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GOD REWARDS THE MODEST
January 20, 2025 (Copyright 2025)
January 20, 2025

GOD REWARDS THE MODEST-Part Three

Steven Garofalo M.A.A.  (Copyright 2025)

January 20, 2025

In the United States and countries around the world it is considered a “GOOD” thing to bring attention to ourselves and self-promote an self-image, albeit good or bad. This is no-more evident than in social media platforms, marketing and sales.

Today, I am going to show you through the words of Jesus himself in the Book of Matthew that to bring attention to oneself gains an early, earthly reward, but forfeits God’s reward for us. Let’s get started.

This is Part three of “When God Rewards Us” series. In part one, we spoke to when God rewards us through our “giving” or almsgiving. In part two, we spoke to when God rewards us in and through “prayer”, and today, we will address when God rewards us through “fasting”. Before we get started, let’s define our terms.

WHAT IS FASTING?

Religious practices: Fasting is a common practice in many religions, including Christianity and Islam. Fasting is a regular part of Islamic practice in that fasting is encouraged during the holy month of Ramadan. In Christianity, fasting is more of an individual choice than a formal practice or sacrament of the faith.

Intermittent Fasting: Then there is Intermittent fasting which is way of life more so than an eating plan. As such, it is an eating plan whereby a person eats within a short window of time and then ceases to intake food for longer periods of time. I personally eat breakfast between 5:30-6:00am, lunch around 9am and then eat my last meal at about 1:30-2:00pm. I don’t eat until the next morning. Research shows that intermittent fasting helps with brain clarity and is a great way to manage your weight, and can even prevent and in some cases, even reverse some forms of disease.

AN AI OVERVIEW

In the Christian faith, fasting is the practice of voluntarily abstaining from food or other enjoyable things for a spiritual purpose: 

  • Expressing commitment: Fasting is a way to show God that you are committed to pursuing him.
  • Offering a sacrifice: Fasting is a way to praise God and offer him a sacrifice.
  • Intensifying prayer: Fasting can help you focus and pray more clearly.
  • Growing in faith: Fasting is a spiritual discipline that can help you grow in your faith.
  • Denying yourself: Fasting is a way to declare that you know God is most important, not you.

Fasting can take many forms and last different lengths of time. Some examples of Christian fasting include: 

  • Liturgical fasting: Abstaining from certain foods during liturgical periods, such as Lent 
  • The Daniel fast: Consuming only water and vegetables, as described in Daniel 1:12 
  • The Jesus fast: Consuming only water, as described in Matthew 4:1–2 
  • Partial fasts: Giving up specific items, like caffeine, or fasting during certain times of the day 

Fasting is often combined with prayer. It can be a way to: Express repentance, Seek a deeper connection with God, Pursue answers to life's decisions, Demonstrate the depth of your desire when praying, and Release God's supernatural power.[i]

THE PLACE OF FASTING IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

In an article titled, “The Placing of Fasting in the Christian Life” By Thomas A. Tarrants on June 6, 2018 Knowing and DoingKnowing & Doing 2018 SummerThomas A. Tarrants, Tarrants writes that:Judging from recent research and anecdotal evidence, it appears that very few professing Christians in America think fasting has a place in the Christian life. Available evidence shows that we much prefer feasting! Yet from the earliest days of the church, fasting has been recognized as an important way to draw near to God, deepen one’s relationship with Him, and seek His help in times of special need. Nearly all of the great spiritual leaders of the church, as well as ordinary believers who have been noted for their devotion to God, have practiced fasting. If you desire a deeper, more intimate and fruitful relationship with God, or if you need His help in a time of real need, fasting is an important means of grace to practice.

This article will provide helpful understanding and practical guidance for anyone who wants to experience this blessing. The best place to start is with a definition of fasting. In the Old Testament, the main Hebrew word used is tsom, which means “to abstain from food.” In the New Testament, the Greek word we translate as “fast” is nesteuo, which means “to abstain from eating.” In both testaments, fasting is simply going without food in order to seek God for some special reason. Although the purposes for which we seek God may vary, going without food does not. This is an important distinction, because today there is a tendency to expand the word fasting to include things other than food, such as television, movies, internet, social media, or cell phones. Although it is certainly right to abstain from any number of things that are hindering our relationship with God, that is not what the Bible means by fasting. Such abstaining is better described as “saying no” to some form of worldliness or harmful fleshly indulgence. To reiterate, in the Bible, the word fasting means going without food, the purpose of which is to earnestly seek God in prayer. People unacquainted with fasting may not see any compelling reason to do it…” [ii]

SO WHAT!

