Help QuickNav Adv. Options
KJV

KJV

Click to Change

Return to Top

Return to Top

Printer Icon

Print

Prior Book Prior Section Back to Commentaries Author Bio & Contents Next Section Next Book
The Blue Letter Bible
← Back to Chuck Smith's Bio & Resources

Chuck Smith :: Sermon Notes for Matthew 6

toggle collapse
Choose a new font size and typeface
← Back to Chuck Smith's Bio & Resources
"FASTING"
I. CHRISTIAN LIFE DIVIDED INTO THREE SECTIONS.
A. Alms giving (my relation with others).
B. Praying (my relation with God).
C. Fasting (my relation to myself - disciplined).
II. ORIGIN OF FASTING.
A. Ore day a year under law.
B. Special occasions.
C. Taught indirectly by Christ.
1. Matthew 9, Pharisee's question.
2. "But when ye fast."
3. Church of Antioch fasted before sending out Paul and Barnabus.
D. What is fasting?
1. Abstinence of food for spiritual purposes.
a. Daniel.
III. WRONG WAYS OF FASTING.
A. Fasting in a mechanical manner just for the sake of doing so.
1. If fasting becomes an end in itself.
2. We prefer to be under law, told what to do and what not to do.
a. Don't eat meat on certain day of week.
b. Certain seasons of year abstain.
B. Don't fast for self discipline.
1. Discipline should be continual.
2. Fasting is something I do in order to reach a higher spiritual realm in prayer or meditation.
C. Fasting for direct immediate results.
1. Mechanical view.
a. After 5 days, mind clear.
b. After 7 days, hunger gone.
c. After 10 days, visions begin.
d. "I want a blessing so I will fast."
2. The minute we say if you will do this you will get that we are putting the blessings of God into a sovereignty of God.
3. Value of fasting is indirect not direct.
D. Calling attention to our fast.
1. Any drawing of attention to our piety.
IV. RIGHT WAY TO FAST.
A. As a means to an end, not an end in itself.
1. I must discipline myself at all times. I should fast only as led by the Spirit.
B. Be natural.
1. People afraid of being regarded as miserable, because a Christian go to other extreme.
2. In order not to look sad you need not put a grin on your face.
C. The interest in the opinion of others is wrong. Don't worry about impressions you are making, just give yourself entirely to God. Be concerned about pleasing Him.
Sermon Notes for Matthew 5:46-48 ← Prior Section
Sermon Notes for Matthew 6 Next Section →
Sermon Notes for Malachi 1:2 ← Prior Book
Sermon Notes for Mark 1:40 Next Book →
← Back to Chuck Smith's Bio & Resources
← Back to all Commentaries
BLB Searches
Search the Bible
KJV
  [?]

Advanced Options

Other Searches

Multi-Verse Retrieval
x
KJV
Daily Devotionals
x

Blue Letter Bible offers several daily devotional readings in order to help you refocus on Christ and the Gospel of His peace and righteousness.

Daily Bible Reading Plans
x

Recognizing the value of consistent reflection upon the Word of God in order to refocus one's mind and heart upon Christ and His Gospel of peace, we provide several reading plans designed to cover the entire Bible in a year.

One-Year Plans

Two-Year Plan

CONTENT DISCLAIMER:

The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy of Scripture. Since the text and audio content provided by BLB represent a range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed in the resource materials are not necessarily affirmed, in total, by this ministry.