Jesus Explores Hypocritical and Sincere Religion (6:1–18) Alms (6:1–4) Prayer (6:5–15) Fasting (6:16–18) Chapter 6 opens with its theme: “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” Forgiveness and Fasting Matthew 6:14-15  1. Unforgiveness Causes A Rift Between Us And God The Greek term aphiêmi, which means “forgive,” is found in various forms in the NT (over 140 times). It sometimes means “to let go,” “to leave behind,” “to dismiss,” and even “to cancel a debt.” God uses it to forgive sins. We are to forgive others in the same way God forgives us. Holding on to unforgiveness is a sin because of the bitterness and destruction it can bring in one’s spirit and because it fails to reflect God’s character in our lives.  If we refuse to forgive others, Christ will not forgive us—nor will he answer our prayers—because we choose to hold on to sin. This is an essential principle because God uses it as a measure for forgiving us. How would you like God to judge you in the measure you judge others? We cannot expect God to forgive us if we cannot forgive others. Matthew 6:16  2. Fasting Is Essential In the Bible, fasting refers to abstaining from food for a limited time to give greater attention to spiritual matters. Although it is often linked with prayer, it can be a spiritual exercise. 1. There are three primary forms of fasting presented in the Bible.  a. The normal fast: abstaining from all food, solid or liquid, but not from water b. The absolute fast: abstaining from both food and water c. The partial fast: a restricted diet rather than complete abstinence from food 2. Christ himself practiced fasting and taught that it should be a part of Christian devotion and an act of preparation for his return 3. Fasting with prayer has several purposes:  a. to honor God b.  to humble ourselves and put spiritual concerns above our desires c. to mourn over personal sin and failure d.  to mourn over the sins of the church, nation, and world e. to seek grace—God’s undeserved favor and blessing f. to deepen our relationship with God and strengthen our resistance against the spiritual forces of evil g. to show repentance h. to rescue people from slavery to evil i. to gain spiritual insight and wisdom concerning God’s will Matthew 6:17-18  3. Simple Spiritual Disciplines Do Not Make You A Varsity Christian In the Old Testament, fasts were required only occasionally. In the New Testament, we find no instructions about frequency, duration, or other fasting details. The main point of this passage is not fasting but the contrast between the hypocritically self-righteous and those who are genuinely righteous Yet Jesus, far from banning fasting, assumes his disciples will fast, even as he believes they will give alms and pray Jesus just assumes these behaviors are part of who you are and part of the assumed behavior of a believer. Washing and anointing with oil were merely average steps in hygiene. Oil does not here symbolize extravagant joy but routine body care He condemns ostentation in fasting. If you want to fast, just fast; you do not have to tell everyone about it. Spiritual disciples are assumed behavior for a believer; we should expect that they are being done, and we do not have to brag to the world that we are doing them. What are our transformational moments? Who do you need to extend forgiveness today? Are you practicing spiritual disciplines? Do you need God to move in your life today?