“Understanding the Times” Part X

 

2 Cor 10:4-5

 

Fasting

 

fast – the word fast or related terms are found around 73 times in the Bible

-it means to restrain yourself or abstain

 

-restrain from food and drink water

 

-the Lord tells His kids when to fast

 

-so no to the work of the flesh – the appetite

 

-get an open reward – Matt 6:16-18

 

-fasting is accompanied by humility

*we need the Lord/must bow before Him and get low

 

 

 

                  5 MAIN REASONS TO FAST

 

 

(1) THERE IS AN ENEMY THAT MUST CONTINUALLY BE RESISTED – JOB 1:1,5-7

 

-demons are real, exist and are fallen angels

 

-they are powerful, but not all powerful

*the enemy only knows what you speak out

 

 

 

 

(2) ANOTHER REASON TO FAST IS THAT THERE IS A WORLD WAITING TO BE SAVED – Luke 15

 

 

Luke 15    lost sheep – vs1-7

                lost coin – vs8-10

                lost son – vs11-32

 

 

a. there are a lot of people who are lost

-lost – means to be out of place

 

 

b. the Lord loves lost people and enjoys being among them – Lk 7:34 & Mark 2:13-17

 

c. God is not mad at things that are lost. He loves them – John 3:16

 

*Luke 19:1-10

 

Why fast for the lost?   Isaiah 58:1-6

 

 

v1 – cry with your throat – that you may be heard

-do not refrain from speaking out

-be like a trumpet – so people can hear near and far

 

vs2-5 – Israel had a form of godliness but not having the real true and living God

 

v6 – this is the Lord’s fast and it will change the lives of believers and unbelievers

 

 

 

 

(3) ANOTHER REASON TO FAST IS THAT THERE IS A NATION THAT NEEDS TO BE HEALED – JOEL 2:12-17

 

*our nation has turned away from the lord.  If we return to the lord, He will return to us – Joel 2:12, 14 and James 4:8…….

 

 

 

(4) ANOTHER REASON TO FAST IS BECAUSE THERE IS A GOD WHO DESIRES TO MOVE, BUT IS WAITING ON HIS CHILDREN TO ACT – 2 Chr 7:14

 

-the Lord is on the move, desires to bring revival and wants great things to happen

 

-the Lord is waiting on the church to act and do their part

 

 

 

 

(5) ANOTHER REASON TO FAST IS THAT THERE IS A  CHURCH THAT IS WAITING TO BE STIRRED – 2 Tim 1:6

 

-be set free from lethargy and lukewarmness – stir yourself up…How?

 

 

a. bring heaven to earth every time you pray and praise

 

b. recognize your condition and deal with it quickly

 

c. switch your routine