fasting n 16 “moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. for...

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16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the 16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who who isis in the secret in the secret place;place; and your Father who and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.sees in secret will reward you openly.

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What is fasting?What is fasting?

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What is fasting?What is fasting? It is from a word that means: “to abstain from It is from a word that means: “to abstain from

eating”.eating”.

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eating”.eating”. It is not however just a diet or any occasion of It is not however just a diet or any occasion of

eating. It always involves a focused mind.eating. It always involves a focused mind.

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eating”.eating”. It is not however just a diet or any occasion of It is not however just a diet or any occasion of

eating. It always involves a focused mind.eating. It always involves a focused mind. There are two kinds of “focused mind”: voluntary There are two kinds of “focused mind”: voluntary

and involuntary.and involuntary.

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Occasions for fasting include: loss of a loved one, Occasions for fasting include: loss of a loved one, guilt of sin, a burden of great responsibility and guilt of sin, a burden of great responsibility and concern for others in their sin.concern for others in their sin.

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Jews commonly fasting during the day of Jews commonly fasting during the day of Atonement. Atonement. (Lev 23:27-32; 16:29, 31)(Lev 23:27-32; 16:29, 31)

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(Leviticus 16:31 NKJV)(Leviticus 16:31 NKJV) “”It “”It is is a sabbath a sabbath of solemn rest for you, and of solemn rest for you, and you shall afflict you shall afflict your soulsyour souls. . It is It is a statute forever.”a statute forever.”

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(Leviticus 23:27-32 NKJV)(Leviticus 23:27-32 NKJV) “Also the tenth “Also the tenth day day of this seventh month of this seventh month shall be shall be the Day of the Day of Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation for Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation for you; you; you shall afflict your soulsyou shall afflict your souls, and offer an , and offer an offering made by fire to the LORD.offering made by fire to the LORD. {28} {28} “And “And you shall do no work on that same day, for it you shall do no work on that same day, for it is is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before the LORD your God.for you before the LORD your God.

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{29} {29} “For any person who is not afflicted “For any person who is not afflicted in in soul soul on that same day shall be cut off from on that same day shall be cut off from his people.his people. {30} {30} “And any person who does “And any person who does any work on that same day, that person I any work on that same day, that person I will destroy from among his people.will destroy from among his people. {31} {31} “You shall do no manner of work; “You shall do no manner of work; it shall it shall be be a statute forever throughout your a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.generations in all your dwellings.

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{32} {32} “It “It shall be shall be to you a sabbath of to you a sabbath of solemn solemn rest, and rest, and you shall afflict your soulsyou shall afflict your souls; on the ; on the ninth ninth day day of the month at evening, from of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you shall celebrate your evening to evening, you shall celebrate your sabbath.””sabbath.””

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In this affliction over sin the Jews chose to In this affliction over sin the Jews chose to fast. fast. (Psa 35:13)(Psa 35:13)

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(Psalms 35:13 NKJV) “But as for me, (Psalms 35:13 NKJV) “But as for me, when they were sick, My clothing when they were sick, My clothing was was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting; sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting; And my prayer would return to my own And my prayer would return to my own heart.”heart.”

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By the NT times another word for the day By the NT times another word for the day of Atonement was: “the fast”. of Atonement was: “the fast”. (Acts 27:9)(Acts 27:9)

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(Acts 27:9 NKJV) “Now when much time (Acts 27:9 NKJV) “Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them,”over, Paul advised them,”

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To fast without affliction was pointless!To fast without affliction was pointless!

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Fasting is a result of a focus and mourning that Fasting is a result of a focus and mourning that causes food to have little appeal.causes food to have little appeal.

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Fasting is a result of a focus and mourning that Fasting is a result of a focus and mourning that causes food to have little appeal.causes food to have little appeal.

Prayer is often connected to it. This is where Prayer is often connected to it. This is where burdened hearts find relief.burdened hearts find relief.

