The Righteousness of Those

1. The Righteousness of Those Whose Live’s Are Ruled By God - 5:17-7:12

2. 2 • Character: (5:3-12)Influence upon the world: (5:13-16) • Righteousness MUST EXCEED the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees: (5:17-20) • Dealings with others: (5:21-48)

3. 3 Jesus strikes at the heart of hypocrisy - Pride & Worldliness!

4. 4 Three Areas of Religious Piety: Benevolence – Man-ward Prayer – God-ward Fasting – self-ward

5. 5 • Jesus condemns ALL hypocritical acts of righteousness! (2,5,6,16) • If, in the innermost being of our heart, we do not mean to please and glorify God, HE WILL NOT REWARD us! • The end does not justify the means OR THE MOTIVE!

6. 6 Matthew 6:16-18 (NKJV) 16 "Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

7. 7 Matthew 6:16-18 (NKJV) 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

8. 8 Fasting - “Directing Our Hearts Fully Toward God” • Both Biblical and secular history indicates fasting has been engaged in among various religions • The Scriptures have much to say about fasting • Out of place and out of step with our culture! • Emotional and Volatile • Neglected & Abused!

9. 9 Fasting - “Directing Our Hearts Fully Toward God” Fast - Verb : <G3522> : Original Word: νηστεύω, nēsteuō"to fast, to abstain from eating" . . . is used of voluntary "fasting," Matt. 4:2; 6:16, 17, 18; 9:14, 15; Mark 2:18, 19, 20; Luke 5:33, 34, 35; 18:12; Acts 13:2, 3 . . . Christ taught the need of purity and simplicity of motive. The answers of Christ to the questions of the disciples of John and of the Pharisees reveal His whole purpose and method. No doubt He and His followers observed such a fast as that on the Day of Atonement, but He imposed no frequent "fasts" in addition. What He taught was suitable to the change of character and purpose which He designed for His disciples. His claim to be the Bridegroom, Matt. 9:15, and the reference there to the absence of "fasting," virtually involved a claim to be the Messiah (cp. Zech. 8:19). . . .Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old Testament and New Testament Words.

10. 10 Fasting - “Directing Our Hearts Fully Toward God” • Normally, - short periods of abstinence from food and drink, (usually one day) yet not to the extent in which the body would be harmed and/or impair one’s health. • On rare occasions there was the ABSOLUTE fast

11. 11 Fasting - “Directing Our Hearts Fully Toward God” • Only one appointed fast by the Law of Moses - The "Day Of Atonement" - Lev 16:29-31; 23:26-32; Num 29:7 • There were other occasions in which the people fasted -

12. 12 Fasting - “Directing Our Hearts Fully Toward God” To Commemorate Certain Calamities of the Jews • Burning of the Temple - Jer 52:12,13 • Murder of Gedaliah - 2 Ki 25:23-25; Jer 41:1ff; Zec. 7:5,8:19 • Beginning of siege of Jerusalem - 2 Ki 25:1 • Jerusalem’s fall - 2 Ki 25:3,4 "Jeremiah Laments the Devastation of Jerusalem" by Rembrandt. (1630. Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum.)

13. 13 Fasting - “Directing Our Hearts Fully Toward God” • War, - Judges 20:26; 1 Sam 7:6 • Sickness - 2 Sam 12:16-23 • Death - 1 Sa 31:13; 1 Chron 10:12; 2 Sa 1:12 • SeekingGod'sForgiveness – Deut 9:15-18; 1 Kings 21:17-29; Jonah 3:4-10 • FacedWithDanger - 2 Chron 20:3; Ez 8:21; Esth 4:3,16 • In preparation for an important task -Acts 13:1-3; 21-23 An act which occurred when in need of God’s protection, deliverance, comfort, forgiveness or blessing

14. 14 Fasting - “Directing Our Hearts Fully Toward God” • ONE DAY, from sunrise to sunset, - Judg 20:26; 1 Sam 14:24; 2 Sam 1:12; 3:35 • ONE NIGHT - Daniel 6:18 • THREE DAYS, day and night, - Esther 4:16 • SEVEN DAYS - 1 Sam 31:13; 1 Chron 10:12; 2 Sam 12:16-18 • FORTY DAYS - Ex 34:28; Deut 9:9; 1 Kings 19:8; Mat 4:2; Luke 4:2 An act which occurred when in need of God’s protection, deliverance, comfort, forgiveness or blessing

