Fasting and Kingdom Citizens
The Gospel of Matthew: The King and His Kingdom • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 15 viewsJesus teaches His disciples about Fasting.
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Introduction: What do you know about FASTING? Well, we probably know that fasting is mentioned in the Bible. During the time of Jesus, there was one compulsory FAST, and it was on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:27-32; Numbers 29:7). However, it appears that fasting was as natural as almsgiving and prayer. It was a part of the Jewish religious life. This is probably why Jesus spoke about all three here in Matthew chapter 6.
How many of you have heard about intermitting Fasting? It’s the new way to lose those extra pounds. Here is what I find interesting: some Christians will buy into intermitting fasting to lose weight, but they have never thought about fasting for spiritual reasons based on the teaching of the Bible.
I want to draw our attention to what Jesus said here in Matthew 6:5,
“When you fast”.
Jesus took it for granted that His Kingdom Citizens would FAST.
So, then what is fasting?
· Fasting is giving up food for a spiritual purpose.
· Fasting is a denial of the flesh.
· Fasting is practiced to enter into the presence of God.
Pastor Jon Courson shares two reasons for fasting in his commentary. He writes, “The first is for direction. Both examples in the Old Testament are found in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. In the New Testament, we see the examples not only in the life of Jesus but also in the Book of Acts. When people desired to know God’s will or direction, they fasted.
Physiologists tell us when there is no food in the stomach, there is greater blood flow to the brain. You can actually think clearer when you’re not digesting burgers and fries. Once you overcome those first pangs of hunger, your thinking processes are more focused and clearer than ever. On the other hand, if you have two Whoppers and a couple of shakes, all you want to do is sleep!
Second, people fast not only for direction, but for liberation.When you feel oppressed, bound, or hassled by some sin or problem, fasting is a powerful weapon in your spiritual arsenal. Why? When you say no to your stomach and start praying instead, something dynamic begins to happen. Saying no to your physical appetites helps you say no to the other temptations that hassle you. If you are plagued by temptation, I encourage you to begin to explore the discipline of fasting. When your stomach starts demanding, just say “No,” and start praying. You will find a power and a liberty thatwill help you overcome whatever temptations are seeking to enslave you. There’s real power in fasting. If you need direction, if you hunger for liberation, skip lunch, and seek the Lord.”[1]
Oswald Chambers has said, “Fasting means concentration.” What he meant was that during a fast we focus our attention on God.
Dr. John MacArthur writes, “Fasting is mentioned some thirty times in the New Testament, almost always favorably.” He went on to write, “Fasting is a legitimate form of spiritual devotion.”
Here in Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus is going to teach us, How to Fast. Are you ready to receive His words?
I. Jesus expected us to Fast – 6:16
I. Jesus expected us to Fast – 6:16
16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
Jesus tells us not to FAST for public recognition. That is what the hypocrites did (Remember that He has the Pharisees in mind here). Other translations render this verse like this:
· ESV – Do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
· NLT – Don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do.
· NCV – Don’t put on a sad face like the hypocrites.
The Pharisees fasted twice a week, Monday, and Thursday (Luke 18:12). They would walk around with a sad countenance – they wanted others to feel bad for them. Apparently, they would disfigure their faces so that it appeared to men that they were fasting. It’s possible that they weren’t fasting at all, but they just wanted to make it appear as if they were. Jesus says these people have their reward – NOTHING!
I have read that the word “disfigure” is an expression for mournful gestures often done with dirt and ash. Perhaps they threw a little dirt in their faces so that people would recognize that they were fasting. For the hypocrite, it was all about drawing attention to oneself. There is NOTHINGspiritual here.
What are some positives can we draw from our text? I believe we can see the following two ideas:
1. Jesus is teaching us about spiritual discipline here.
2. Jesus is teaching us to be real on our spiritual journey.
What do we find next?
II. Jesus taught us how to Fast – 6:17-18
II. Jesus taught us how to Fast – 6:17-18
According to Jesus how are Kingdom people to FAST? He shares three steps we are to take if we want to start a fast. They are:
A. Pick a time to fast – 6:17a
17 But you, when you fast,
This is the second time we read, “when you fast”. Now, when I say, pick a time to FAST, I am not talking about the hours we see on the face of a clock. That is Chronos time. No, I’m talking about situations, or seasons of times we go through in life. Those moments we all face. The Greek word for this type of time is “Kairos”. Kairos means an appointed time, an opportune moment, or a due season.
In Scripture, we have the following examples of such appointed time, opportune moment, or a due season:
· David fasted for a sick child – 2 Samuel 12:16
· Daniel fasted for spiritual insight – Daniel 10:10-14
· Esther fasted before going before King Ahasuerus – Esther 5:2
· Jesus fasted for 40 days – Matthew 4:2
· Paul and Barnabas fasted when they appointed elders – Acts 14:23
Here are some possible suggestions for the Kairos moments that come into our lives. These are the time in which we should FAST:
1. Feeling as if God is quiet in your Christian life. You should probably take some time to fast.
2. You have a sin that is not easily conquered. You should probably take some time to fast.
3. You are about to make a life-changing decision – college, marriage, job change. You should probably take some time to fast.
