Fasting: A Path to Spiritual Renewal and Healing

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, we must be willing to confront and confess our shortcomings to God, just as we would tell a doctor about our ailments to receive healing. Isaiah 58 provides profound insights into the practice of fasting, emphasizing its role in sharpening our spiritual focus. Fasting is not merely abstaining from food; it is a deliberate act of setting aside physical needs to pursue a greater spiritual goal. Throughout the Bible, fasting has been a tool for seeking divine intervention in various situations, from personal needs to communal crises.

Zechariah 7:5-6 reminds us that fasting is for God, not for ourselves. It is a spiritual discipline that places the spiritual above the physical, declaring our dependence on God. Jesus emphasized the importance of fasting in His absence, highlighting its role in enhancing our spiritual effectiveness. However, we must be cautious of "fake fasting," where we go through the motions without genuine spiritual hunger. True fasting should lead us to a deeper hunger for God, not just a temporary spiritual pacification.

Isaiah 58 challenges us to examine our motives in fasting. Are we seeking God's will, or are we merely fulfilling a religious duty? True fasting requires humility and repentance, symbolized by sackcloth and ashes. It demands that we face our sins honestly, without excuses, and seek God's forgiveness. Just as a colonoscopy is necessary for physical health, a spiritual examination is essential for our spiritual well-being. We must allow God to cleanse us of sin, enabling Him to work powerfully in our lives.

Fasting is a spiritual discipline that invites Heaven to invade our earthly circumstances. It is a call to prioritize the spiritual over the physical, to seek God's solutions for the deep issues of life. By humbling ourselves and addressing our sins, we open the door for God's transformative power to work in us and through us.

Key Takeaways:

- Fasting is a spiritual discipline that prioritizes the spiritual over the physical, allowing us to seek God's intervention in our lives. It is not just about abstaining from food but about setting aside physical needs to pursue a greater spiritual goal. [01:31]

- True fasting requires genuine spiritual hunger and humility. It is not about going through the motions but about seeking a deeper relationship with God. We must be cautious of "fake fasting," where we pacify ourselves without true spiritual growth. [03:55]

- Isaiah 58 challenges us to examine our motives in fasting. Are we seeking God's will, or are we merely fulfilling a religious duty? True fasting requires humility and repentance, symbolized by sackcloth and ashes. [08:47]

- We must face our sins honestly, without excuses, and seek God's forgiveness. Just as a colonoscopy is necessary for physical health, a spiritual examination is essential for our spiritual well-being. [12:09]

- Fasting invites Heaven to invade our earthly circumstances. By humbling ourselves and addressing our sins, we open the door for God's transformative power to work in us and through us. [13:32]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Confessing to God
- [00:33] - Isaiah 58 and Fasting
- [00:54] - Different Reasons for Fasting
- [01:31] - Definition of Fasting
- [02:04] - Fasting for God
- [02:20] - Sharpening the Spiritual Axe
- [02:39] - The Crying Baby Analogy
- [03:35] - Fake Fasting
- [04:42] - The Hunger for God
- [05:00] - Questioning God
- [06:11] - Spiritual Over Physical
- [07:14] - God's Chosen Fast
- [08:07] - Rounding the Bases of Fasting
- [09:03] - Humbling Ourselves
- [12:09] - Facing Our Sins
- [13:32] - Spiritual Colonoscopy

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Isaiah 58
- Zechariah 7:5-6
- Psalm 66:18

---

Observation Questions:

1. According to Isaiah 58, what are the Israelites questioning about their fasting, and how does God respond to their concerns? [05:00]

2. In Zechariah 7:5-6, what distinction is made between fasting and eating, and what does this imply about the purpose of fasting?

3. How does the sermon describe "fake fasting," and what analogy is used to illustrate this concept? [03:35]

4. What does Psalm 66:18 suggest about the relationship between harboring sin and hearing from God? [12:09]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon suggest that fasting can sharpen one's spiritual focus, and why is this important for seeking divine intervention? [00:33]

2. What does it mean to prioritize the spiritual over the physical, and how might this look in a believer's daily life? [05:37]

3. How does the concept of "spiritual colonoscopy" relate to the process of repentance and seeking God's forgiveness? [13:17]

4. In what ways does the sermon challenge believers to examine their motives for fasting, and how can this lead to genuine spiritual growth? [08:47]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you may have engaged in "fake fasting" or other religious activities without genuine spiritual hunger. How can you ensure your future spiritual practices are more authentic? [03:35]

2. Consider the areas in your life where you might be prioritizing the physical over the spiritual. What specific changes can you make to shift this focus? [05:37]

3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of confessing sins to God. Is there a particular sin or attitude you need to confront and confess to God this week? [12:09]

4. How can you incorporate fasting as a regular spiritual discipline in your life, and what specific spiritual goals do you hope to achieve through it? [07:34]

5. Think about a situation in your life where you need divine intervention. How might fasting and prayer help you seek God's guidance and solutions? [02:04]

6. The sermon compares spiritual examination to a colonoscopy. What steps can you take to regularly examine your spiritual health and address any "junk" that may be hindering your relationship with God? [13:17]

7. How can you cultivate a deeper hunger for God in your daily life, and what practical steps can you take to nurture this hunger? [04:42]

Devotional

Day 1: Prioritizing the Spiritual Over the Physical
Fasting is a spiritual discipline that calls us to prioritize the spiritual over the physical. It is not merely about abstaining from food but about setting aside our physical needs to pursue a greater spiritual goal. Throughout the Bible, fasting has been used as a tool for seeking divine intervention in various situations, from personal needs to communal crises. By fasting, we declare our dependence on God and invite His presence into our lives. This act of humility and surrender allows us to focus on God's will and seek His guidance in our lives. [01:31]

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 physical need or desire can you set aside today to focus more on your spiritual growth and dependence on God?


