Fasting: A Pathway to Genuine Spiritual Growth
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we delved into Matthew 6:1 and 16-18, focusing on Jesus' teachings about fasting as part of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus emphasizes the importance of practicing righteousness not for public display but for genuine spiritual growth and connection with God. We explored the concept of fasting, drawing parallels to the emperor penguin's self-denial for the sake of its offspring, and discussed the physical and spiritual benefits of fasting.
Fasting, as Jesus taught, is not about outward appearances or earning God's favor through our actions. Instead, it is a practice of self-denial that helps us draw closer to God by removing distractions and focusing on our spiritual health. Jesus contrasts the hypocritical fasting of the Pharisees, who sought public admiration, with the sincere fasting that seeks God's presence in secret.
We also examined the broader context of practical righteousness, which includes generous giving and sincere prayer, as ways to honor God and bless others. Fasting, in this context, is an act of practical righteousness towards oneself, promoting humility and self-discipline. It is a way to combat pride, which is a significant barrier to spiritual growth.
The sermon highlighted the importance of fasting for the right reasons and in the right ways. We should fast not to manipulate God or gain public approval but to humble ourselves and seek a deeper relationship with Him. The rewards of fasting, as outlined in Isaiah 58, include healing, answered prayers, and a closer walk with God. Ultimately, fasting positions us to receive God's blessings and aligns our hearts with His will.
### Key Takeaways
1. Fasting as Self-Denial: Fasting is a practice of self-denial that helps us draw closer to God by removing distractions and focusing on our spiritual health. It is not about outward appearances or earning God's favor but about humbling ourselves and seeking a deeper relationship with Him. [02:54]
2. Practical Righteousness: Jesus teaches that practical righteousness includes generous giving, sincere prayer, and fasting. These acts are not for public display but are ways to honor God and bless others. Fasting, in particular, is an act of practical righteousness towards oneself, promoting humility and self-discipline. [05:17]
3. Combating Pride: One of the greatest enemies of righteousness and the spiritual life is pride. Fasting helps us combat pride by reminding us of our dependence on God and our need for His grace. It is a way to humble ourselves and align our hearts with God's will. [06:49]
4. Fasting for the Right Reasons: We should fast not to manipulate God or gain public approval but to humble ourselves and seek a deeper relationship with Him. Fasting for the right reasons means focusing on God and His will rather than our desires or public recognition. [16:50]
5. Heavenly Rewards: Fasting positions us to receive God's blessings and aligns our hearts with His will. The rewards of fasting, as outlined in Isaiah 58, include healing, answered prayers, and a closer walk with God. Ultimately, fasting helps us find our delight in the Lord and discover that He is our inheritance and exceeding great reward. [28:20]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:28] - Emperor Penguin's Self-Denial
[02:54] - Physical and Spiritual Benefits of Fasting
[04:01] - Practical Righteousness: Giving and Prayer
[05:17] - Righteousness Towards Others and God
[06:49] - Combating Pride
[08:11] - The Difference Between Gifts and Rewards
[09:32] - Pursuing God, Not Just Blessings
[11:00] - Human Nature: Seeking Pleasure, Avoiding Pain
[12:26] - Righteousness Through Jesus
[14:10] - The Call to Self-Denial
[15:35] - Fasting as a Pathway to God
[16:50] - Fasting for the Right Reasons
[18:22] - Historical Context of Fasting
[19:48] - God's Rebuke in Isaiah 58
[21:12] - Treating Others Well During Fasting
[22:41] - Avoiding Hypocrisy in Fasting
[24:12] - Removing Distractions to Hear God
[25:33] - Fasting in the Right Ways
[27:06] - Turning Towards Others
[28:20] - Fasting for the Heavenly Reward
[29:32] - Rewards of Fasting in Isaiah 58
[32:03] - Leaving a Legacy Through Fasting
[33:23] - Delighting in the Lord
[35:00] - Avoiding Hypocrisy in Righteousness
[36:32] - Gaining Freedom Through Fasting
[38:03] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Matthew 6:1, 16-18
- Isaiah 58:1-14
- Luke 9:23-24
### Observation Questions
1. According to Matthew 6:1, what warning does Jesus give about displaying righteousness? [00:01]
2. In Matthew 6:16-18, how does Jesus instruct us to fast, and what is the reward for fasting in secret? [00:01]
3. What are some of the physical benefits of fasting mentioned in the sermon? [02:54]
