Audio Recording
What is fasting? What is an expression of? Why would a person fast? The topic is a confusing one for many Christians. The term “fast” likely conjures up images of Buddhist monks, Hindu gurus, and Lent, and from these images many may assume that a fast is merely an ascetic practice aimed at either earning favor before God through penance or strengthening one’s spiritual rigor and resolve through self-discipline. Thus, many Christians will immediately reject fasting as a practice for today. Yet, Jesus clearly assumed that His disciples would fast, and fasting in the early church is even recorded in Acts 13:1-3 and Acts 14:21-23. What is fasting, and what are the implications of this practice for the church today? Ryan explains in this message from Matthew 6:16-18.