15. 15 Fasting - “Directing Our Hearts Fully Toward God” A deliberate Act Expressing Humility before God An act which occurred when in need of God’s protection, deliverance, comfort, forgiveness or blessing Sorrow for sin Devotion / Dedication Dependance upon God

16. 16 Fasting - “Directing Our Hearts Fully Toward God” “It is not so much a duty in its own right as a means to dispose us for other duties.” A.W. Pink An act which occurred when in need of God’s protection, deliverance, comfort, forgiveness or blessing

17. Fasting - “Directing Our Hearts Fully Toward God” • Moreover, when you fast -In Jesus’ day - the Pharisees had the custom of fasting twice a week - Luke 18:12 • Do not be hypocritical and seek recognition from men, doing so with a "sad countenance" & with "disfigured faces" (perhaps by applying ashes?) Matthew 6:16 (NKJV) "Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

18. Fasting - “Directing Our Hearts Fully Toward God” • Moreover, when you fast -Ineffective When Not in Conjunction With Repentance and Obedience - Zech. 7:1-14 5 . . . ‘did you really fast for Me—for Me? . . . 7 ‘Should you not have obeyed the words which the Lord proclaimed through the former prophets . . .?’” . . . 9 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Execute true justice, Show mercy and compassion - Everyone to his brother. Matthew 6:16 (NKJV) "Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

19. Fasting - “Directing Our Hearts Fully Toward God” Jesus Condemns Both The spirit that seeks praise from others OR self!

20. Fasting - “Directing Our Hearts Fully Toward God”

21. Fasting - “Directing Our Hearts Fully Toward God” Matthew 6:17-18 (NKJV) 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. • The kingdom citizen is to fast without any outward appearance“Anointing your head““Washing your face” • God will see your fasting and He will reward you openly

22. Fasting - “Directing Our Hearts Fully Toward God” Matthew 6:17-18 (NKJV) 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. • Jesus did not establish fasting as a planned or regular act of devotion. • It was inappropriate for His disciples to fast while He was with them - Mark 2:18-22 • Fasting is an expression of sorrow, deep concern and dependence upon God in times of trial • Fasting is inappropriate during a time of peace & joy -

23. Fasting - “Directing Our Hearts Fully Toward God” “What is evident as we wrestle with the Christian’s relationship to fasting is that Jesus did not institute any fast days for the church, either public or private. There is also no indication that He ordained fasting as a matter of regular devotion.” [Paul Earnhart, Invitation To A spiritual Revolution; page 96]

24. Fasting - “Directing Our Hearts Fully Toward God” “What He taught was that there will be times of deep concern when fasting will be a natural companion of our prayers. This seems to be exactly what was practiced in the church at Antioch and by Paul and Barnabas, (Acts 13:3; 14:23).” [Paul Earnhart, Invitation To A spiritual Revolution; page 96]

25. Fasting - “Directing Our Hearts Fully Toward God” Matthew 6:17-18 (NKJV) 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. • The early church fasted when preparing to send Paul & Barnabas out to preach the gospel - Acts 13:2,3 • They were seeking God’s guidance, care and protection as well as preparing themselves for the work. • Paul & Barnabas prayed & fasted when they ordained elders - Acts 14:23

26. Fasting - “Directing Our Hearts Fully Toward God” Matthew 6:17-18 (NKJV) 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. • Fasting was a mark of Paul’s ministry -2 Cor 6:4-10 • Paul fasted often - 2 Cor. 11:27 • Notice that Paul’s statement regarding fasting is associated in both passages with his many trials & hardships.

27. Fasting - “Directing Our Hearts Fully Toward God” Matthew 6:17-18 (NKJV) 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. • Paul Taught That Fasting May Have A Place In The Lives Of Others... 1 Corinthians 7:5 Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

28. Fasting - “Directing Our Hearts Fully Toward God” Can We Fast Today? • Yes! Because Of The Teachings Of Jesus... • Yes! Because We Have Examples Of The Church Fasting... • Yes! Because Paul Fasted As A Minister Of Christ...