4. How does Isaiah 58 describe the kind of fasting that pleases God? [19:48]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize the importance of practicing righteousness in secret rather than for public display? [00:01]
2. How does fasting help combat pride and promote humility according to the sermon? [06:49]
3. What does it mean to fast for the right reasons, and how can we ensure our motives align with God's will? [16:50]
4. How does Isaiah 58:6-7 expand our understanding of fasting beyond just abstaining from food? [27:06]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you might have sought public approval for your acts of righteousness. How can you shift your focus to seeking God's approval instead? [00:01]
2. What distractions in your life could you remove to draw closer to God, similar to how fasting removes physical distractions? [02:54]
3. How can you incorporate the practice of fasting into your spiritual routine to combat pride and promote humility? [06:49]
4. Think about your current motivations for fasting or other spiritual disciplines. How can you ensure they are aligned with seeking a deeper relationship with God rather than personal gain? [16:50]
5. Isaiah 58:6-7 talks about sharing with the needy and helping the oppressed. How can you incorporate acts of service into your fasting or self-denial practices? [27:06]
6. What steps can you take to ensure that your fasting or self-denial practices are done in the right way, as described in Matthew 6:17-18? [25:33]
7. How can you find your delight in the Lord and discover that He is your inheritance and exceeding great reward, as mentioned in Isaiah 58:14? [30:53]
Devotional
Day 1: Fasting as a Pathway to Intimacy with God
Fasting is a practice of self-denial that helps us draw closer to God by removing distractions and focusing on our spiritual health. It is not about outward appearances or earning God's favor but about humbling ourselves and seeking a deeper relationship with Him. Jesus taught that fasting should be done in secret, not for public admiration, but to foster a genuine connection with God. This act of self-denial mirrors the emperor penguin's dedication to its offspring, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing spiritual growth over physical needs. [02:54]
Isaiah 58:6-7 (ESV): "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?"
Reflection: What distractions in your life can you set aside today to focus more on your relationship with God? How can you practice self-denial in a way that draws you closer to Him?
Day 2: Practical Righteousness in Action
Jesus teaches that practical righteousness includes generous giving, sincere prayer, and fasting. These acts are not for public display but are ways to honor God and bless others. Fasting, in particular, is an act of practical righteousness towards oneself, promoting humility and self-discipline. By engaging in these practices, we align our actions with God's will and demonstrate our commitment to living a life that reflects His love and grace. [05:17]
Matthew 6:3-4 (ESV): "But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
Reflection: How can you incorporate acts of practical righteousness, such as giving and prayer, into your daily routine without seeking recognition? What steps can you take to ensure your fasting is a private act of devotion?
Day 3: Humility Through Fasting
One of the greatest enemies of righteousness and the spiritual life is pride. Fasting helps us combat pride by reminding us of our dependence on God and our need for His grace. It is a way to humble ourselves and align our hearts with God's will. By fasting, we acknowledge our limitations and seek God's strength, wisdom, and guidance in our lives. This practice helps us develop a posture of humility, which is essential for spiritual growth and maturity. [06:49]
James 4:10 (ESV): "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle with pride? How can fasting help you develop a greater sense of humility and dependence on God?
Day 4: Fasting with Pure Intentions
We should fast not to manipulate God or gain public approval but to humble ourselves and seek a deeper relationship with Him. Fasting for the right reasons means focusing on God and His will rather than our desires or public recognition. When we fast with pure intentions, we open ourselves up to experiencing God's presence and guidance in a more profound way. This practice helps us align our hearts with God's purposes and grow in our spiritual journey. [16:50]
Zechariah 7:5-6 (ESV): "Say to all the people of the land and the priests, When you fasted and mourned in the fifth month and in the seventh, for these seventy years, was it for me that you fasted? And when you eat and when you drink, do you not eat for yourselves and drink for yourselves?"
