We seek to elect elders. We don't enter into this task lightly. We don't elect men just for the sake of electing men. We want to elect men that are called of God. We see in Scripture that there are special times for fasting and prayer. Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast here in 2 Chronicles. Prior to the appointment of the twelve apostles, Christ spent the night in prayer. We saw in the last message that fasting was associated not just with the absence of food, but also with the accompaniment of prayer. Today, we want to think about dangers, delight and directives in fasting.
1. The dangers in fasting 1a. the danger of using fasting to win favor with God
We think by doing these things that we will earn favor with God. Recall the Pharisee boasted that he fasted twice a week
1b. the danger of using fasting to win the approval of man your motivation Matthew 6:16 - they disfigure their faces that they may appear to fast.
1c. the danger of fasting when not being right with God Matt 6:1, 5, 16 - there is a challenge that you are not to give or pray or fast like the hypocrites do. Jer 14:12 - when they fast, I will not haer thier cry Isaiah 58:3-7 - the people are saying we fasted and we see no outcome. The fasting that God wanted was that they would repent and have hearts right before God. Do not use external practice of religion to hide a wicked heart.
1d. the danger of a superstitious use of fasting We can't use fasting to force God to do our will
2. The delight in fasting. Fasting can mean a fattening of our souls It directs us to depend on God
3. The directives in fasting For health you might not fast Avoid pride Length varies Be contrite
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