Fasting And Modern Christians

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Fasting And Modern Christians
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INTRODUCTION

• In our previous lessons we have learned about
  the importance of, and the Biblical practice of
  fasting

• In this lesson we simply want to address the
  subject of fasting for Christians today

• Should we excuse fasting as a custom? Should I
  make fasting a practice in my life? What does
  the Bible say about fasting today? LET US SEE

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IS FASTING FOR CHRISTIANS TODAY?

• YES!

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IS FASTING FOR CHRISTIANS TODAY?

• YES! Because of the teachings of Jesus

-Jesus taught His disciples how to fast
(Matt. 616-18 Matt. 42)
-Jesus taught that when He would go away, His
disciples would fast (Matt. 914-15)
-Jesus taught that certain occasions called
for prayer and fasting (Matt. 1718-21)
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IS FASTING FOR CHRISTIANS TODAY?

• YES! Because of the examples of the church

-The early church was active in fasting as
they sent out missionaries (Acts 131-3)
-The church saw a need to fast when
appointing elders in the church (Acts
1421-23)
-We want to pattern everything we do after the
early churchwhat about fasting?
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IS FASTING FOR CHRISTIANS TODAY?

• YES! Because of the example of Paul

-Paul listed fasting among many things that He
did as a minister (II Cor. 1123-28)
-Paul encouraged Christians to imitate him in
his faith (I Cor. 111)
-If fasting was practiced by the man who by
inspiration wrote the majority of the NT, we
should consider fasting?
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IS FASTING FOR CHRISTIANS TODAY?

• YES! Because of all of the Bible examples

-Hannah fasted and prayed that she might have
a sonGod granted itWhat do you think she
would say about a fast?
-Esther and Mordecai fasted and prayed for
victories they were victorious at Gods
hand was fasting important to them? (See I
Cor. 1011)
-Ezra was given safety in fasting (Ezra 823)
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WHY SOME CHRISTIANS DO NOT FAST TODAY

• I have never been taught about fasting

-While most of us have never heard a lesson
on fasting before this series of lessons, we
can no longer use this as an excuse
-We have not only been instructed in the
Bible examples of fasting, but also in the
urgent need that each child of God has for
fasting and prayer
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WHY SOME CHRISTIANS DO NOT FAST TODAY

• My Bible doesnt say anything about fasting

-Some new versions of the Bible have excluded
the word fasting in many important passages.
This is based on which Greek texts they relied
upon in their translation (??ste?a3521 )
-Matt. 1721 Mark 929 Luke 237 Acts
1030 1423 279 I Cor. 75 II Cor.
65 1127 are examples
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WHY SOME CHRISTIANS DO NOT FAST TODAY

• Food is abundant and fasting is irrelevant

-When people fail to know the reasons for
having food they would tend to believe
this way
gtEnjoyment (Eccl. 224-26 518)
gtSustenance (Gen. 130 93)
gtSharing (Gen. 181-8 Acts 243-47)
gtPraise (Matt. 611 I Tim. 43-5 Acts
2735-36 Deut. 810ff)
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WHY SOME CHRISTIANS DO NOT FAST TODAY

• I am too busy to spend time fasting

-Anybody that is too busy to spend time with
God in prayer while seeking His favor through
fasting is failing to seek a right relationship
to God
-When we realize how important our spiritual
life truly is, we will put our relationship
with God first and spend time drawing closer
to Him
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APPLICATION

• As you now see what the Bible says, consider

-Fasting is for those who need to draw closer
to God as they deal with the issues of life
-Fasting is intended to have spiritual
benefits, in afflicting the soul and
entreating Gods favor.
-Fasting should be taken seriously and
practiced without hypocrisy before others
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APPLICATION

• Some guidelines for fasting are

-Study fasting for yourself and seek its truth
-Make sure you are medically capable of it
-Begin fasting slowly and gradually increase
as you have needs in life
-Be prepared for physical hunger etc.
-Enter a fast with a positive faith that God
rewards openly those who fast in secret.
Seek the Lord not fasting
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YOU CAN SEEK THE LORD NOW

• HEAR John 1248

• BELIEVE John 824

• REPENT Luke 133, 5

• CONFESS Matthew 1032-33

• BAPTISM Mark 1616

• FAITHFUL Rev. 210