Reflection: What are your motivations for fasting? How can you ensure that your fasting is focused on seeking a deeper relationship with God rather than personal gain or public approval?
Day 5: The Rewards of Fasting
Fasting positions us to receive God's blessings and aligns our hearts with His will. The rewards of fasting, as outlined in Isaiah 58, include healing, answered prayers, and a closer walk with God. Ultimately, fasting helps us find our delight in the Lord and discover that He is our inheritance and exceeding great reward. By fasting with the right heart and intentions, we open ourselves up to experiencing the fullness of God's presence and blessings in our lives. [28:20]
Isaiah 58:8-9 (ESV): "Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, 'Here I am.'"
Reflection: What specific blessings or breakthroughs are you seeking from God through fasting? How can you align your heart and intentions with His will to receive these rewards?
Quotes
1. "Throughout centuries, Christians have practiced fasting in order to position themselves to hear more clearly from God. You can follow this all the way, even in Jesus' day to today, there are men and women of God who they fast so they can hear from God more clearly, so they can get into the presence of God without distraction, so they can experience God in a new and living way." [03:10] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We need to learn to deny ourselves and choose to follow more completely after Jesus. And when we do that, we'll discover that there is a reward of joy and blessing that follows that, but it doesn't earn that you understand the difference between a gift, between something you earn between a reward and something you purchase." [08:11] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Blessing does follow fasting, self-denial, and practical righteousness. God is pleased. God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. Reward is part of God's nature. The problem is that we're tempted to be drawn away from God and into the pursuit of blessing. Where is the blessing? It's in the presence of God, but what do we chase the blessing instead of God? Not realizing that if I'm with God, I've got everything I need." [09:32] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We need to fast for the right reasons, fast for the right reasons. Matthew 16, verse 16, Jesus said, 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 that they have their reward." [16:50] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "When you fast, when we fast, we need to do it for the right reasons. Not to be seen as holy and righteous. Remember they were doing wickedness. It was like, they were coming in like we're holy, we're good. And, and, you know, if you ever fasted or if you ever just hadn't had, you know, anybody been hangry, how do you treat people when you're hangry? You'd be like, I better give me a Snickers or something, right?" [21:12] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "We don't fast because we want to be classified as super spiritual, right? Remember the Pharisees and Jesus, uh, the dadash talks about it. And Jesus refers to it. The Pharisees fasted two days a week and they went and they did, and they disfigured their faith. They wanted you to know I'm fasting, looking all miserable, all pitiful. I'm holy, but I'm suffering for my faith. This was the attitude." [22:41] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "We need to fast in the right ways, the right ways. Jesus said in Matthew 6, 17 and 18, he said, but when you fast, but you, when you fast, I'm knowing your head and wash your face. So you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your father who is in the secret place and your father who sees and sees. Jesus said that when we fast, don't make a show of it. Do it the right way." [25:33] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Fasting in the right ways leads to humility. It's self-discipline. Turns us away from ourself. It turns us towards God and towards others. And God says, this is the fast that I've chosen. And this is the kind of fast that God rewards." [27:06] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "We don't earn these things by fasting. We don't earn them through self-denial, but through fasting and self-denial, we position ourselves to receive the rewards of the righteous. That's how God set it up. If you're in the right place, when comes, guess what? You get the blessing. If you're in the wrong place, when the blessing comes, guess what? You miss it. You don't. Amen. Fasting just puts us in the right place." [33:23] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Hypocrisy, whether in generous giving, prayer, fasting, self-denial, hypocrisy in every form or fashion undermines righteousness. It robs us. It keeps us from heaven. Remember it was that hypocrisy, the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees that does not enter into the kingdom of heaven. When we enter into hypocrisy, when we do things the wrong way, when we're trying to manipulate God or seek our own desire or seek our own will or seek our own pleasure, we're undermining the gift of righteousness and we're preventing heaven from breaking in." [35:00] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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