THE CULTURE OF A BIBLICAL CHURCH: STARVING FOR MORE – A TIME FOR FASTING

DR. LARRY LAMB

• If you follow Jesus long enough, there will be seasons where you can long for a , more intimate relationship with Him.
• Salvation in Jesus is a completed work. While maturing in Jesus (sanctification) is ongoing, we are not progressively being saved.
• Many followers of Jesus have indicated that during and after suffering, they had a deeper, more relationship with God, the Father.
• 2 Corinthians 12:10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

• A deeper, more intimate relationship with Jesus can also result from a time of fasting. Much of the time, it’s a fast from eating food.
• Fasting with the right motive is longing to be empty in the stomach but with God’s fullness.
• Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
• Through fasting, we come to God’s abundant table and freely enjoy His presence, saying, “Father, it’s you I want. Less of me and more of You.”
• John 3:30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.
• Fasting is not an elite spiritual practice. If someone believes they are an elite Christian because of fasting, they have the intent and are driven by pride rather than humility.
• In early Christianity, giving, praying, and fasting were standard practices.

1. EXPRESS DEPENDENCE AND RECEIVE DISCERNMENT

• Acts 13:1-3 Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas ), and Saul. 2 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” 3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.
• Fasting is a way to express on God instead of relying on self-induced discovery.
• Proverbs 3:5, 6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

2. WHEN TROUBLE COMES

• gets tough news in life. Fast and pray about the trouble.
• Nehemiah receives awful news about Jerusalem and the Jews who have returned from captivity. Here’s Nehemiah’s response:
• Nehemiah 1:4 When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.

1. Plan a time – Put the time of fasting on the .
2. Start small – A sundown to sundown fast so you would skip two meals. This would be a challenge for those who are diabetic. Instead of skipping food, skip something else. (Have your Bible, notebook, and a pen close by and journal the 24 hours).
3. Fasting is not work – It is not a gruesome experience, and it’s not weird. Fasting is deep with the Living God.
4. Fasting – Is seeking God and starving for .

“God is calling for people to set apart their devotion exclusively to Him. Distractions may nag at you, but Jesus’ sweet voice will win your heart as you take the journey into fasting and prayer.” Brian Simmons

• What are you facing today, and is God calling you to a place of dependence to have discernment?

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I know that the penalty for my sin is physical, spiritual, and eternal death. I acknowledge that I can’t do anything about my situation. But I know that You came to pay the penalty for my sin. I trust in You alone as the One who died in my place. I repent of my sin and trust in You as the only One who can place me in an eternal relationship with the living God. I desire to be Your child. I desire to live as Your child. In Your name. Amen.

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