Fasting & A Church Plant | Matthew 6:16-18

Scripture

• Matthew 6:16–18

About this sermon

Introduction: Why return to our Lord’s teaching about fasting as my beginning point for an exhortation on a night when we celebrate the launching of a new church? The answer is, “Because of what fasting teaches us about the launching of a new church.” In the New Testament, fasting is associated more than once with the launching of MINISTY — the launching of ministry service and the launching of missionary endeavors. As we saw this morning, the practice of genuine fasting in Scripture is the expression of godly SPIRITUAL DESIRES. It is an expression of God-centered SPIRITUAL AMBITIONS. IT IS SEEKING OUR FATHER WHO SEES IN SECRET. Genuine fasting says that we live for what HE SEES. We desire what pleases HIM. We long for HIS REWARD. The fast which God will accept, with which He is pleased, that He has chosen, is the fast that is not just bodily deprivation, but a heart burden that leads to a concentrated desire to know and do the will of God. It is a fast that expresses internal devotion. The 58th chapter of Isaiah makes this so plain (Isaiah 58:1-14). NOTE SOME OF THE ELEMENTS EXPRESSED IN THAT CHAPTER. The fast that God has chosen will be joined to the putting away of sin. The fast that God has chosen will be joined to love for people. In the life of Israel, it would mean that genuine concern for their fellow Israelites. A genuine recognition of the responsibility to care for them. The fast that God has chosen will be joined to delight in God. The fast that God has chosen will be joined to a devotion to worship. They would not profane the Sabbath. The fast that God has chosen will express a commitment to doing GOD’S WILL (not seeking their own pleasure). That fast that God has chosen will be joined to generosity. NOTE WHAT FOLLOWS SUCH A FAST Spiritual health. Spiritual provision. Spiritual protection. Generational blessing. Is this not what you want for a new church? Do we not want a church putting away sin, pursuing holiness? Do we not want a church that genuinely loves people? Do we not want a church that delights in God? Do we not want a church that is devoted to worship? Do we not want a church that seeks not its own will but the will of God? Do we not want a church that is generous in every possible way? And do we not desire the blessings described in that chapter that only God gives?

Topics

• Church & Fellowship
• The Church
• Fasting