Fasting n 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. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Fasting n What is fasting?

Fasting n It is from a word that means: “to abstain from eating”.

Fasting n What is fasting? n It is from a word that means: “to abstain from eating”. n It is not however just a diet or any occasion of eating. It always involves a focused mind.

Fasting n What is fasting? n It is from a word that means: “to abstain from eating”. n It is not however just a diet or any occasion of eating. It always involves a focused mind. n There are two kinds of “focused mind”: voluntary and involuntary.

Fasting n Occasions for fasting include: loss of a loved one, guilt of sin, a burden of great responsibility and concern for others in their sin.

Fasting n Jews commonly fasting during the day of Atonement. (Lev 23:27-32; 16:29, 31)

Fasting n (Leviticus 16:31 NKJV) “”It is a sabbath of solemn rest for you, and you shall afflict your souls. It is a statute forever.”

Fasting n (Leviticus 23:27-32 NKJV) “Also the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to the LORD. {28} “And you shall do no work on that same day, for it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before the LORD your God.

Fasting n {29} “For any person who is not afflicted in soul on that same day shall be cut off from his people. {30} “And any person who does any work on that same day, that person I will destroy from among his people. {31} “You shall do no manner of work; it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

Fasting n {32} “It shall be to you a sabbath of solemn rest, and you shall afflict your souls; on the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you shall celebrate your sabbath.””

Fasting n In this affliction over sin the Jews chose to fast. (Psa 35:13)

Fasting n (Psalms 35:13 NKJV) “But as for me, when they were sick, My clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting; And my prayer would return to my own heart.”

Fasting n By the NT times another word for the day of Atonement was: “the fast”. (Acts 27:9)

Fasting n (Acts 27:9 NKJV) “Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them,”

Fasting n To fast without affliction was pointless!

Fasting n Occasions for fasting include: loss of a loved one, guilt of sin, a burden of great responsibility and concern for others in their sin. n Fasting is a result of a focus and mourning that causes food to have little appeal.

Fasting n Occasions for fasting include: loss of a loved one, guilt of sin, a burden of great responsibility and concern for others in their sin. n Fasting is a result of a focus and mourning that causes food to have little appeal. n Prayer is often connected to it. This is where burdened hearts find relief.

Fasting n There were also occasions for a “proclaimed fast”. Even here the individual was to focus on issues that would produce this burden that would lead them to pray.

Fasting n In the days of Joel God proclaimed a fast because of the present circumstances

Fasting n They were invaded by a great nation and all was failing. (Joel 1:6; 13-15)

Fasting n (Joel 1:6 NKJV) “For a nation has come up against My land, Strong, and without number; His teeth are the teeth of a lion, And he has the fangs of a fierce lion.”

Fasting n (Joel 1:13-15 NKJV) “Gird yourselves and lament, you priests; Wail, you who minister before the altar; Come, lie all night in sackcloth, You who minister to my God; For the grain offering and the drink offering Are withheld from the house of your God. {14} Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly; Gather the elders And all the inhabitants of the land Into the house of the LORD your God, And cry out to the LORD. {15} Alas for the day! For the day of the LORD is at hand; It shall come as destruction from the Almighty.”

Fasting n God wanted them to return to Him in their hearts. (Joel 2:12-14)

Fasting n (Joel 2:12-14 NKJV) “”Now, therefore,” says the LORD, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” {13} So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm. {14} Who knows if He will turn and relent, And leave a blessing behind Him; A grain offering and a drink offering For the LORD your God?”

Fasting n How many have only mourned for a while and then turned back to sin?

Fasting n There were occasions were the people fasted with God’s approval.

Fasting n On the occasion where the people sought relief from the Philistines. (1 Sam 7:2-3, 6)

Fasting n (1 Samuel 7:2-3 NKJV) “So it was that the ark remained in Kirjath Jearim a long time; it was there twenty years. And all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD. {3} Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, “If you return to the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths from among you, and prepare your hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.””

Fasting n 1 Samuel 7:6 (NKJV) 6 So they gathered together at Mizpah, drew water, and poured it out before the Lord. And they fasted that day, and said there, “We have sinned against the Lord.” And Samuel judged the children of Israel at Mizpah.

