Going Without

Introduction

usual opening

grieving the loss of Bishop rance Allen

chocolate hangover… tent or treat was amazing for all who came out.

Matthew 6:16–18 ESV

“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.

The Sermon on the Mount calls us to a different way of living, spiritual disciplines help us experience God!

Fasting has been a controversial practice in modern Christianity. This is another dividing point among people of faith; it has become a “line of demarcation” for the super-spiritual/some-what spiritual/suspect-spiritual in Christ.

Some faith traditions say you must fast: Jesus never told His disciples they must fast; as we see in the text he says when you fast this shows the concern Jesus had for this practice.

There are different types of fasts in the scripture: each one represents a different disposition. Let me say this on the front end; The only fast that is required of the saints of Old, according to the OT law, was the ceremonial fast on the Day of Atonement. We will hopefully address this later.

Types of Fast

1. To strengthen prayer (e.g., see Ezra 8:23)

Ezra 8:23 ESV

So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.

Numerous incidents in the Old Testament connect fasting to prayer, especially intercessory prayer. Fasting does not change whether God hears our prayers, but it can change our praying. As Arthur Wallis says, “Fasting is calculated to bring a note of urgency and importunity into our praying, and to give force to our pleading in the court of heaven.”²

2. To seek God’s guidance (e.g., see Judges 20:26)

Judges 20:26 ESV

Then all the people of Israel, the whole army, went up and came to Bethel and wept. They sat there before the Lord and fasted that day until evening, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord.

As with prayer, fasting to seek God’s guidance isn’t done to change God but to make us more receptive to his guidance.

3. To express grief (e.g., see 1 Samuel 31:13)

1 Samuel 31:13 ESV

And they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh and fasted seven days.

2 Samuel 1:11–12 ESV

Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so did all the men who were with him. And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son and for the people of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.

Expressing grief is one of the primary reasons for fasting. Ever notice that when you’re moved to tears by grief you lose the urge to eat? When we grieve, our family and friends often have to plead with us to eat because our body’s appropriate response to grief is to fast. A prime example occurs in 2 Samuel 1:12, where David and his men are described as having “mourned and wept and fasted till evening” for their friends, their enemies and their nation.

4. To seek deliverance or protection (e.g., see 2 Chronicles 20:3 – 4)

2 Chronicles 20:3–4 ESV

Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.

Another common reason for fasting in the Old Testament was to seek deliverance from enemies or circumstances. In Scripture, this type of fast is generally carried out with other believers.

5. To express repentance and a return to God (e.g., see 1 Samuel 7:6)

1 Samuel 7:6 ESV

So they gathered at Mizpah and drew water and poured it out before the Lord and fasted on that day and said there, “We have sinned against the Lord.” And Samuel judged the people of Israel at Mizpah.

This type of fasting helps us to express grief over our sins and shows our seriousness about returning to the path of godly obedience.

6. To humble oneself before God (e.g., see 1 Kings 21:27 – 29)

1 Kings 21:27–29 ESV

And when Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his flesh and fasted and lay in sackcloth and went about dejectedly. And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, “Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the disaster in his days; but in his son’s days I will bring the disaster upon his house.”

“Remember that fasting itself is not humility before God,” reminds Donald Whitney, “but should be an expression of humility.”³

7. To express concern for the work of God (e.g., see Nehemiah 1:3 – 4)

Nehemiah 1:3–4 ESV

And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.” As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

As with Nehemiah, fasting can be a tangible sign of our concern over a particular work God is doing.

8. To minister to the needs of others (e.g., see Isaiah 58:3 – 7)

Isaiah 58:3–7 ESV

‘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. 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. 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?

We can use time we’d normally spend eating to fast and minister to others.

9. To overcome temptation and dedicate yourself to God (e.g., see Matthew 4:1 – 11)

Matthew 4:1–11 ESV

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “ ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’ ” Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

Fasting can help us focus when we are struggling with particular temptations.

10. To express love and worship for God (e.g., see Luke 2:37)

Luke 2:37 ESV

and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.

Fasting can show, as John Piper says, that “what we hunger for most, we worship.”⁴

The what of Fasting-

fasting is one of many spiritual disciplines allowing us to be reminded of our need for God. Ultimately, fasting. . out of the others, we feel pain and agony of going without food or water or something we need to be reminded of this Truth: “we need God to fill and sustain us. God is our ultimate source.”

authentic fasting has nothing to do with creating an impression on others.

Other spiritual disciplines: Abstinence and Activity- Meditation. . Prayer..Fasting...Simplicity...Fellowship...Journaling...Chastity.........Stewardship...Submission/Obedience....Study...Evangelism..............Contemplation.....Confession.....Solitude.....Gratitude........................Self-Examination......Silence......Celebration

The authenticity of our Fast is in question here because Jesus again mentions what he said last week and the week before: “don’t be like the hypocrites”

Fasting was used in the old testament in times of mourning to show and display sorrow.

examples of David fasting while his baby was at the point of death. .

The day of atonement was the only fast that was mandatory

Fasting is not for us to show off that we are fasting; Rather it is to tap deep into the spiritual resources God has provided

The Why of Fasting

don’t be like the hypocrites. . . looking glooming, bringing attention to themselves.

rather Jesus says: Anoint your head with oil- this is a sign of rejoicing

Psalm 23:5 ESV

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Psalm 104:15 ESV

and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man’s heart.

Jesus said appear to be usual.

Illustration of The first time i fasted at union University: and got caught

This different from the customary signs

Daniel 9:3 ESV

Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.

Jonah 3:5 ESV

And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.

WHY THE CHANGE:

people perverted the practice to be a badge of holiness to showcase to the world. Look at me, i am special i am fasting.

similar to how we showcase at times our name brands attire

shoes, purses- Jordans, Red Bottoms,

last week Birkin Bags was trending on social media. . . what it means to have or not to have.

Likewise many do this with their relationship with God and their spiritual practices. We want people to see us. . we want all eyes on us. Look at how I give, look at how i pray, look at how i fast.. . look at my perfect attendance in church. . look at how big my Bible is. . look at all the devices i have Bible apps on. . . look at my Gospel music catalog on whatever streaming service you prefer. .

look at me look at me . . .me me me. . look at me

you are probably tired of the repetitiveness of what i i have just done but this is the point Jesus is making with fake spirituality. You have your reward!!!!!!

The Who of Fasting

10. To express love and worship for God (e.g., see Luke 2:37)

Luke 2:37 ESV

and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.

Fasting can show, as John Piper says, that “what we hunger for most, we worship.”⁴

More of God!!!!