Fasting

CEB

16 “And when you fast, don’t put on a sad face like the hypocrites. They distort their faces so people will know they are fasting. I assure you that they have their reward. 17 When you fast, brush your hair and wash your face. 18 Then you won’t look like you are fasting to people, but only to your Father who is present in that secret place. Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Sermon Ideas and Talking Points:

Jesus talks in a way that implies that we will be fasting.

1. Video Devotional that talked about golfing. “Did you see where the ball went?” Well I have good news and bad news. Tell me the bad news first. Well, your ball went into the water. Oh man, that’s terrible! What could be the good news? Well, it went where you were aiming.

CEB

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

don’t rely on your own intelligence.

6 Know him in all your paths,

and he will keep your ways straight.

2. “We have as much of God as we actually want.”–A. W. Tozer

1 Just like a deer that craves

streams of water,

my whole being craves you, God.

3. There is no grace in deprivation. There is no virtue acquired from starving ourselves. The ONLY goal of fasting is to use that time and resources in a way that honors God.

CEB

3 “Why do we fast and you don’t see;

why afflict ourselves

and you don’t notice?”

Yet on your fast day

you do whatever you want,

and oppress all your workers.

4 You quarrel and brawl, and then you fast;

you hit each other violently

with your fists.

You shouldn’t fast as you are doing today

if you want to make

your voice heard on high.

5 Is this the kind of fast I choose,

a day of self-affliction,

of bending one’s head like a reed

and of lying down

in mourning clothing and ashes?

Is this what you call a fast,

a day acceptable to the Lord?

6 Isn’t this the fast I choose:

releasing wicked restraints,

untying the ropes of a yoke,

setting free the mistreated,

and breaking every yoke?

7 Isn’t it sharing your bread

with the hungry

and bringing the homeless poor

into your house,

covering the naked when you see them,

and not hiding from your own family?