Sermons on Matthew 6:17:

Effective Fasting Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jan 1, 2020

Fast when out of your despair, you feel totally dependent upon God.

One day, Kathy Cash’s husband, of Dallas, Texas, announced to the family that he was going to fast and pray. Ginny, their 5-year-old, had recently learned that fasting meant not eating. “No!” she shouted. “You can't fast! You'll die!” Her dad carefully explained that many men and women ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 9:14-17, Luke 18:9-14, Isaiah 58:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Daniel Fast Part 1 Series

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Jan 3, 2020

Have you ever heard others talking about a Daniel Fast and wondered what it was? Today we will address this question and find the answer from God's Word!

Mark 9:14-29 (29b) - “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting.” • Share the backstory of the text. • It should not go unnoticed that the responses of Jesus, concerning the boy with the unclean spirit, were instructions that included cleansing for those who needed to help ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:14-29, Mark 9:29, Revelation 1:13-16, Daniel 10:3, Matthew 9:15, Matthew 6:16-18, 1 Corinthians 9:25-27, Galatians 5:16-26, Galatians 5:24-25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

Fasting

Contributed by Gary Holt on Jan 14, 2020

an introduction to fasting

Credit: I edited some of Tom Fullers introduction for my sermon. https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/how-to-be-invisible-tom-fuller-sermon-on-jesus-teachings-139102?ref=SermonSerps FASTING Matthew 6:16-18 Here are some pictures of my new truck: Talk about the new truck: Searched, features, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Praying With Purpose

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Mar 19, 2020

In these uncertain times it is important that Christians begin praying with a purpose. This is my first "remote" message to my congregation in light of not being able to worship together because of COVID-19.

Praying With Purpose Scriptures: Matthew 6:5-8; 25-34; 7:7-8; Luke 22:44-46 As you know, I have been doing a series on the word “IF” and how it is used in Scripture to show some of the conditions that we must meet as we walk in fellowship with God. I will continue this series next week, but this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-34, Luke 22:44-46

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Getting Life Right: Righteousness Has Its Rewards Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on May 18, 2020

The rewards of serving God are a righteous life with him. God rewards prayer, giving, and seeking him (fasting). Seeking rewards without seeking God misses God's best.

Getting Life Right: RIGHTEOUSNESS HAS ITS REWARDS—Matthew 6:1-8, 16-18 ***In a commercial for a credit card, a young man and woman are sitting at a table in a restaurant. The man is handing his credit card to the server, who looks soberly at the young lady, saying, “You know, he’s using you. He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-8, Matthew 6:16-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Motive Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 7, 2021

Motive has a lot to do with the spirit of the law? Let’s look at motive in three areas highlighted by Jesus.

Motive has a lot to do with the spirit of the law? Let’s look at motive in three areas highlighted by Jesus. 1. Motive in Giving to the Poor Christians are to help the poor, but with what motive? This is a complementary passage to Jesus’ instructions to let our light (of good works) shine. We ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Fasting

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 30, 2025

Fasting is a spiritual discipline for inward communion with God.

A. INTRODUCTION: MATTHEW 6:16-18 “When you fast, don’t make it obvious to others, as the hypocrites who try to look mournful or disheveled like they didn’t comb their hair, or wash their face. Don’t try to get people to admire you for fasting. That is the only reward you will get. But when you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

Matthew 6:1-18

Contributed by Steven W. Satterfield on Aug 19, 2025

NASB footnotes from biblegateway.com

The Disciple’s Motives – Secret Life with God Focus: Giving, praying (including the Lord’s Prayer), fasting—all “in secret” Why this section: Counters the medal-chasing mindset by anchoring worship in the Father’s unseen reward. Builds private spiritual fitness essential for public resilience. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18

Denomination: Vineyard

Self-Humbling - Matthew 6:16-18 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 19, 2024

Fasting is never commanded in the NT, yet all the godliest people in the Bible did it. If it is important, why isn't it discussed in the epistles? If it is not important, why did Jesus do it? And why did he promise reward if we do it?

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. 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 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

Fasting For Reward - Matthew 6:16-18 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 19, 2024

This message ends with a section that teaches how to make your resistant, unwilling heart more willing to fast. It’s the method Jesus used.

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. 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 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

When You... Series

Contributed by Jon Daniels on Oct 28, 2024

Based on Matthew 6:1-21 - Challenges hearers with Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount on giving, praying, & fasting.

“WHEN YOU…” Matthew 6:1-21 FBCF – 10/27/24 Jon Daniels INTRO – Nov 3 – Sweet celebration Sermon on the Mount – Matthew 5-7 - Kingdom Manifesto – Jesus’ declaration of the principles of the K’dom of God that He introduced into the world as He taught & preached & healed in His earthly ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Fasting (2024)

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 25, 2024

'Fasting' - Matthew chapter 6 verses 14-18 - sermon by Gordon Curley (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: Question #1: What is fasting? Question #2: Should Christian’s fast? Question #3: What will fasting do for me? Question #4: How should I fast SERMON BODY: Question: What do these people have in common? • Moses the lawgiver, • King David, • Elijah the prophet, • Queen Esther, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

Denomination: Brethren

Sermon # 30 - Fasting - A Spiritual Discipline Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Nov 28, 2024

The people of Nineveh fasted and repented of their sinful ways at the preaching of Jonah. Fasting is a spiritual discipline, which helps us set aside physical food to spend time with God so that we are strengthened on the inside and can experience genuine transformation in our lives.

We read in Jonah 3:4-5, Jonah started through the city, and after walking a whole day, he proclaimed, "In forty days Nineveh will be destroyed!" The people of Nineveh believed God's message. So they decided that everyone should fast, and all the people, from the greatest to the least, ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 3:4-5, Matthew 12:41, Genesis 2:16-17, Genesis 3:14, Matthew 26:26, Matthew 17:14-18, Matthew 17:19-21, Matthew 4:2, Matthew 6:3, Matthew 6:6, Matthew 6:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

The Right Way To Fast Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Oct 2, 2023

This message looks at what Jesus has to say about our physical appearance when fasting. The way we present ourselves physically can speak volumes about the inner man. Who are we trying to impress when we fast? Jesus or the people around us?

I have entitled our message this morning, “The Right Way to Fast.” Jesus both practiced fasting and taught about it; and yet, fasting is something that is often feared and misunderstood. In many Christian circles, you rarely even hear about fasting; and yet, the Scripture mentions it more times ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

Ash Wednesday 2020 Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 1, 2022

If God is love, and He certainly is, and if He became human so that we could, when we fall asleep for the last time, be swept up into the awesome beauty, truth, and goodness of the Trinity, then we should keep ourselves ready.

Ask Wednesday homily I beg you, on behalf of Christ, to be reconciled to God. If God is love, and He certainly is, and if He became human so that we could, when we fall asleep for the last time, be swept up into the awesome beauty, truth, and goodness of the Trinity, then we should keep ourselves ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6, Matthew 6:16-18, Joel 2:12-18, 2 Corinthians 5:20-21

Denomination: Catholic