Practice Discipline

Introduction

[Ashes]

“Holy man” in a far eastern city, covered with ashes. Sitting on a prominent street corner. Tourists, reapply ashes to “give the best image of destitution and humility.”

“A great deal of religion amounts to nothing more than rearranging religious “ashes” to impress the world with one’s supposed humility and devotion. The problem, of course, is that the humility is a sham, and the devotion is to self, not to God.” - John MacArthur

[Hats]

People dressing up for church turned into a competition.

Jesus gives us a third warning:

Outward appearance does not always reveal spiritual transformation.

And when it comes to any of these three activities, giving, prayer, or fasting, we find this statement true: “What began as spiritual self-discipline was prostituted into an occasion for pompous self-righteousness.” - D.A. Carson

Reality that many of the spiritual disciplines we are encouraged to pursue in Scripture are either completely abandoned or corrupted for show.

Jesus shows us a better way.

Warning & Guarantee

v. 16

Thesis:

Matthew 6:1 ESV

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

Again, expectation, “when you fast.”

It began with the Day of Atonement. Then it began to expand. For commemoration, repentance, or when special prayers would be offered. A fast declared.

During the days of Jesus it is believed that many Jews fasted twice a week.

This context of the SOM, we’ve already seen hints that this had to do with drought.

Jews who would fast and pray for rain - considered to be the first line of defense against drought.

This caused them to be seen with a higher level of prominence and appreciation.

And then there would be those during these days of praying for rain who would cover themselves in ashes.

Concept of stolen valor. Typically military, but other areas of life as well.

[Mike’s Corvette]

“It’s not mine!”

And here are these hypocrites, darkened (gloomy) with ashes.

Let’s pause for just a second and talk about the two extremes of hypocrisy here. Gloomy or Happy.

Disfigure (means to hide) so they can be seen.

People fake spirituality to be egotistical.

Woe is me! I can’t tell you but something so bad in my life! Please respect my privacy” posted to my 4,587 friends on Facebook.

“Pray for me and my wife and please don’t ask us about it…” *It’s complicated*

This act to draw attention.

You get your wage. People asking what’s wrong or putting a high-five emoji in the comments.

What a waste. To use an action that would draw you closer to God to elevate yourself.

Instruction & Reward

vv. 17-18

Fasting involved other forms of depriving one’s self. Specifically hygiene. Depriving of washing face or putting on moisturizer.

2 Steps away: Don’t put on ashes. Don’t neglect washing face and oil.

Avoid any actions that would intentionally distract from God.

This is the call for authenticity.

“The real beauty of righteousness must not be tarnished by sham.” - D.A. Carson

So, God promises that instead of a wage (v. 16), there would be a response (v. 18).

Upholstery repair.

God’s rewards authentic commitment.

Conclusion

Why we need to develop the discipline of fasting.

The belly is the god of many.

[Stomach god]

Philippians 3:19 ESV

Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

The belly represents more than just hunger but any fleshly desire.

Fasting helps to bring about life transformation.

True fasting though, not like Isaiah 58:1-12.

I don’t live for my appetites but exhibit self-control.

“The main reason we fast is to nourish our hunger for God and to reduce our hunger for the world.” -Kent Hughes

“Soul-fattening” - the Puritans.

Fasting variations:

Food (even a single meal) and replace it with a time of prayer.

Fasting from activities. Especially those you find yourself becoming addicted to: TV, video games, social media.

Fast from anything that has power over you.