GOSPEL OF MATTHEW - FASTING FOR A DEEPER RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

FASTING - MATTHEW 6:16-18, MATTHEW 9:14-17

Matthew chapter 6 has been dealing with our relationship to the Father and Jesus wants us to keep in mind what He said in chapter 5 verse 20 that unless our righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees we will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Ch 6 started with giving and last week we discussed prayer both sections warning us not to do either for the recognition of others – in that we would already have our reward – but do it so we draw closer to the heart of God.  Remember that there is balance between corporate and private giving and praying – it all comes down to the matter of the heart.

Today we look at the final aspect of drawing closer to God and that is in fasting – and as we will see Jesus repeats His warnings and reminds us of the heart issue and that we should fast to deepen our relationship with God.

As we begin – Let us Pray!

Sermon Title: "Fasting for a Deeper Relationship with God "

Big Idea:

Fasting is not about religious appearance—it’s about authentic intimacy with God and being renewed for His purposes.

Primary Texts:

Matthew 6:16–18 – “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Matthew 9:14–17 – Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.”.

Point 1: Fast for God, Not for Applause

Primary Text: Matthew 6:16–18 – “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Illustration:

A person posts their spiritual practices on social media to gain praise. It’s like giving someone a wrapped gift just so you can say you gave it—not to bless them.

Key Idea:

True fasting is not a performance; it's a private pursuit of God's presence.

Jesus doesn’t say if you fast – but says when you fast – although fasting is taught about the lest it is not to be ignored

Keep yourself groomed and nothing out of the ordinary – not like in Ester

Jesus fasted for 40 days

Pharisees fasted on Mondays and Thursdays from food,

Jews fasted on religious holidays, Day of Atonement, etc.

When you fast – while Jesus did not spend a lot of time teaching on this – we can see it was still an expectation -

Supporting Scriptures:

Isaiah 58:5-9 – “Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the Lord? “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? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’”

Galatians 1:10 – “If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

Application Questions:

1. Why do I fast—or why don’t I?

2. Am I more focused on how others perceive my devotion than how God does?

3. What would it look like to pursue God privately and trust Him with the reward?

Point 2: Fast with Purpose, Not Just Practice

Primary Text: Matthew 9:14–15 – Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. 

Opposition now comes from the disciples of John the Baptist.

Pray for closeness to God – Pray for an answer from God

Jesus was both – so the closeness is there and the answer is given – we can stop praying –

Jesus tells His critics – there will be a time to fast – today is not the day

Seek God’s direction and guidance to fast and what kind of fast to do.

Illustration:

Fasting just because “it’s what we do” is like skipping meals for no reason—it might make you feel disciplined, but it won’t transform you without heart alignment.  Or imagine being at a wedding and refusing to celebrate because it's Tuesday and that's your “fasting day.” Fasting disconnected from context misses the point.

Key Idea:

Fasting isn’t about religious routine; it’s about responding to spiritual reality.

Our contentment should come from the Father and His pleasure not the attention of others

When we fast  - it’s a heart issues – natural balance between not showing and not telling

Supporting Scriptures:

Joel 2:12–13 – ““Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: ”

There is a time to fast and a time to not fast

Application Questions:

1. Am I fasting out of habit or out of hunger for God?

2. What situations in my life call for a deeper spiritual response?

3. How can I tune my heart to fast in sync with God’s leading?

Point 3: Fast to Make Room for the New

Primary Text: Matthew 9:16–17

“No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.”

How does this relate to fasting?

Illustration:

You can’t update your phone with new software unless you clear some space. Likewise, fasting clears out spiritual clutter and prepares us for divine updates.  Likewise, a gardener prunes branches not to punish the plant, but to make room for new growth. Fasting is spiritual pruning—clearing space for new life.

Wants to turn being focused on the law and keeping the law to being Focused on the Law Giver, the Law Fulfiller

Jesus wants to convert the old thinking of fasting – sackcloth and ashes and turn it to celebration – doing it for closeness to God – the joy of our salvation – to better equip us to do God’s work

Both examples – when combining new and old – both are ruined – the patch is worthless and the hole in the garment is worse.  The wineskin bursts and is ruined and the wine is spilt on the ground

Key Idea:

Fasting creates space for transformation—making us ready for the new work of God.

make sure it is a heart issue – balance between not showing and not telling

Supporting Scriptures:

Isaiah 43:18–19 – ““Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Application Questions:

1. What "old wineskins" (old habits, expectations, or frameworks) is God asking me to release?

2. Where is God trying to pour something new into my life?

3. How can fasting become a catalyst for renewal rather than just restriction?

Craig Blomberg writes regarding this passage on fasting – All Christians would do well to reflect on whether their demeanor, life-style, and words convey to others, especially the unsaved, this joy of salvation and the lively presence of Jesus or whether they communicate, even unwittingly, a dour, judgmental attitude that is quicker to point out the wrongs of others. We must also consider, even as the message of the gospel remains unchanged, whether the methods of evangelism, preaching, church growth, music, and worship, once effective in different circumstances, have turned counterproductive and need to be replaced by new methods that will more effectively win and minister to the current generation

Closing Thought:

Fasting is not a religious burden—it’s a sacred invitation to deeper intimacy, authentic worship and spiritual renewal. It’s not about impressing others but encountering God. Don’t just go through the motions. Make room for the new wine of God's Spirit in your life.  In secret places, God rewards those who seek Him sincerely. In dry seasons, He refreshes us with new wine. Don’t fast to look spiritual—fast to become spiritually available.

Benediction –

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.