Sermon On The Mount Part 20

Prayer and Fasting is Giving UP To Get IN Matthew 6:16-18 7 Weapons of the Believer 1. The Word of God 2. Prayer 3. Worship 4. The Name of Jesus 5. Our Testimony 6. Thanksgiving 7. Fasting 3 Lessons on Fasting from Our Savior 1. A Commendation ○ It was a means, not an end – Matthew 6:16 ○ It was not commanded, only expected – Matthew 6:16; Psalm 35:13 There are 7 reasons for fasting: ● Lamentation ● Protection ● Humiliation ● Revelation ● Condemnation ● Selection ● Direction Acts 10:30 2. A Caution Matthew 6:16 5 “Ism’s” to Avoid in the Practice of Fasting ● Populism – 1 Corinthians 8:8; 1 Timothy 4:1,3 ● Ritualism – 2 Thessalonians 2:15 ● Asceticism ● Egotism – Zechariah 7:5 ● Extremism 3. A Course Matthew 6:17-18 12 Ways to Fast ○ Eat 1 meal a day ○ Avoid food from sun up to sun down ○ Sugars and sweets ○ The Daniel Fast ○ Liquids only ○ Give up sleep ○ Give up screens ○ Give up certain recreational activities ○ Give up pleasure reading ○ Restrict listening to all but Christian music ○ Avoid social media ○ Use smartphone or computer for necessary tasks only