In Matthew 6:16–18, Jesus continues His teaching from the Sermon on the Mount by addressing the heart behind spiritual disciplines. Just as prayer and giving can become opportunities for religious performance, fasting can also be distorted when it is done to gain the attention and approval of others. Jesus calls His followers to a different kind of fasting—one that is sincere, private, and focused on God rather than people.
Big Idea: The kind of fasting that Jesus is calling us to is one that pushes us to reassess how much we long for Him.
In this sermon, we explore what biblical fasting is, why God’s people fast, and how fasting exposes the true desires of our hearts. Rather than being an empty religious exercise, fasting helps us recognize our dependence upon God and deepen our longing for Christ.
📖 Matthew 6:16–18 (ESV)
Key Themes
- Biblical fasting
- Seeking God over human approval
- Spiritual hunger and dependence
- The Father’s reward
- Sincere devotion versus religious performance
- Longing for Christ Questions for Reflection
- What do I hunger for most in life?
- How does fasting reveal the desires of my heart?
- Am I pursuing God or the approval of others?
- What might God be teaching me through seasons of fasting?
- How can fasting deepen my love for Christ?
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