April 11, 2021
Morning Service

After our brief detour to celebrate the Resurrection Day, we are now returning to our study of Matthew and the Sermon on the Mount.  Jesus has called us to “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.”  He is doing that through this teaching here in these 3 chapters of Matthew’s gospel.  He began with the foundation of the “Beatitudes” and has begun to magnify the law by stating it and then saying; “but I say.”  We as His chosen disciples should be hanging on every word, hungering for more understanding, more courage to act, and a greater desire to follow our Savior much closer.  Each of the topics He has spoken on so far have hopefully challenged us to take a close look into our spiritual mirror and see more clearly where we need to keep our paths a little straighter.  Jesus is speaking directly to you through this study, don’t let His words fall short of His goal for you.  Listen and pray for the courage to make changes in your life that draw you closer to Him.  The first half of chapter 6 deals with three specific areas of practical righteousness; charitable deeds, prayer and fasting.  In these short 18 verses, the word “Father” is used 10 times giving us the key to understanding them.  We are doing these acts of practical righteousness to please Him and no one else.  We should not be seeking praise from those around us or doing it in any way for our own glory.  We must take the perspective that by doing these things we are bringing glory and honor to His name.  We begin with Jesus teaching on our charitable deeds.  

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.

            Charitable deeds can be defined as doing something for the benefit of others without expecting a return.  It could be fulfilling a financial need, visiting them, mowing their yard, volunteering in your community, or any number of things.  You are investing in others in some way, shape, or form. Jesus immediately points to our motivation to do these deeds as being much more important than the deed itself; the “why” more than the “what.”  Don’t be hypocritical with your giving and deeds so that others around you will see how generous you are and look up to you for it; sounding a trumpet saying “look at me!”  Those who give and do for that motivation may receive the praise of man, but God is not impressed. Be careful to examine your heart and honestly answer the question of “why I am doing this;” His glory or mine.  Jesus instructs us that our giving needs to be in secret; “let not your left hand know what your right hand is doing.”  We are not seeking attention by giving, but we are giving to others as an act of worship to our Lord.  In taking this attitude, Jesus promises to us that acts done in secret will be rewarded openly by our Heavenly Father.  God blesses our obedience.  Generosity is an attribute a Jesus follower will develop over time.  He has given so much to us so we in return want to give to others.  A great way to do this in the proper attitude is through your giving to the church and then have the church give to those in need.  Paul instructs this to the Corinthian church:

 

2Co 9:6-7 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  (7)  So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

 We are not required to give a tithe of all that we make to the work of the Lord, only what we “purpose in our heart to be able to give cheerfully.”  The tithe or a tenth is not a command, but a guideline for us from the OT teachings.  As we all give cheerfully and bountifully to the Lord’s work, God will bless us and also empowers our church with resources to supply the needs of those around us.  I am not prohibiting you from giving someone something as the Spirit calls you to do it, but if you know of a need come to one of the leaders in the church and make that known to us.  Then through the church together can help to meet that need bringing glory to the Lord and His church rather than to yourself.  We are better together.  We all get to share in the blessings, and the Lord is glorified!  This is done more often than you know of as we don’t “blow a trumpet” every time we help someone.  We are able to help someone struggling with an electric bill, health care, or a house repair meeting a certain need because you gave to the Lord.  Many of us here today can say amen to that because through the generosity of our church family, we have been  helped or those close to us in a time of need.  Give with a cheerful and worshipful spirit to bring God the glory and you will be blessed along with blessing others.  Now Jesus speaks on 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 emphasizes the motive behind our prayers is an important factor.  We are communicating with our Heavenly Father, not trying to impress those around us.  It is to be a private and intimate communication in which you are open and honest about all that is on your heart and mind.  Talk to Him like you are talking to your best friend who knows all about you with no secrets.  He already knows your needs, but is waiting for us to tell Him about them and ask for His intervention; no matter how big or small they seem to us.  God speaks to us through His Word and we communicate with Him through our prayers.  Jesus encourages us not to get caught up in saying the same prayer over and over word for word, but speak what is on your heart at that moment not just a general memorized prayer.  Mean what you say and say what you mean to the Lord.  Have a time and place that you pray and talk with the Lord on a regular basis.  Paul told the Thessalonian church to “pray without ceasing.” (I Thess. 5:17) It can be a conversation that lasts all day long. In so doing Jesus again promises that God will bless us for dong this with the right attitude.  He then gives us some focus points through what we all call “The Lord’s prayer.”

           

Mat 6:9-14 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father 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 forgive our debtors.  (13)  And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.  (14)  "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

            There have been endless books and Bible studies written solely upon this prayer Jesus gave to us.  It displays many of the attitudes outlined in the Beatitudes we are using as a foundation to build upon.  We recognize God as our ultimate authority and surrender our will to His; life is about Him not us.  Through prayer to our Father in Heaven we humbly request that our needs are met, we receive forgiveness, and we are delivered from temptations and the evil one through Him.  This model prayer displays that we understand that the path of life that we are on is directed by Him for His kingdom.  All things that He allows us to encounter have a purpose that He will use for His glory.  We realize that we are part of His story not that He is part of ours.

In these two areas of our lives, giving and doing for others and prayer, be sure your motivation is on point.  Do it for His glory, not your own.

 

Heavenly Father create in us clean and pure hearts that follow Your commands with the correct motivation.  Place within each of us a desire to glorify You in the areas of giving and prayer.