Listen - Watch - MP3

The True Fast Brings Blessings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 We live in troubling times, biblical prophecy is rapidly being fulfilled. God is stirring my spirit for the church to prepare for His soon return. He calls us to “Meet Me on the Mountain.” God often called people in the Bible to be with him on the Mountain.

 

Fasting is a spiritual discipline largely lost to this self-indulgent generation. Many misconceptions, misunderstanding, and misgivings about fasting and its relevance for this generation abound. Biblical fasting is guiding your spirit to become uncluttered by things and to become amazingly sensitive to God. True fasting moves us to action on behalf of others as the result of a deep-seated love for God.

 

There is the difference between false and true fasting. Fasting is not an end in itself, its purpose is to make the disciple more ready and cheerful to accomplish those things which God would have done. Fasting is necessary to draw us closer to God. When we engage in true fasting we can rightly expect God's blessings and we become a blessings to others.

 

Series: Meet Me on the Mountain – Part 4
The True Fast Brings Blessings
Isaiah 58:6- 9

 

True fasting is more than abstaining from food or yearning for answers to prayer.

It moves us to action on behalf of others as the result of a deep-seated love for God.

I. False Fasting

Their religious activity had no internal substance to validate their actions.

A. They Had Wrong Motives

1. Their Objective was to Deceive God - v. 2

Fake devotion and humility does not fool God.

2. Their Objective was to Serve Self - V. 3a

They wanted their fasting to obligate God to serve them.

All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. Isaiah 64:6 NIV

 

3. Their Objective was to Make a Fast Shekel - v. 3b

Fasting that doesn’t get inside of you is worthless and meaningless.

 

B. Their False Results

1. Exploitation of Workers

2. Quarrelling and Strife

3. External Humility - v. 5a

4. Unrepentant Mourning – v. 5b

They turned putting on sackcloth and ashes into a mock ritual.

 

II. True Fasting

A. The Right Motives - vv. 6-7

God’s objective in true fasting was to...

1. Exercise Justice - True fasting is characterized by sympathy and self-denying love.

Loose the Chains of Injustice

Set the Oppressed Free

2. Relief to the Poor and Needy

a) Sharing Food

b) Providing Shelter

c) Clothe the Naked

3. The Main Point Is To Be in Tune with God

God reminds them to get back to the core issue - seek Him!

B. Results

1. The Love of God Will Shine

2. Complete Restoration Will Come

3. We Are Enveloped by the Presence of God

4. Prayers Will Be Answered

 Conclusion - Fasting has one purpose — to make the disciples more ready and cheerful to accomplish those things that God would have done.