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There were also occasions for a “proclaimed fast”. There were also occasions for a “proclaimed fast”. Even here the individual was to focus on issues Even here the individual was to focus on issues that would produce this burden that would lead that would produce this burden that would lead them to pray.them to pray.

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In the days of Joel God proclaimed a fast In the days of Joel God proclaimed a fast because of the present circumstancesbecause of the present circumstances

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In the days of Joel God proclaimed a fast In the days of Joel God proclaimed a fast because of the present circumstancesbecause of the present circumstances

They were invaded by a great nation and all They were invaded by a great nation and all was failing. was failing. (Joel 1:6; 13-15)(Joel 1:6; 13-15)

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(Joel 1:6 NKJV)(Joel 1:6 NKJV) “For a nation has come “For a nation has come up against My land, Strong, and without up against My land, Strong, and without number; His teeth number; His teeth are are the teeth of a lion, the teeth of a lion, And he has the fangs of a fierce lion.”And he has the fangs of a fierce lion.”

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(Joel 1:13-15 NKJV)(Joel 1:13-15 NKJV) “Gird yourselves and lament, “Gird yourselves and lament, you priests; Wail, you who minister before the altar; you priests; Wail, you who minister before the altar; Come, lie all night in sackcloth, You who minister to Come, lie all night in sackcloth, You who minister to my God; For the grain offering and the drink offering my God; For the grain offering and the drink offering Are withheld from the house of your God.Are withheld from the house of your God. {14} {14} Consecrate a fastConsecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly; Gather the , Call a sacred assembly; Gather the elders elders And And all the inhabitants of the land all the inhabitants of the land Into Into the house the house of the LORD your God, And cry out to the LORD.of the LORD your God, And cry out to the LORD. {15} {15} Alas for the day! For the day of the LORD Alas for the day! For the day of the LORD is is at at hand; It shall come as destruction from the Almighty.”hand; It shall come as destruction from the Almighty.”

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God wanted them to return to Him in their God wanted them to return to Him in their hearts. hearts. (Joel 2:12-14)(Joel 2:12-14)

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(Joel 2:12-14 NKJV)(Joel 2:12-14 NKJV) “”Now, therefore,” says the “”Now, therefore,” says the LORD, “LORD, “Turn to Me with all your heartTurn to Me with all your heart, With , With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” {13} {13} So So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your Godthe LORD your God, For He , For He is is gracious and gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.He relents from doing harm. {14} {14} Who knows Who knows if if He He will turn and relent, And leave a blessing behind will turn and relent, And leave a blessing behind Him; A grain offering and a drink offering For the Him; A grain offering and a drink offering For the LORD your God?”LORD your God?”

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How many have only mourned for a while and How many have only mourned for a while and then turned back to sin?then turned back to sin?

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There were occasions were the people There were occasions were the people fasted with God’s approval.fasted with God’s approval.

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There were occasions were the people There were occasions were the people fasted with God’s approval.fasted with God’s approval.

On the occasion where the people sought On the occasion where the people sought relief from the Philistines. relief from the Philistines. (1 Sam 7:2-3, 6)(1 Sam 7:2-3, 6)

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(1 Samuel 7:2-3 NKJV)(1 Samuel 7:2-3 NKJV) “So it was that the ark “So it was that the ark remained in Kirjath Jearim a long time; it was there remained in Kirjath Jearim a long time; it was there twenty years. And all the house of Israel lamented twenty years. And all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.after the LORD. {3} {3} Then Samuel spoke to all the Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, “house of Israel, saying, “If you return to the LORD If you return to the LORD with all your heartswith all your hearts, , then then put away the foreign gods put away the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths from among you, and and the Ashtoreths from among you, and prepare prepare your hearts for the LORDyour hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only; and , and serve Him only; and He will deliver you from the hand of the He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.””Philistines.””

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1 Samuel 7:6 (NKJV)1 Samuel 7:6 (NKJV) 6 So they gathered 6 So they gathered together at Mizpah, drew water, and poured together at Mizpah, drew water, and poured itit out out before the Lord. And they before the Lord. And they fasted that dayfasted that day, and said , and said there, “there, “We have sinned against the LordWe have sinned against the Lord.” And .” And Samuel judged the children of Israel at Mizpah.Samuel judged the children of Israel at Mizpah.

