The Fasted Life VI: Man’s Questions

This powerful teaching explores how Christ fulfilled the Old Testament concept of fasting and what it means for believers today. Through careful scriptural analysis, it demonstrates how fasting was part of the old covenant that Christ fulfilled, making way for a new covenant of grace where believers can rest in His finished work. This teaching effectively dismantles religious performance-based approaches to spirituality while establishing the sufficiency of Christ's finished work and the believer's complete acceptance in Him. 5 Key Points: - The Bridegroom's Presence: Matthew 9:14-17, Isaiah 54:5, Colossians 1:15-16. Christ is identified as the eternal Bridegroom who is always present with believers, making traditional fasting unnecessary. "Jesus is not the husband that quits and never comes home. Jesus is not a spouse that you have to date long distance. Jesus is ever present." - Old vs. New Covenant: Hebrews 8:7-13, Hebrews 10:16-18. The old covenant of law (including fasting) has been replaced by a new covenant of grace written on believers' hearts. "Don't mix law and grace. Law will never stand with grace, and grace will never stand with law. The two of them don't mix." - Christ's Complete Sacrifice: Hebrews 10:12-14, 2 Corinthians 5:21. Christ's sacrifice was complete and perfect, requiring no additional sacrificial acts from believers. "Your fasting is not your atonement. Christ fulfilled the old covenant. He is the offering that has been made to atone for sin." - Kingdom Reality: Romans 14:17, Matthew 28:18-20. The Kingdom of God is not about external practices but about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. "The Kingdom of God isn't a matter of what you put in your stomach... it's what God does with your life as He sets it right." - Living from Rest: Hebrews 4:3, Ephesians 2:6-7. Believers are called to live from a position of rest in Christ's finished work rather than religious performance. "Leave the law, rest in grace so that you can enjoy beholding His face." Declaration: I am eternally united with Christ my Bridegroom I live in the reality of the new covenant of grace I rest completely in Christ's finished work I am clothed in the righteousness of God in Christ The Holy Spirit is my internal guide and comfort I am seated with Christ in heavenly places I live in the Kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy I am completely forgiven and cleansed by Christ's blood My life demonstrates the power of God's grace I walk in the freedom Christ has provided I am transformed by beholding Christ's presence I partake of the new wine of Christ's covenant