fast. abuses penance self-harm for atonement unhealthy extremes spiritual revelation

fast

abusesPenance

Self-Harm for AtonementUnhealthy ExtremesSpiritual Revelation

preparationMoses, Elijah, and Jesus

Barnabas & Saul (Acts 13:2-4)Elders (Acts 14:23)

repentanceNineveh (Jonah 3:6-10)

Israel (Joel 2:15-17)Saul (Acts 9:9)

mourning“sackcloth & ashes”

Job (Job 1:20-22; 2:11-13)David (2 Samuel 12:16)

when you fastMatthew 6:16

Jesus assumed that his disciples would fast, but never for show.

healthyMatthew 6:17

Fasting is not supposed to be a threat to health or to alter our appearance.

secretMatthew 6:18

Fasting is before God. Both the practice and the benefits are mostly private.

connectedGiving – Matthew 6:1-4

Praying – Matthew 6:5-15Fasting – Matthew 6:16-18

Valuing – Matthew 6:19-24Depending – Matthew 6:25-34

“I think the Scriptures teach very plainly that it is the duty of Christians to fast. The Savior in the Sermon on the Mount, gives directions for giving alms (Matt. 6:1-4), for praying (vs. 5-15), and for fasting (vs. 16-18). The three

duties are treated here exactly alike, as though they are equally binding...our faith may be increased by prayer and fasting, so

our spirituality will be increased ...”David Lipscomb