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There were fasts for King Saul by the mighty men There were fasts for King Saul by the mighty men and by David himself. and by David himself. (1 Sam 31:13; 2 Sam 1:12)(1 Sam 31:13; 2 Sam 1:12)

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(1 Samuel 31:13 NKJV)(1 Samuel 31:13 NKJV) “Then they took their “Then they took their bones and buried bones and buried them them under the tamarisk tree at under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and Jabesh, and fasted seven daysfasted seven days.”.”

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(2 Samuel 1:12 NKJV)(2 Samuel 1:12 NKJV) “And they “And they mourned and mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his sonJonathan his son, for the people of the LORD and , for the people of the LORD and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.”the sword.”

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David fasted over the afflictions of others. David fasted over the afflictions of others. (Psa 35:13)(Psa 35:13)

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(Psalms 35:13 NKJV)(Psalms 35:13 NKJV) “But as for me, “But as for me, when they were sick, My clothing when they were sick, My clothing was was sackcloth; sackcloth; I humbled myself with fastingI humbled myself with fasting; ; And my prayer would return to my own And my prayer would return to my own heart.”heart.”

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The Jews regularly observed four fasts.The Jews regularly observed four fasts. (Zech 8:19)(Zech 8:19)

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(Zechariah 8:19 NKJV)(Zechariah 8:19 NKJV) “”Thus says the “”Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘The fast of the fourth LORD of hosts: ‘The fast of the fourth month, month, The fast of the fifth, The fast of the The fast of the fifth, The fast of the seventh, And the fast of the tenth, Shall be seventh, And the fast of the tenth, Shall be joy and gladness and cheerful feasts For the joy and gladness and cheerful feasts For the house of Judah. Therefore love truth and house of Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.’”peace.’”

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Fourth month in memory of the wall of Fourth month in memory of the wall of Jerusalem being broken up. Jerusalem being broken up.

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Fifth month in memory of the burning of Fifth month in memory of the burning of the temple. (Jer 52)the temple. (Jer 52)

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Fifth month in memory of the burning of Fifth month in memory of the burning of the temple. (Jer 52)the temple. (Jer 52)

The seventh month in memory of Gedaliah The seventh month in memory of Gedaliah the governor being slain. (Jer 41)the governor being slain. (Jer 41)

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Fifth month in memory of the burning of the Fifth month in memory of the burning of the temple. (Jer 52)temple. (Jer 52)

The seventh month in memory of Gedaliah The seventh month in memory of Gedaliah the governor being slain. (Jer 41)the governor being slain. (Jer 41)

Tenth month in memory of Nebuchadnezzar Tenth month in memory of Nebuchadnezzar coming against Jerusalem. (Jer 52:4)coming against Jerusalem. (Jer 52:4)

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Was God pleased with these proclaimed fasts? Was God pleased with these proclaimed fasts? (Zech 7:3-14)(Zech 7:3-14) (Zechariah 7:3-14 NKJV) (Zechariah 7:3-14 NKJV) “and “and to ask the priests who to ask the priests who were were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and in the house of the LORD of hosts, and

