2. Theme of Leviticus
Provided instructions and laws to guide a sinful yet redeemed people in their relationship to God
Holy days held great significance as it pertained to their relationship with God
Emphasis on personal holiness

3. Leviticus 23:26-32
26 The Lord said to Moses, 27 “The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. Hold a sacred assembly and deny yourselves, and present a food offering to the Lord. 28 Do not do any work on that day, because it is the Day of Atonement, when atonement is made for you before the Lord your God. 29 Those who do not deny themselves on that day must be cut off from their people. 30 I will destroy from among their people anyone who does any work on that day. 31 You shall do no work at all. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live. 32 It is a day of sabbath rest for you, and you must deny yourselves. From the evening of the ninth day of the month until the following evening you are to observe your sabbath.”

4. Leviticus 16:29-31
29 “This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves and not do any work—whether native-born or a foreigner residing among you— 30 because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the Lord, you will be clean from all your sins. 31 It is a day of sabbath rest, and you must deny yourselves; it is a lasting ordinance.

5. Week 6: Fasting and Today’s Christian Leviticus 16

6. Biblical Examples of Fasting
Sorrow and Mourning
Death of Saul - 2 Samuel 1:12 They mourned and wept and fasted till evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the army of the Lord and for the nation of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.
Nehemiah upon hearing about the decimated state of Jerusalem - Nehemiah 1:4

7. Biblical Examples of Fasting
Repentance
Nineveh’s Repentance – Jonah 3:5 The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.
Repentance of Israel upon the return of the Ark of the Covenant from the Philistines – 1 Samuel 7:5-6

8. Biblical Examples of Fasting
Important Religious Events or Seeking God’s Guidance
Moses fasted when receiving the 10 Commandments – Exodus 34:28
Church fasted – received guidance to send out Saul and Barnabas – Acts 13:2-3 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

9. Biblical Examples of Fasting
Teaching and Example of Jesus
Before his temptation in the wilderness – Matthew 4:2
Stating his followers would fast – 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.

10. Why Fasting? The denial of the physical to focus on the Spiritual
The pangs of hunger are used as physical reminders of our fragility as human beings and sharpen our focus on spiritual things.
“Fasting in the biblical sense is choosing not to partake of food because your spiritual hunger is so deep, your determination in intercession so intense, or your spiritual warfare so demanding that you have temporarily set aside even fleshly needs to give yourself to prayer and meditation.” Wesley Duewel Former President, One Mission Society

11. The Wrong Fasting Luke 18 – Pharisee and the Tax Collector
Matthew 6:16-17 – 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.

12. - Focused on themselves rather than God - Total absence of humility
Isaiah 58:3-4
‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’ Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. 4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.
- Focused on themselves rather than God
- Total absence of humility

13. Prayer, Scripture and Meditation
A Biblical Fast…
…focuses on God
Prayer, Scripture and Meditation
When you feel hungry – Pray
When you feel hungry – Read Scripture
When you feel hungry – Meditate on God’s word and listen for His voice

14. …is free of distractions
A Biblical Fast…
…is free of distractions
No Phone, No Pool, No Pets
Eliminate all distractions that are absolutely unnecessary.
Fast the media in your life:
Television
Smart Phone Apps
Movies

15. Due to medical reasons some cannot do a traditional fast (no food).
Other Food Fasts
Due to medical reasons some cannot do a traditional fast (no food).
Daniel Fast (Daniel 1:8-14)
Abstaining from: meat, dairy products, sweets, leavened breads, deep-fried foods and beverages other than water.
Consuming only: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, legumes & quality oils (olive, peanut, sesame, etc.)
ALWAYS consult your physician if in doubt!

16. Non-Traditional Fasts
Abstaining from things that can be replaced by practicing the spiritual disciplines.
Media (TV, movies, apps, games, etc.)
Certain foods or drink (i.e. alcohol, sodas, fast food, etc.)
Secular music
Sports (watching or playing)

17. Lent
40 day period beginning on Ash Wednesday and going up to Easter where Christians dedicate themselves to fasting and self-denial in remembrance of the sacrifice of Christ and for spiritual preparation for Easter (the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus).
Theme in the Catholic church includes the element of penance.
Most Protestant churches focus on the spiritual elements rather than penance.

18. Isaiah 58:5-9

19. The CWP Fast
During the season of Lent the Elders of the Church at Whistling Pines are calling for a church-wide fast.
For spiritual renewal and awakening in the church.
For Pastor Shawn’s complete healing.
PRAY – Ask God how He wishes for you to participate in this fast
WRITE – Write down on the lines provided at the bottom of the sermon notes handout how you will be fasting and commit your fast to the Lord.