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"FASTING"
Fasting By Christians Today
INTRODUCTION
1. Our two previous lessons sought to educate us on the subject of
fasting as found in the Old and New Testaments
2. In this final lesson, we shall directly address the questions that
brought up this subject:
"Should Christians fast today, and if so, why? When would they do
it, and how?"
[Starting with the first of these questions...]
I. SHOULD CHRISTIANS FAST TODAY?
A. YES! BECAUSE OF THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS...
1. He assumed his disciples would fast ("when," not "if") - Mt
6:16-17
2. He said they would fast when He was gone - Mt 9:14-15
3. He taught His disciples...
a. How to fast so as to incur God's favor - Mt 6:16-18
b. That when done properly, fasting WOULD incur God's good
favor - Mt 6:18b
c. That fasting should be done only when the occasion properly
calls for it - Mt 9:14-17
d. That there would be occasions when prayer joined with
fasting might be needed - Mt 17:20-21
B. YES! BECAUSE WE HAVE EXAMPLES OF THE CHURCH FASTING...
1. The brethren at Antioch - Ac 13:1-3
a. Fasting in their service to Lord
b. Fasting and praying when they send out Paul and Barnabas on
their missionary journey
2. The churches in Galatia - Ac 14:21-23
a. There was fasting in every church
b. When appointing elders to watch over the flock
C. YES! BECAUSE PAUL FASTED AS A MINISTER OF CHRIST...
1. He listed fasting among those things which proved him as a
minister of Jesus Christ - 2 Co 11:23-28
2. Are we not commanded to imitate him, even as he imitated
Christ? - 1 Co 11:1 (and they both fasted in their service to
God!)
[At the very least, we can say that it would not be inappropriate for
Christians to fast today. Unless there are medical reasons not to
fast, we have very good examples to motivate us to utilize fasting in
our service to the Lord!
But to ensure that we fast for the right reason, consider our next
question...]
II. WHY SHOULD CHRISTIANS FAST?
A. PEOPLE FAST TODAY FOR VARIOUS REASONS...
1. Some purposefully, for health reasons
2. Some without thinking, in times of grief and sorrow
3. Others, in an effort to gain some kind of self-control
-- But these are not the reasons Christian should fast in their
service to God - cf. Co 2:20-23
B. CHRISTIANS SHOULD FAST, FOR THERE ARE TIMES WHEN WE ARE NEED OF
DIVINE HELP...
1. This is consistent with the majority of fasting in the O.T.;
they fasted...
a. In times of war or at the threat of it (Israel)
b. When loved ones were sick (David)
c. When seeking God's forgiveness (Ahab, Daniel)
d. When seeking God's protection (Ezra)
2. This is consistent with the examples of fasting in the N.T.;
they fasted...
a. When dealing with temptations (Jesus)
b. When serving the Lord (Antioch)
c. When beginning a work for the Lord (Antioch)
d. When selecting and appointing elders (Galatia)
3. Such fasting is should be done in conjunction with prayer
a. For fasting, when done properly...
1) Humbles the soul - Ps 35:13
2) Chastens the soul - Ps 69:10
b. And the prayers of a humble person are more likely to be
heard! - cf. Ezra 8:21-23
[If fasting does have a part in the Christian life, then let's look
more closely at...]
III. WHEN SHOULD CHRISTIANS FAST?
A. WHENEVER OCCASIONS REQUIRING DIVINE HELP SHOULD ARISE...
1. These may be occasions on an individual level
a. When faced with difficult temptations
b. When faced with the serious illness of a loved one
2. These occasions might be on a congregational level
a. As when appointing elders
b. As when sending out missionaries
B. WHATEVER OCCASIONS CALL FOR PERSISTENT PRAYERS MIGHT CALL FOR
FASTING JOINED WITH PRAYER...
1. Are we not taught that God is more likely to answer our
prayers if we are persistent? - cf. Lk 18:1-8
2. And also if we fast in the proper manner? - Mt 6:17-18
[So whenever there is a matter requiring much prayer, fasting in
conjunction with prayer would seem appropriate.
Finally, let's take a look at...]
IV. HOW SHOULD CHRISTIANS FAST?
A. NOT TO BE SEEN OF MEN...
1. Cf. Mt 6:16-18
2. Whether fasting as individuals or with others, it is important
that we not do it for "show"
B. NOT AS SOME REGULAR RITUAL...
1. Cf. Mt 9:14-17
2. It should be done only when the occasion calls for it
3. Such as situations where you would be spending much time in
prayer
C. NOT WITHOUT TRUE REPENTANCE...
1. Cf. Isa 58:3-9
2. All the praying, all the fasting, is of no avail if not
accompanied with penitent obedience
D. SOME PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS...
1. Don't go out and fast just because it sounds like a neat thing
to do
a. Take the subject seriously
b. Fast only when the occasion is a serious one
c. One in which you desperately desire God's help
2. If you have never fasted before...
a. Start slow, fasting only for brief periods of time
b. End slow, gradually breaking your fast with fresh fruits
and vegetables in small amounts
3. Fast when you have time to spend in prayerful meditation
a. Remember the purpose for fasting
b. To humble oneself in God's sight
c. To seek favorable answer to prayer for some important plea
CONCLUSION
1. There is probably much more that could be said on the subject of
fasting
2. But I hope that this is enough to stimulate our thinking on a
subject which has often been neglected in both study and practice
3. As with any subject, the Word of God is the last word, and I hope
that this study has shed some light on what His Word says on the
subject of fasting
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© Mark A. Copeland, 2001
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