“Fasting for Breakthrough”
New You Series
AV First
Pastor Ed Carlson
1/29/23
1. Unity (Partnership in the Body)
2. Faith (Realizing that only God has the ability to make it all happen)
3. Prayer (Reliance upon God)
4. Generosity (Time, Talents and Treasure)
Four “First” Challenges For 2023
1. First of the Day:
● Looking at the example of Jesus:
Mark 1:35 (ESV)
35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
2. First of the week:
● Make church a priority.
Acts 20:7 (ESV)
7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.
● Make attending a Connect Group a priority:
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
● Make attending Growth Tracks a priority
3. First of the month:
Leviticus 27:30 (ESV)
30 “Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the Lord’s; it is holy to the Lord.
Galatians 5:13-14 (ESV)
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
4. First of the Year: Commit to a habit of
Fasting: Abstaining from food (and sometimes other things) for measured periods of time, in order to heighten my hunger for the things of God.
Matthew 6:16-18 (ESV)
16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Fasting helps us focus our attention on God and away from the distractions around us.
Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Good Seasons for a Time of Fasting
1. When you are stuck in a sinful pattern.
2. When oppressed by the enemy and needing to break the chains of bondage.
Isaiah 58:6 (ESV)
Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?
3. When we need to be encouraged in the Lord during a difficult season.
4. When an answer to prayer is needed.
Isaiah 58:9a (ESV)
9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’
5. When we need direction.
6. When we need revival in our personal lives or within the Church.
Isaiah 58:12 (ESV)
12 And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in.