It's Easy | Fasting is Easy
Mercy Culture Church | Pastor Landon Schott
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Genesis 25:29-34
BSB
29 One day, while Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the field and was famished.
30 He said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am famished.” (That is why he was also called Edom. )
31 “First sell me your birthright,” Jacob replied.
32 “Look,” said Esau, “I am about to die, so what good is a birthright to me?”
33 “Swear to me first,” Jacob said. So Esau swore to Jacob and sold him the birthright.
34 Then Jacob gave some bread and lentil stew to Esau, who ate and drank and then got up and went away. Thus Esau despised his birthright.
30 He said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am famished.” (That is why he was also called Edom. )
31 “First sell me your birthright,” Jacob replied.
32 “Look,” said Esau, “I am about to die, so what good is a birthright to me?”
33 “Swear to me first,” Jacob said. So Esau swore to Jacob and sold him the birthright.
34 Then Jacob gave some bread and lentil stew to Esau, who ate and drank and then got up and went away. Thus Esau despised his birthright.
BSB
Fasting is easy in the presence of God!
Hard things become easy in His presence.
Matthew 11:28-30
BSB
28 Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
BSB
▪ The yoke = wooden beam = cross
▪ The cross brings us into the presence of God where it’s EASY.
▪ If it's heavy, you’re carrying something you shouldn’t be carrying!
▪ Everything is easy in his Presence!
▪ The cross brings us into the presence of God where it’s EASY.
▪ If it's heavy, you’re carrying something you shouldn’t be carrying!
▪ Everything is easy in his Presence!
Warning
Some of you have dishonored fasting in your heart. Today you need to turn your heart towards it.
Some of you have dishonored fasting in your heart. Today you need to turn your heart towards it.
What is fasting?
Fasting
Deliberate and temporary abstention from food for spiritual reasons.
Fasting is denying the flesh and feeding the spirit!
Fasting
Deliberate and temporary abstention from food for spiritual reasons.
Fasting is denying the flesh and feeding the spirit!
Fasts are primarily food, but other fasts are beneficial.
Different Kinds of Fasts
⁃ Water fast
⁃ Partial fast (Daniel 1:8-14)
⁃ Full fast (Esther 4:16)
⁃ Liquid fast
⁃ Marital fast (1 Corinthians 7:5)
⁃ Corporate fast (Joel 1:14)
⁃ Talking fast
⁃ Anything fast
Different Kinds of Fasts
⁃ Water fast
⁃ Partial fast (Daniel 1:8-14)
⁃ Full fast (Esther 4:16)
⁃ Liquid fast
⁃ Marital fast (1 Corinthians 7:5)
⁃ Corporate fast (Joel 1:14)
⁃ Talking fast
⁃ Anything fast
Question
Do I need to hear God for myself before I fast?
Hear God through the spiritual leaders that you’re submitted to!
Do I need to hear God for myself before I fast?
Hear God through the spiritual leaders that you’re submitted to!
Mercy Culture Church was built on prayer and fasting.
Fasting without prayer is just a diet.
Fasting was God’s idea.
Fasting was God’s idea.
Genesis 2:9
BSB
9 Out of the ground the LORD God gave growth to every tree that is pleasing to the eye and good for food. And in the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
BSB
Genesis 2:16-17
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16 And the LORD God commanded him, “You may eat freely from every tree of the garden,
17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die.”
17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die.”
BSB
Jesus modeled a life of prayer and fasting.
Matthew 4:1-2
BSB
1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry.
2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry.
BSB
Fasting is for everyone!
Matthew 9:14
BSB
14 At that time John’s disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast so often, but Your disciples do not fast?”
BSB
Fasting is for all followers of Jesus!
Disciples = followers of Jesus!
Disciples = followers of Jesus!
Matthew 16:24
BSB
24 Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.
BSB
Matthew 16:24
BSB
24 Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.
BSB
Deny
To say no!
To say no!
Aparneomai
(aper-neo-may) - I deny, disown, repudiate (either another person or myself), disregard. "strongly reject", to say no!
(aper-neo-may) - I deny, disown, repudiate (either another person or myself), disregard. "strongly reject", to say no!
Practical Advice for Fasting
⁃ Name your fast
⁃ Don’t boast about fasting
⁃ Be aware your flesh will be provoked
⁃ Be wise about your fast
⁃ Consult the Father
⁃ Take vitamins and protein
⁃ Focus on pleasing the Lord
⁃ Teach your kids fasting
⁃ If you fail, start over
⁃ Push yourself
⁃ Pray about where to break your fast
⁃ Name your fast
⁃ Don’t boast about fasting
⁃ Be aware your flesh will be provoked
⁃ Be wise about your fast
⁃ Consult the Father
⁃ Take vitamins and protein
⁃ Focus on pleasing the Lord
⁃ Teach your kids fasting
⁃ If you fail, start over
⁃ Push yourself
⁃ Pray about where to break your fast
7 Spiritual Benefits of Fasting
1.You spiritually grow by fasting!
1.You spiritually grow by fasting!
Matthew 6:16
BSB
16 When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward.
BSB
Matthew 6 speaks to giving, praying, and fasting as standard practice for a Christian’s life.
Fasting directly reflects spiritual strength!
Giving, praying, and fasting are 3 areas that directly reflect spiritual maturity! If you’re not giving, praying, and fasting, you’re not spiritually growing!