This begs the question as to when God may or may not reward us through prayer. Our truth text today is a short passage found in Matthews 6:16-18 which says this:

“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:16-18)

TAKE AWAYS

1)  When you “FAST” do not look gloomy. WHY? Because it’s hypocritical to voluntarily sacrifice to God through fasting and then show everyone how pious you are. “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the HYPOCRITES, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others”. The pharisees “disfigure their faces” because they wanted everyone to know they were fasting, so they did not wash or trim their hair and sometimes put ashes on their heads to make further evident that they were fasting.

2)  CONSEQUENCE OF LOST REWARDS: Jesus makes clear in the second half of verse 16 that, “Truth I say to you, they HAVE RECEIVED THEIR REWARD”. In other words, to draw attention to the fact that you are fasting gets you worldly credit as to one’s pious sacrifice, but the reward is received through human affirmation and acclamation-forfeiting God’s reward in light of receiving human reward.

3)  HOW TO FAST PROPERLY: In verse 17 and 18, Jesus goes on to explain how to FAST PROPERLY, saying: “But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you”. In other words when we fast, we should go out of our way to look as if we are not fasting, knowing that we do so for God who sees what we are doing as opposed to other humans who should not know about what we are doing (our sacrifice) in terms of fasting.

 

CONCLUSION

“When you fast” is a reference to fasting prescribed under the Mosaic Lw in connection with the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:29) and the voluntary fast of that day. The Pharisees added two fasting days, on Monday and Thursday of each week as a case of public display and piety. The true purpose of fasting was intended, however, for deep contrition and spiritual communion with God. Fasting was especially emphasized as an effective means of dealing with temptation (Isaiah 58:6). The pharisees regarded the practice of fasting as meritorious and appeared in the synagogues negligently attired to draw attention to themselves. Their sad disfigurement of face, ashes on forehead, and the wearing of morning garb gave them a sinful opportunity “exhibit” the personification of a superior ascetic position or sanctity before the regular people.

In the end, we should all work towards gaining a handle on some form of fasting. WHY? First, its biblical. Second, it draws us closer to God. Third, it trains our bodies, hearts and minds to combat “temptations”. I can tell you firsthand that I no longer crave meals when I haven’t eaten for some time. I tend to eat more on a schedule as opposed to feeling like I am going to starve if I haven’t eaten in 8 hours. This is what I want to leave you with-the challenge to begin the process of fasting. Start slow and with shorter increments of time and work your way to longer periods of fasting in light of dependents and communing with God. In the end, you will benefit physically, mentaly, and spiritually. Blessings-Steven


 [ii] Thomas A. Tarrants, “The Placing of Fasting in the Christian Life”,  (www.C.S.LewisInstitute.Com ), June 6, 2018 https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/knowing-and-doing/

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WHY WE ARE NOT TO MESS WITH GOD
EXODUS 9:27-35

When we tell God we are going to do something, we better do it. Today, I am going to show you WHY we are not to mess around and lie to God. Let’s get started.

In Genesis 9:27-35, we find Moses coming around towards the very end of all his warnings and plagues on Egypt. After Moses called down dust to create a storm of hail, lightening and fire which killed most of the Egyptian’s servants and livestock, Pharaoh, calls for Moses and tells his this: 

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GOD’S GRACE EXTENDED TO PHARAOH

“33 So Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh and stretched out his hands to the Lord, and the thunder and the hail ceased, and the rain no longer poured upon the earth.” 

PHARAOH SEALS HIS OWN FATE WITH A HEART EVEN MORE HARDENED

"34 But when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunder had ceased, he sinned yet again and hardened his heart, he and his servants. 35 So the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people of Israel go, just as the Lord had spoken through Moses.”

The moral of the story is that the worst we try to lie to God and/or not keep our word in carrying out what we said we would, the worst the judgement of God will eventually be in our own life.

Conclusion

When we tell God we are going to do something, we better do it. Today, I showed you through God’s Word WHY we are not to mess around and lie to God. And this was not the rest of the story. As all know, Pharoah lost his only son for disobeying God to the degree that he did. Let’s think about this very truth and reflect on how we can do better with honoring God and keeping our word in obedience to God in our lives.

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PURPOSE OVER STAYING PUT
Moses and Aaron Before Pharaoh

THE CALLING (Exodus 7)
“1 And the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. 2 You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go out of his land…4 Pharaoh will not listen to you…5 The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them” (Exodus 7:1-5).

PURPOSE IN ACTION (Exodus 7)
"6 Moses and Aaron did so; they did just as the Lord commanded them. 7 Now Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three years old, when they spoke to Pharaoh.”

FIRST:  
THE LORD CALLS MOSES & AARON. “1 And the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet." 

