January 20, 2013
Morning Service

Matthew 6

 

We are working our way through the Sermon on the Mount as recorded in Matthew’s Gospel in chapters 5-7.

 

In Chapter 5 we saw Jesus’ call to us to display the “Beatitudes” to the world so that we could be “salt and light” to them.  We also saw how Jesus did not do away with the Law but fulfilled it (Verse 17) and magnified it.

 

Isa 42:21 The Lord is well pleased for His righteousness sake; He will magnify the Law and make it honorable.

 

Mat 5:20 For I say to you that unless your righteousness shall exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of Heaven.

 

He began His teaching by saying; “You have heard, but I say unto you.”    He taught us that following Him was more than just the outward actions, but He looks at the heart (motives) of man.

 

 1Sa 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, Do not look on his face, nor on his height, because I have refused him. For He does not see as man sees. For man looks on the outward appearance, but Jehovah looks on the heart.

 

He magnified the teachings on murder, offering sacrifices, dealing with adversaries, adultery, divorce, oaths, retaliation and love.  Today Jesus targets three areas of practical righteousness in our individual lives.

 

 Give with Sincerity

 

Mat 6:1-4 Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward with your Father in Heaven.  (2)  Therefore when you do your charitable deeds, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may have glory from men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward.  (3)  But when you do charitable deeds, do not let your left hand know what your right hand does, (4)  so that your charitable deeds may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret Himself shall reward you openly.

·         The first of these areas is doing charitable deeds.  This includes any acts of giving; including, money, gifts, time, or effort.

·         We are shown her how NOT to do this in verse 2.  We are not to bring any special attention to ourselves as the hypocrites do.  Notice they receive the reward they are after, “glory from men.”  There will be no reward from God.

·         The Pharisees loved to draw attention to them often bragging on their faithfulness in paying tithes.

·         Our admonition is to do our good deeds and giving in secret.  What we give or do is to be between us and the Lord.

Col 3:17  And everything giving thanks to God and the Father by Him., whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

·         In doing things in secret, it helps us to keep our pride in check and focus our actions upon bringing God the glory for all we do.

·         As God sees you doing these things sincerely for the glory of Him, He promises to reward you openly (verse 4).

 

Pray with Sincerity

 

Mat 6:5-8  And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, They have their reward.  (6)  But you, when you pray, enter into your room. And shutting your door, pray to your Father in secret; and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly.  (7)  But when you pray, do not babble vain words, as the nations. For they think that in their much speaking they shall be heard.  (8)  Therefore do not be like them, for your Father knows what things you have need of, before you ask Him.

·         We are again shown how NOT to pray in verse 5.  Hypocrites loved to make a production out of their prayer and do in public areas where they would be seen and revered for their holiness.  They prayed so man would hear, not God.  They to received what they were after, impressing men.

·         Jesus instructs us to pray in secret or solitude where you can be alone with our Father, free of all distractions able to fully focus upon Him.  It is a conversation between you and your Creator.

·         Paul encouraged the Christians to pray always.

1Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

·         Many practice this everyday as we go about our daily lives.  God is always with us and we are in constant contact with Him.  Jesus here though stresses the importance of setting time to escape everything and be alone with Him.  He promises to reward us for it.

Php 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

·         Paul commands us to pray with a thankful attitude letting Him know our requests even though He already knows what we need (verse 8)

·         Prayer is us exercising our faith in God. Prayer changes things.

Jas 5:16  … The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous one avails much.

·         Humble, earnest, diligent, and sincere prayer prayed by one who is doing his best to follow Jesus will change things.  “Prayer moves the arm of the One who moves the world.”

 

Jesus has shown us the attitude in which to pray; He now gives us an example of how to pray with the “Lord’s prayer.”

 

Mat 6:9-13 Therefore pray in this way: Our Father, who is in Heaven, Hallowed be Your name.  (10)  Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.  (11)  Give us this day our daily bread;  (12)  and forgive us our debts as we also forgive our debtors.  (13)  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil. For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

·         Our prayer is not to simply be a “to do list” for God.  We address our prayer to God our Father with great respect and acknowledge His sovereignty. (9)

·          We are to incorporate worship and acknowledge that we are truly seeking His will to be fulfilled and state the surrendering of our will to Him. (10)

·          After putting God first, we are to bring our petitions before Him. (11)

·         We are to ask for forgiveness, keeping us in focus of our shortcomings and to forgive others of theirs. (12)

·         We are to declare our dependence upon Him in asking for deliverance from temptation and evil; acknowledging Him as being our all in all. (13)

 Mat 6:14-15 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you;  (15)  but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

·         These verses stress the importance of forgiveness in our lives.  If we do not give it, we will not receive it.

 

Fast with Sincerity

 

Mat 6:16-18 And when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, of a sad face. For they disfigure their faces so that they may appear to men to fast. Truly I say to you, they have their reward.  (17)  But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, (18)  so that you do not appear to men to fast, but to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly.

·         Fasting is to abstain from satisfying one’s physical appetite for food or drink. 

·         Fasting is not commanded in the New Testament but greatly encouraged at times of mourning and prayer.  It is a spiritual exercise that can help us to deny ourselves and focus at a deeper level upon God. 

·         Fasting, done properly, is to be something very personal between you and God.  It is NOT to be done for others to admire your righteousness, but again in secret.

·         God promises to reward you for it.

 

Lord may our intentions as we give to others, pray and fast always be acceptable in your sight, as we seek from our heart to do Your will for Your glory.