Let's Talk about “Church”

Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-10

C.I.: Fasting in a Time of Feasting

Last Sunday (1 st Century church in the 21 st Century)… - The Lord's church does not need to be up-dated or improved!
( Quote Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28; Jn. 12:48; Matt. 15:9 ). – So in a day of power lunches we will look at a rare topic… fasting.

I. Fasting in the Lord's Church ( is it something we are to do now?! )

A. Definition

1. “Putting off the physical for the sake of the spiritual .”
a. When we are fasting we are saying, ‘Lord, You know I need food (I love food), – but my need (and my
love) for You is far greater!!!'
1) This recognition of our need for God – has always been vital to – a right relationship w/Him.
2) As a discipline – the putting away something that is good for us – helps us become stronger –
when we need to put aside those things which are not good for us.

b. Let's now look in the New Testament and see what we can learn about this Bible topic.

B. Jesus and Fasting

1. There is only one recorded time of Jesus ever fasting…
a. ( Matt. 4:1-2 ), “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. – And after He
had fasted for 40 days He became hungry.” – This took place immediately after His baptism.
1) Jesus is beginning a ministry that will lead Him to the cross
2) He recognizes His need for His Father is great – even greater than His need for food, ( quote v.
4 ), “It is written, ‘Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth...'”
3) This “food” carried Him through life, ( Jn. 4:32, 34 ), “I have food to eat … My food is to do….”

2. Yet Jesus dealt with the topic of “fasting” several times during His earthly ministry…
a. ( Matt. 6:16 ), “When you fast…”
1) Notice, Jesus said “when you fast” not “IF”! – He expected His people to fast.
2) This “when” is the same word as is found in vs. 2, 6 - re: giving alms & praying.
3) ( vs. 17-18 ), “…do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance…
but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will repay you.”
4) Yet notice that Jesus is also saying - there is a wrong motive for fasting – ( cf. Matt. 6:1 ).

b. ( Mk. 2:18-20 ), “John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and they came and said to Him, ‘Why do
John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?' – Jesus said to them, ‘While
the bridegroom is with them, the attendants of the bridegroom do not fast, do they? – AS long as they have the BG
with them, they cannot fast. – But the days will come when the BG is taken away from them, and then they will fast
in that day.'”
1) Jesus w/disciples = celebration; - Jesus not physically w/us = fasting.
2) He followed this with His teaching re: wineskins ( quote vs. 22 ). – This = transformation. –
Are we willing to pay the price in the physical realm (fasting) – to be transformed in spirit?!

C. The New Testament Church and Fasting

1. Part of this “new wine” (i.e., Fasting) – also includes our desire to seek the Lord's blessing.
a. ( Acts 13:1-2 ), “Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers… and they were
ministering to the Lord and fasting.”
1) What do “prophets & teachers” do? (preach/teach) – Thus, they desired God's blessing.
2) Is there a need today - for fasting for us here in the local work of preaching and teaching?!!

b. ( Acts 13:3-4 ), “…the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called
them.' – Then when they had fasted and prayed… they sent them away.”
1) So begins the “1 st Missionary Journey.” – Did they need God's blessing for this work?
2) Is there a need today for the work of global evangelism?

c. ( Acts 14:23 ), “And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they
commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”
1) To the family here, have we fasted for the men to be appointed as elders over this church?!

2. Issues and Fasting
a. #1. Fasting is healthy for most (Google this). – But should be used under Dr.'s supervision by those
who are diabetic or have other health issues.

b. #2. The disciplines of fasting, prayer & study go together – ( Dan. 9:3 ), “So I gave my attention to the
Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications with fasting….” We talk & eat – They prayed & fasted!!

c. #3. The discipline of fasting helps us remain focused on the more important things – ( Mk. 4:19 ),
“…the worries of the world, the deceitfulness of riches & the desire for other things enter in & choke out….”
1) As I said earlier, - if we can say “No!” to something good for us, - it will strengthen us to be
able to say “No!” to things that would harm us!!!
2) This isn't new to God's people – ( Rev. 3:15-17 ), “I know your deeds… Because you say, ‘I am…'”
3) If we are going to be truly honest – fasting in a time of feasting – is not high on our list!!!

c. #4. The discipline of fasting must never be seen as a substitute for moral, ethical or faithful devotion
to God (as we saw in Isa. 58 )!
1) This was the same problem the Jews in Jesus day had ( cf. Lk 18:9ff ), “He told a parable to….”
2) Sadly, fasting became a sign of piety in the 3 rd century church, “Let not your fasts be with the
hypocrites (the Jews), for they fast on Mondays & Thursdays, but you fast on Wednesdays &
Fridays,” Didache, VIII. 1.

CONCLUSIONS:

1. The discipline of fasting is clearly a Bible concept – and one that was practiced by the church of the New Testament.
2. It is a practice that has not been preached or practiced very much by the Lord's people today!
3. Jesus hasn't given up on us – ( quote Rev. 3:20 )
4. Fasting continues to be something God's people need to apply to ourselves – as we seek God's blessing, Mk16:15-16 !!!