Be Hungry

Matthew 6:16-18

Introduction

Fasting: An Overlooked Discipline

Defining the Fast - denying physical desires, such as food, in order to devote yourself to prayer

Many, for want of knowing its usefulness undervalue its necessity, and some reject it as altogether superfluous; while on the other hand, where the use of it is not well understood, it easily degenerates into superstition. John Calvin

Extreme Reactions

The roman church has twisted fasting into a means unto an end, where the practice of fasting is meritorious in and of itself.

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and the Fridays of Lent - no meat - but you can eat fish - which for some would be a luxury.

Many Protestants maintain this through their lenten practices -

Giving something up for 40 days which you shouldn’t be doing anyway, or is so inconsequential that it means nothing

Many, to distance themselves from the abuses of the Roman church have gone to the opposite extreme, letting something that was practiced by the earliest Christians to be neglected altogether.

The sermon on the mount is focused in on the righteousness of the Kingdom of Heaven, and how we live out that righteousness.

When you give to the poor, when you pray, and when you fast - Jesus is calling us to a sincere practice of righteousness

Explore what a true fast is, how Jesus instructs us, and what reward we find in the fast.

When You Fast

The Meaning of the Fast

OT - Fasting always was connected with mourning for sin and repentance of it. The Hebrew word for fasting suggests the repentant humbling of the soul before God.

Lev 16 - Ceremonial fasting on the day of atonement

Jdg 20, Es 4, - National fasts mourning a time of loss and sorrow

2 Chron 20 - A great multitude from Edom, Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah - to seek help from the Lord.

Personal fasts

2 Sam 12 David, when his child with Bathsheba was dying

NT - Fasting took on a different note.

Sin is forgiven through Jesus Christ - fasting was an expression of the Christian’s desire to set aside the normal distractions of life to seek God’s clear direction - waiting upon God.

Matt 4 - Jesus fasted for 40 days - but not for sin - to demonstrate divine sustenance at the onset of his ministry

Paul (Acts 9:9) in Damascus after his encounter with the Lord, he did not eat or drink for 3 days

Acts 13:3 The church, after fasting and praying, sent Paul and Barnabas out on their first mission.

When you fast

Not a command, but something we will do

Jesus said his disciples will fast when He, the bridegroom, is taken away - Matt 9:15

For the Christian, fasting is a time of renewed dedication in prayer, emphasizing the importance of the spiritual life, rather than just the physical.

How to Fast in a way that will please God

What Not to Do

Don’t be like the hypocrites - fasting to be noticed by others - with gloomy and disfigured faces.

The constant complaining about how long its been since you’ve had a cup of coffee. Living in such a way to make it obvious that you are doing without.

Isaiah's critique of the fast (Isa 58:3-5)

You fast to seek your own pleasure and oppress your workers, you fast to quarrel and fight - you will not be heard

Pouring ashes on your head and wearing sackcloth; making a fashion statement out of their act of devotion

What To Do

Go about your life

Matt 6 – oil and washing

Look normal… don’t draw attention to yourself, don’t make your prayer and devotion a show for others to comment upon.

What have you been filling your life with – if it is anything other than God, it will leave you tired and empty. If you have been in the presence of God – it will produce joy…

Engage in genuine works of righteousness

Isa 58:6-8 “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke - to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house, to cover the naked, and not hide yourself from your own flesh (caring for your own family)

If it means going without so you can do this, consider that your fast

Pray and Read

The fast is meant to bring us back to that which satisfies -

We are feeding ourselves on the empty things of the world, and the fast allows us to put the word of God and prayer back in the place of prominence.There is so much noise, but do we hear God; there is so much pouring in, but it does not satisfy

Amos 8:11-12 - God will send a famine of the word

Fasting gives us the opportunity to supplement our lives with God’s word and with prayer

The Reward of Fasting

Fasting Reveals Myself

Fasting reveals what we depend upon

Why do I eat, what am I feeding

Eating to find comfort, eating because I’m bored

Reaching for the bottle of pain relief without ever stopping to pray

The constant flow of triviality streaming into our lives

Fasting reveals what’s in our hearts

Getting “Hangry” - I’m only angry because I’m hungry. Anger is coming from the heart and needs to be dealt with through the healing grace of God in Jesus Christ.

Noticing what tempts and triggers you

Fasting Deepens My Hunger for God

When you fast, you will be hungry - reminding you of your need, deepening your longing for God

When you feel the pangs of hunger, let that call you to seek God - to be grateful for the food he’s given, and ask God to help you keep Christ first

Fasting Leads Me to Real Satisfaction

The great reward of fasting is having more of Christ

Fasting is never about giving something up, it is finding everything you've ever wanted or needed in Jesus Christ alone. Turn to him, and be satisfied! Only Christ can satisfy the hunger, the longing of your soul

If you are truly fasting, spending time in prayer and service before the Lord, then you will be strengthened by the joy of the Lord.