Fasting for the Purpose of Godliness Matthew 6:16-18

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Fasting for the Purpose of Godliness Matthew 6:16-18 I. Fasting Explained: A. Biblical fasting is a believer’s voluntary abstinence from food for spiritual purposes. B. A Normal Fast involves abstaining from all food, but not water. (Matt. 4:2) C. A Partial Fast is a limitation of the diet, but not abstention from all food. (Daniel 1:12) D. An Absolute Fast is the avoidance of all food and liquid, even water. (Ezra 10:6, Esther 4:16)

E. A Congregational, or Corporate Fast include multiple people fasting at the same time, for the same spiritual purpose. (Acts 13:2, 2 Chronicles 20:3) II. Fasting Expected: (Matthew 6:16-18) A. Jesus says, “When you fast…” As Jesus expected His followers to give, and pray, He also expected them to fast. (Matthew 6:16-18) B. Jesus assumed that after He left, His disciples would fast. (Matthew 9:14-15) III. Fasting Instructed: (Matthew 6:16-18) A. When you fast, you aren’t to look like you are fasting. (v16)

B. When you fast, the only one who should know you are fasting, is God Himself. (v17) C. When we fast according to God’s will and instruction, He promises to bless and award our fast. (v18) IV. Fasting Purposed: A. Fasting helps strengthen our prayers. (Ezra 8:23, Neh. 1:4, Dan. 9:3, Joel 2:12-17) B. Fasting helps us seek God’s Guidance. (Acts 14:23) C. Fasting helps us express grief to the Lord. (Judges 20:26, 1 Samuel 31:13, 2 Sam. 1:11-12) D. Fasting helps us seek deliverance or protection. (2 Chronicles 20:3-4) E. Fasting helps us express repentance and return to God. (Jonah 3:5-8) F. Fasting helps us to humble ourselves before God. (Psalm 35:13) G. Fasting helps us meet the needs of others. (Isaiah 58:67) H. Fasting helps us express love and devotion to God. (Luke 2:37) I. Fasting helps us be obedient to the implied command of Christ. (Matthew 6:16-18) V. Fasting Applied: A. Will you confess and repent of any fear of fasting B. Will you fast as the Holy Spirit directs? C. Will you plan a fast of dedication now as an expression of your willingness to fast from now on? My fast of dedication will be: _____ for ________.