Fasting

Cathy Loerzel
Co-Founder of the Allender Center in Seattle, WA

The All-Encompassing Everythingness of Following Jesus

Luke 14:25-35

Introductory words:

“Great crowds accompanied Jesus” - v 25

“Accompanying” Jesus is not the same as "coming after” Jesus

“Disciple"

Disciple = anyone who so aligns their beliefs and their lifestyle to the teachings of another person that they become identified with them.

5 Defining Words of a Disciple of Jesus

HATE - v26

“If anyone comes to me and does not HATE his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.”

HATE = 

A figure of speech

Means to love LESS THAN in comparison to

CANNOT be my disciple=

Not possible, not strong enough, no capacity for

BEAR AND COME AFTER - v27

“Whoever does not BEAR his own cross AND come after me CANNOT be my disciple.” 

BEAR = A call to an obedience so comprehensive that it is best compared to DEATH 

COME AFTER = Going beyond listening to and believing in Jesus to living as He lived in practical obedience to the Word of God

RENOUNCE - v33

“So therefore, any of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”

Renounce = to formally declare one’s abandonment of a claim, a right, or a possession; to forsake

“Use the car, use a coat, use a computer in such a way that people around you assume that is not your treasure.” John Piper

Some ways to live as disciples now?

1. How to “hate”

Find out what pleases the Lord (Ephesians 5:10)

Be a student of His Word

Be in Community with accountability

2. How to “bear the cross” and “come after Jesus”

Literally and practically obey Jesus

Repent of picking and choosing which of God’s words to obey

Be in Community with accountability

3. How to “renounce all that we have”

Take inventory of everyone and everything in your life

Fast

Be in Community with accountability

Listen to practical suggestions for loving someone who is sick, given by someone who is recovering from COVID. 

The List:

-Pray hard and often throughout the day and especially at night for someone who is suffering. Helpful verses to pray over them: Psalm 4:8, Psalm 121.

-Check on them daily - validate their feelings, don't grow weary of hearing them say they are having a bad day

-Offer to listen when they want to vent.

-Spouses - sit with them if they feel bad. Give them permission to be sick and rest. Don't shame them for being sick so long or passive aggressively make comments about it. Don't even joke about it! No one wants to feel better more than the sick person. 

-Grocery shop - if you can't afford to buy the groceries for them, offer to go and they can venmo you the cash

-Best friends, and very close same sex friends - offer to pick up sensitive grocery products from the store. This is a very hard thing to ask for.

-Offer to pick up prescriptions and take them to their house

-If you are at a store, text them and see if they need a thing or two.

-Take them dinner- It is safe, just leave it at their doorstep.

Take them breakfast tacos to freeze and eat when ready

-Gift cards: Door Dash, Grub Hub, Chick-Fil-A, any place that delivers - good for long distance friends, most can be bought online and sent via email

-Offer to take them Starbucks, a Boba Tea, or even a Sonic drink. Maybe even social distance, with a mask, while they drink it. This is a lonely illness, and the sick person feels like a leper.

-Offer help often and give them ideas on how you are willing to help. Encourage them to accept help from others.

Be Equipped to live out Jesus' command to love one another.

FOR FURTHER PONDERING:
*Read John 13:34-35
*Read 1 Peter 1:22-23

Have you ever fasted for spiritual reasons? Whether you have or not, hear a few thoughts on what to ponder as you do.

Mariam Ibrahim and Nagmeh Panahi share their stories at the Table.