Sermons on Matthew 6:17-18

Matthew 6:17-18 Interpretation:

Fasting: A Pathway to Genuine Spiritual Growth (River of Life Church Virginia) offers a nuanced interpretation of Matthew 6:17-18 by framing fasting as a practice of “practical righteousness toward oneself,” distinct from giving (righteousness toward others) and prayer (righteousness toward God). The sermon uniquely expands the passage’s focus from literal fasting to a broader principle of self-denial, suggesting that Jesus’ teaching is not just about abstaining from food but about cultivating humility and breaking the power of pride and self-centeredness. The preacher uses the analogy of a “tide commercial” where a stain distracts from the message, likening the “noise” of the flesh to a stain that prevents us from hearing God—fasting, then, is a way to “wash the face” and remove distractions so God’s voice can be heard. The sermon also notes that the Greek word for “afflict” in Isaiah 58 (used in parallel) means “to humble,” reinforcing the idea that the heart posture, not the outward act, is what matters. The passage is interpreted as a call to “fast for the right reasons” (not to manipulate God or impress others) and “in the right ways” (with humility and a focus on God), emphasizing that the “reward” is not transactional but the natural result of being rightly positioned before God.

Empowering Global Mission Through Fasting and Unity (Impact Church FXBG) interprets Matthew 6:17-18 by focusing on the Greek word for fasting, “nestes,” which the preacher explains means “the one who is empty.” This linguistic insight is used to draw out a spiritual metaphor: fasting is not just physical emptiness but a spiritual emptying, a stripping away of pride and idols to make room for God’s presence. The sermon also highlights that Jesus’ use of “when you fast” (not “if”) signals an expectation of fasting as a normative spiritual discipline. The preacher distinguishes between the method and motive of fasting, arguing that Jesus’ concern is not with whether fasting is public or private, but with the heart’s intent—are we seeking God or seeking attention? The analogy of “idolizing comfort” is used to show how fasting challenges the modern tendency to make food and routine into idols, and the preacher uses the phrase “don’t let your belly be your God” to drive home the point that fasting is about reordering desires and finding comfort in Christ alone.

Fasting: A Journey to Spiritual Breakthrough and Insight (SermonIndex.net) interprets Matthew 6:17-18 by emphasizing the heart posture behind fasting, echoing Jesus’ warning against pride and performative spirituality. The preacher draws on the original Hebrew meaning of fasting as “to shut the mouth,” and notes that the passage assumes fasting as a normative part of the Christian life (“when you fast”). The sermon uses the metaphor of “sharpening the axe” (from Jensen Franklin) to illustrate how fasting increases spiritual effectiveness by removing dullness caused by overindulgence. The preacher also introduces the idea that fasting “applies pressure to the spiritual realm,” suggesting that it is a weapon in spiritual warfare, not a work to earn God’s favor. The reward promised in Matthew 6:18 is interpreted not as a transactional blessing, but as the result of being positioned to receive what God already desires to give—clarity, breakthrough, and intimacy with God.

Fasting: A Pathway to Spiritual Growth and Authority (SermonIndex.net) offers a notable interpretation of Matthew 6:17-18 by emphasizing that Jesus’ instruction to “anoint your head and wash your face” is not about a specific ritual but about the heart posture of fasting. The sermon draws a vivid analogy between the desire to find a lost child and the hunger for food, explaining that true fasting is when the desire for God surpasses the desire for physical sustenance. The preacher also connects the passage to the following verses about laying up treasures in heaven, arguing that the context of “reward” in secret is directly tied to the heart’s orientation—private seeking of God leads to public reward, but not in the sense of earthly accolades. The sermon further uses the phrase “lean mean fasting machine” as a metaphor for the Christian who, through fasting, becomes spiritually fit and ready for battle, highlighting the need to be “mean” (unyielding) toward the flesh and the kingdom of darkness. Additionally, the preacher references the original Hebrew meaning of “Kibroth Hattaavah” (“the grave of the lustful”) from Numbers 11 to illustrate the dangers of fleshly appetites, drawing a parallel to the heart motivations Jesus addresses in Matthew 6:17-18.

