Fasting
Speaker: Reid S. Monaghan Series: The King's Speech Topic: Exposition Passage: Matthew 6:16–6:18
REVIEW AND INTRODUCTION
Fasting defined:
Fasting is a denial of oneself certain necessary things (biblically, food) that you would partake of in the course of everyday life in order to use that time and focus to humble ourselves and declare our dependence upon God, repent of sin and ask God to move as he wills when we pray to him.
A note to guests
My own struggle
THE NATURE OF FASTING
An Occasional Discipline
Biblical occasions and reasons
Repentance and Confession
Jonah 3:5; Nehemiah 9:1
Asking of God
Esther 4:12-17; 2 Samuel 12-15-23
Commitment and Clarity
Acts 13:1-3; Acts 14:23
WHEN YOU FAST— DON’T!!! MATTHEW 6:16
When you fast
Pharisees fasting, Luke 18:9-14
John the Baptizer’s followers, Luke 5:33-35
LENT
WHEN YOU FAST— DO!!! MATTHEW 6:17, 18
To Treasure
Community Meditation Questions
Know
- Read and review together some of the Old Testament passages on fasting. Jonah 3, Esther 4, 2 Samuel 12:15-23, Nehemiah 9 and Ezra 8. What are some of the reasons people fasted there?
- What are some dangers associated with fasting? Why is it not always even the right thing to do on some occasions?
Feel
- How do you feel about fasting? How about intimate relationship with the God you treasure? If God is the end in fasting how does that change your feeling about it?
- Does biblical fasting have a “happy” disposition? Is it supposed to be “fun”?
Live
- Do you have a regular practice of fasting? Why or Why Not? What are some reasons people would choose to not fast?
- Review “A Guide to Fasting” by Scott Jones for some practiceal counsel in approaching fasting. jacobswellnj.org/articles/post/a-guide-to-fasting
- How will you, your crew, your MC, your family take advantage of LENT this season to fast
other sermons in this series
Apr 5
2015
The Authority of the King
Speaker: Reid S. Monaghan Passage: Matthew 7:28–7:29 Series: The King's Speech
Mar 29
2015
Foundation for the Good Fight
Speaker: Reid S. Monaghan Passage: Matthew 7:24–7:27 Series: The King's Speech
Mar 22
2015
House Builders
Speaker: Dean Macke Passage: Matthew 7:24–7:27 Series: The King's Speech