Fasting: A Private Devotion to God
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the teachings of Jesus on fasting, as found in Matthew 6:16-18. We began by discussing the common misconceptions about fasting and the importance of approaching it with the right heart and intention. Jesus emphasized that fasting should not be done to gain the admiration of others but as a private act of devotion to God. He warned against the hypocritical practice of disfiguring one's face to show others that one is fasting. Instead, He instructed His followers to anoint their heads and wash their faces so that their fasting would be seen only by God, who rewards openly.
We explored the biblical context of fasting, noting that it is a practice seen in both the Old and New Testaments. Jesus assumed that His followers would fast, indicating that it was a common and expected practice among His disciples. We also discussed the practical aspects of fasting, such as ensuring it does not cause harm to one's body, especially for those with medical conditions.
Fasting is not just about abstaining from food; it is about replacing that time with prayer and seeking God's face. Jesus Himself fasted for 40 days and nights in the wilderness, preparing Himself for the spiritual battles and temptations that lay ahead. This act of fasting demonstrated His dependence on God for strength and guidance. We, too, are encouraged to seek God through fasting, especially when faced with significant decisions or spiritual battles.
We also touched on the importance of not letting fasting become a public display of piety. True fasting is a private matter between the individual and God. It is a time to humble oneself, seek God's guidance, and align one's will with His. Jesus' teaching on fasting is a call to genuine spiritual devotion, free from the desire for human approval.
In conclusion, fasting is a powerful spiritual discipline that helps us draw closer to God, seek His guidance, and align our hearts with His will. It is a practice that should be approached with sincerity and humility, always seeking to honor God rather than impress others.
### Key Takeaways
1. Fasting as a Private Devotion: Jesus taught that fasting should be a private act of devotion, not a public display of piety. He emphasized that when we fast, we should not disfigure our faces to show others but should anoint our heads and wash our faces so that our fasting is seen only by God. This teaches us the importance of sincerity in our spiritual practices, focusing on our relationship with God rather than seeking human approval. [01:35]
2. Dependence on God for Strength: Jesus' 40-day fast in the wilderness demonstrated His dependence on God for strength and guidance. When faced with temptations from the devil, Jesus relied on God's Word to resist. This shows us that fasting is not just about abstaining from food but about seeking God's strength and guidance in our spiritual battles. It is a time to draw closer to God and rely on Him for our needs. [12:50]
3. Aligning Our Will with God's: Fasting helps us align our will with God's. As we deny our fleshly desires and seek God's face, our desires and wills begin to reflect His. This alignment is crucial for making decisions that honor God and fulfill His purposes in our lives. Jesus' example of fasting before choosing His disciples shows the importance of seeking God's guidance in our decisions. [16:46]
4. Fasting in Times of Need: Throughout the Bible, we see examples of people fasting in times of need, whether for guidance, protection, or forgiveness. Fasting is a way to humble ourselves before God and seek His intervention in our lives. It is a powerful tool for spiritual growth and seeking God's will in difficult situations. [32:14]
5. The Reward of Fasting: Jesus promised that those who fast in secret will be rewarded openly by God. This reward is not necessarily material but often comes in the form of spiritual growth, answered prayers, and a deeper relationship with God. Fasting helps us focus on God's will and align our lives with His purposes, leading to blessings that are far greater than any earthly reward. [24:08]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [00:51] - Introduction to Fasting
3. [01:35] - Jesus' Teaching on Fasting
4. [02:21] - Practical Aspects of Fasting
5. [03:00] - Fasting with the Right Heart
6. [07:35] - Jesus as Our Example
7. [10:00] - Preparing for Spiritual Battles
8. [12:50] - Dependence on God
9. [16:46] - Aligning Our Will with God's
10. [24:08] - The Reward of Fasting
11. [32:14] - Fasting in Times of Need
12. [38:59] - Invitation to Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 6:16-18: "Moreover, when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly."
