Fasting - The Key to Breakthrough

Fasting - The Key to Breakthrough
January 30, 2011

Matt 17:14-20

Introduction

• We are continuing our series about healing
• Today we will encounter the subject of fasting
• This is the key to spiritual breakthrough
• This relates to the issues Foursquare and our church are facing
• It also relates to the way in which we do ministry, following Jesus' example

Reading

• Matt 17:14-21

Background

• The 12 disciples had already been appointed to be apostles - Luke 9
• This incident happens after this - the twelve had been sent out in Matthew 10
• They had experienced the healing of the sick, with jesus' authority, as well as casting out demons and the accompanying preaching of the gospel
• Yet they were not able to heal this boy of epileptic seizures
• Jesus says the key to breakthrough in this case was prayer and fasting
• Some demons are harder to cast out than others
• For some of them, a closer walk with the Lord is required

Why do we fast?

• Isa 58:6-12
• The purposes:
  • v.6 - To loose the chains of injustice
  • untie the cords of the yoke
  • set the oppressed free and break every yoke
  • v.7 - To take care of the needs of the homeless - food, shelter, clothing
  • not neglecting your own family
  • v.9b - Do away with the yoke of oppression, pointing finger, malicious talk
  • v.10 - feed the hungry
• The results:
  • v.8 - Your light will break forth
  • your healing will quickly appear
  • your righteousness will go before you and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard
  • v.9 - God will answer your prayers
  • God will be close to you, immediate response
• David Yonggi Cho pastors the largest church in the world (believed to be the largest church in history) - over 700,000 members! He and his staff have such a belief in the power of prayer and fasting that they rarely, if ever, counsel people. If someone comes to them with a great problem or urgent need, their standard answer is, “go to prayer mountain and fast and pray for three days”. If they return with the problem still unmet, they tell them to go and fast and pray for a week. (Then for ten days/then for forty days.) They do not think it possible that a person would ever return to them again with the problem still!
• This expectancy in prayer comes from intimacy with God
• Fasting is a key to this intimacy
• Jesus had this intimacy
• Jesus did what He saw the Father doing
• He was in constant touch with the Father
• If we want to be a part of the revival that is coming to this town, we too need that intimacy

Conclusion

• When you fast, do things that have an outward focus, not focusing on yourself
• Search your heart to find where we need to set people free, ourselves
• What broken down walls can we repair?
• Matt 6:16 Don't make it obvious to others that we are fasting
• It is between us and God
• Be blessed in our relationship with the Lord
• Fasting is a key to breakthrough, which will allow God to work through us in the ways He wants.