Message by Dr. David Drake
rec1030-113125
Series: “Inside / Out”
Living Today The Life Of Jesus
A study through The Sermon On The Mount
Matthew 5-7
Our Righteous Act Of Fasting
Matthew 6:16-18
Matthew 6:16-18 (NASB)
16 “Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.
17 “But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face
18 so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
Definition of Fasting: I abstain in order to obtain.
1. Fasting By Way Of Display
16 “Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.
The “Use” Of Fasting
When we fast, first we create a spirit of humility, repentance, & dependency on God.
Daniel 9:3-5 (NASB)
3 So I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes.
4 I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed and said, “Alas, O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments,
5 we have sinned, committed iniquity, acted wickedly and rebelled, even turning aside from Your commandments and ordinances.
As we fast, we focus on connecting with God.
Nehemiah 1:4-5 (NASB)
4 When I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
5 I said, “I beseech You, O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who preserves the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments,
As we fast, we pursue God and His purposes.
Acts 13:2-3 (NASB)
2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
The “Abuse” Of Fasting
We abuse the act of fasting by desiring to get things from God.
We abuse the act of fasting by developing a spirit of self-righteousness.
Luke 18:10-12 (NASB)
10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11 “The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
12 ‘I fast twice a week;
Proverbs 27:19 (NASB)
19 As in water face reflects face, So the heart of man reflects man.
2. Fasting By Way Of Devotion
17 “But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face 18 so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
Devoted fasting does not reveal our outward appearance to men but our inward worship of God.
Devoted fasting does not receive the praise of man but the reward of God.