Fasting n There were fasts for King Saul by the mighty men and by David himself. (1 Sam 31:13; 2 Sam 1:12)

Fasting n (1 Samuel 31:13 NKJV) “Then they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.”

Fasting n (2 Samuel 1:12 NKJV) “And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son, for the people of the LORD and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.”

Fasting n David fasted over the afflictions of others. (Psa 35:13)

Fasting n (Psalms 35:13 NKJV) “But as for me, when they were sick, My clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting; And my prayer would return to my own heart.”

Fasting n The Jews regularly observed four fasts. (Zech 8:19)

Fasting n (Zechariah 8:19 NKJV) “”Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘The fast of the fourth month, The fast of the fifth, The fast of the seventh, And the fast of the tenth, Shall be joy and gladness and cheerful feasts For the house of Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.’”

Fasting n Fourth month in memory of the wall of Jerusalem being broken up.

Fasting n Fifth month in memory of the burning of the temple. (Jer 52)

Fasting n Fourth month in memory of the wall of Jerusalem being broken up. n Fifth month in memory of the burning of the temple. (Jer 52) n The seventh month in memory of Gedaliah the governor being slain. (Jer 41)

Fasting n Fourth month in memory of the wall of Jerusalem being broken up. n Fifth month in memory of the burning of the temple. (Jer 52) n The seventh month in memory of Gedaliah the governor being slain. (Jer 41) n Tenth month in memory of Nebuchadnezzar coming against Jerusalem. (Jer 52:4)

Fasting n Was God pleased with these proclaimed fasts? (Zech 7:3-14) n (Zechariah 7:3-14 NKJV) “and to ask the priests who were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and the prophets, saying, “Should I weep in the fifth month and fast as I have done for so many years?” {4} Then the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying, {5} “Say to all the people of the land, and to the priests: ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months during those seventy years, did you really fast for Me; for Me? {6} ‘When you eat and when you drink, do you not eat and drink for yourselves? {7} ‘Should you not have obeyed the words which the LORD proclaimed through the former prophets when Jerusalem and the cities around it were inhabited and prosperous, and the South and the Lowland were inhabited?’” {8} Then the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, saying, {9} “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Execute true justice, Show mercy and compassion Everyone to his brother. {10} Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, The alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart Against his brother.’ {11} “But they refused to heed, shrugged their shoulders, and stopped their ears so that they could not hear. {12} “Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus great wrath came from the LORD of hosts. {13} “Therefore it happened, that just as He proclaimed and they would not hear, so they called out and I would not listen,” says the LORD of hosts. {14} “But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations which they had not known. Thus the land became desolate after them, so that no one passed through or returned; for they made the pleasant land desolate.””

Fasting n (Zechariah 7:3-14 NKJV) “and to ask the priests who were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and the prophets, saying, “Should I weep in the fifth month and fast as I have done for so many years?” {4} Then the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying, {5} “Say to all the people of the land, and to the priests: ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months during those seventy years, did you really fast for Me; for Me?

Fasting n 6} ‘When you eat and when you drink, do you not eat and drink for yourselves? {7} ‘Should you not have obeyed the words which the LORD proclaimed through the former prophets when Jerusalem and the cities around it were inhabited and prosperous, and the South and the Lowland were inhabited?’” {8} Then the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, saying,

Fasting n {9} “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Execute true justice, Show mercy and compassion Everyone to his brother. {10} Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, The alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart Against his brother.’ {11} “But they refused to heed, shrugged their shoulders, and stopped their ears so that they could not hear.

Fasting n {12} “Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus great wrath came from the LORD of hosts. {13} “Therefore it happened, that just as He proclaimed and they would not hear, so they called out and I would not listen,” says the LORD of hosts.

Fasting n These people could not be moved. They has hearts of flint!

Fasting n They also had an attitude problem towards God’s authority. They ended up with over 28 fasts!

