THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT. Matt. 5, 6, 7 (33)

January 5, 2019

28-8-18

Key: SCHAFF: “When the Lord open his mouth, we should open our ears and hearts” 

GOOD WORKS WITHOUT OSTENTATION. Matt. 6:16-18…Fasting

This is the third application of the general principle in vs. 1 on good works without ostentation and this is on fasting. This is however on private, voluntary fasting which is common among the Jews Lk. 2:37. In Lk. 18:12, Christ did not condemn the Pharisee’s fasting twice a week, but his boasting of it. The religious Cornelius observed fasting which God recognized Act. 10:30. It is here stated that it is the duty of the disciples to fast particularly when the bridegroom is taken away. Matt. 9:15. The early Christian community practice fasting Act. 13:3; 14:23, and private fasting was common 1Cor. 7:5, just as Paul himself fasted very often. 2Cor. 6:5; 11:27.

This is the third application of the general principle in vs. 1 on good works without ostentation and this is on fasting. This is however on private, voluntary fasting which is common among the Jews Lk. 2:37. In Lk. 18:12, Christ did not condemn the Pharisee’s fasting twice a week, but his boasting of it. The religious Cornelius observed fasting which God recognized Act. 10:30. It is here stated that it is the duty of the disciples to fast particularly when the bridegroom is taken away. Matt. 9:15. The early Christian community practice fasting Act. 13:3; 14:23, and private fasting was common 1Cor. 7:5, just as Paul himself fasted very often. 2Cor. 6:5; 11:27.

  1. What is fasting? It is simply abstinence from food. This is quite different from self denial which is equally important to our life as believers in Christ.
  2. Types of fasting
    1. The normal fast. Matt. 4:2. We are told “he ate nothing” Lk. 4:2 but not that he drank nothing. Afterwards it says “he was hungry”, but not that he was thirsty. Abstaining from all forms of food, but not from water. Act.13:2-3. it can be from one day and one night, to forty days both day and night.
    2. Partial fasting. Dan. 10:2-3. This is restriction of diet rather than complete asbstinence from food, also in Dan. 1:15, they asked for vegetables and water to drink. This can also be a meal per day for many days.
    3. Absolute fasting.Act. 9:9-11. This is abstaining from food and drink Ezr. 10:6; 9:3, Est. 4:16, Deut. 9:9, 18, Ex. 34:28, 1Kg. 19:8. The body can go long periods without food and be physically benefited, but only for a very short time without water. We recommend not more than three days as above. The cases of Moses and Elijah were special cases.
  3. 3. Fasting not approved by God. “… be not as the hypocrites…”Matt. 6:16, Is. 58:3-5. They appear to have adopted a system that will make them gain credit for fasting by their physical appearance. They have received their reward. 
    1. a. It should be noted that the day of atonement Lev. 16:29-34 is the only legal day of general fasting in the Law. There is no particular season for fasting in the Church of Christ, since Christ has atoned for us. Local Churches can fast at will as in Act. 13:1-3; 14:23.
  4. Fasting approved by God. Matt. 6:17-18, Is. 58:6-7
    1. Anoint your head. It is an establish custom among the Jews. Your physical appearance should be presentable as if you are not fasting.
    2. You should fast unto God. Zech. 7:5, Act. 13:2. It gives time for prayers to have a divine connection. 1Cor. 7:5, 2sam. 12:16-23.
    3. It is a time to humble your soul –Ps. 35:13; 69:10, 1Kg. 21:20-29
    4. Do all you can to be heard on high. Ezr. 8:21-23, 31.