Fasting: Deepening Our Hunger for God

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound spiritual practice of fasting, a discipline that aligns us with the life and teachings of Jesus. Fasting is not merely an abstention from food but a voluntary act of setting aside physical needs to focus on spiritual growth and connection with God. It serves as a reminder of our deeper hunger for God, a hunger that only He can satisfy. This practice is part of a broader series on "Practicing the Way," where we examine the life of Jesus and the practices He prioritized, such as prayer, solitude, and now fasting.

Fasting is a spiritual discipline that helps us acknowledge our hunger for God and realize what truly satisfies our souls. It is a way to eliminate distractions and focus on nurturing our relationship with God. By abstaining from food or other pleasures, we create space to experience God's presence more fully and seek His wisdom and direction. Fasting is expected of us as followers of Christ, not as a legalistic requirement but as an invitation to deepen our communion with Him.

The practice of fasting also strengthens our prayers and prepares us for spiritual battles. It heightens our spiritual awareness and demonstrates our dependence on God. In moments of desperation, fasting can lead to breakthroughs, both personally and for others we intercede for. It is a way to seek God's guidance and align our lives with His will.

As we engage in fasting, we are reminded of Jesus' words in Matthew 11, where He invites us to find rest for our souls by taking His yoke upon us. Fasting is a means to experience this rest and spiritual satisfaction, drawing us closer to the heart of God. It is a practice that leads us to greater things, beyond the temporary pleasures of this world, to the eternal joy found in a deeper relationship with our Creator.

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Key Takeaways:

1. Acknowledging Our Spiritual Hunger: Recognizing our spiritual hunger is the first step in nurturing our relationship with God. Just as our physical bodies need food, our souls long for the presence and love of God. This hunger can only be truly satisfied by walking with Jesus and experiencing the fullness of His love. [05:50]

2. Eliminating Distractions: To nurture our hunger for God, we must eliminate distractions that suppress our spiritual appetite. Good things, when overindulged, can overshadow the best things—our relationship with God. By setting aside these distractions, we create space for deeper communion with Him. [10:55]

3. Fasting as a Spiritual Discipline: Fasting is a voluntary abstinence from food or other pleasures for spiritual growth. It is expected of us as followers of Christ, not as a legalistic duty but as an invitation to connect more deeply with God. This discipline helps us gain spiritual strength and awareness. [14:02]

4. Seeking Breakthroughs Through Fasting: Fasting is a powerful way to seek breakthroughs in our lives and the lives of others. In times of desperation, fasting can lead to spiritual breakthroughs, loosening the chains of injustice and setting the oppressed free. It changes us and aligns us with God's purposes. [22:49]

5. Fasting for Wisdom and Direction: Fasting is a means of seeking God's wisdom and direction in our lives. It strengthens our prayers and prepares us for spiritual battles. By setting aside physical needs, we open ourselves to receive God's guidance and align our lives with His will. [26:41]

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Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [05:50] - Spiritual Hunger and Satisfaction
- [10:55] - Eliminating Distractions
- [14:02] - Understanding Fasting
- [20:03] - Fasting and Spiritual Discipline
- [22:49] - Breakthroughs Through Fasting
- [26:41] - Seeking Wisdom and Direction
- [31:16] - Practical Tips for Fasting
- [41:03] - Prayer and Reflection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Spiritual Practice of Fasting

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 11:28-30 - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
2. John 6:35 - "Then Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'"
3. 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?"

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Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what is the spiritual parallel between our physical hunger and our need for God? [05:50]
2. How does the sermon describe the role of fasting in strengthening our prayers and preparing us for spiritual battles? [26:41]
3. What are some examples given in the sermon of things we might fast from besides food? [14:02]
4. How does the sermon explain the connection between fasting and seeking breakthroughs in our lives? [22:49]

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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that fasting can lead to spiritual breakthroughs, both personally and for others? [22:49]
2. How does the sermon interpret Jesus' invitation in Matthew 11:28-30 in the context of fasting and finding rest for our souls? [05:50]
3. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between fasting and humility or dependence on God? [20:03]
4. How does the sermon describe the impact of fasting on our spiritual awareness and discipline? [14:02]