2. Matthew 4:1-2: "Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered."
3. Luke 6:12-13: "And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles."
#### Observation Questions
1. What specific instructions did Jesus give about how to fast in Matthew 6:16-18?
2. According to the sermon, what are some common misconceptions about fasting? [02:21]
3. How did Jesus prepare Himself for spiritual battles and temptations, as described in Matthew 4:1-2? [10:00]
4. What was the purpose of Jesus' all-night prayer and fasting before choosing His disciples in Luke 6:12-13? [16:46]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize the importance of fasting in secret rather than making it a public display? [01:35]
2. How does fasting demonstrate dependence on God for strength and guidance, as seen in Jesus' 40-day fast in the wilderness? [12:50]
3. In what ways does fasting help align our will with God's, according to the sermon? [16:46]
4. What are the spiritual rewards of fasting mentioned in the sermon, and how do they differ from material rewards? [24:08]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you fasted or considered fasting. Did you approach it with the right heart and intention, as Jesus taught in Matthew 6:16-18? How can you ensure your future fasting aligns with Jesus' instructions? [01:35]
2. Jesus fasted for 40 days to prepare for spiritual battles. Are there significant decisions or spiritual battles in your life that might benefit from a period of fasting and prayer? [10:00]
3. Fasting is about seeking God's strength and guidance. When was the last time you felt truly dependent on God for strength? How can fasting help you cultivate this dependence? [12:50]
4. The sermon mentioned that fasting helps align our will with God's. Are there areas in your life where your desires conflict with God's will? How might fasting help you realign your priorities? [16:46]
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of sincerity in fasting. How can you guard against the temptation to seek human approval in your spiritual practices? [03:00]
6. Jesus promised that those who fast in secret will be rewarded openly. What kind of spiritual growth or answered prayers have you experienced as a result of fasting? How did these experiences deepen your relationship with God? [24:08]
7. The sermon highlighted the importance of fasting in times of need. Is there a current situation in your life where you feel led to fast and seek God's intervention? How will you approach this period of fasting and prayer? [32:14]
Devotional
### Day 1: Fasting as a Private Devotion
Fasting is a deeply personal act of devotion to God, meant to be done in private rather than as a public display. Jesus taught that when we fast, we should not disfigure our faces to show others but should anoint our heads and wash our faces so that our fasting is seen only by God. This teaches us the importance of sincerity in our spiritual practices, focusing on our relationship with God rather than seeking human approval. By keeping our fasting private, we ensure that our motives are pure and that we are truly seeking to draw closer to God rather than impressing others. [01:35]
Matthew 6:16-18 (ESV): "And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
Reflection: Think about a time when you sought human approval in your spiritual practices. How can you shift your focus to seeking God's approval instead?
### Day 2: Dependence on God for Strength
Jesus' 40-day fast in the wilderness demonstrated His dependence on God for strength and guidance. When faced with temptations from the devil, Jesus relied on God's Word to resist. This shows us that fasting is not just about abstaining from food but about seeking God's strength and guidance in our spiritual battles. It is a time to draw closer to God and rely on Him for our needs. By fasting, we acknowledge our dependence on God and invite His power into our lives to overcome challenges and temptations. [12:50]
Deuteronomy 8:3 (ESV): "And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on God's strength? How can fasting help you to depend more on Him?
### Day 3: Aligning Our Will with God's
Fasting helps us align our will with God's. As we deny our fleshly desires and seek God's face, our desires and wills begin to reflect His. This alignment is crucial for making decisions that honor God and fulfill His purposes in our lives. Jesus' example of fasting before choosing His disciples shows the importance of seeking God's guidance in our decisions. By fasting, we humble ourselves and open our hearts to God's direction, allowing His will to become our own. [16:46]
Isaiah 58:6 (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?"
Reflection: What decision or area of your life do you need to align with God's will? How can fasting help you seek His guidance and direction?
### Day 4: Fasting in Times of Need
Throughout the Bible, we see examples of people fasting in times of need, whether for guidance, protection, or forgiveness. Fasting is a way to humble ourselves before God and seek His intervention in our lives. It is a powerful tool for spiritual growth and seeking God's will in difficult situations. By fasting, we demonstrate our dependence on God and our desire for His help and guidance in times of need. [32:14]
Ezra 8:21-23 (ESV): "Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods. For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, 'The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.' So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty."
Reflection: Is there a specific need or challenge in your life that you can bring before God through fasting? How can you humble yourself and seek His intervention?
### Day 5: The Reward of Fasting
Jesus promised that those who fast in secret will be rewarded openly by God. This reward is not necessarily material but often comes in the form of spiritual growth, answered prayers, and a deeper relationship with God. Fasting helps us focus on God's will and align our lives with His purposes, leading to blessings that are far greater than any earthly reward. By fasting, we open ourselves to the transformative work of God in our lives and experience the joy of His presence and guidance. [24:08]
Joel 2:12-13 (ESV): "Yet even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster."
