January 18, 2015

Fasting

Speaker: Reid S. Monaghan Series: The King's Speech Topic: Exposition Passage: Matthew 6:16–6:18

REVIEW AND INTRODUCTION

Fasting defined:

Fasting is a denial of oneself certain necessary things (biblically, food) that you would partake of in the course of everyday life in order to use that time and focus to humble ourselves and declare our dependence upon God, repent of sin and ask God to move as he wills when we pray to him.

 

A note to guests

 

My own struggle

 

THE NATURE OF FASTING

 

An Occasional Discipline

 

Biblical occasions and reasons

 

Repentance and Confession

Jonah 3:5; Nehemiah 9:1

 

Asking of God

Esther 4:12-17; 2 Samuel 12-15-23


Commitment and Clarity

Acts 13:1-3; Acts 14:23

 

WHEN YOU FAST— DON’T!!! MATTHEW 6:16

 

When you fast

Pharisees fasting, Luke 18:9-14

John the Baptizer’s followers, Luke 5:33-35

LENT

 

WHEN YOU FAST— DO!!! MATTHEW 6:17, 18

 

To Treasure

 

Community Meditation Questions

Know

  • Read and review together some of the Old Testament passages on fasting. Jonah 3, Esther 4, 2 Samuel 12:15-23, Nehemiah 9 and Ezra 8. What are some of the reasons people fasted there?
  • What are some dangers associated with fasting? Why is it not always even the right thing to do on some occasions?

Feel

  • How do you feel about fasting? How about intimate relationship with the God you treasure? If God is the end in fasting how does that change your feeling about it?
  • Does biblical fasting have a “happy” disposition? Is it supposed to be “fun”?

Live

  • Do you have a regular practice of fasting? Why or Why Not? What are some reasons people would choose to not fast?
  • Review “A Guide to Fasting” by Scott Jones for some practiceal counsel in approaching fasting. jacobswellnj.org/articles/post/a-guide-to-fasting
  • How will you, your crew, your MC, your family take advantage of LENT this season to fast

other sermons in this series

Apr 5

2015

The Authority of the King

Speaker: Reid S. Monaghan Passage: Matthew 7:28–7:29 Series: The King's Speech

Mar 29

2015

Foundation for the Good Fight

Speaker: Reid S. Monaghan Passage: Matthew 7:24–7:27 Series: The King's Speech

Mar 22

2015

House Builders

Speaker: Dean Macke Passage: Matthew 7:24–7:27 Series: The King's Speech