Transformative Power of Prayer Retreats and Fasting (SermonIndex.net) interprets Matthew 6:17-18 by focusing on the internal transformation that fasting brings, rather than external displays. The sermon uniquely frames fasting as a “gift” that enables spiritual “violence” against personal hardness of heart and spiritual dullness, emphasizing that fasting is not about changing God but about changing oneself. The preacher uses the metaphor of a “gas station relationship” with God to critique performance-based spirituality, contrasting it with a love-driven pursuit of God in the secret place. The sermon also introduces a linguistic distinction between the Greek words “logos” (the written word) and “rhema” (the spoken, living word), suggesting that time spent in the “logos” increases the likelihood of receiving a personal “rhema” from God—a living word that awakens the heart, which is the true reward of secret devotion as described in Matthew 6:17-18.

Matthew 6:17-18 Theological Themes:

Fasting: A Pathway to Genuine Spiritual Growth (River of Life Church Virginia) introduces the theme that fasting is a form of “practical righteousness toward oneself,” expanding the usual categories of righteousness and connecting fasting to the broader discipline of self-denial. The sermon also develops the idea that the “reward” of fasting is not earned but is the natural outflow of being rightly aligned with God’s presence, and that the true danger is not failing to fast, but fasting with pride or for self-exaltation, which blocks intimacy with God.

Empowering Global Mission Through Fasting and Unity (Impact Church FXBG) presents the distinctive theme that fasting is a spiritual act of “emptying” oneself, both physically and spiritually, to make room for God’s presence. The sermon also explores the idea that fasting is a communal as well as individual discipline, and that the motive (not the method) is what matters most to God. The preacher’s focus on “idolizing comfort” as a uniquely modern obstacle to fasting adds a fresh angle, connecting the passage to contemporary issues of consumerism and self-indulgence.

Fasting: A Journey to Spiritual Breakthrough and Insight (SermonIndex.net) introduces the theme that fasting is a “weapon, not a work”—a means of spiritual warfare that positions the believer for breakthrough rather than manipulating God. The sermon also highlights the idea that fasting is a means of humbling oneself, breaking addictions, and “applying pressure to the spiritual realm,” which is a distinctive application of the passage’s teaching on secrecy and reward.

Fasting: A Pathway to Spiritual Growth and Authority (SermonIndex.net) presents the distinct theological theme that humility is the “access code” to effective fasting, equating the disappearance of self with the proper heart posture for seeking God. The sermon also introduces the idea that the “reward” promised by the Father is not necessarily material or public recognition, but can be answered prayer, deeper relationship with God, and spiritual authority. It further develops the theme that fasting is not about earning God’s love or approval, but about increasing one’s own love for God and sensitivity to the Spirit, thus reframing fasting as a means of relational transformation rather than religious performance. The preacher’s analogy of “private seeking has public reward” adds a nuanced layer, suggesting that the fruit of secret devotion is often seen in transformed character and spiritual effectiveness rather than external accolades.

Transformative Power of Prayer Retreats and Fasting (SermonIndex.net) adds a new facet to the theme of motivation in spiritual disciplines, arguing that performance-based approaches to fasting and prayer actually dishonor Christ’s finished work and can provoke God’s displeasure. The sermon insists that the only valid motivation for secret devotion is love and gratitude for God’s acceptance, not insecurity or a sense of never doing enough. This is further developed through the assertion that pursuing the secret place to “gain the Father’s affection” is a burden never intended by God, and that true joy in the secret place comes from being “awakened” to the glory of God’s word and presence.

Matthew 6:17-18 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Fasting: A Pathway to Genuine Spiritual Growth (River of Life Church Virginia) provides historical context by referencing the Didache, an early Christian document, which prescribes fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays rather than the Pharisaic practice of Mondays and Thursdays. This insight situates Jesus’ teaching within the broader Jewish and early Christian fasting traditions, highlighting the shift from public, performative fasting to a more humble, God-focused practice. The sermon also notes that in Jesus’ time, fasting was a common and expected discipline, not an exceptional act.

Fasting: A Journey to Spiritual Breakthrough and Insight (SermonIndex.net) offers historical context by referencing the early church fathers, John Wesley, and the Didache, noting that fasting was a prerequisite for ordination and even for baptism in the early church. The preacher also discusses the cultural shift from three meals a day to constant snacking, arguing that modern abundance has made fasting more challenging but also more necessary for spiritual discipline.

