Jesus didn’t say “if you fast” but “when you fast.” Implied in Christ’s teaching is that we would fast and should fast. It's not a matter of if but when. Charles Stanley said, "Fasting is the abstinence of anything that hinders our communion with God. In particular, fasting is the abstinence of food for the purpose of seeking God in prayer." It is this spiritual discipline that goes hand in hand with prayer. Fasting is the other hand with which we let go of the world. Fasting helps us to sharpen our focus and fervency in prayer.
When You Fast...
Lesson 29
February 22, 2023 • Pastor Chad Thompson • Matthew 6:16–18
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Discipleship 101
Persevering In Discipleship
May 3, 2023 • Pastor Chad Thompson • 2 Peter 1:5–7
The link between discipline and godliness is perseverance; between being a believer and a consistent follower is perseverance. If we cannot persevere, then we will not see much godliness in our lives. It is perseverance over the long haul, even if slow, rather than a short lived burst of activity in one or more of the disciplines that brings godliness and a consistent following of Jesus.
Following Jesus
April 26, 2023 • Pastor Chad Thompson • Luke 9:23–25
If we're going to be a disciple (follower) of Jesus, we must daily deny ourselves and take up our cross (i.e. being hated by the world, being surrendered to God, and being "spent", i.e. a living sacrifice). Following is not a haphazard, sporadic, every now and then choice. It is a regular, consistent, frequent, daily choice. It is a choice a disciple makes faithfully. It is a discipline.
The Discipline To Learn
April 19, 2023 • Pastor Chad Thompson • Luke 2:46–47
What we see in the Great Commission is the mandate to make disciples (i.e. see people saved, baptized, and brought into the church where they can be taught to observe all things - beliefs, practices, ministries, etc.). If we have a mandate to teach, then the flip side must also be true. We have a mandate to learn. A disciple is a learner. And to learn we must have some discipline. In Lk 2:46-47 Jesus was learning. He was doing it the old fashioned way, i.e. asking questions, reading the law, discussing, etc. If Jesus was determined to learn, then let's follow His example. Jesus didn't sit in a school of religious law, but He certainly leaned the Word of God. (John 7:15)