Matthew 6:16–18; 25-26; 31-33 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen.

Matthew 6:16–18; 25-26; 31-33 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you……

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

31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Fasting is refraining from food for a spiritual purpose.

Fasting involves food, because it helps us experience continual prayer.

Psalm 84:1–2 How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! 2 My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.

Fasting places God on the throne of our lives, as we subject our needs, desires, and cravings to Him.

1 Corinthians 6:12–13 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. 13 “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other.

Three types of fasts:

1. Absolute Fast – No food or water

2. Full Fast – No food, but water (juice or clear broth)

3. Partial Fast – Giving up certain food(s) and/or drink(s)

Daniel 1:8–20 But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself…… 12 “Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king’s food be observed by you……

and deal with your servants according to what you see.” 14 So he listened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days. 15 At the end of ten days it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate the king’s food. 16 So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables…...

17 As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams…… 20 And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom.

1. We would rather live full.

Ezekiel 16:49 Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy.

Kibroth-hattaavah: the grave of cravings

Paul - 2 Timothy 4:6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.

John Baptist - John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

Jesus - Philippians 2:5–7 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

Rather than living full and dying empty, fasting helps us to live empty and die full.

2. We think we’ll miss out on something.

The fact is you will….. But what you stand to gain is far greater.

Fasting is missing out on natural food, in order to receive supernatural nourishment.

3. We don’t think it will accomplish anything.

Fasting is an act of worship, which connects us to the heart of our Heavenly Father.

Romans 12:1–2 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

God wants to pour supernatural blessings into our lives, but they will never be realized if we don’t seek Him in prayer and fasting.

- Jentzen Franklin

Fasting allows us to accomplish all God has purposed for our lives.

Physically, fasting moves you from being full to being hungry, but spiritually from being hungry to being full.

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Fasting feeds you spiritually while you hunger physically.

This week, begin considering what’s been holding you back from fasting.

Begin to determine now:• That you will fast• What you will fast• Why you will fast