Sermon by Missionary Samaroo Sookraj
SUB: Fasting.
TEXT: Mat 6:16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Mat 6:17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
Mat 6:18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
1. What is Biblical fasting? Biblical fasting is the discipline of abstaining from food and personal pleasures for Biblical reasons. It is also called afflicting one's soul. Isa 58:3 Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? and is often observed to demonstrate our sincerity in prayer.
11. Why should we fast? There are several biblical reasons for fasting.
i) Christians should fast when facing a national crisis. 11Chron 20:3; And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
Ezra 8:21; Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
Esther 4:16. Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise;
ii) Fasting should be observed for individual needs. Matt 17:21. Mat 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
iii) In going through periods of distress, fasting should be observed.
11Sam 3:35; And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.
Ps 35:13. Psa 35:13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.
iv) When facing spiritual decisions one should fast. Matt 4:2; And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
Acts 13:2. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
v) In anticipation of Christ's second coming, Christian should also fast. Luke 5:35. But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.
111. How should we fast.
A. There is a passage of scripture in the New Testament that presupposes fasting as a voluntary and religious exercise. Jesus warns however of making it an occasion for a parade of piety or religiousness.
B. Make sure your intentions are pure and honest and that you are not fasting to show how "holy" you perceive yourself to be. Remember Jesus condemned the Pharisees for showing off by fasting.
C. N T fastingwas usually done in secret (Matt 6:18) unless the church was going to send out missionaries or appoint elders which meant that the complete church (a body of scripturally baptized believers covenanting to carry out the teachings of the Bible) then observed fasting. Act 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. Act 13:3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
14:23. And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
1V. Benefits of fasting. Many people have found that there are benefits in fasting; I should say though, do not think that you can change God's by fasting, God does not change. Mal 3:6; Heb 13:8.Ps 102:27; James 1:18.
i)Heavy burdens are relieved by fasting Isa: 58;
ii)Wisdom is obtained from fasting. Dan 10;
iii)Revival comes through fasting Isa 58:6.
iv)God's protection from danger is secured by fasting. 1 King 31:27-29.
v) Recovery of a sick loved one may come from fasting. Ps 35:13.
vi) Depending on your physical strength, your health may benefit from fasting.
Conclusion:
1. Before attempting to fast, make sure that there is a need and do not attempt to let anyone know that you are fasting.
2. It is personal between you and God.
3. It is also very important that a married person should not fast without their partner's consent. Because fasting also involves abstinence from sex, one should be careful not to defraud one's partner from the fulfillment of sex.1 Cor 7:3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
1Co 7:4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
1Co 7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
4. Again, be sure that you are physically fit to fast. God does not want you to do what you might be physically unable to do.
