The Christian & Fasting

2001058

Subject: fasting; sermon on the mount

Introduction:

A. 6:1 – don’t perform righteousness to be seen of men.

1. applications so far: almsgiving; prayer.

2. we must watch our righteousness:

a) in what we do with others – giving alms

b) in what we do with God – prayer

c) in what we do with ourselves – fasting

B. How much do you know about fasting? How many lessons have your heard?

1. in a culture where the landscape is dotted with the Golden Arches and an assortment of pizza temples – fasting seems out of place and out of step with the times.

2. How often do you think about fasting?

3. What place does fasting have in your life? Have you ever fasted?

C. Members of the Lord’s church have probably had negative reaction to fasting b/c of teachings of some in today’s religious world.

1. Some stress a false emphasis on outward works.

2. While many believe in works, others believe only in faith. Balance & proper understanding is needed.

3. Going to look at the subject of fasting in a general sense & then look at it in relation to the sermon on the mount.

I. Fasting in the OT

A. On day of atonement. See Lev. 23:27-29, 31; 16:29; Num. 29:7.

1. was a day of holy convocation. Was a day they were to do no work. This was the only day of fasting required by the law.

2. Jer. 36:6; Acts 27:9 – this day became known as the day of fasting.

B. Israel fasted during times of grief.

1. when bones of Saul & sons found – Israel fasted for 7 days. 1 Sam. 31:13; 1 Chron. 10:12

2. Zech. 7:5 – fasting done on the 5^th & 7^th month to remember date Jerusalem besieged and the day it fell to Babylonians.

C. Was done by individuals during times of distress.

1. 2 Sam. 1:12 – David – upon hearing of death of Saul.

2. Neh. 1:4 – Nehemiah – upon learning that Jerusalem lie in ruins.

3. Dan. 6:18 – Darius – king of Persia – fasted all night after Daniel in lions den.

D. Other instances of fasting:

1. Jehosaphat & Israel when opposed by Moabites/Ammonites – 2 Chron. 20:3

2. Ninevites after preaching of Jonah – Jonah 3:5

3. Esther – upon finding out about Haaman’s plan – Esther 4:3; 16; 9:21

4. Moses – 40 days/nights on Sinai – Ex. 34:28

5. Ezra – Ezra 10:6

6. Pharisees fasted twice/week – Lk. 18:12

II. What exactly is fasting? It’s Purpose?

A. put simply: it is abstinence from food for spiritual purposes.

1. for spiritual reasons – one decides to stay away from food.

B. It is not the general discipline required by a Christian.

1. It is something unusual/special/exceptional.

C. Fasting is not confined to only food & drink.

1. Stevens: it might include other bodily functions that are good and legitimate but not indulged for a season because of spiritual purposes.

III. Should Christians fast today?

A. Note teaching of Jesus – 6:16-17 – whenever you fast.

1. He assumed His disciples would fast. Again, when, not if.

2. Mt. 9:14-15 – his disciples would fast after His death.

3. While teaching us how to fast, he said:

a) 6:18b – if done properly it would bring God’s good pleasure.

b) 9:16-17 – it needed to be done only at the proper time.

c) 17:20-21 – there were occasions where prayer needed to be joined by fasting.

B. NT Christians fasted:

1. Acts 13:1-3 – Christians at Antioch fasted in service to the Lord…as they sent out Paul/Barnabas.

2. Acts 14:23 – Fasting took place in every church – when appointing elders.

C. Very clearly, there the precedent has been set for today’s Christian to fast.

IV. Improper motives behind fasting:

A. Fasting merely for the sake of fasting.

1. make it an end in itself.

2. it is not to be part of some ritual.

a) should only be done when occasion calls for it.

b) Not to be part of some weekly/monthly/yearly practice.

B. To be seen of men.

1. 6:16 – Pharisees put on gloomy face; put on makeup – all to be noticed by men when fasting. (Makeup = ashes)

2. Albert Barnes: That is, they do not anoint and wash themselves as usual: they are uncombed, filthy, squalid, and haggard. It is said that they were often in the habit of throwing ashes on their heads and faces; and this, mixing with their tears, served still further to disfigure their faces. So much pains will people take, and so much suffering will they undergo, and so much that is ridiculous will they assume, to impose on God and people.

