The Crock Pot Theology. The practice of Fasting. Become like Jesus. We are in a season where we are concentrating on becoming more like Jesus. The fact is for all becoming someone. Someone or something is speaking into your life with the good life is. Something is forming you. You’re getting your beliefs from somewhere. Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. We are either becoming more like the world – or more like Jesus. Today we’re going to move to what is no doubt going to be one of your favorite practices; fasting. Fasting is going without food for a period of time. It’s denying ourselves food for a spiritual purpose. Matthew 6:16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. So, what is the point of a fast? We see fasting all throughout the Scripture done for many different reasons. We see the early church doing fasting. Sometimes it’s simple consecration to God. We turn from anything that is clouding our walk with Jesus. Other times it’s because a word from God as needed. Sometimes fasting is because of morning grieving or a broken heart. Fasting is done to receive power and answers for difficult situations. Sometimes people fasted in order to be emboldened for an assignment that God has given them. There was certainly Fasting for national emergencies. Fasting is basically a homesickness for God. Luke 14:16 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ 19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ 21 “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ 22 “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ 23 “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. 24 I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’” What kept these people from the great feast and banquet of God? A piece of land. A wife. A couple of oxen. The thing that kept these people from the feast were the gifts of God. Matthew 9:14 Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” 15 Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast. But Jesus plainly says that when the bridegroom leaves, when Jesus ascends into heaven, there will be a hunger in the heart of those who follow Jesus, there will be a homesickness in our heart, there will be a longing for the presence of Jesus, and we will fast for it. We will get hungry, not for pizza, but for more of God’s activity. And when we get hungry for spiritual things, one of the spiritual practices to get closer to God is fasting. Isaiah 58:6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. 9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. Let’s fast together. Let’s see what GOD can do! Pastor Brian Harrell