Matthew 6
The Sermon on the Mount
Hypocrites
Vs. 1-4, Giving
Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be seen of them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father in Heaven.
So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hyocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truely I say to you, they have their reward in full.
But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father Who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
"Hypocrites" comes from a Greek word that means, "actor, performer." So these religious super-stars were only acting in order to receive honor and respect from other people, to be held in high esteem by them. But their hearts weren't in it.
Jesus said that when we finance charities or put our tithe in the offering plate, we are not to make any big thing of it, but just give quietly. Our motive is not to be popular or famous, we just want to see that God's work has the resources it needs to further the Gospel.
Our attitude is the key here: the reason why we're giving our money is revealed in the manner in which we make the transaction. We will be rewarded; either by a pat on the back, or by having a bigger mansion in Heaven, able to do more for our God forever.
Vs. 5-17, Prayer
When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites; they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.
But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
And when your're praying, don't use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do (mantras?), for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.
So don't be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
So we are to seek out our Father in an intimate setting, and just curl up on His lap and ask Him for what we need, as a child in Daddy's arms.
Then He gives us "The Lord's Prayer," an example, like an outline, to use in our own prayers.
Pray, then, in this way:
Our Father who is in Heaven, hallowed be Your Name.
First acknowledge your relationship with Him and recognize His position.
Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.
Desire for His righteousness to be the standard of living here on the Earth, just as it is in His perfect Heaven; for Jesus to reign as our King.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Ask Him for whatever it is you need for this day, each day; don't try to store it up for tomorrow. The manna had to be gathered every day, it rotted overnight.
And forgive us our debts [trespasses, sins], as we also have forgiven our debtors [those who have trespassed against us].
We are always to forgive one another and never hold a grudge, for it only hurts ourselves. Let it go.
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Ask that we would follow Him away from temptation, and to strengthen us in our battle with the evil one (check out our spiritual armor in Ephesians 6:11-17).
For Yours is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
End your prayer with praise.
So the pattern for prayer here is:
--Salutation (Hey, Dad, You're the best!)
--Praise and desire for His way, always
--Ask for what you need today
--Confess whatever needs to be cleaned out, and forgive whoever slighted you
--Ask for His strength in the spiritual battle we are waging today
--End with more praise.
For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.
This is how important forgiveness is. If we refuse to forgive others, then I would question if God has ever forgiven you. He forgives us more than we would ever need to forgive one another, and it only harms ourselves to hang on to it. Release it, let it go, give it to God. Then you can experience His peace.
If you've forgiven, but it still hurts to think about it; then forgive again. Sometimes it's hard to really let it go, and we need to continually forgive, until it doesn't hurt any more.
O my Father, Your Word is so wonderful, because You are so wonderful! Thank You for giving me understanding and insights into what You are saying to us. Thank You for Your great Love wherewith You have loved each one of us.
Thank You for loving me! You know me, You know all about me, all my weaknesses and faults and failings; and You love me anyway! You are so amazing! Thank You!
It's no wonder that every created being will bow down to You and worship You; for to see You at all is to see how awesome You are! There's no denying Who You are. It's so obvious that You alone deserve all the praise, all the honor, all the glory, all the credit for all You've done! Only You are God, no other at all.
O Father, continue to help me, strengthen me, let not my weaknesses trip me up, but hold me securely in Your hand. Though I may stumble, I will not fall, with my hand in Yours. Lead me on, Father; on that narrow path that leads to righteousness and glory.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
