1. Connecting with god’s power: fasting Matthew 6
Rev. Martin Sanders
Living Christ Church
February 17, 2012

2. FAT TUESDAY

3. JESUS WANTS YOUR LUNCH! Not simply giving something up
Offering something that matters
Simplifying for greater effectiveness

4. FASTING Isaiah 58:6 God’s Chosen Fast
Pattern in historic Christianity (Protestant & Roman Catholic)
Ramadan (Muslim tradition)

5. FASTING: Assumption, Traditions
FASTING: Power of God
FASTING: Assumed in N.T.
FASTING: Pattern of Early Church & Wesleyan tradition (2x week)

6. MATTHEW 6:16-18
16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

7. MATTHEW 6:16-18
]17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others 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.”

8. “When you fast…”
Set aside regular Life Patterns
Avoid Attention
Integrate into LIFE

9. FASTING Moving beyond be casual with God
Upping the score / anticipation
Drawing near to God…

10. Draw Near
Not Problem Solving
Move Beyond Self and Casual Connection
Sense of Holy Desperation

11. THE “HOW’S” OF FASTING No Food Limit food intake
Partial Fast / Full Fast
Bread and Water
Water only

12. HOW LONG TO FAST?
A meal
A Day: evening to evening (prepare the night before)
Several days
Extended: 40 days

13. THE HUMOR OF FASTING Aim too high Aim too low
Performance / Pressure approach
Rationalization
What can I get away with?
Next time…

14. God’s Chosen Fast
Spirit of the Disciplines
Celebration of Disciplines