Godspeak Calvary Chapel

In this sermon, Pastor Micah Stephens dives into Matthew 6:16-18, continuing his series on the Sermon on the Mount by exploring the often-overlooked Christian discipline of fasting. He clarifies that biblical fasting involves complete abstinence from food, not merely abstaining from certain foods or non-food items, distinguishing it from simply stopping sinful behaviors. Pastor Micah emphasizes that New Testament fasting is not for atonement but for drawing closer to Christ, the atoner, and cultivating a hunger for God’s presence and kingdom. Through practical applications and scriptural examples, he challenges believers to fast regularly for repentance, guidance, desperation, and spiritual hunger, urging them to avoid the hypocritical displays of the Pharisees and pursue fasting with a heart focused on God alone.Verse References: Matthew 6 verses 16-18, Leviticus 16 verses 29-30, Hebrews 9 verse 12, Matthew 9 verses 14-15, Joel 2 verse 12, Acts 13 verses 2-3, Acts 14 verse 23, Esther 4 verse 16, 2 Samuel 12