1. WEEK 11 ¤ WHEN YOU FAST
MATT 6:16-18

2. fasting- a spiritual discipline
giving up a need for what’s important
in so doing, we are saying to God (and to ourselves); “Hearing from you is more important to me than even eating”
“when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” –Dr. Wayne Dyer

3. fasting- a spiritual discipline
in order to have more time with God
in the NT, it is always voluntary fasting; there are no appointed days of fasting
God calls us to fasts
a situation, a need, the Church, a leader, season of Lent, etc. can be a factor
includes timing and natural inclination

4. fasting- a spiritual discipline
Matt 9: Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” 15 Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

5. striving to impress men, not to glorify God
Matthew 6:1 (NASB)
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.”
striving to impress men, not to glorify God

6. when you fast… don’t do it for ‘cred’ Luke 18:11-12
11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

7. when you fast…
it is to be done under a burden and conviction to earnestly seek the Lord… not to advertise it
which means not just abstaining from bragging about it
don’t be ‘hangry’

8. The Lord will say: “Here am I”
when you fast…
look like you’re actually enjoying the concentrated time you are spending with God in prayer and reflection!
Isaiah 58:1-9
The Lord will say: “Here am I”