The Greatest Sermon Ever Told Fasting: Matthew 6:16-18

The Greatest Sermon Ever Told

Fasting: Matthew 6:16-18
Sunday, July 13, 2025
Pastor Mike Bailey

Introduction

The greatest sermon ever told was not preached by a celebrity pastor or even a famous prophet. It was not given from a stage or in a convention center. It was given from a hillside with standing room only. The speaker was not paid for his time, nor was the event promoted, yet thousands were in attendance. This man ultimately paid for his words with his own life and became the most influential religious leader in all of history. This is a sermon worth hearing and this is the message we all need.

June 29: Generosity – Matthew 6:1-4

July 6: Prayer – Matthew 6:5-15

July 13: Fasting – Matthew 6:16-18

July 20: Possessions – Matthew 6:19-34

July 27: Judging – Matthew 7:1-6

August 3: Asking – Matthew 7:7-11

August 10: The Golden Rule – Matthew 7:12

August 17: The Narrow Gate – Matthew 7:13-14

August 24: Fruit – Matthew 7:15-20

August 31: Disciples – Matthew 7:21-29

IMPACT Church 101 E. First Ave. Parkesburg, PA 19365
(610) 857-3887 [email protected]

Fasting

Matthew 6:16-18

The purpose of fasting should be to take our eyes off the THINGS of this world, so our focus is completely on GOD.

1. We should be purposeful when we fast by removing distractions and making time to on God. (16a)

“Say to all your people and your priests, ‘During these seventy years of exile, when you fasted and mourned in the summer and in early autumn, was it really for me that you were fasting?” Zechariah 7:5

Notes:

2. We should be when we fast so that we find our comfort in God and His provisions. (16b)

All that time I had eaten no rich food. No meat or wine crossed my lips, and I used no fragrant lotions until those three weeks had passed. Daniel 10:3

But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4

Notes:

3. We should have and joyful hearts when we fast. (16c)

“I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’” Luke 18:12

²¹ And there by the Ahava Canal, I gave orders for all of us to fast and humble ourselves before our God. We prayed that he would give us a safe journey and protect us, our children, and our goods as we traveled. ²² For I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to accompany us and protect us from enemies along the way. After all, we had told the king, “Our God’s hand of protection is on all who worship him, but his fierce anger rages against those who abandon him.” ²³ So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer.  Ezra 8:21-23

Notes:

4. We should recognize need to change when we fast instead of expecting God to change. (17)

¹² That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. ¹³ Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish. Joel 2:12-13

Notes:

5. We should fast and go to God when we realize a big change is in our lives. (18)

One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” Acts 13:2

Notes:

Challenge: What in my life am I going to fast for?

It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Isaiah 59:2a

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Romans 3:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

All Bible verses are from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.