:54]
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