1. “Some have exalted religious fasting beyond all Scripture and reason, and others have utterly disregarded it.”
Good Morning,
Greetings…
Today we are going to begin a study on the topic of “Fasting.”
This particular subject is one that I have, until now, done little study on.
Yet in the N.T. fasting is taught more than repentance and confession.
Jesus taught on fasting more than baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
So as you can imagine, to my surprise, I realized I must preach on this subject.
That doesn’t mean I do so without hesitation for several reasons.
First this is a very emotional and volatile subject.
Views usually go to all extremes on the subject of fasting. (SLIDE)
Second it touches on a subject that is very important to everyone FOOD!!! (SLIDE)
John Wesley

2. “In a culture where the landscape is dotted with shrines to the “GOLDEN ARCHES” and an assortment of “PIZZA TEMPLES”, fasting seems out of place, out of step with the times.”
Not only is the subject of fast emotional and volatile at times but it is also not traditionally taught.
As I mentioned, I’m not sure I have ever preached a good complete study on the subject and neither have most preachers.
One man found in his research that there was not a single book published on fasting among our brethren from 1861 through 1954.
Yet when we look at the Scriptures, it is full of teachings and people that fasted.
Moses, David, Elijah, Ester, Daniel, Anna, Jesus, Paul…
As I mentioned already there is more teachings on fasting than repentance and confession.
Jesus taught more on it than baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
So, why has fasting become such a taboo subject to teach though so often mentioned?
First, fasting has developed a bad reputation du to the practices of the Middle East.
Second, many have concluded that this was a Jewish custom and not necessary for us today.
Third, we have mostly been convinced that if we don’t eat “three square meals” every day we will wither and die away.
So on the subject of fasting we are going to have three different lessons.
We are going to look at…
Fasting in the O.T.
Fasting in the N.T.
Fasting for God’s children Today (SLIDE)
Richard Foster

3. Fasting In The Old Testament
Matthew 6:16-18

4. Fasting In The Old Testament
Instances When Fasting Took
Place In The
Old Testament
Fasting In The Old Testament
There is only one time in the O.T. that fasting was commanded by God in the Mosaic Law.
That was on the Day of Atonement. (SLIDE)

5. “And it shall be a statute to you forever that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict yourselves and shall do no work, either the native or the stranger who sojourns among you. 30 For on this day shall atonement be made for you to cleanse you. You shall be clean before the LORD from all your sins.”
Leviticus 16:29-30
Notice the word fasting isn’t found here, however, the term “afflict yourself” is synonymous with “fasting.”
This is made evident in two different verses. (SLIDE)

6. “When I wept and chastened my soul with fasting, That became my reproach.”
Psalm 69:10
Here we see this idea written out. (SLIDE)

7. “Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them”
Acts 27:9
Here Luke is referring to the Day of Atonement in context.
This the only time we see “fasting” commanded in the O.T. it is done in connection with the Day of Atonement. (SLIDE)

8. Fasting In The Old Testament
Instances When Fasting Took
Place In The
Old Testament
Fasting In The Old Testament
Just because fasting was only commanded once in the Mosaic Law that does not mean it is the only time we see people fasting in the O.T. (SLIDE)

9. They fasted in war or with the threat of war.
Israel against the Benjamites (Judges 20:26)
They fasted when loved ones were sick or dead.
David over his new born son (2 Sa 12:16-23)
David over Saul & Jonathan (2 Sa 1:12)

10. They fasted for God’s forgiveness.
Moses for 40 days (Deuteronomy 9:15-18)
Ahab (1 Kings 21:17-29)
Nineveh (Jonah 3:4-10)
They fasted when faced with danger.
Jehoshaphat with Edom (2 Chronicles 20:3)
Esther before going to the king (Esther 4:16)
This is by no means an exhaustive study but it does give us some insight into the breadth of this subject.
Having looked at “occasions when they fasted” let us no look at…(SLIDE)

11. Fasting In The Old Testament
Facts Concerning Fasting In The
Old Testament
Fasting In The Old Testament

12. The purpose of fasting To afflict or chasten the soul.
Leviticus 23:26-30; Psalm 69:10
Not to afflict the body but humble the soul.
Psalm 35:13
Psalm 35:13 “But as for me, when they were sick, My clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting; And my prayer would return to my own heart.
It is apparent that those that fasted felt like humbling their soul would help them incur God’s favor.
Because they were seeking God’s favor fasting was almost always accompanied with prayer.

13. The nature of fasting
Typically this was only abstaining from food not water.
Sometimes it was only certain foods
Daniel 10:2-3
Sometimes it was an absolute fast.
This meant no food or water.
Deuteronomy 9:9; 1 Kings 19:8
Deuteronomy 9:9 “Moses fasted 40 days and nights w/o food or water” was with God’s help.
1 Kings 19:8 “Elijah did the same with God’s help.”

14. The length of fasting Typically it was from sunrise to sunset.
Judges 20:26; 1 Samuel 14:24
Sometimes more than one day.
3 days – Esther
7 days – David
40 days – Moses, Elijah, & Jesus

15. The warnings against fasting
Fasting can easily turn into an external show or ceremonial ritual.
God vehemently condemns this type of fasting in the Old Testament.
Isaiah 58
Isaiah 58
The people complained that they had fasted and God did not listen (v. 3)
God responded by stating that instead of externally fasting for others to see He would rather that they…
Get rid of the bondage of wickedness.
Let the oppressed go free.
Share bread with the hungry.
Bring the poor into their house.
Cover the naked.
The reason their fast was not recognized was because it wasn’t done with a humble heart of repentance.
Fasting without true repentance defeats the purpose of fasting!!!

16. Fasting In The Old Testament
Matthew 6:16-18
Brothers and sisters as we look into such a study as this I pray we continue to have a heart that is open to truth.
As Romans 15:4 states let us “learn from” the Old Testament for it is for our learning.

17. God’s Plan of Salvation
Study God’s Word
Have Faith In Jesus
Repent/Turn To God
Confess Jesus As Lord
Obey The Gospel
Live A Faithful Life
Romans 10:17
Hebrews 11:6
Luke 13:3
Matthew 10:32
Romans 6:3-5
1 John 1:7

18. God’s Plan of Salvation
Study God’s Word
Romans 10:17

19. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
Romans 10:17

20. God’s Plan of Salvation
Study God’s Word
Have Faith In Jesus
Romans 10:17
Hebrews 11:6

21. “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6

22. God’s Plan of Salvation
Study God’s Word
Have Faith In Jesus
Repent/Turn To God
Romans 10:17
Hebrews 11:6
Luke 13:3

23. “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
Luke 13:3

24. God’s Plan of Salvation
Study God’s Word
Have Faith In Jesus
Repent/Turn To God
Confess Jesus As Lord
Romans 10:17
Hebrews 11:6
Luke 13:3
Matthew 10:32

25. “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 10:32

26. God’s Plan of Salvation
Study God’s Word
Have Faith In Jesus
Repent/Turn To God
Confess Jesus As Lord
Obey The Gospel
Romans 10:17
Hebrews 11:6
Luke 13:3
Matthew 10:32
Romans 6:3-5

27. “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.”
Romans 6:3-5

28. God’s Plan of Salvation
Study God’s Word
Have Faith In Jesus
Repent/Turn To God
Confess Jesus As Lord
Obey The Gospel
Live A Faithful Life
Romans 10:17
Hebrews 11:6
Luke 13:3
Matthew 10:32
Romans 6:3-5
1 John 1:7

29. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”
1 John 1:7