Anchor Verses:
Matthew 4:1-11, Galatians 5:13–25, John 15:4–5
Focus Statement:
Spiritual disciplines like fasting, prayer, and giving are vital, but they were never meant to be empty rituals. When we seek the practice without the Presence, we drift into legalism and miss the heart of God. Jesus modeled seeking the Father first, letting intimacy with Him give life and meaning to every discipline.
Introduction: The Example of Jesus
- Luke 4: Jesus began ministry with 40 days seeking the Father’s presence.
- Symbolism: Adam failed, Israel wandered, but Jesus obeyed.
- Practices flowed from relationship, not obligation.
- For us: The discipline is not the point—God’s presence is.
How the Church Has Drifted:
- Early believers: fasting, prayer, giving all rooted in intimacy with God.
- Today: Fasting often neglected—or done from legalism.
- Stats reveal most rarely fast; culture resists self-denial.
- Practices replaced with comfort and self-focus.
Re-centering on the Presence:
- Jesus: “When you fast…”—assumes practice but rooted in relationship.
- Galatians 5: Freedom is Spirit-led obedience, not self-indulgence.
- Our flesh = disordered desires; only the Spirit can reorder them.
- Wuest: Righteousness is produced as we yield to the Spirit.
Abiding Before Doing:
- John 15: Abide in Him first—fruit follows.
- Disciplines without abiding lead to pride or burnout.
- True transformation starts with seeking God, not checking boxes.
Walking it Out:
- Start with Presence – Begin each day with God before doing for God.
- Check Your Heart – Ask, “Am I seeking Him or just keeping a routine?”
- Follow the Spirit – Let Him guide which disciplines you practice and when.
- Stay Connected – Live from the Vine, not your own strength.
