Being Hungry for God
Matthew 6:16-18
August 26, 2007
Morning Service
It was January 1991 and I was taking one of the most challenging classes I took during college would have to be Studies in Contemporary Ministries. The class was not difficult because of papers or anything work related. It was a difficult class emotionally. Part of the class was to challenge our level of compassion and commitment to serving others. The other part of the class was practical application of what we learned in Washington DC.
We spent 14 days in Washington and visited a variety of ministries that had ministries ranging from the homeless to ministering to the members of congress. It was truly eye opening. One of the most unusual requirements of the class was being dropped in the city for the day with one dollar in our pockets. To make the situation more realistic we were told not to eat anything the night before. We were to experience hunger on a small scale. It was this required “fast” that changed my perspective on ministry. It was during this day that I learned something of what it meant to hunger for God.
This morning I want to explore this concept of hungering for God through the spiritual discipline of fasting. If you have your Bibles with you, please open them to Matthew 6:16-18
16 "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17 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; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:16-18
The Background and Importance of Fasting
Before I focus on this passage I want to give you some of the background on fasting and why it was such an important part of the Hebrew worship.
What is fasting?
To fast means to abstain and most references in the Bible refer to the abstaining from food.
Fasting is then the abstaining from some vital activity for a length of time to pursue drawing closer to God. The goal is to more deeply know Him and His will for your life.
Fasting held a crucial key in Hebrew spirituality. The Old testament gives a number of clear references about the need for fasting and clear examples of fasting in the lives of those who followed God.
Two Types of fasts
Public or group – There were times when the entire nation or segments of the Hebrew population would spend time fasting and praying.
Private – This was a voluntary act of spiritual discipline revealing a desire to know God more deeply.
Reasons for Fasting
1.) Personal
1.) Distress
i. David – news of Saul and Jonathan being killed
ii. Nehemiah – news of the walls of Jerusalem
iii. Darius – Night Daniel was cast into the Lion’s den
2.) Public
1.) Times of war
i. Benjaminites
ii. Samuel called one during the Philistine wars
iii. Jehoshaphat
2.) Times of national crisis or concern
i. Before the return from captivity
ii. Esther and the Hebrews in Susa
iii. Ninevah fasted after hearing the message of Jonah
3.) Times of national grief
i. 7 day fast after the burial of Saul and Jonathan
ii. During the 70 year exile group fasts took place during the 5th and 7th months – This commemorated the siege and fall of Jerusalem
The New Testament is also filled with many examples of fasting.
• Jesus fasted before being tempted by Satan
• Anna the Prophetess regularly fasted
• The Apostles fasted following the death and resurrection of Jesus
• Cornelius was fasting and praying before Peter came to share the gospel with him
• Early Church Leaders fasted before they sent Paul and Barnabas out on their first missionary journey
• Paul made it a regular practice to fast
The Means of Fasting
This is the issue of surrender. Fasting must include some form of surrender to pursue more of God. Notice that Jesus uses the word when and not if. There is a clear expectation from Jesus to His followers that they fast. Why does this so concern Jesus?
1.) Fasting is a means of deeper spiritual growth
2.) Fasting is a means of genuine humility
3.) Fasting is a means of self sacrifice
It seems clear that Jesus makes fasting the central issue of this passage but there is a larger issue at hand. Look at Matthew 6:16 again. Jesus uses some extremely strong language calling some people hypocrites.
Jesus uses this word three different times in Matthew 6. The word hypocrite appears in verse 2, 5 and 16. Fasting was not the problem but rather a symptom. Jesus is dealing with the issue of spiritual pride in three different areas. These areas are giving to the needy, praying and finally fasting. The problem that Jesus is dealing with is one of manner and motive in private spiritual disciplines. The Pharisees were using private disciplines as a public display of piety. In other words, they were being spiritual and showing off. Private fasts were being declared publicly.
The Manner of Fasting
The motivation was not to please God but instead to please people or more likely to please themselves. Fasting had become a point of spiritual bragging. Jesus makes it clear that this practice is unacceptable.
Listen to what Jesus says about the Pharisees in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector.
11 The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: `God, I thank you that I am not like other men--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ Luke 18:11-12
The Pharisees had all of the structure of being spiritual but they lacked what they needed the most, God. Appearing spiritual and being spiritual are two completely different things.
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Luke 18:14
The Pharisees were so busy trying to exalt themselves that they forgot to exalt God. In the end, they would be humbled.
The Motive of Fasting
If all you do is deprive yourself of something and call it fasting there is no benefit. Sacrifice with surrender is what makes fasting powerful. Look at what God says during the day of Isaiah about their fasting practices.
3 `Why have we fasted,’ they say, `and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’ "Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. 4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. 5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD? Isaiah 58:3-5
The ultimate goal of fasting is to draw closer to God and the reward is drawing closer to God. The more we want to know God, the more He fills our desires and increases that desire. Pure and simple fasting is a pursuit of filling our lives with more of God. This is the motive of genuine fasting.
The Pharisees wanted to be noticed by those around them. They desired to be seen as spiritual giants. They wanted to be known for being spiritual. This is what was happening in the issues of giving and prayer as well. Pharisees were making public displays of what should have been private disciplines. They acted out of pride and not of humility.
James echoes this truth: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6
Instead of drawing closer to God, the Pharisees were drawing away from God. The reward of fasting is getting more of God in your life. The Pharisees got their reward in the attention of other people. How truly sad?
How should we practice fasting?
One church that I know has a Sunday School class that commits one specific day a month to fasting and prayer. There is nothing wrong with fasting as a group or a church. The problem comes when we flaunt it to others.
Types of Fasts
There are several ways that you can experience the power of a fast. Here is a simple listing of some of the ways that you can fast and pray.
1. Normal fasting: This is going without food for a definite period of time
2. Absolute fasting: This is going without food and water for a definite period of time. This should be done in short amounts of time.
3. Partial fasting: This is omitting one meal per day or specific types of foods
4. Rotational fasting: This is omitting certain groups of foods on a rotating basis so that there is always food available to eat.
5. Activity fast: This is giving up a specific activity for a definite period of time. The activity needs to be something that you do everyday to be a real sacrifice.