Reflection: What spiritual rewards have you experienced through fasting in the past? How can you seek God's presence and guidance through fasting in your current circumstances?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "You know, when I was younger, when you asked me when I was 18, 19, 20, when my wife and I were dating and all that, and, you know, like, you know, how your kid's going to be and all that, I had in mind exactly what my life was going to be like. You want to know something? Nothing went according to plan. I mean, I'm not saying things went bad. They did it. But I'm just saying what I experienced. I had a vision in my mind of where I wanted to be at that point. You know, I wanted this. I wanted to have this and this and this, and maybe I'll have two boys and two girls or whatever, you know, and we'll do that. Or maybe I'll, you know, have the house with the white picket fence or whatever, and the little dog that's perfect in the yard and all that. And all this other great stuff. You know, life just be great and not have a worry in the world or a care in the world. But I found out that life doesn't work that way." [21:37]
2. "I look back now and I think, God, you've been so good to me. Girls that love the Lord. Girls that desire to live for God. A wife that desires to live for God. We've been married, I don't even know how many years anymore. It just changes every year. I wonder how many. We don't even keep track anymore. All I know is we're past 25. Thank you. But, you know, when I think about this, nothing went according to my plan. But the older I got and the closer I got to the Lord, the more He changed. He changed my wills and my desires. So, therefore, when God rewards me openly, it was rewarding me in ways that was conformed to His will. And coming to find out, that is better than anything I could have planned." [23:18]
3. "You know, we have God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The three make one. Now, the concept is there. And the people say, well, the word Trinity is not in the Bible. And you are absolutely right. But the concept... The concept of the Trinity is. All right? The principle of it is in the Bible. And, you know, so we say God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Three into one. Now, I myself, like I said, we can't completely understand it completely until we get to heaven. And then it will all become clear to us. But me as a person, first of all, I am a husband. Right? I sure am. I'm also a father. I'm also a pastor. Three things, three different roles, but I'm still one person. All right? Still one person." [08:20]
4. "You don't have to go to a person to go to God. You have direct access to him. Praise the Lord for that. Praise the Lord. You don't have to go tell somebody and say, hey, listen, would you pray for me? As a Christian, you have direct access to God. You got Jesus on line one constantly every moment of the day. Praise the Lord for that. Jesus is on the main line. Amen." [28:23]
### Quotes for Members
1. "And what God was telling, or Jesus was telling us here and His disciples, His followers here, He's saying, listen, listen, I will reward thee openly, just do it privately. People don't need to know. Now, there's things we ought to brag about. I brag about God all the time, how good God is. Now, I make sure that I don't brag about myself while I'm bragging about God. I try not to anyways. Like, oh, God's been so good to me. I did this, and I did that, and I did that, right?" [24:08]
2. "So, just because someone's fasting, you're going to look at them and go, wow, that person's spiritual. That's not what the Bible is saying here. In fact, if you see somebody, they're telling you they're fasting, then you know they're not biblically fasting. Because that's not doing it the way the Bible here is telling us how to do it. But by doing this, we know he will reward. He will reward you openly and us greatly. So, we see this. So, we see Jesus fast. So, look at Matthew chapter number 4, verses 1 and 2. First of all, Jesus is a great example to follow." [07:35]
3. "He had the flesh side of him, and he was fully God, fully man. He had that flesh side of him. So before he chose his 12, he spent the night in Luke chapter number 6 fasting and in prayer. So biblical fasting, you're not just going without eating. You're actually praying. You're praying. You're saying, God, help me choose the right. Lord, I'm going to choose the right. Lord, help me choose the right people. Help me choose the right ones here. And he's a great biblical principle to follow here. So this shows us and shows me the importance of seeking God. You know, before you make a decision in your life, have you sought God?" [16:46]
4. "Hey, maybe pray to God. Say, God, should I fast to help me get through this? Another thing here, fasting demonstrated Jesus' dependence on God for strength. What did he do when Jesus was tempted? He had to depend on God for his strength. Listen, you want to lose, you're going to lose battle after battle after battle in your life unless you depend on God, the Father, for strength. My own strength, I will fail. I will fail in my own strength. You can't fight a spiritual battle with physical strength. You can only fight a spiritual. So who's the best person to fight spiritually with you? God himself. That's why Jesus himself, being the son of God, he seeked for God's dependence for this." [12:50]
5. "We see also when... The church fasted there, all right? So we do see some instances of the church fasting, but it was probably something where God was telling each person in the church to fast, all right? Tell them to do that, but the church did it then. And when the work was beginning for the Lord again at the church of Antioch, they did it again. The church of Galatia as well, when they were selecting and appointing elders in the church, they fasted to make sure they were following God's will. Because what you're doing is you're removing that... That pesky flesh out of the way, and you're just seeking God. Have you ever, at a time in your life, you said, boy, I have to get away somewhere from people, or go into a mountain somewhere, or get away in the woods somewhere so I can clear my mind and think clearly? That, in a sense, is what fasting's doing, except you're not clearing your mind, you're filling it with the things of God." [32:14]
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