Good Evening, Greetings… Series of “Lessons From Matthew.” (SLIDE) Last week we looked at the “The Great Physician” of Matthew 9:9-13. This week we are going to looked at some powerful statements by Christ to John’s disciples where He takes them from “Fasting To Fascinating.” (SLIDE)

F A S T I N G T O F A S C I N A T I N G Fasting was a common practice and teaching in the N.T. “There is more teaching in the NT on fasting than repentance and confession“1 In fact Jesus taught a lot more on fasting then He did on baptism or the Lord’s Supper. With this in mind let us examine our lesson for today…(SLIDE) 1. Mark Copeland Sermon: Fasting In The Old Testament (http://executableoutlines.com/fa/fa_01.htm) F A S T I N G T O F A S C I N A T I N G

F A S T I N G T O F A S C I N A T I N G The Question John’s disciples begin by asking Jesus a question. (SLIDE)

Matthew 9:14 “Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, ‘Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?’ ” There are a few things to point out here. First, there does not seem to be any animosity here. John’s disciples don’t seem mad that they are fasting but Jesus disciples aren’t. Second, John has been teaching that Jesus is the Messiah and that they were both working toward the same goal. However Jesus and His disciples are going about things differently. John was baptizing Jesus was not. They were fasting Jesus’ disciples were not. Third, John’s disciples knew they were more in line with the Pharisees here and that didn’t make much sense to them. Remember what Jesus taught, and no doubt John as well, “our righteousness needed to exceed that of the Pharisees.” This is no doubt a major reason for the question. So as we can see these men had a legitimate concern!!!

F A S T I N G T O F A S C I N A T I N G The Response Jesus responds as only Jesus could do, with perfect and simple illustrations. He begins by using the “wedding guest” illustration. (SLIDE)

Matthew 9:15 “And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.” Fasting is typically for mourning, and Jesus was in the presence of His disciples...why mourn when God is literally walking by your side? It is here in this illustration where we see that when we get to heaven there will be rejoicing rather than mourning!!! Remember Jesus explained this truth in the “Beatitudes” as well. (SLIDE)

Matthew 5:10-12 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” How beautiful heaven must be, where there will be only rejoicing for being in the presence of God. Jesus, doesn’t just stop there in answering these men. He drops another “bomb shell” if you will on them. He takes this simple question and turns it into a fascinating lesson. (SLIDE)

Matthew 9:16-17 “No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. 17 Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.” The Jews wanted Jesus to fit into an old mold of doing things.  They were comfortable with the Old Law and their own perceptions of the Messiah. It wasn't like they thought the Old Law was perfect, they knew it needed a patch (which they considered the Messiah to be). However Jesus was not going to patch the Old Law He was going to replace it completely, hence His illustration (Colossians 2:14; Romans 7:1-4). Like many times before and after Jesus would give “additional” information to those that ask Him questions. He was trying to get these men to think “beyond the surface” of what they had always thought the Scriptures taught. Just like He did in the Sermon on the Mount. Now I want to take a moment here and address this passage in light of the abuse some have placed on it. As is the case with many they have certain self made doctrines and then try and fit the God’s Word to that doctrine rather than developing doctrine based on God’s Word. Many have taken this passage (16-17) as “proof text” that there are certain doctrines or teachings that are culturally based and should be simply thrown away. Biblical doctrines on women’s roles, leadership roles, acapella singing and the like are all called “old garments” that must be thrown out!!! This teaching couldn’t be further from the truth!!!!!! First Jesus isn’t going to acquiesce to the cultural whims of this sinful world (Hebrews 13:8) Lastly God’s Word is perfect the way it is for man’s salvation (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3).

F A S T I N G T O F A S C I N A T I N G Brothers and sisters how truly amazing our Messiah is and how perfect are His statutes. Let us be a people that don’t fit Scripture into our doctrine, rather let us be like these men and bring our questions to God and let Him answer them, therefore making our doctrine. F A S T I N G T O F A S C I N A T I N G