4. You are having problems getting along with other Christians. You should probably take time to fast.
5. You are considering a move from your community and your church home. You should probably take time to fast.
6. You are struggling with a health issue. You should probably take some time to fast.
7. You are not doing what you know you should be doing. You should probably take time to fast.
There will be a host of seasons (times in our lives) when we should FAST. In Ephesians 5:16, Paul writes “redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Paul is not speaking of Chronos time – the tic, tic, tic of a watch, but of Kairos opportunities that come into our lives. We should seek to practice a heightened sense of awareness of these special opportune times and seasons.
Pray, fast, and turn your eyes on God.
B. Anoint your head – 6:17b
“anoint your head”
What Jesus is teaching here is the normal care for the body – personal hygiene. When you FAST, you are not to neglect your hygiene. You are to anoint your head with oil. This was a Jewish practice. Jews anointed their heads with oil for the purpose of sanctification – holy unto the LORD. It was also used for cosmetic and therapeutic purposes. Don’t forget the words of Psalm 23:5, “You anoint my head with oil;” Perhaps a little dap will do! How many of you remember that line from the early days of television commercials? The early days of your grandfather's hair gel.
The Message translates this verse like this,
Shampoo and comb your hair, brush your teeth…
When we FAST we honor God by properly taking care of our personal physical body. Write down the words: Clean up!
C. Wash your face – 6:17c
“and wash your face,”
Jesus is telling His disciples that when they FAST that they are to wash their faces. If you need to shave, shave. Write down the words: Shine up!
One author I was reading wrote, “Wash off any sign that you may be putting yourself through a discipline.”
Are you aware that our countenance is what displays God’s glory in our lives? FAST in such a way that your face shines forth God’s glory. Give God your best face.
We have all heard the phrase, “Put your best foot forward.” Well, I would say, “Put your best face forward.”
D. Don’t appear to men to be fasting – 6:18a
18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting,
Jesus is teaching that when we FAST that we are not FASTING to be seen by men. We are not to walk around hinting, or even telling anyone that we are FASTING, or mumble under our breath near our colleagues, “I’m so hungry”. Our FAST needs to be towards our heavenly Father alone.
We are not to become martyrs when it comes to fasting. Don’t say things like, “Poor me”, which is interpreted as, “O how so spiritual I am”. The Pharisees did that – don’t you do that!
Don’t let others know you are FASTING! It is between you and God alone.
John Welsey wrote, “First, let fasting be done unto the Lord with our eye singly fixed on Him. Let our intention herein be this, and this alone, to glorify our Father which is in heaven.” (The New Encyclopedia oF Christian Quotations).
E. Your Father will reward you – 6:18b
“but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”
Kingdom people are too FAST to connect with our God who is in a secret place. Here is that “secret place” again. Remember in the last chapter I shared from one of my favorite Psalms? Psalm 91:1,
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Apparently, FASTING brings us into “the secret place of the Most High”. I like it, but do I like it enough to FAST? That’s a great question to ask ourselves.
If we want to really connect with God (in that secret place) we need to incorporate FASTING into our calendar. It could be weekly, monthly, quarterly, every six months, once a year? How often will you FAST to draw near to God? You choose.
III. How to prepare for FASTING?
III. How to prepare for FASTING?
Allow me to provide you with six steps to take when it comes to FASTING:
1. Make sure that you are healthy enough to fast (see your doctor).
2. Make sure that you are fasting for the right reason. If you fast to lose weight, don’t pretend to be fasting for spiritual purposes. Don’t be a hypocrite.
3. Start by skipping one meal, and then two, until you can walk through a full day of fasting. Start slow and move forward.
4. Make sure that you continue to drink water (and or juice). Avoid dehydration. Most people don’t drink enough water as it is.
5. When you feel hungry during your FAST, turn your eyes towards the Lord. Connect and talk with Him.
6. Put your FAST day on the calendar. Plan it into your regular daily routine.
Conclusion: Kingdom Citizens FAST. It is just expected. So, when will you FAST? Hopefully, you recognize it as a spiritual discipline that we as believers can incorporate into our daily faith.
In closing, I want to remind us of six things about FASTING:
1. Fast for spiritual reasons.
2. Fast but don’t draw attention to yourself.
3. Fast and take care of your appearance.
4. Fast and say nothing to anyone.
5. Fast and seek your Father in His secret place.
6. Fast and allow God to reward you. (His Presence).
[1]Courson, J. (2003). Jon Courson’s Application Commentary (pp. 32–33). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.