Vision 20/20: Focus, Part 7
Matthew 6:16-18
Question #1: What is fasting?
“Fasting is the deliberate abstinence from some form of physical gratification, for a period of time, in order to achieve a greater spiritual goal.”– Tony Evans
“There is an absence of desire in the comfortable church of the prosperous west. Absence of fasting is indicative of our comfort with the way things are. No one fasts to express how content they are. People only fast out of dissatisfaction…The absence of fasting is the measure of our contentment with the absence of Christ”– John Piper
Question #2: What is my motivation for fasting? (Matthew 6:16-18)
- Don’t fast for public
- Don’t fast for selfish
- Fast for the glory of God.
Question #3: What are some spiritual reasons for fasting? (Acts 13:2-3, Joel 2:12-13, Isaiah 58:6-12, Matthew 3:17; 4:1-4)
| To strengthen prayer. | To humble oneself before God. |
| To seek God’s guidance. | To express concern for the work of God. |
| To express grief. | To minister to the needs of others. |
| To seek deliverance or protection. | To overcome temptation and dedicate yourself to God. |
| To express repentance and a return to God. | To express love and worship to God. |
Application:
- Set a time this week to fast from food.
- Set a time this week to fast from something other than food.
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