This week we continue with the least popular habit of highly godly believers, one which is perfectly suited for Thanksgiving week, namely fasting!

Scripture Reference

Nehemiah 9: 1-3

Sermon Audio

Sermon Notes

1. Fasting in Israel, Fasting in the Church
   1. Fasting in Nehemiah’s time – Humbling themselves before the Lord
   2. Fasting in the Church
      1. Never required, yet Matthew 6: 16-18 presumes we fast, promising that God rewards it
      2. Acts 13: 2- Fasting in Antioch when the Spirit speaks
2. The Process of Godly Fasting
   1. Varieties of dietary fasting
   2. Alternate forms of fasting
   3. No complaining (Matthew 6: 16-18)!
3. The Purpose of Godly Fasting
   1. If there’s no purpose, that’s just self-inflicted pain
   2. Biblical (as seen in Scripture) purposes for fasting
      1. Strengthening our prayer (Nehemiah 1 and 9)
      2. Discerning the will of God (Acts 14: 23)
      3. Expressing grief for our sins or those of another (Nehemiah 9)
      4. Seeking deliverance or protection