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Matthew 6:16-18 is the text for this sermon entitled, "Jesus' Teaching on Fasting."

To understand Fasting, we start with a definition: fasting is to deny physical eating or pleasure to draw closer to God. Three Biblical examples are David, Esther, and Jesus.

The purpose of fasting is to seek God's guidance (Acts 13:2-3) and to express repentance and sorrow for sin (Joel 2:12-13).

Curtis summarizes the history of Christian practice and the spiritual benefits of fasting.
1.Fasting encourages closeness with God by deepening our relationship and dependence on Him
2.Fasting can give us clarity and focus in prayer, helps clear distractions and brings about spiritual breakthroughs
3.Fasting together can strengthen the community
4.After 4 references to fasting in Acts, fasting disappears from the rest of the New Testament and presumably falls out of practice.

Curtis provides some practical guidance for fasting. (1) There are three types of fasting: Absolute, Partial, and Corporate. (2) It is helpful to incorporate prayer and reading of scripture during fasting. (3) Setting goals and intentions when fasting. (4) Approach fasting with grace, not legalism.

Concluding the lesson with practical applications, Curtis calls us to examine our motives and practices concerning fasting as well as any other religious practice. This is an invitation to pursue a deeper, more genuine relationship with God through fasting. Note that fasting is not a spiritual practice such as baptism or the Lord’s Supper (communion), but it is one among other spiritual practices that have room for flexibility.