Be Seen: Fasting

Be Seen: Fasting

Matthew 6:16-18

INTRODUCTION

ILL—Ezra had loaded up $133 million worth of gold and several tons of silver to take to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple.

They were traveling without protection because Ezra told the king they had God’s hand on them and could not fail. He knew it was a poor witness to ask for military guards.

They had enemies who wanted them destroyed.

Ezra called those traveling to fast and pray.

3rd example of the hypocrisy of Pharisees.

Money and Prayer, now Fasting

Matthew 6:16–18 ESV

16 “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. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 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.

3 Truths of Fasting

1. Fasting is Spiritual, Not Physical

Non-Christian fasting

Ancient pagans– believed demons entered body through food.

Easter religions- Yogi- long periods of fasting produce visions and insight.

Modern Western Society– physical and cosmetic.

Post-modern– fasting fits well.

always looking for spirituality- just not Christianity

Spiritual does not equal- Christianity

Christianity is spiritual

Fasting for medical means. It’s not bad but it isn’t what the Bible calls fasting.

Fasting is no food. You can fast from things other than food. Not sure we can support that biblically as a fast. But obviously fasting from worldly things like TV is great for your spiritual life.

Bible- purely spiritual- never promises physical help or spiritual ecstasy.

Accompanied with prayer.

You can pray without fasting but you cannot fast without prayer.

Fasting helps break spiritual chains. It is a great way to fight spiritual warfare.

2. Fasting is Not Required

“Whenever you fast”- Greek- not a command

Day of Atonement– only time commanded.

It is encouraged- but different than giving and praying.

3. Fasting can be Abused

Pharisees

Fasted twice a week.

They claimed it was same two days Moses went up Mt. Sinai for 10 commandments.

Just happened to be busiest market days.

Changed their appearance

one day fast– how bad could you look?

put on make-up to look pale.

Hypocrite= to put on mask.

Isaiah 58:3–7 ESV

3 ‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’ Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. 4 Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high. 5 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? 6 “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? 7 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?

God would rather you live differently than just fast so you can mourn.

Fasting is a private time between you and God.

Go above and beyond not to brag.

BE TRULY DESPERATE

5 Reasons to Fast

1. Mourning

a troubled soul- all legitimate fasting involves mourning.

Sorrow

Jesus’ disciples– didn’t mourn because bridegroom was with them.

Fasting is appropriate because Christ is with Father.

David’s 1st son with Bathsheba

fasted to plead for son’s life.

2 Samuel 12:15–17 ESV

15 Then Nathan went to his house. And the Lord afflicted the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and he became sick. 16 David therefore sought God on behalf of the child. And David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. 17 And the elders of his house stood beside him, to raise him from the ground, but he would not, nor did he eat food with them.

Fasting is natural during grief.

A result of caring deeply and hurting deeply.

2. Overwhelming Danger

King Jehoshaphat

Called for national fast when threated by Moabitea nd Ammorites.

Queen Esther

Called all Jews to fast because of Haman’s wicked schemes.

Ezra

Returning to Jerusalem during a dangerous time.

Ezra 8:22–23 ESV

22 For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.” 23 So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.

3. Penance

David fasted after he had Uriah killed (Bathsheba)

Nineveh- when Jonah preached to them.

A sin that hurts self and others bad enough.

Penance is not necessary in N.T.

4. Understanding of Scripture

Seek to understand with an intensity and determination.

Daniel– to understand revelations of God

BUT- not to receive revelations of God.

5. Preparation

Jesus– before temptation of Satan.

Church at Antioch- sending of Barnabas and Paul

Mexico Mission trip.

CONCLUSION

Do you care enough to fast?

Fasting has benefits

When it is private

when it is between you and God

Then He rewards.

Jonah– Ninevah

Jesus- overcame Satan.

Do you care enough for godly things that it drives you to sacrfice?