“Understanding the Times” Part X

Christianities Secret Weapon

 
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