the prophets, saying, “Should I weep in the fifth month and fast as I have done for so many years?”the prophets, saying, “Should I weep in the fifth month and fast as I have done for so many years?” {4} {4} Then the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying,Then the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying, {5} {5} “Say to all the people of the land, “Say to all the people of the land, and to the priests: ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh and to the priests: ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months months during those during those seventy years, did you really fast for Me; for Me?seventy years, did you really fast for Me; for Me? {6} {6} ‘When you eat and when you drink, do you not ‘When you eat and when you drink, do you not eat and drink eat and drink for yourselves? {7} ‘Should you for yourselves? {7} ‘Should you not not have obeyed have obeyed the words which the LORD the words which the LORD proclaimed through the former prophets when Jerusalem and the cities around it were inhabited and proclaimed through the former prophets when Jerusalem and the cities around it were inhabited and prosperous, and the South and the Lowland were inhabited?’”prosperous, and the South and the Lowland were inhabited?’” {8} {8} Then the word of the LORD came Then the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, saying,to Zechariah, saying, {9} {9} “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Execute true justice, Show mercy and “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Execute true justice, Show mercy and compassion Everyone to his brother.compassion Everyone to his brother. {10} {10} Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, The alien or Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, The alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart Against his brother.’the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart Against his brother.’ {11} {11} “But they refused to heed, “But they refused to heed, shrugged their shoulders, and stopped their ears so that they could not hear.shrugged their shoulders, and stopped their ears so that they could not hear. {12} {12} “Yes, they made “Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus great wrath came from the LORD of hosts.His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus great wrath came from the LORD of hosts. {13} {13} “Therefore it happened, “Therefore it happened, that that just as He proclaimed and they would not hear, so they called out and I just as He proclaimed and they would not hear, so they called out and I would not listen,” says the LORD of hosts.would not listen,” says the LORD of hosts. {14} {14} “But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the “But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations which they had not known. Thus the land became desolate after them, so that no one passed nations which they had not known. Thus the land became desolate after them, so that no one passed through or returned; for they made the pleasant land desolate.””through or returned; for they made the pleasant land desolate.””

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(Zechariah 7:3-14 NKJV)(Zechariah 7:3-14 NKJV) “and “and to ask the priests to ask the priests who who were were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and in the house of the LORD of hosts, and the prophets, saying, “the prophets, saying, “Should I weep in the fifth Should I weep in the fifth month and fast as I have done for so many yearsmonth and fast as I have done for so many years?”?” {4} {4} Then the word of the LORD of hosts came to Then the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying,me, saying, {5} {5} “Say to all the people of the land, “Say to all the people of the land, and to the priests: ‘When you fasted and mourned and to the priests: ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh in the fifth and seventh months months during those during those seventy years, seventy years, did you really fast for Me; for Me?did you really fast for Me; for Me?

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6} 6} ‘When you eat and when you drink, do you not ‘When you eat and when you drink, do you not eat and drink eat and drink for yourselves? {7} ‘for yourselves? {7} ‘Should you Should you not not have obeyed have obeyed the words which the LORD the words which the LORD proclaimedproclaimed through the former prophets when through the former prophets when Jerusalem and the cities around it were inhabited Jerusalem and the cities around it were inhabited and prosperous, and the South and the Lowland and prosperous, and the South and the Lowland were inhabited?’”were inhabited?’” {8} {8} Then the word of the LORD Then the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, saying,came to Zechariah, saying,

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{9} {9} “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Execute true “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Execute true justice, Show mercy and compassion Everyone to justice, Show mercy and compassion Everyone to his brother.his brother. {10} {10} Do not oppress the widow or the Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, The alien or the poor. Let none of you fatherless, The alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart Against his brother.’plan evil in his heart Against his brother.’ {11} {11} ““But they refused to heed, shrugged their But they refused to heed, shrugged their shoulders, and stopped their ears so that they shoulders, and stopped their ears so that they could not hearcould not hear..

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{12} {12} ““Yes, they made their hearts like flint, Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the refusing to hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophetsformer prophets. Thus great wrath came from the . Thus great wrath came from the LORD of hosts.LORD of hosts. {13} {13} “Therefore it happened, “Therefore it happened, that that just as He proclaimed and they would not hear, so just as He proclaimed and they would not hear, so they called out and I would not listen,” says the they called out and I would not listen,” says the LORD of hosts.LORD of hosts.

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These people could not be moved. They has These people could not be moved. They has hearts of flint!hearts of flint!

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These people could not be moved. They has These people could not be moved. They has hearts of flint!hearts of flint!

They also had an attitude problem towards They also had an attitude problem towards God’s authority. They ended up with over God’s authority. They ended up with over 28 fasts!28 fasts!