SECOND: 
THE SPECIFIC MISSION:
The Lord calls Moses and Aaron and instructs them as to the mission of his life.

"You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go out of his land…"

THIRD: 
GOD MANAGES EXPECTATIONS REGARDING WHAT THEY WILL ENCOUNTER IN THAT THEY WILL FAIL AT FIRST.
"4 Pharaoh will not listen to you.”

FOURTH: 
THE BIG PICTURE: THE EGYPTIANS WILL KNOW THE TRUTH OF THE TRUE GOD!
"5 The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them” (Exodus 7:1-5).  

God was clear that He would reach out his hand against the Egyptians, and bring the the Israelites from among them. Then God moves from calling to action.

PURPOSE IN ACTION (Exodus 7)
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"6 Moses and Aaron did so; they did just as the Lord commanded them." 

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OLD MEN WITH A NEW MISSION
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Steven Garofalo, April 11, 2025 (Copyright 2025)

FAITH AND WORKS (James 2:14-26)

What good is it, my brothers,  if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? (James 2:14).

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A WORKLESS FAITH IS A WORTHLESS FAITH
James tells us in Chapter Two: “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food. and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:15-17).

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James goes not to say: “But someone will say, “‘You have faith and I have works.’” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18).

This passage encompasses one of the most well-known verses in the whole letter of James. And God makes clear through James that, “Just as the body without the spirit is dead, you see, so faith without works is dead” (vs.17).

On the surface, this looks the wrong way round in terms of faith and works, but if we were to use “the body and the spirit” as a picture for “faith and works,” wouldn’t we make “faith” correspond to the “spirit” and “words” to the “body”? In reality, faith happens in the spiritual dimension, and works in the bodily dimension. But James does the opposite. Let me explain.

1) FAITH is more than an intellectual belief in God. If the belief does not lead us to a holy life of righteousness and mercy, it is not a real-authentic faith to begin with (Matt. 7:21-23).

2) JAMES gives three arguments in support of this truth: 

a) FIRST: Faith without WORKS is no better than words without deeds (vv. 15-17).

b)SECOND: FAITH can be neither seen nor verified unless it shows itself in works (v.18).

c) THIRD: Even the DEMONS have an intellectual belief in God, but it does not lead to their salvation (v.19).

GENUINE FAITH ARGUMENT
Some Christians believe the faith spoken about in this passage is not genuine faith that produces eternal life. In truth, James is addressing this section to BELIEVERS (“my brethren” in v.14). Brethren are those people who have exercised genuine faith . The issue in this paragraph is not a true faith versus a false faith, but rather a faith that is alone, meaning without works (v.17).

The Greek word (GK “sozo”) is used five times in James (1:21; 2:14; 4:12; 5:15; 5:20). Each time it refers to the savings of the temporal life, not saving from the penalty of sin (5:15). In this context James is referring to being “SAVED” from the the judgement without mercy at the judgment seat of Christ (v.13), and possibly the saving of one’s life from physical death (1:21)

"WORKS” here are actions that following the “Royal Law” of LOVE (vv.8, 15, 16). James is implying in this verse that faith in Christ will demonstrate itself in love for others (see James command to His disciples in John 13:34, 35).

WHAT IS A REAL FAITH?
A real faith is a faith that seeks God deeply and seeks to help others with our actions. So, when Christians speak to empty platitudes without actually helping those in physical need, James says: “WHAT DOES IT PROFIT?" How many works fill a hungry stomach?

Simply put, an authentic faith is illustrated or made evident in great part by our physical actions in helping others; especially widows, orphans and others in true need. But logic makes clear that a dead faith must have been alive to begin with.

A FAITH THAT IS DEAD ONCE HAD TO BE ALIVE
“A faith that dead” uses the Greek word “pistis” that is now dead must have once been alive. Works keep our faith thriving (1 Peter 1:5-9). And the absence of works brings death (James 1:14-15) to faith (2:26). So what are works or “good works”?

IN CONCLUSION
In conclusion, let’s address the true value of good works as found in James 2:14-26.

For James, being “quick to hear” (1:19) meant to be prompt to obey God’s command to do good deeds that benefit others. In the time of James, the problem was that the readers had neglected doing good works as part of the authentic Christian faith. The same might be said of us today in the 21st Century. James agreed that justification before God was by faith alone. But he was abundantly clear that believers must add works to their faith to develop maturity. And once their faith is made evident through works, they will be justified (called righteous) by their works in the eyes of God and others (Mt. 5:16). In closing, the bottom line is that a person who “SAYS HE HAS FAITH” finds it easy to talk up his faith while lacking useful deeds. And that is more often-not an authentic faith.

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