3. Certainly men would notice – but God was not pleased at all!

4. They would have their reward!

C. without repentance.

1. Isa. 58:3-9

2. praying, fasting, is of no avail if it is not accompanied with penitent obedience on our part. Amounts to a waste of time.

D. with desire for direct or immediate results.

1. Some: if you want a blessing….fast.

a) means we control the blessings and desires of Almighty God.

b) Who’s willing to say that?

2. blessings of fasting are indirect; not direct.

E. fasting for physical blessings.

1. This confuses the physical with the spiritual.

2. Some: after 3-4 days of fasting – misery; there = a period of unusual mental clarity. This is NOT the purpose of fasting!

V. Some Practical Advice for those who choose to fast…

A. Don’t go out & fast just because it sounds like a great thing to do.

1. It should be used as a means to an end.

2. Stevens: it should be done when driven by a feeling of need for an entire consecration of my whole being to God & His service.

B. Should be done w/o calling attention to self.

1. Main purpose of Jesus in sermon on mount.

2. True of entire Christian life – not just fasting. See 6:1.

C. Be natural when you fast.

1. Don’t take extreme position.

a) don’t disguise your face & look miserable.

b) Don’t convince people that you’re on cloud nine.

3. forget all other people – don’t think about what they’re thinking.

4. if you fast, I don’t want to know!

Conclusion:

A. We can fast IF we are SINCERE and really want to get close to God.

1. We can fast IF we are not trying to IMPRESS anyone w/public show or display.

2. 6:18 – God who sees in secret will reward us openly.

B. Fasting can be done in an effort to help the child of God grow closer to Almighty God.

C. Would you like to grow closer to Him? Are you searching for a way out of sin? Are you overburdened by problems; guilt; strife?