Fasting in the New TestamentFasting in the New Testament

The ministry of ChristThe ministry of Christ


The ministry of ChristThe ministry of Christ While he debated the Pharisees He did not While he debated the Pharisees He did not

deny there would be a time for fasting. deny there would be a time for fasting. (Matt 9:14-17; Lk 5:33-39)(Matt 9:14-17; Lk 5:33-39)


(Matthew 9:14-17 NKJV) “Then the disciples of (Matthew 9:14-17 NKJV) “Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, “Why do we and the John came to Him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?”Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?” {15} {15} And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. {16} {16} “No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an “No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse.garment, and the tear is made worse.


{17} {17} “Nor do they put new wine into old “Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.””preserved.””


(Luke 5:33-39 NKJV) “Then they said to Him, (Luke 5:33-39 NKJV) “Then they said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John fast often and make “Why do the disciples of John fast often and make prayers, and likewise those of the Pharisees, but prayers, and likewise those of the Pharisees, but Yours eat and drink?”Yours eat and drink?” {34} {34} And He said to them, And He said to them, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them?while the bridegroom is with them? {35} {35} “But the “But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast in those away from them; then they will fast in those days.”days.”


{36} {36} Then He spoke a parable to them: “No one Then He spoke a parable to them: “No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old one; puts a piece from a new garment on an old one; otherwise the new makes a tear, and also the piece otherwise the new makes a tear, and also the piece that was that was taken taken out of the new does not match the out of the new does not match the old.old. {37} {37} “And no one puts new wine into old “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined.be ruined. {38} {38} “But new wine must be put into “But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved.new wineskins, and both are preserved.


{39} {39} “And no one, having drunk old “And no one, having drunk old wine, wine, immediately desires new; for he says, ‘The old is immediately desires new; for he says, ‘The old is better.’”better.’”


Jesus also spoke of the proper way of fasting. Jesus also spoke of the proper way of fasting. (Matt 6:16-18)(Matt 6:16-18)


(Matthew 6:16-18 NKJV)(Matthew 6:16-18 NKJV) “”Moreover, when you “”Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.you, they have their reward. {17} {17} “But you, when “But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, {18} {18} “so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but “so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who to your Father who is is in the secret in the secret place; place; and your and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”


In the casting out of demons Jesus spoke of In the casting out of demons Jesus spoke of fasting. fasting. (Matt 17:21)(Matt 17:21)


(Matthew 17:21 NKJV)(Matthew 17:21 NKJV) “However, this kind “However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”


There would be occasions for the Christian to There would be occasions for the Christian to focus his mind on sin, temptation, responsibility focus his mind on sin, temptation, responsibility which would lead them to fast.which would lead them to fast.


In the church we see occasions of fasting In the church we see occasions of fasting with God’s approval.with God’s approval.


In the church we see occasions of fasting In the church we see occasions of fasting with God’s approval.with God’s approval.

In the sending out of Paul and Barnabas. In the sending out of Paul and Barnabas. (Acts 13:1-3)(Acts 13:1-3)


(Acts 13:1-3 NKJV)(Acts 13:1-3 NKJV) “Now in the church that was “Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. {2} {2} As they ministered As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”which I have called them.” {3} {3} Then, having fasted Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them them away.”away.”


How involved are we with the men we support?How involved are we with the men we support?


How involved are we with the men we support?How involved are we with the men we support? Do you take time to focus and plan concerning the Do you take time to focus and plan concerning the

lost?lost?


How involved are we with the men we support?How involved are we with the men we support? Do you take time to focus and plan concerning the Do you take time to focus and plan concerning the

lost?lost? In the selection of elders. In the selection of elders. (Acts 14:23)(Acts 14:23)


(Acts 14:23 NKJV)(Acts 14:23 NKJV) “So when they had “So when they had appointed elders in every church, and appointed elders in every church, and prayed with prayed with fastingfasting, they commended them to the Lord in , they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”whom they had believed.”


