VIRTUAL SERVICE - FRESH START | 2 Samuel 12:15 - 23

``First are those who have never fasted. They have no idea what I'm talking about. They've heard the word, but it really means nothing in context of church. The other group are those who have fasted and they find it to be life altering in the context of their relationship with Jesus. It is the most dynamic, interesting time of their life, and they really grow from it. [00:29:45] (26 seconds)  #FastingChangesLives

So as we introduce fasting and prayer, you need to understand a couple of real simple principles. The first principle that I want you to understand is purpose. So what is fasting and prayer? What purpose does it serve? Simply put, fasting and prayer is a spiritual discipline where we deny ourselves to devote more time to prayer in an effort to have a deeper understanding of God's will and design for our lives. [00:31:56] (35 seconds)  #FastingWithPurpose

The second thing I want you to understand is the process. So what is the process for fasting and prayer? Typically, you don't eat through the day. And the time that you would normally devote to eating, you spend that time praying, reading the bible, and meditating on God's word. And then at the end of the day, sometime after sunset typically, you have a modest meal in order to maintain some energy and health. [00:33:05] (30 seconds)  #FastingPractice

The posture of fasting and prayer is one of desperation. It's a need for hope. It's not about your stomach. It's all about your heart. [00:42:14] (17 seconds)  #HeartNotHunger

Examine your motivation for fasting. Repent of your sins so that you were in the right spirit to fast and pray. And then after you've searched your heart, commit your heart. Determine to be steadfast this week and be strong. If you stumble, that's okay. Just repent and start again. [00:49:44] (29 seconds)  #RepentAndPersist

Perhaps like David, you have a loved one that you have been praying for that you would rather starve than see them go one more day without a relationship with Jesus. Or you see the community around you crumbling and you need God to intercede like Nehemiah. [00:52:07] (17 seconds)  #IntercedeLikeDavid

This week, we are continuing our sermon series called fresh start. We started the series at the January showing that a relationship with Jesus gives us a fresh start as we talked about how about Jesus and the woman at the well. We examined how a fresh start begins with a fresh focus and a fresh identity when we put away our old selves and let Christ rule in our hearts. And last week, we saw that a fresh start happens in biblical community and how community groups here at Impact help us to provide some of that community. Today, we're going to examine a fresh start in the context of a very old discipline as we examine fasting and prayer. [00:28:05] (53 seconds)  #FreshStartThroughFasting

Throughout the old and new testaments, this is the purpose of fasting and prayer. It isn't about losing weight, and it really isn't about self denial, but it's about getting a hold of God and seeking a better understanding or direction from him. [00:32:31] (18 seconds)  #FastingForDirection