1. If you have never become a Child of God – you are separated from Him. Isa. 59:1-2.

2. Jesus can remove the gulf between you & God – it is b/c of His death that He can do so.

3. All you must do is obey the gospel.

D. Already a Christian? Need to get your life right? This is your opportunity!

E. I N V I T A T I O N



The Christian & Fasting 2001058 Subject: fasting; sermon on the mount Introduction: A. 6:1 – don’t perform righteousness to be seen of men. 1. applications so far: almsgiving; prayer. 2. we must watch our righteousness: a) in what we do with others – giving alms b) in what we do with God – prayer c) in what we do with ourselves – fasting B. How much do you know about fasting? How many lessons have your heard? 1. in a culture where the landscape is dotted with the Golden Arches and an assortment of pizza temples – fasting seems out of place and out of step with the times. 2. How often do you think about fasting? 3. What place does fasting have in your life? Have you ever fasted? C. Members of the Lord’s church have probably had negative reaction to fasting b/c of teachings of some in today’s religious world. 1. Some stress a false emphasis on outward works. 2. While many believe in works, others believe only in faith. Balance & proper understanding is needed. 3. Going to look at the subject of fasting in a general sense & then look at it in relation to the sermon on the mount. I. Fasting in the OT A. On day of atonement. See Lev. 23:27-29, 31; 16:29; Num. 29:7. 1. was a day of holy convocation. Was a day they were to do no work. This was the only day of fasting required by the law. 2. Jer. 36:6; Acts 27:9 – this day became known as the day of fasting. B. Israel fasted during times of grief. 1. when bones of Saul & sons found – Israel fasted for 7 days. 1 Sam. 31:13; 1 Chron. 10:12 2. Zech. 7:5 – fasting done on the 5^th & 7^th month to remember date Jerusalem besieged and the day it fell to Babylonians. C. Was done by individuals during times of distress. 1. 2 Sam. 1:12 – David – upon hearing of death of Saul. 2. Neh. 1:4 – Nehemiah – upon learning that Jerusalem lie in ruins. 3. Dan. 6:18 – Darius – king of Persia – fasted all night after Daniel in lions den. D. Other instances of fasting: 1. Jehosaphat & Israel when opposed by Moabites/Ammonites – 2 Chron. 20:3 2. Ninevites after preaching of Jonah – Jonah 3:5 3. Esther – upon finding out about Haaman’s plan – Esther 4:3; 16; 9:21 4. Moses – 40 days/nights on Sinai – Ex. 34:28 5. Ezra – Ezra 10:6 6. Pharisees fasted twice/week – Lk. 18:12 II. What exactly is fasting? It’s Purpose? A. put simply: it is abstinence from food for spiritual purposes. 1. for spiritual reasons – one decides to stay away from food. B. It is not the general discipline required by a Christian. 1. It is something unusual/special/exceptional. C. Fasting is not confined to only food & drink. 1. Stevens: it might include other bodily functions that are good and legitimate but not indulged for a season because of spiritual purposes. III. Should Christians fast today? A. Note teaching of Jesus – 6:16-17 – whenever you fast. 1. He assumed His disciples would fast. Again, when, not if. 2. Mt. 9:14-15 – his disciples would fast after His death. 3. While teaching us how to fast, he said: a) 6:18b – if done properly it would bring God’s good pleasure. b) 9:16-17 – it needed to be done only at the proper time. c) 17:20-21 – there were occasions where prayer needed to be joined by fasting. B. NT Christians fasted: 1. Acts 13:1-3 – Christians at Antioch fasted in service to the Lord…as they sent out Paul/Barnabas. 2. Acts 14:23 – Fasting took place in every church – when appointing elders. C. Very clearly, there the precedent has been set for today’s Christian to fast. IV. Improper motives behind fasting: A. Fasting merely for the sake of fasting. 1. make it an end in itself. 2. it is not to be part of some ritual. a) should only be done when occasion calls for it. b) Not to be part of some weekly/monthly/yearly practice. B. To be seen of men. 1. 6:16 – Pharisees put on gloomy face; put on makeup – all to be noticed by men when fasting. (Makeup = ashes) 2. Albert Barnes: That is, they do not anoint and wash themselves as usual: they are uncombed, filthy, squalid, and haggard. It is said that they were often in the habit of throwing ashes on their heads and faces; and this, mixing with their tears, served still further to disfigure their faces. So much pains will people take, and so much suffering will they undergo, and so much that is ridiculous will they assume, to impose on God and people. 3. Certainly men would notice – but God was not pleased at all! 4. They would have their reward! C. without repentance. 1. Isa. 58:3-9 2. praying, fasting, is of no avail if it is not accompanied with penitent obedience on our part. Amounts to a waste of time. D. with desire for direct or immediate results. 1. Some: if you want a blessing….fast. a) means we control the blessings and desires of Almighty God. b) Who’s willing to say that? 2. blessings of fasting are indirect; not direct. E. fasting for physical blessings. 1. This confuses the physical with the spiritual. 2. Some: after 3-4 days of fasting – misery; there = a period of unusual mental clarity. This is NOT the purpose of fasting! V. Some Practical Advice for those who choose to fast… A. Don’t go out & fast just because it sounds like a great thing to do. 1. It should be used as a means to an end. 2. Stevens: it should be done when driven by a feeling of need for an entire consecration of my whole being to God & His service. B. Should be done w/o calling attention to self. 1. Main purpose of Jesus in sermon on mount. 2. True of entire Christian life – not just fasting. See 6:1. C. Be natural when you fast. 1. Don’t take extreme position. a) don’t disguise your face & look miserable. b) Don’t convince people that you’re on cloud nine. 3. forget all other people – don’t think about what they’re thinking. 4. if you fast, I don’t want to know! Conclusion: A. We can fast IF we are SINCERE and really want to get close to God. 1. We can fast IF we are not trying to IMPRESS anyone w/public show or display. 2. 6:18 – God who sees in secret will reward us openly. B. Fasting can be done in an effort to help the child of God grow closer to Almighty God. C. Would you like to grow closer to Him? Are you searching for a way out of sin? Are you overburdened by problems; guilt; strife? 1. If you have never become a Child of God – you are separated from Him. Isa. 59:1-2. 2. Jesus can remove the gulf between you & God – it is b/c of His death that He can do so. 3. All you must do is obey the gospel. D. Already a Christian? Need to get your life right? This is your opportunity! E. I N V I T A T I O N