How much does this mean to you? Would you How much does this mean to you? Would you fast?fast?



This is an important step we need to be focusing This is an important step we need to be focusing on.on.



This is an important step we need to be focusing This is an important step we need to be focusing on.on.

In the spiritual life of a family. In the spiritual life of a family. (1 Cor 7:5)(1 Cor 7:5)


(1 Corinthians 7:5 NKJV)(1 Corinthians 7:5 NKJV) “Do not deprive one “Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”you because of your lack of self-control.”


How many of you would go this far to deal with How many of you would go this far to deal with spiritual matters?spiritual matters?


How many of you would go this far to deal with How many of you would go this far to deal with spiritual matters?spiritual matters?

We need to learn how to worship.We need to learn how to worship.

What does this mean to me?What does this mean to me?

Fasting is not commanded.Fasting is not commanded.


Fasting is not commanded.Fasting is not commanded. Putting our hearts into God’s will is. Putting our hearts into God’s will is.

(Mark 12:30)(Mark 12:30)


(Mark 12:30 NKJV)(Mark 12:30 NKJV) “’And you shall love the “’And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This strength.’ This is is the first commandment.”the first commandment.”


Mourning over sins is commanded to. Mourning over sins is commanded to. (Matt 5:4)(Matt 5:4) (Matthew 5:4 NKJV) “Blessed (Matthew 5:4 NKJV) “Blessed are are those who mourn, For they shall be those who mourn, For they shall be

comforted.”comforted.” Fasting is a private, individual matter.Fasting is a private, individual matter. 1. Do we take time to deal with matters before God?1. Do we take time to deal with matters before God? 2. It must not be a show!2. It must not be a show! Conclusion: Conclusion: Consider the Conversion of Paul. Consider the Conversion of Paul. (Acts 9:9; 22:16(Acts 9:9; 22:16)) (Acts 9:9 NKJV) “And he was three days without sight, and neither (Acts 9:9 NKJV) “And he was three days without sight, and neither

ate nor drank.”ate nor drank.” (Acts 22:16 NKJV) “’And now why are you waiting? Arise and be (Acts 22:16 NKJV) “’And now why are you waiting? Arise and be

baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’”baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’”


(Matthew 5:4 NKJV)(Matthew 5:4 NKJV) “Blessed “Blessed are are those who those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.”mourn, For they shall be comforted.”


Fasting is a private, individual matter.Fasting is a private, individual matter.


Fasting is a private, individual matter.Fasting is a private, individual matter. Do we take time to deal with matters before God?Do we take time to deal with matters before God?


Fasting is a private, individual matter.Fasting is a private, individual matter. Do we take time to deal with matters before God?Do we take time to deal with matters before God? It must not be a show!It must not be a show!


Fasting is a private, individual matter.Fasting is a private, individual matter. Do we take time to deal with matters before God?Do we take time to deal with matters before God? It must not be a show!It must not be a show! Consider the Conversion of Paul. Consider the Conversion of Paul.

(Acts 9:9; 22:16(Acts 9:9; 22:16))


(Acts 9:9 NKJV)(Acts 9:9 NKJV) “And he was three days “And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.”without sight, and neither ate nor drank.”


(Acts 22:16 NKJV)(Acts 22:16 NKJV) “’And now why are you “’And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’”your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’”

Loyalty Loyalty

22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If 22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is darkness, how great isis that darkness! that darkness!

Loyalty Loyalty

24 “No one can serve two masters; for 24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.and mammon.

Worry Worry

25“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about 25“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26Look at the birds of the more than clothing? 26Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? them. Are you not of more value than they?

WorryWorry

27 Which of you by worrying can add one 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 28 “So why do you cubit to his stature? 28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. like one of these.

Worry Worry

30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, the oven, will Hewill He not much more not much more clotheclothe you, O you, O you of little faith? 31“Therefore do not worry, you of little faith? 31“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. things.

Worry Worry

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day about its own things. Sufficient for the day isis its own trouble. its own trouble.

fasting n 16 “moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. for...

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