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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own spiritual hunger. What are some ways you can acknowledge and nurture this hunger in your daily life? [10:55]
2. Identify one distraction in your life that suppresses your spiritual appetite. What steps can you take this week to eliminate or reduce this distraction? [10:55]
3. Consider a situation in your life where you are seeking a breakthrough. How might fasting play a role in seeking God's guidance and intervention in this area? [22:49]
4. Think about a decision you need to make. How can you incorporate fasting as a way to seek God's wisdom and direction? [26:41]
5. Reflect on the sermon’s message about fasting as a spiritual discipline. How can you incorporate fasting into your spiritual practices in a way that feels meaningful and sustainable for you? [14:02]
6. The sermon mentions fasting as a way to demonstrate humility and dependence on God. How can you cultivate a greater sense of humility and dependence in your relationship with God through fasting? [20:03]
7. How can you encourage others in your small group or community to explore fasting as a spiritual practice? What support or resources might be helpful for them? [31:16]

Devotional

Day 1: Recognizing Our Deeper Hunger for God
Our spiritual journey begins with acknowledging a profound hunger that goes beyond physical needs. This hunger is a longing for the presence and love of God, a desire that can only be truly satisfied by walking with Jesus. Just as our bodies require nourishment, our souls yearn for a deeper connection with our Creator. This spiritual hunger is an invitation to experience the fullness of God's love and to nurture our relationship with Him. By recognizing this need, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's presence in our lives. [05:50]

Isaiah 55:1-2 (ESV): "Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food."

Reflection: What are some ways you can intentionally seek to satisfy your spiritual hunger for God today, rather than turning to temporary pleasures?


Day 2: Creating Space by Eliminating Distractions
In our fast-paced world, distractions abound, often overshadowing our spiritual appetite. To nurture our hunger for God, we must intentionally eliminate these distractions, even those that are inherently good, to create space for deeper communion with Him. By setting aside time and energy to focus on our relationship with God, we allow His presence to fill our lives more fully. This intentional act of prioritizing God over worldly distractions helps us to experience His love and guidance in profound ways. [10:55]

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Reflection: Identify one distraction in your life that often takes precedence over your time with God. How can you intentionally set it aside this week to focus on your relationship with Him?


Day 3: Embracing Fasting as a Path to Spiritual Growth
Fasting is a spiritual discipline that invites us to voluntarily abstain from food or other pleasures to focus on spiritual growth. It is not a legalistic duty but an opportunity to connect more deeply with God. Through fasting, we gain spiritual strength and awareness, acknowledging our dependence on God for sustenance. This practice helps us to align our lives with His will and to experience His presence in a more profound way. By embracing fasting, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's love and guidance. [14:02]

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: Consider a specific area in your life where you desire spiritual growth. How might fasting help you to focus on this area and seek God's guidance?


Day 4: Seeking Breakthroughs Through the Power of Fasting
Fasting is a powerful way to seek breakthroughs in our lives and the lives of others. In times of desperation, fasting can lead to spiritual breakthroughs, loosening the chains of injustice and setting the oppressed free. It changes us and aligns us with God's purposes, allowing us to experience His power and presence in new ways. By fasting, we demonstrate our dependence on God and invite His transformative work in our lives and the world around us. [22:49]

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: Think of a specific situation in your life or the life of someone you care about where you desire a breakthrough. How can you incorporate fasting as a way to seek God's intervention and guidance?


Day 5: Fasting for Divine Wisdom and Direction
Fasting is a means of seeking God's wisdom and direction in our lives. By setting aside physical needs, we open ourselves to receive God's guidance and align our lives with His will. This practice strengthens our prayers and prepares us for spiritual battles, allowing us to experience God's presence and power in profound ways. Through fasting, we invite God to lead us and to reveal His purposes for our lives, helping us to navigate the challenges and opportunities we face. [26:41]

James 1:5-6 (ESV): "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind."

Reflection: What is one decision or situation in your life where you need God's wisdom and direction? How can you incorporate fasting as a way to seek His guidance and align your life with His will?

