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…Some of you play golf and know the expression, “You drive for __show__,
but you putt for dough.” This may be true for golf, but anything done
“for show” in your personal walk with the Lord is __sin__.
…Jesus calls each of us to do “works of righteousness” (6:1), yet, these are
never to be performed for the eyes of men. We are not to do these things
to __win__ the applause of others. Never! We are to give,
pray, and fast only for the eyes of our Heavenly Father. If we do this,
God promises to “reward” us.
…Fasting is the __third__ and last illustration that Jesus cites…
THREE
INSIGHTS HELPING US TO FAST IN ORDER TO RECEIVE GOD’S REWARD.
I.
Fasting Is A
Discipline That Has Been Practiced By
__Many__
Of God’s Great Servants Through The Centuries.
So
if you decide to fast, you are in __good__ company!
A. What
is fasting? It is a voluntary act of abstaining from eating
__food__
for a time, and for a specific purpose.
B. There
is a distinct
__difference__
between fasting found in the Old Testament and the New.
1.
In the Old
Testament, it was commanded only once, on the Day of Atonement. Here it
is always connected with
__mourning__
for sin and repentance of it. (Lev 16:29)
2.
In the New
Testament, after Jesus, the early Christians knew that sin had been atoned and
forgiven, so they did not mourn for it the way men did before the death and
resurrection of Christ.
…Now they fasted to set aside the normal __distractions__ of this life,
in order to seek God’s clear __direction__ for their lives.
…It was a discipline by which they waited upon the Lord while asking Him to
reveal His will to them. (2 Corinth 6:4-5) (Acts 10:30-32) (Acts 13:2-3)
…Fasting also meant the abstaining from
things…(ex… sex 1 Corinth 7:5)
C. Note
who practiced this discipline:
1.
Old Testament
Saints: Moses, Samuel, Hannah,
__David__,
Elijah, Daniel, Ezra…
2.
New Testament ones:
Jesus, Paul, the Antioch church,
3.
Church
history: Luther, Calvin, Knox, Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, Wesleys.
4.
Even the Pilgrims fasted and prayed the day before they left the Mayflower.
II.
Fasting Can Be
Done With The
__Wrong__
Goals. (v. 16)
…Like, the desire to receive the applause and honor of men. To be well
thought of by others.
A. Jesus
tells of the Pharisees who perverted the act of fasting. They made it a
__display__.
1.
The Pharisees would
fast twice a week. (Monday and Thursday)
2.
They would wear
worn-out clothing, their hair was a mess, and they put
__ashes__
and dirt on their faces. All to impress people with their fasting…
B. Jesus
tells that the reward for this was only the momentary recognition of men. “
Paid in full!”
…When the heart is __not__ right, fasting is a sham and a mockery.
III.
Fasting That
Wins The Reward Of God Is That Which Is Focused Upon Him. (vv.17-18)
…Note:
Jesus does not command fasting, He merely
__assumes__ that we will do it.
A. When
you fast, you should
__never__
call attention to it. You should appear as you normally do.
B.
The principle here:
__Forget__
other people altogether!
1.
Don’t worry
about the impression you are making on others.
2.
Have only
__one__
concern: pleasing the Lord.
C. Jesus
tells us that this kind of fasting, coupled with prayer, is
__rewarded__
by the Father. (18)
…remember: all forms of self-denial should be
done for God’s eyes alone.
D. Certain
occasions that might prompt you to fast:
1.
When facing major
decisions and wanting God’s
__will__
and wisdom.
2.
When facing any
type of
__crisis__.
3. When
desiring to concentrate, not on material things, but
__wholly__ upon God.
LESSONS FOR
OUR LIVES:
1. Yes.
Fasting is for today!
2.
Fasting today is to be a personal experience.
3.
Remember, God not man, is to be the witness to your actions.
4.
Fasting will build your faith. It strengthens us.
5. Some
of you may not be saved. I urge you to come to saving faith in the Lord.
Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ even today and you will be saved.
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