Campus Community | Deeper Week 3
Overview
Tonight we continue our series DEEPER, in which we walk through the various aspects of spiritual formation. In the previous campus community Pastor David had us dive into the discipline of meditation. He emphasized the act of meditation as something we as believers “get to do” rather than simply being an obligation. Meditation gives us the opportunity to slow down and allow ourselves to “marinate” in the truths of God. Within this time of slowing, we find the opportunity to further re-center our minds and body on Christ through the discipline of fasting. Fasting is a part of spiritual formation in which we disrupt our normal activity in order to experience an extraordinary encounter with the Father through the submission of our routines to Him. Tonight, Pastor David walks us through the purpose, practice, and privilege of fasting as a spiritual discipline.
Verses
Matthew 6:16-18 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Isaiah 58:6-9 “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? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. 9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
Examples of Fasting in Scripture:
Jesus fasted in wilderness to begin His ministry -Matthew 4:1-2
Moses fasted before receiving the Commandments – Deut. 9:9-18
David fasted when mourning his child’s illness -2 Samuel 12:1-23
Elijah fasted while navigating deception & temptation –1 Kings 19
Ezra fasted while mourning over sin – Ezra 10:6-17
Esther fasted for the safety of her people – Esther 4:15-17
Daniel fasted for an answer to a specific prayer – Daniel 10:1-3
Paul fasted in the wake of his conversion- Acts 9:1-9
Elders in Antioch fasted before sending out missionaries – Acts 13:1-3
Quotes
“Fasting is holy deprivation drawing us near and in step with the heartbeat of God.”
“The central idea in fasting is the voluntary denial of an otherwise normal function for the sake of intense spiritual activity.” –Foster
“When we fast, ironically, we slow down.”
“We think fasting is what mature believers do when in fact it is a way for ALL believers to grow in maturity.”
“It is a sin to not fast. Fasting is a command, not a suggestion.”
“We GET to fast!”
“In fasting we are opening up a space for greater feasting.”
“When we fast, we interrupt the ordinary in order to invite the extraordinary.”
“Fasting has many secondary rewards such as renewal, realignment and reception,
but its primary aim is deeper intimacy with God.”
“In fasting we see the unseen”– Levi Lusko
“We don’t fast from sin, we throw it off and run.”
“The vertical aspects of fasting have a horizontal effect.”
“Loving people is not social gospel but a way to share The Gospel.”
A few warnings:
Don’t discount – “I can’t do this”
Don’t publicize – “I am so Godly”
Don’t weaponize – “I am so Godly for doing this”
Don’t let the enemy weaponize – If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you’re sick. If you struggle with any form of eating disorder.
Questions
1. In light of the fact that God commands us to fast, what steps will you commit to taking to obey Him?
2. What has changed in your understanding of fasting after hearing the message tonight?
3. Have you ever fasted? What has made you not be obedient in the past?
4. Is there a good thing in your life that has become an idol?
5. What does hunger for the Lord look like? How does fasting enhance and stir up your hunger for the Lord?
6. Define intimacy. Does that describe your relationship with the Lord?
7. How can our intimacy with God work its way out into the lives of those around us?