July 7, 2019
Morning Service

In the last few weeks, Jesus, in probably His most challenging sermon has given to us teaching that is very practical and really easy to understand.  The problem arises when we try to apply the teaching to our own lives and attempt to live out the “magnified law.”  His teachings are impossible to live under using only our own resolve, but “we can do all things through Christ” and the power given to us from the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  Perhaps that is the purpose of these challenges; to force us to trust Him to empower us and guide us to a lifestyle that pleases Him and reflects His holiness.  At the end of chapter 5, Jesus commanded us to “love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”  That is not something we can do on our own, but it is possible if we do it through the power of the Holy Spirit and our motivation is the love we have for our Savior.  “Love never fails.”  It is all part of the cross that we are called to carry and the cost of discipleship.   This morning Jesus presents to us the manner and attitude that we are to display concerning our giving and our prayer life.  These are two areas in our lives that reflect how close our relationship is

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 from your Father in heaven.  (2)  Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.  (3)  But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, (4) that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

            Jesus teaches how to give by first pointing out how not to do it.  It is not something that we do in order to brag about it or to receive praise from men.  He again mentions not acting as the hypocrites who want only the outward appearance that they are doing good, but their inner motivation (true compassion) is not there.  True giving is done out of our love for God and compassion for our brothers and is to be done discreetly, humbly, and with a grateful heart.

 

2Co 9:7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.  (Read 2 Cor. 8 & 9)

Again we see that it is not what we do, but why we do it that is the focus.  Charitable deeds here can be anything that you give whether it be money, gifts, time or effort in order to help others and in so doing bring praise and honor to our Lord.  This is something we do in our individual lives as well as in unity as the body of Christ.  As an active part of God’s church each of us need to find a way to willingly give of ourselves to fulfill any needs that are present.  By each of us doing our part we are able to get more accomplished through a unified effort of giving and of course we are “Better Together.”  So do your good deeds and be very generous in the name of the Lord and don’t look for your reward to come from others knowing that it is God who will “reward us openly.”  Jesus now begins to tell us about prayer.

 

 

 

 

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 on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.  (6)  But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.  (7)  And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.  (8)  "Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

            Jesus again begins his explanation on how to pray by saying how not to do it.  It like our giving, is not to be done to put on a show or draw attention to yourself, but it is to be done privately, willingly, and humbly.  The Pharisees loved to make long prayers in public to display to others just how religious they were without any real intent of talking to God.  Jesus says they will have their reward.  But for us we are to find a place that we can be alone and enter into a time that we can give God our full attention without distractions.  This could be a prayer closet, the time of your morning commute or even at your bedside.  Paul tells us to “pray without ceasing” (I Thess. 5:17) meaning it is an ongoing day long conversation, but there needs to be a time during our day that we get alone with our Lord and lay it all out to him.  We are to pray just like we talk to our best friend, not in a vain repetition of prepared words, but with an open heart spilling out whatever is on our mind.  Jesus told this parable that helps us to understand the true motivation behind prayer.

 

Luke 18:9-14 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: (10) "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  (11)  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.  (12)  I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.'  (13)  And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'  (14)  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

            When we come before God in prayer, we need to be open and honest to Him and to ourselves.  Prayer has no place for wearing a false face where everything is great but you need to be the real you revealing the issues you have deep down not hiding anything.  God already knows the needs that you have, but He just wants you to realize them as well and give them over to Him.  He wants to hear what is on your heart and He never tires of hearing it.  Honesty is a key part of any relationship and the same is true in our relationship with God.  He wants you to tell everything to Him bringing it into the light and then allow Him to help you deal with it.  Later in this sermon Jesus promises that if we ask it will be given to us, seek and we shall find, and knock and it will be opened to us.  The answer to your problem may be as close as you asking God for it.  Paul sums up how our attitude towards prayer should be in his Philippian letter.

 

Php. 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (7) and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

            Prayer is exercising our faith in God.  We bring our troubles, struggles, requests, and concerns trusting that He is big enough to handle it.  He promises us a peace that “surpasses all understanding.”  Through prayer we are empowered to handle anything that comes our way, knowing that prayer changes things.  “Prayer moves the arm of the One who moves the world.” 

            Giving and our prayer life can be looked at in a “legalistic” perspective; in that it is something we “have” to do; a burden to bear.  They are not meant to be that way at all.  When God owns your heart you will “want” to give and pray more and more.  You are imitating your Savior through giving and also building your relationship with Him by talking with Him.

 

Heavenly Father we offer our hearts to you and ask that you mold them through the Holy Spirit to take joy in giving and desire to be in constant communication with You.