Fasting: A Pathway to Spiritual Growth and Authority (SermonIndex.net) provides detailed historical context by referencing the practices of early church fathers such as Basil of Caesarea, Polycarp, Tertullian, Ignatius, Irenaeus, and the Didache, noting that fasting was a common and expected discipline in the early church, including fasting before baptism. The sermon also discusses the shift in American Christianity away from fasting, attributing it to cultural attitudes of comfort and self-indulgence, and contrasts this with the historical norm. Additionally, the preacher explains that in Jesus’ time, anointing the head and washing the face were normal acts of grooming, so Jesus’ instruction was to avoid any outward display of suffering or piety, thus maintaining the secrecy and sincerity of the fast. The sermon also references the historical context of Numbers 11, explaining the Hebrew meaning of “Kibroth Hattaavah” and its significance as a warning against fleshly lusts.

Matthew 6:17-18 Cross-References in the Bible:

Fasting: A Pathway to Genuine Spiritual Growth (River of Life Church Virginia) draws extensively on Isaiah 58, paralleling Jesus’ teaching with the Old Testament’s most comprehensive passage on fasting. The sermon unpacks Isaiah 58:1-14, showing how true fasting is about humility, justice, and caring for others, not self-exaltation or manipulation of God. The preacher also references Luke 9:23-24 (“deny yourself, take up your cross daily”), 2 Corinthians 5:21 (righteousness through Christ), and Hebrews 11:6 (God rewards those who seek Him), weaving these passages together to reinforce the message that fasting is about self-denial, humility, and seeking God’s presence.

Empowering Global Mission Through Fasting and Unity (Impact Church FXBG) references John 10:10 (the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy), Philippians 3:17-19 (enemies of the cross whose god is their belly), Isaiah 58:4 (fasting that does not please God), and Acts 13:1-3 (the church fasting and praying before sending out missionaries). The preacher uses these passages to show that fasting is both a personal and communal discipline, a means of spiritual warfare, and a catalyst for global mission and gospel advancement.

Fasting: A Journey to Spiritual Breakthrough and Insight (SermonIndex.net) references 2 Chronicles 7:14 (humbling, praying, seeking, and turning from wickedness), Matthew 26:41 (the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak), Matthew 17:21 (some demons only come out by prayer and fasting), and James 4:7 (resist the devil and he will flee). These cross-references are used to support the idea that fasting is a means of humbling oneself, engaging in spiritual warfare, and positioning oneself for breakthrough and intimacy with God.

Fasting: A Pathway to Spiritual Growth and Authority (SermonIndex.net) cross-references several passages to expand on Matthew 6:17-18. It draws a direct connection to the following verses in Matthew 6 about laying up treasures in heaven, arguing that the context of “reward” is not just about fasting but about the orientation of the heart toward God rather than earthly gain. The sermon references Hebrews 12:1 (“remove every weight and sin that so easily ensnares us”) to support the metaphor of becoming “lean” through fasting. It also cites Numbers 11:4-6 and the story of Kibroth Hattaavah to illustrate the dangers of fleshly appetites and the consequences of craving physical satisfaction over spiritual hunger. Luke 10 is referenced to emphasize the authority believers have over the enemy, tying this spiritual authority to the discipline of fasting. Psalm 51:17 is used to highlight that what pleases God is a broken and repentant heart, not outward performance. Isaiah 58 is discussed as a key passage on fasting, emphasizing that the heart must be right for fasting to be effective and that true fasting leads to answered prayer and spiritual restoration.

Transformative Power of Prayer Retreats and Fasting (SermonIndex.net) references Romans 4:15 to argue that performance-based spirituality brings about God’s wrath because it dishonors Christ’s finished work. Galatians 6:8 is cited to illustrate the principle of sowing to the Spirit through secret devotion. The sermon also references Psalm 88 as an example of how even the darkest moments in life are validated and addressed by Scripture, reinforcing the sustaining power of God’s word in the secret place.

Matthew 6:17-18 Christian References outside the Bible:

Fasting: A Pathway to Genuine Spiritual Growth (River of Life Church Virginia) explicitly references Andrew Murray’s book “Holiness,” quoting Murray’s warning that “there is no pride so dangerous, so subtle and insidious as the pride of holiness.” This is used to caution against the spiritual pride that can accompany fasting and to reinforce the need for humility.

