BOTTOM LINE: “A heart for God leads to a heart for people.”

 

INTRO

Divide: As leaders set up tables, go to the table associated with the color on your handout.

Pray: Someone at your table needs to bless the food.

Q: How would you feel if this was how you ate every day?

Explain each table…. (Table breakdown)

World hunger stats

 

TENSION

Does this concern you?

  • Concern for others is the mark of true religion (Ja. 1).
  • Why does it take this to jar our concern/memory?
  • Why are there 3 churches (that I know of) who are taking mission trips this year to Huntington/Barboursville?

Many of us don’t care because we are far from God.

A heart for God leads to a heart for people.

Why does God seem so far away? Solution: Fasting.

Why fast?

  • Jesus did it.
  • Jesus told us to do it.
  • It strengthens our prayer life.
  • It focuses us on God’s guidance.
  • It brings deliverance from sin and darkness.
  • It expresses repentance and a return to God.
  • It humbles us.
  • It helps us reach others.
  • It gives us victory over temptation.

What is fasting?

“Fasting is when a follower of Jesus commits his or her self to forgo food, for earnest reasons and goals, for a set period of time.

 

TRUTH

Scripture: Isaiah 58

Background

  • Written to Israel, when they were religious, but had no heart for God.
  • Israel couldn’t understand why they were far from God, when they were doing all the “right” things.

 

God’s response to people whose hearts are far from him…

  1. A passionate critique (v.1-4).

Notice the volume… (1)

  • Is this what it takes to expose the difference between us and God?

Notice the honesty… (2-4)

  • Desired to see God, but no traction
  • Why? They refused to sacrifice their own desires to grab a hold of God.
  • Evidence? “Hangry-ness” led to unkindness/no compassion toward others
    • No margin for God -> No margin for others
    • No compassion (slavery)

Notice the salt…

  • Giving lip service to God while seeking our own desires.

 

  1. A practical correction (v.5-7).

Jesus confirmed fasting as a practice for believers to follow today…

  • Jesus fasted (Matt. 4:1-2)
  • “When you fast…” (Matt. 6:16-17)
  • “Then they will fast…” (Matt. 9:14-15)

Fasting should ignite our desire for God’s glory (5).

  • Right perspective: Humble
  • Right motive: To please God
  • Not for show: Matt.6:16-17

Fasting should soften our hearts toward people in need.

  • Free those victim to injustice
  • Oppressed/bruised find comfort
  • Feed the hungry, house the homeless, clothe the naked
  • “Own flesh” – those in your circle
  • The greatest plight of the world: SPIRITUAL POVERTY

 

  1. A promised comeback (v.8-14).

***IF…THEN Statements***

If…

  • You cease injustice/divisiveness (9)
  • You pour yourself out for others (10)
  • You put margin back into your life (13)
  • You honor pleasing God over pleasing yourself (13)

Then…

  • Darkness flees (8, 10)
  • Spiritual healing occurs (8, 11)
  • You’ll have the power to live right (8)
  • God will answer you (9)
  • God will bring restoration to your life (11-12)
    • “Repairer of the breach”
  • God will lift you up (14)
  • God will satisfy your desire (singular/Him) (11,14) (Ps.37:4)
  • God will work today like he did in history (14) GREAT AWAKENING

 

APPLICATION

Reclaiming a heart for God through fasting…

#1 – Commit to fasting until Easter.

#2 – Use the time margin created by fasting to reconnect with God.

#3 – Use the financial margin created by fasting to buy Pop Tarts for our BackPack Kids.

#4 – While fasting, pray for one person you know needs to be saved. Invite them to Refuel over the next 4 weeks.

#5 – Give your heart to Jesus tonight.