Quotes

"In Scripture, there's a spiritual parallel between our need for food and our need for God. There's this, you know, metaphors about bread and thirst and hunger and all of that. We get hungry, we get thirsty, and we get tired because we were created by God with the need for food, the need for water, and the need for sleep. So we get, that's why we get hungry, thirsty, and tired. We can't live without these things." [00:04:59] (34 seconds)


"But the spiritual parallel is that we were also created by God to hunger for Him, to long for Him and have Him truly satisfy the longings of our hearts. That ache that's in every human heart, that desire, that nothing in the world can actually satisfy until we're hungry. Until we're walking with Jesus. Until we encounter the Father and the Holy Spirit." [00:06:03] (31 seconds)


"I think this first one is very important, is I need to acknowledge my hunger. I need to acknowledge that I'm hungry. I need to acknowledge that there's an ache in my soul. There's a longing that we try all of our different things to satisfy and at the end of the day we find ourselves empty. Why do so many rich and famous and powerful people live miserable lives? They thought those things were going to be the answer to the longing of their heart when really only our creator can be the one that satisfies the depths of our soul." [00:09:01] (37 seconds)


"Here's what my thought was. This is that we can. Get filled up on good things, things that are actually good in of themselves. We can get filled up on those and forget the most important things about being filled with the spirit of God and the things of God." [00:12:42] (20 seconds)


"When people start exercising going to the gym running walking a lot when you power through the soreness and you replace a bad habit with a good habit and you begin to continue to exercise you your body creates endorphins. And that you actually don't even realize it but you're when you want to get up and do a long run or or lift weights or whatever it is your body wants those endorphins. It's it's God -given and the more you exercise the more you want to exercise the deeper you walk with Jesus the deeper your hunger will be the more you come to him to have your hunger satisfied the more hungry you will be now. Listen, this is important. This is not. A message of shame that you're not doing enough. We're not doing enough." [00:14:02] (55 seconds)


"God gets the glory when we say Lord, thank you for food. Thank you for this this good meal, but food also glorifies God when we set it. Side for nurturing our hunger for him. And so when we set aside not let's not focus just on food for a second, but other things when you fast from TV for a week fast from the internet was talking with Tony this week fast from your phone. Like not just always like you ever catch yourself like in a long line. What do you do pull out your phone and what's going on on Facebook or Instagram or or news or whatever? We're hooked to these things and we're tethered so much. We don't realize it fasting from your smartphone could be a very special fast for you to grow. I don't know what it is in your life. I know what things are in my life fasting from could be sweets. It could be whatever you have pleasure in your life for the focus for the purpose of focusing on God." [00:16:56] (68 seconds)


"Fasting is expected fasting is expected in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is talking about spiritual practices. He says when you pray go into your room shut the door be alone when you give don't make a big announcement. Look how much I gave into the kingdom, but then he says when you fast so we all pray we give so he says when you fast. So this is a practice that Jesus. Specs from us of some sort not legalism not some checklist, but it's again the invitation to connect deeper with him thirdly fasting helps us gain discipline. Oh the D word helps us gain discipline and discipline leads to godliness." [00:18:22] (54 seconds)


"Fasting is saying no to good things temporarily. So that it will lead us to greater things. Let me say that again. Fasting, temporarily, saying no to good things, food, whatever, pleasure, this or that, leads us to greater things. Those are good things in themselves, but we want the greater things. The deeper things with the Lord." [00:22:43] (31 seconds)


"When we are desperate, in desperate situations, we learn more. We learn more about God. Now, God doesn't want us running around being desperate all the time. But the reality is, life makes us desperate sometimes. And we don't see the hand of God working. We feel like our prayers are banging off the ceiling sometimes. But that desperation that leads to that hunger and that longing, that brings breakthrough. I wonder today, do you need a breakthrough? Does somebody you know need a breakthrough?" [00:24:24] (35 seconds)


"Fasting is a way of finding that breakthrough. Through the prophet Isaiah, God says this, Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen? To loose the chains of injustice, and to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free, and break every yoke. Fasting doesn't change God. It changes us." [00:24:24] (27 seconds)


"Fasting is a way of seeking God's wisdom and direction. Do you have decisions to make? Do you have decisions that are, things that are pressing in on you right now that you need to know, God, what is the wise choice here? What's the right decision? What road should we be on? What road should I be on?" [00:26:00] (24 seconds)


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Transcript
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