Empowering Global Mission Through Fasting and Unity (Impact Church FXBG) cites Elmer Towns, co-founder of Liberty University, who warns that “if you are serious enough to take up the discipline of fasting you can expect resistance, interference, and opposition,” emphasizing the spiritual warfare aspect of fasting. The sermon also quotes D.L. Moody, who said, “If you say, I will fast when God lays it on my heart. You never will. You are too cold and indifferent to take the yoke upon you,” and Arthur Wallis, who wrote that “fasting is calculated to bring a note of urgency and importance into our praying and to give force to our pleading in the court of heaven.” These references are used to encourage perseverance and urgency in fasting.

Fasting: A Journey to Spiritual Breakthrough and Insight (SermonIndex.net) references A.W. Tozer (“I fast often enough to let my stomach know who’s boss”), Jensen Franklin (the “sharpening the axe” story), Leonard Ravenhill (“when there’s something in the Bible that churches don’t like, such as fasting, they call it legalism”), Arthur Wallis (fasting as a means of maintaining pressure in spiritual warfare), and K. Neil Foster (the absence of the miraculous may be due to lack of fasting). The preacher also mentions Ronnie Floyd’s book on prayer and fasting, and John Wesley’s requirement that Methodist pastors fast on Wednesdays and Fridays. These references are used to illustrate the spiritual power and historical importance of fasting.

Fasting: A Pathway to Spiritual Growth and Authority (SermonIndex.net) explicitly references Basil of Caesarea, quoting him as saying, “Fasting begets prophets and strengthens strongmen… the armor of the champion, the training of the athlete,” to underscore the spiritual benefits of fasting recognized by early church leaders. The sermon also mentions Martin Luther and John Knox, noting that Luther fasted while translating the Bible into German, and references the Didache as an early church document prescribing fasting before baptism. Jentezen Franklin is mentioned as a modern pastor who teaches on the “power of the made up mind” in fasting, highlighting the importance of intentionality and resolve in the discipline.

Matthew 6:17-18 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Fasting: A Pathway to Genuine Spiritual Growth (River of Life Church Virginia) uses the example of emperor penguins, where the male fasts for up to 115 days to protect and incubate the egg, as an analogy for self-denial leading to new life. The sermon also references a “tide commercial” where a stain distracts from the message, using it as a metaphor for how the “noise” of the flesh can drown out God’s voice. Additionally, the preacher discusses modern health trends such as ketosis and autophagy, explaining the Greek origin of “autophagy” (“self-devouring”) and connecting it to the spiritual process of fasting as a means of cleansing and renewal.

Fasting: A Journey to Spiritual Breakthrough and Insight (SermonIndex.net) draws on a variety of secular and scientific sources, including references to Dr. Valter Longo (USC longevity researcher), Dr. Alan Goldhamer (TrueNorth Health Center), and Dr. Jason Fung (fasting and health expert), to explain the physiological benefits of fasting such as autophagy, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and telomere lengthening. The preacher also uses the story of a young and old lumberjack (from Jensen Franklin) to illustrate the importance of “sharpening the axe” through fasting. The sermon discusses the addictive nature of processed foods, referencing the food industry’s use of chemicals to create dependency, and draws parallels between food addiction and drug addiction, highlighting the challenges of fasting in a culture of abundance and constant snacking. The preacher also references historical figures like Herbert Shelton, who used fasting to treat alcoholism and other conditions, and discusses the impact of modern food additives on health and spiritual discipline.

Fasting: A Pathway to Spiritual Growth and Authority (SermonIndex.net) uses several detailed secular analogies to illustrate Matthew 6:17-18. The preacher compares the discipline of fasting to physical training, likening the denial of the flesh to training muscles and becoming a “lean mean fasting machine,” a phrase borrowed from military jargon to evoke the image of a soldier in peak condition, ready for spiritual battle. The sermon also uses the analogy of searching for a lost child at Disneyland or a fair, explaining that when a child is lost, the hunger for food disappears in the urgency to find the child—paralleling how the hunger for God should surpass physical appetites in fasting. The preacher humorously references American cultural icons such as Krispy Kreme, buffets, and the “proud American” stereotype (flag, guns, barbecue) to highlight the cultural resistance to fasting. The sermon also uses the imagery of a sledgehammer and jackhammer to compare prayer and fasting: prayer is like a sledgehammer breaking down strongholds, but prayer combined with fasting is like a jackhammer—much more powerful and effective in spiritual warfare. The preacher further references the convenience culture of fast food and the time spent preparing meals as a contrast to the time that could be devoted to God, using this as a practical application of Jesus’ teaching to prioritize secret devotion over outward displays.