September 20, 2015
Morning Service

So far, in this discourse, we have seen what the Lord wants taught:

1.       The beatitudes.

2.      How that Christians should be the salt of the earth.

3.      How that Christians should be a light to this dying world.

4.      He explained to us that He had not come to destroy the l­aw, but to fulfill it.

5.      He expects our righteousness to exceed that of the Pharisees.

6.      He taught us concerning the commandment ( thou shalt not kill. )  He went a step further, and said whosoever is angry with a  brother without cause, shall be in danger of hell fire.

7.      He said, “no retaliation.”

8.     He taught us concerning adultery, and said, “if a man looks on a woman to lust after her, he has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” 

9.      He spoke on the seriousness of your eyes offending you, if they do, He said, “pluck them out.”

10.  Same way with the hand, if you can’t stop stealing, cut off your hand.

11.   He said we should never swear an oath.

12.  He teaches us not to resist evil.

13.  He teaches us to love, and pray for our enemies.

14.  Then He said, “be perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

 

This morning we will look at doing good deeds, and how to pray.

 

Mat 6:1-13  Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.  (2)  Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  (3)  But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:  (4)  That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. 

·         Hypocrite = stage player, or actor.  These people are pretending to be something they are not.

·         Alms here designates giving to the poor.  Jesus is taking it for granite that His followers will help the poor.

·         The idea is we don’t make a big issue, or make a big scene when we help the poor, but do it in secret.  Evidently this was the practice of some, and they wanted everyone to know of how they helped others.

·         We do our good deeds in secret, and God will reward up openly.

Then concerning prayer:

(5)  And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 

·         That they may be seen of men.  Not much humility in this picture. 

·         It’s this kind of teaching, and reading it, that God will bring t0 our minds when we see this type of action.  This helps us to discern spirits.

(6)  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 

·         He doesn’t mean closet, literally, but where no one can see you, and not make a show of prayer.

 

(7)  But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 

·         Again this is very clear, and easy to understand.

(8)  Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 

·         Then why do we pray?  It’s because in other places He tells us to pray.  Prayer is talking to your Friend.  He wants to hear from us, and He is concerned about your life, He’s not only your Savior, but also your Friend.

Now He tells us a prayer that pleases Him.

(9)  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  (10)  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  (11)  Give us this day our daily bread.  (12)  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  (13)  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

·         Our Father is in Heaven.  Not only is He in Heaven, but He is everywhere.  He is omnipresent, which means He is everywhere.

·         Holy is His name.

·         Thy kingdom come.  This is something that has more meaning everyday.  All the turmoil in the world, and it appears is only going to get worse.  It may be that when we all begin to call on Him to return, as did the children of Israel when in bondage in Egypt, that is when He will come back.

·         Our goal as Christians should be to constantly seek to do His will. 

·         Ask for the daily things we need, He here mentions bread.  Other daily things would be health, a good attitude, family, friends, enemies, the sick, to help us be in a position to help the needy.

·         Forgive us our debts, in another place it’s sin, forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.

·         Lead us not into temptation, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL.  Paul said to shun the very appearance of evil.

·         Then He closes this prayer with wanting us to know of His Leadership, His power, and His glory, which will be forever.  Amen.

 

When we pray, we are talking to a friend.  A friend who loves us, and is able to do far above what we think possible.  Jesus in one place said, Mat 21:22  And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

 

We are taught throughout the Scriptures that we have a God who cares for us, and will help us, if we only call on Him.  James said, “you have not because you ask not.”  Paul said, “pray always.”  Walk in constant prayer with God.

 

ALMIGHTY GOD, OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, THANK YOU FOR THE CONFIDENCE OF YOU BEING THERE WHEN WE NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TOO.  HELP US TO TALK TO YOU MORE OFTEN, AND LEARN TO DEPEND ON YOU.