Fasting in the New Testament n The ministry of Christ

Fasting in the New Testament n The ministry of Christ n While he debated the Pharisees He did not deny there would be a time for fasting. (Matt 9:14-17; Lk 5:33-39)

Fasting in the New Testament n (Matthew 9:14-17 NKJV) “Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?” {15} And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. {16} “No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse.

Fasting in the New Testament n {17} “Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.””

Fasting in the New Testament n (Luke 5:33-39 NKJV) “Then they said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John fast often and make prayers, and likewise those of the Pharisees, but Yours eat and drink?” {34} And He said to them, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? {35} “But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast in those days.”

Fasting in the New Testament n {36} Then He spoke a parable to them: “No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old one; otherwise the new makes a tear, and also the piece that was taken out of the new does not match the old. {37} “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined. {38} “But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved.

Fasting in the New Testament n {39} “And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, ‘The old is better.’”

Fasting in the New Testament n Jesus also spoke of the proper way of fasting. (Matt 6:16-18)

Fasting in the New Testament n (Matthew 6:16-18 NKJV) “”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. {17} “But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, {18} “so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

Fasting in the New Testament n In the casting out of demons Jesus spoke of fasting. (Matt 17:21)

Fasting in the New Testament n (Matthew 17:21 NKJV) “However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

Fasting in the New Testament n There would be occasions for the Christian to focus his mind on sin, temptation, responsibility which would lead them to fast.

Fasting in the New Testament n In the church we see occasions of fasting with God’s approval.

Fasting in the New Testament n In the church we see occasions of fasting with God’s approval. n In the sending out of Paul and Barnabas. (Acts 13:1-3)

Fasting in the New Testament n (Acts 13:1-3 NKJV) “Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. {2} As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” {3} Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.”

Fasting in the New Testament n How involved are we with the men we support?

Fasting in the New Testament n How involved are we with the men we support? n Do you take time to focus and plan concerning the lost?

Fasting in the New Testament n How involved are we with the men we support? n Do you take time to focus and plan concerning the lost? n In the selection of elders. (Acts 14:23)

Fasting in the New Testament n (Acts 14:23 NKJV) “So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”

Fasting in the New Testament n How much does this mean to you? Would you fast?

Fasting in the New Testament n How much does this mean to you? Would you fast? n This is an important step we need to be focusing on.

Fasting in the New Testament n How much does this mean to you? Would you fast? n This is an important step we need to be focusing on. n In the spiritual life of a family. (1 Cor 7:5)

Fasting in the New Testament n (1 Corinthians 7:5 NKJV) “Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”

Fasting in the New Testament n How many of you would go this far to deal with spiritual matters?

Fasting in the New Testament n How many of you would go this far to deal with spiritual matters? n We need to learn how to worship.

What does this mean to me? n Fasting is not commanded.

What does this mean to me? n Fasting is not commanded. n Putting our hearts into God’s will is. (Mark 12:30)

What does this mean to me? n (Mark 12:30 NKJV) “’And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.”

What does this mean to me? n Mourning over sins is commanded to. (Matt 5:4) n (Matthew 5:4 NKJV) “Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.” n Fasting is a private, individual matter. n 1. Do we take time to deal with matters before God? n 2. It must not be a show! n Conclusion: Consider the Conversion of Paul. (Acts 9:9; 22:16) n (Acts 9:9 NKJV) “And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.” n (Acts 22:16 NKJV) “’And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’”

What does this mean to me? n (Matthew 5:4 NKJV) “Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.”

What does this mean to me? n Fasting is a private, individual matter.

What does this mean to me? n Fasting is a private, individual matter. n Do we take time to deal with matters before God?

What does this mean to me? n Fasting is a private, individual matter. n Do we take time to deal with matters before God? n It must not be a show!

What does this mean to me? n Fasting is a private, individual matter. n Do we take time to deal with matters before God? n It must not be a show! n Consider the Conversion of Paul. (Acts 9:9; 22:16)

What does this mean to me? n (Acts 9:9 NKJV) “And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.”

What does this mean to me? n (Acts 22:16 NKJV) “’And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’”

Loyalty n 22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

Loyalty n 24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

Worry n 25“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

Worry n 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Worry n 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

Worry n 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.