And Then They Will Fast

Fasting is one of the most neglected gifts Jesus gave His Church. In Matthew 6:16–18, Jesus doesn’t say if you fast—He says when. He assumes fasting will be part of the normal rhythm of life for those who follow Him. But what exactly is fasting? Why do we do it? How long should we fast? And what does fasting actually accomplish in us? In this message, Neil Broere looks at the who, what, why, when, and how of biblical fasting—and we discover that fasting is far more accessible than many of us have assumed. Fasting humbles the soul. It exposes what distractions normally keep hidden. It reminds us that we are dependent creatures. And ultimately, fasting is a discipline of longing—a way of saying with our whole selves, “What I need most is God.” We’ll look at: • Why Jesus assumes His followers will fast • What qualifies as biblical fasting • Why hunger reveals what is happening in the soul • Fasting as longing for the Bridegroom • The ordinary biblical rhythm of fasting • When to fast in seasons of crisis, repentance, and decision • Practical ways to begin fasting without comparison or legalism