TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS

GRACIOUS JESUS4. KINGDOM LIFESTYLE PART 2

True RighteousnessHow to PrayFastingPermanent WealthAverting Anxiety

FASTINGPRESENTATION OVERVIEWMatt 6:16-18 Objectives Bible Passages Reasons for Fasting Ritual Fasting Righteous Fasting Result of Fasting Recap Discussion

FASTINGOBJECTIVESTo understand: And acquire the right motives for fasting The benefits and impact of fasting The biblical perspective on fasting Other equivalents of fasting

FASTINGBIBLE PASSAGES 16 “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. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 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. Matt 6Cf: Isaiah 58

WHAT IS FASTING?Self denial (usually food). Humbling, and smiting of the soul to mourn for sin of self, others and the nation.Fasting is always associated with prayer and right living.

A fast is a day to afflict the soul; if it does not express true sorrow for sin, and does not promote the putting away of sin, it is not a fast. [1]

REASONS FOR FASTING Protection from evil: on the Lord’s mission (Ezra 8:21), of the Lord’s

people (Esther 4:16)

Release from demons, bondage: Mark 9:29, Isaiah 61:1

Afflict Soul: 1 Kings 21:27-29; 1 Samuel 7:6; Joel 2:12-15; Daniel 9:3

Yield to God’s will: Is 58:5,6; Matt 26:39

Empower God’s leaders: Acts13:3,14:23

Repentance: Daniel 9:5, Nehemiah 9:1-3

Salvation: 2 Samuel 12:16, Jonah 3:5-9, Luke 2:37

RITUAL FASTING‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers.4 Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight Isaiah 58:3,4; Matt 6:16; Jer 14:11-12

RIGHTEOUS FASTING6 “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?

RIGHTEOUS FASTINGIs 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? Isaiah 58:7

RESULT OF RITUAL FASTING

11 The Lord said to me: “Do not pray for the welfare of this people. 12 Though they fast, I will not hear their cry, and though they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I will not accept them. But I will consume them by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence.” Jer 14:11-12

RESULT OF RIGHTEOUS FASTING

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.9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,Isaiah 58:8-11

RESULT OF RIGHTEOUS FASTING

10 if you pour yourself out for the hungry

and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.

11 And the Lord will guide you continually

and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong;

and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. Isaiah 58:8-11

FASTING- RECAPProtection from evil:( Ezra 8:21), (Esther 4:16)

Release from bondage: Mark 9:29, Isaiah 61:1

Afflict soul: 1 Kings 21:27-29; 1 Samuel 7:6; Joel 2:12-15;

Yield to God’s will: Is 58:5,6; Matt 26:39

Empower God’s leaders: Acts13:3,14:23

Repentance: Daniel 9:3-5, Nehemiah 9:1-3

Salvation: 2 Samuel 12:16, Jonah 3:5-9, Luke 2:37

DISCUSSION1. Why does Jesus tell the disciples not to fast in his presence

(Luke 5:33)?

2. Compare Isaiah 58:7 with Matt 25:35-40. Who should the feeding, covering, clothing be directed at? (v 40)

3. How does the above compare with Christ’s ministry in Isaiah 61:1 and impact our calling as His disciples?

4. How does this contradict proponents of social gospel who use this passage to elicit funds for the poor?

5. What promises, encouragement and reward can we draw from fasting?(Matt 6:18; Isaiah 58:1-11)

REFERENCES1. Matthew Henry Commentary2. Elliot’s Commentary for English Readers