GRRR! OHHH!Matthew 6:16-18

THE DISCIPLE’S HANDBOOKStudies in the Sermon on the Mount

THE DISCIPLE’S HANDBOOK

Disciple’s Character

Code

Worship Economy

Relationships

Choices

THE DISCIPLE’S WORSHIPClink, Clink, Ta Da! (6:1-4)

Amen, Wow! (6:5-8)

A Model Prayer (6:9-15)

Grr! Ohhh! (6:16-18)

A GENERAL PRINCIPLEMatthew 6:1

Matthew 6:1

Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you

will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

The general principle:

If you perform religious acts to impress other people then you’ll miss God’s reward.

WHAT IS FASTING?Matthew 6:16

Matthew 6:16

"When you fast …

Doing without something you enjoy

No choice Preoccupation Mourning

Repentance Misery

Doing without something you enjoy

No choice Preoccupation Mourning

Repentance Misery

Doing without something you enjoy

No choice Preoccupation Mourning

Repentance Misery

Doing without something you enjoy

No choice Preoccupation Mourning

Repentance Misery

Doing without something you enjoy

No choice Preoccupation Mourning

Repentance Misery

To get s

omething

To draw cl

oser t

o God

To lose

weigh

t

To purify y

our heart

Repentance

Sorro

w

More se

nsitive

to God

Other

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

2. What do you believe are spiritual reasons a Christian might properly fast? (Select as many as you like.)

The Longest Fasts in the Bible

Moses

Elijah

Jesus

29%

39%

10%

23%

1. How often did the Old Testament require Jews to fast?

Once a yearFour times a yearTwice a weekNever

OSTENTATIOUS FASTINGMatthew 6:16

Matthew 6:16

"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to

show men they are fasting.

Matthew 6:16b

I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

Ostentatious Fasting

• Public sufferingAction:• Man’s praise Motive:• Paid in full Result:

SECRET FASTINGMatthew 6:17-18

Matthew 6:17-18

But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious

to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen;

Matthew 6:18

and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

15%

85%

4. Are disciples being hypocritical when they put oil on their hair and wash their faces while they are fasting?

Yes, they are hypocrites, pretending to be joyful when they are really notNo, they are avoiding the temptation of fasting for the purpose of gaining others' praise

Secret Fasting

• Private discipline Action: • Honor God Motive: • Reward from God Result:

THE FASTING GOD DESIRESIsaiah 58:3-7

To show co

ncern

for t

he oppressed

To share

food w

ith th

e hungry

To provid

e shelte

r for t

he homeless

To provid

e cloth

ing for t

he needy05

1015202530

3. Which of the following other reasons for fasting are approved by God? (Select as many as you like.)

Isaiah 58:3-7 NLT'We have fasted before You!' they say. 'Why aren't You impressed? We have been very hard on ourselves, and You don't even notice it!' "I will tell you why!" I respond. "It's because you are fasting to please yourselves. Even while you fast, you keep oppressing your workers.

Isaiah 58:3-7 NLT4 What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with Me. 5 You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like reeds bending in the wind. You dress in burlap and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the LORD?

Isaiah 58:3-7 NLT6 "No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. 7 Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

CONCLUSIONDo I Really Have to Fast?

WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO GIVE UP FOR GOD?