Day 2: Genuine Spiritual Hunger and Humility
True fasting requires genuine spiritual hunger and humility. It is not about going through the motions but about seeking a deeper relationship with God. We must be cautious of "fake fasting," where we pacify ourselves without true spiritual growth. Instead, fasting should lead us to a deeper hunger for God, not just a temporary spiritual pacification. This genuine hunger and humility open the door for God's transformative power to work in us and through us. [03:55]

Matthew 5:6 (ESV): "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."

Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a genuine hunger for God today, beyond just fulfilling religious duties?


Day 3: Examining Our Motives in Fasting
Isaiah 58 challenges us to examine our motives in fasting. Are we seeking God's will, or are we merely fulfilling a religious duty? True fasting requires humility and repentance, symbolized by sackcloth and ashes. It demands that we face our sins honestly, without excuses, and seek God's forgiveness. By examining our motives, we ensure that our fasting is a sincere act of worship and devotion to God, rather than a mere ritual. [08:47]

Joel 2:12-13 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: What are your true motives for fasting or engaging in spiritual disciplines? How can you align them more closely with seeking God's will?


Day 4: Facing Our Sins Honestly
We must face our sins honestly, without excuses, and seek God's forgiveness. Just as a colonoscopy is necessary for physical health, a spiritual examination is essential for our spiritual well-being. By allowing God to cleanse us of sin, we enable Him to work powerfully in our lives. This honest confrontation with our shortcomings is a crucial step in our spiritual journey, leading to healing and transformation. [12:09]

Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV): "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"

Reflection: What sin or shortcoming do you need to confront honestly today? How can you seek God's forgiveness and healing in this area?


Day 5: Inviting Heaven to Invade Earthly Circumstances
Fasting invites Heaven to invade our earthly circumstances. By humbling ourselves and addressing our sins, we open the door for God's transformative power to work in us and through us. This spiritual discipline calls us to prioritize the spiritual over the physical and seek God's solutions for the deep issues of life. As we fast and pray, we invite God's presence and power to bring about change and transformation in our lives and the world around us. [13:32]

2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV): "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

Reflection: How can you invite God's transformative power into a specific area of your life or community today through fasting and prayer?

Quotes


you must be willing to tell the doctor what's wrong if you want the doctor to make it right you and I must be willing to tell God what's wrong with our attitudes our actions what we did what we said that would block fellowship with him if we want to hear from heaven [00:00:10]

fasting can be defined as the deliberate abstinence from some form of physical gratification for a period of time in order to activate a greater spiritual goal or to achieve a greater spiritual goal Zechariah 7 verses 5 and six says you fast for God you eat for yourself we eat fful our physical well-being for our nutritional value [00:01:31]

when you fast when you intentionally give up the physical to gain the spiritual you do that for God and so Jesus made the point that in my absence after my death resurrection and Ascension you will Fast until I come again because if you need something to happen in the physical you're going to need to have a sharpened axe in the spiritual [00:02:04]

a pacifier is designed to shut you up while not benefiting you at all a pacify is fake news pacify is designed to make you think something is happening because you're performing the duty you are sucking and sucking and sucking and sucking so maybe if you suck hard enough and long enough you think something is happening in your life [00:03:35]

a lot of fake fasting goes on where you can go through the motions to pacify and make you think you are spiritual make you think you're going there's a lot of pacifying worship that goes on because I went to church I must be spiritual or getting close to God well the way you know you've been pacified is you're still hungry [00:04:42]

fasting is supposed to say that the spiritual is more important than the physical that the Supernatural is more important than the natural fasting says that man does not live by bread alone that the physical can't fix this fasting says I need a spiritual booster because the vaccine of my normal worship isn't working [00:06:11]

it is to declare that I need Heaven more than I need Earth and to let you know God how serious I am I'mma let something on Earth go for a period of time because I need something more important from heaven and so it's designed to place the spiritual in front of the physical [00:06:48]

you cannot use religious activity as a camouflage for unrighteous activity we must face our sin if we want to see God's Solutions if we are not willing to face our sins not excuse them but face them to acknowledge God the Bible says that the one Psalm 6 6618 who Harbors wickedness in his heart will not hear from God [00:09:03]

so if you want to hear from God you must face unrighteousness in your life or my life or collectively in our lives we must not call it a mistake a bad habit or you know my bad we've got to call it what God calls it if God has called it and God calls it sin when we disobey him or his word [00:10:00]

a lot of us want God to remodel our circumstance when we don't want him to tear out our sin and if he's not free to tear out our unrighteousness he's not free to remodel our lives and put them in the order that we want them to be in need them to be in and request that they be in [00:12:09]

God is inviting us to spiritual colonoscopies he's saying I want to cleanse of sin so that I am free to produce what you need in your life through the fast which I choose not the one that you want but the one that I choose [00:13:32]

so you know when you want to remodel something you got to be willing to tear stuff out and it's messy before you can put new stuff in and a lot of us want God to remodel our circumstance when we don't want him to tear out our sin and if he's not free to tear out our unrighteousness [00:12:16]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Mar 29, 2023. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?