You spiritually grow by denying your flesh and feeding your spirit. Fasting does both at the same time.
Fasting directly reflects spiritual strength!
Giving, praying, and fasting are 3 areas that directly reflect spiritual maturity! If you’re not giving, praying, and fasting, you’re not spiritually growing!
You spiritually grow by denying your flesh and feeding your spirit. Fasting does both at the same time.
7 Spiritual Benefits of Fasting
2. Fasting increases your spiritual authority
2. Fasting increases your spiritual authority
Matthew 17:21
kjv
21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
kjv
7 Spiritual Benefits of Fasting
3. Fasting produces humility
⁃ Humility is the first and primary characteristic of Jesus
⁃ Pride is the first and primary characteristic of Satan
⁃ Fasting is a pursuit of humility
⁃ It keeps you from exalting yourself
⁃ You don’t feel great when you’re fasting. It will keep you from thinking you are great
3. Fasting produces humility
⁃ Humility is the first and primary characteristic of Jesus
⁃ Pride is the first and primary characteristic of Satan
⁃ Fasting is a pursuit of humility
⁃ It keeps you from exalting yourself
⁃ You don’t feel great when you’re fasting. It will keep you from thinking you are great
7 Spiritual Benefits of Fasting
4. You hear God!
4. You hear God!
Matthew 4:4
BSB
4 But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
BSB
Fasting creates spiritual sensitivity!
7 Spiritual Benefits of Fasting
5. Deliverance takes place in fasting
5. Deliverance takes place in fasting
Matthew 4:11
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11 Then the devil left Him, and angels came and ministered to Him.
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7 Spiritual Benefits of Fasting
6. Opens divine doors
6. Opens divine doors
Esther 4:16
BSB
16 “Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, and I and my maidens will fast as you do. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish! ”
BSB
7 Spiritual Benefits of Fasting
7. Prepares the way for miracles
7. Prepares the way for miracles
Matthew 4:1-2
BSB
1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry.
2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry.
BSB
Jesus’ ministry began with prayer and fasting.
Fasting touches Heaven!
Fasting touches Heaven!
Matthew 4:11
BSB
11 Then the devil left Him, and angels came and ministered to Him.
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Fasting is easy!
Question
How can fasting be easy?
Question
How can fasting be easy?
2 Corinthians 12:9
BSB
9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.
BSB
Grace
Greek | charis (khar'-ece) = kindness (a) grace, as a gift or blessing brought to man by Jesus Christ, favor, gratitude, thanks, a favor, kindness.
Hebrew | xáris = inclined, favorable towards, leaning towards to share benefit – the Lord's favor – freely extended to give Himself away to people (because He is "always leaning toward them, extending Himself").
Greek | charis (khar'-ece) = kindness (a) grace, as a gift or blessing brought to man by Jesus Christ, favor, gratitude, thanks, a favor, kindness.
Hebrew | xáris = inclined, favorable towards, leaning towards to share benefit – the Lord's favor – freely extended to give Himself away to people (because He is "always leaning toward them, extending Himself").
Fasting is easy in the presence of God!
Matthew 4:1
BSB
1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
BSB
The Holy Spirit is somewhere in the fast!
Genesis 25:30
BSB
30 He said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am famished.” (That is why he was also called Edom. )
BSB
Edom
Signifies red; The lentils from the red dirt of earth.
Esau was named prophetically for this accident. He desired the earth (the world's delights).
Signifies red; The lentils from the red dirt of earth.
Esau was named prophetically for this accident. He desired the earth (the world's delights).
Genesis 25:31-32
BSB
31 “First sell me your birthright,” Jacob replied.
32 “Look,” said Esau, “I am about to die, so what good is a birthright to me?”
32 “Look,” said Esau, “I am about to die, so what good is a birthright to me?”
BSB
What is the birthright?
- The right or privilege that belonged to the firstborn son in a Hebrew family. The eldest son ranked highest after the father. In the father’s absence, the son with the birthright had the father’s authority and responsibility.
- The birthright meant not only the honor of family leadership, but also an inheritance of twice the amount that was received by every other son.
- The birthright had many privileges annexed to it, such as honor and authority in the family next to parents. It was a double portion of the inheritance.
- The privilege of the birthright was accounted as sacred in the social life of the early Israelites.
- The right or privilege that belonged to the firstborn son in a Hebrew family. The eldest son ranked highest after the father. In the father’s absence, the son with the birthright had the father’s authority and responsibility.
- The birthright meant not only the honor of family leadership, but also an inheritance of twice the amount that was received by every other son.
- The birthright had many privileges annexed to it, such as honor and authority in the family next to parents. It was a double portion of the inheritance.
- The privilege of the birthright was accounted as sacred in the social life of the early Israelites.
The birthright = spiritual privilege!
The birthright = an encounter with the father!
⁃ Esau sold his birthright for soup.
⁃ Esau treaded a bowl of soup for his appointment with the father.
⁃ Esau valued the desires of the flesh over the favor of the father!
The birthright = an encounter with the father!
⁃ Esau sold his birthright for soup.
⁃ Esau treaded a bowl of soup for his appointment with the father.
⁃ Esau valued the desires of the flesh over the favor of the father!
Question
What if Esau embraced fasting?
What if you embraced fasting?
What if Esau embraced fasting?
What if you embraced fasting?
Don’t trade an encounter with God for the desire of the flesh!