29. Fasting - “Directing Our Hearts Fully Toward God” When Would It Be Appropriate For Christians To Fast? • Time of War • During Sickness • Seeking God's forgiveness • Seeking God's protection • Seeking God’s aide • Preparation for a major task Conjoined with prayer

30. Fasting - “Directing Our Hearts Fully Toward God” This is consistent with the examples of fasting in the N.T. • When going through trials & suffering • Dealing with temptations - (focusing the mind on serving the Lord). • Beginning a major work • Appointing elders Conjoined with prayer

31. Fasting - “Directing Our Hearts Fully Toward God” “The natural activism of the western mind has caused us to spend too little time in prayer and simple contemplation of God and His word. Our labors would likely be far more fruitful if we spent more time in meditation and prayer.” [Paul Earnhart, Invitation To A spiritual Revolution; page 96]

32. Fasting - “Directing Our Hearts Fully Toward God” “Fasting is NOT to be undertaken for the mere sake of fasting. . . . . . Private fasting must issue from an urge within and NOT because it is imposed without.” - A.W. Pink

33. Fasting - “Directing Our Hearts Fully Toward God” • Not To Be Seen Of Men - Mt 6:16-18 • Not As A Regular Ritual - Mt 9:14-17 • Only when the occasion calls for it – • With true repentance / faith / motives - Mat 6:16-18 Maybe They Had Greater insight into the blackness of Sin, and the power of the world!

34. Fasting - “Directing Our Hearts Fully Toward God” How serious do we view and approach: • Sin in ourselves or in others? • Our trials, difficulties and obstacles in relationship to our service to God? • Our duties and responsibilities in the kingdom of God? Maybe They Had Greater insight into the blackness of Sin, and the power of the world!

35. The Godward Life & Fasting “Directing Our Hearts Fully Toward God” • We need to humble ourselves and wholly devote ourselves to God and His work - • Commitment - Self control - bringing our body under complete control of the Lord - Mat 6:19, 2 Cor. 10:5; Rom 12:1-3 • Focus - Action / Obedience - Zec 7:7-10; Mat 6:22,23 • Requires total dedication - Mat 6:24

36. The Godward Life & Fasting “Directing Our Hearts Fully Toward God” Matthew 16:24–27 (NKJV) 24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Will you forfeit the eternal for the temporary?

38. Fasting - “Directing Our Hearts Fully Toward God” Charts by Don McClain Prepared August 16-18 - 4, 2012 Preached August 19, 2012 West 65th Street church of Christ P.O. Box 190062 Little Rock AR 72219 501-568-1062 Prepared using PPT 2010 Email – donmcclain@sbcglobal.net More PPT & Audio Sermons: http://w65stchurchofchrist.org/donmaccla/2010SermonPage.html Note – Many of the transition effects used in this presentation may be lost using PPT 2007 Viewer http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=cb9bf144-1076-4615-9951-294eeb832823&displaylang=en

39. Zechariah 7:4-14 (NKJV) 4 Then the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying, 5 "Say to all the people of the land, and to the priests: 'When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months during those seventy years, did you really fast for Me--for Me? 6 When you eat and when you drink, do you not eat and drink for yourselves?

40. Zechariah 7:4-14 (NKJV) 7 Should you not have obeyed the words which the LORD proclaimed through the former prophets when Jerusalem and the cities around it were inhabited and prosperous, and the South and the Lowland were inhabited?' " 8 Then the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, saying, 9 "Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'Execute true justice, Show mercy and compassion Everyone to his brother.

41. Zechariah 7:4-14 (NKJV) 10 Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, The alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart Against his brother.' 11 "But they refused to heed, shrugged their shoulders, and stopped their ears so that they could not hear. 12 Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus great wrath came from the LORD of hosts.

42. Zechariah 7:4-14 (NKJV) 13 Therefore it happened, that just as He proclaimed and they would not hear, so they called out and I would not listen," says the LORD of hosts. 14 "But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations which they had not known. Thus the land became desolate after them, so that no one passed through or returned; for they made the pleasant land desolate."