Today I want to talk about a section of the Beatitudes....Matt 6
I don't believe or think that this portion of scripture is more important than the rest of the beatitudes, but I firmly believe that this is what the Spirit of God is leading me to talk about, and have this as a foundation for the rest of 2014
The Beatitudes start with a series of blessings
He goes on to talk about the following subjects also:
• Salt & light
• The fulfilment of the law
• Murder
• Adultery
• Divorce
• Oaths
• Eye for an eye
• Love for enemies
Then Jesus starts chapter 6 with "alms giving"
1) Giving to the needy
Mat 6:1 "Be careful! When you do something good, don't do it in front of others so that they will see you. If you do that, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
Mat 6:2 "When you give to those who are poor, don't announce that you are giving. Don't be like the hypocrites. When they are in the synagogues and on the streets, they blow trumpets before they give so that people will see them. They want everyone to praise them. The truth is, that's all the reward they will get.
Mat 6:3 So when you give to the poor, don't let anyone know what you are doing.
Mat 6:4 Your giving should be done in private. Your Father can see what is done in private, and he will reward you.
a) Chapter 6:1 starts with "Be Careful" - KJV = "Take Heed" which means: this is a serious matter, listen up!
Other translations: be careful / beware
So when we read this, I believe, that we should pay special attention to this specific portion of scripture
b) next we see: "when you give...."
this indicates that giving is not optional, otherwise it would have said "if you give"
c)" ....don't announce that you are giving."
Jesus goes further to say that the way the hypocrites are giving is like they blow a trumpet to get everybody's attention for all to see that they are giving, they want to be praised for what they have done
Remember that God sees the motive of the heart long before the and has a chance to act!
d) Jesus Goes on to say that they have received their reward in full
When you give, you do so discreetly. Nobody has to know what you have done.
e) (my opinion) when you are on the receiving end, and you testify about God's providence - keep to the fact that God provided to your need -
-who God used is irrelevant-
"your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you"
2) Prayer
Mat 6:5 "When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites. They love to stand in the synagogues and on the street corners and pray loudly. They want people to see them. The truth is, that's all the reward they will get.
Mat 6:6 But when you pray, you should go into your room and close the door. Then pray to your Father. He is there in that private place. He can see what is done in private, and he will reward you.
Mat 6:7 "And when you pray, don't be like the people who don't know God. They say the same things again and again. They think that if they say it enough, their god will hear them.
Mat 6:8 Don't be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Mat 6:9 So this is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, we pray that your name will always be kept holy.
Mat 6:10 We pray that your kingdom will come-- that what you want will be done here on earth, the same as in heaven.
Mat 6:11 Give us the food we need for today.
Mat 6:12 Forgive our sins, just as we have forgiven those who did wrong to us.
Mat 6:13 Don't let us be tempted, but save us from the Evil One.'
Mat 6:14 Yes, if you forgive others for the wrongs they do to you, then your Father in heaven will also forgive your wrongs.
Mat 6:15 But if you don't forgive others, then your Father in heaven will not forgive the wrongs you do.
a) again we see 'when you pray'
again this indicates that prayer to the true Christian is not an option, it is a necessity!
Praying is communication from our side to God and His Word is His communication to us.
No relationship will ever work with only a one-way communication stream!
b) 6:5 “for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues” and on the street corners and pray loudly.
The common posture for Jewish prayer was standing with arms and face lifted to heaven with the eyes open. (same as the letter "Hey" in the name of God 'YHWH' -Hey - Vav - Hey - Yud - )
The issue is not the position of the body but the attitude of the heart.
c) “so that they may be seen by men”
They also loved to be seen praying in public - to shine before men, but with the wrong intention.
Believers are admonished to let their lights shine before men but the purpose is that God, not themselves, be glorified (Matt 5:16 and John. 12:43
Joh 12:43 They loved praise from people more than praise from God.
d) “go into your 'inner' room”
our praying should not be done for show, or to impress other people, this is what is meant with this portion of scripture
when we are praying, we are addressing the most high God - our focus should not be on what people thinks about my prayer.
It is not about fancy words or what sounds 'holy'!
e) "vain repetitions of words / phrases"
Mat 6:7 "And when you pray, don't be like the people who don't know God. They say the same things again and again. They think that if they say it enough, their god will hear them.
When we know God, we will know that when we pray in line with His will, we can ask anything in His Name(again in line with His will) and it shall come to pass. (Joh 14:13, 14; 15:16; 16:23, 24)
So when we know God, and pray His Word, the repetition of words and or phrases - if there are any - will not be vain or meaningless
f) when we pray, we should also keep in mind that nothing surprises God, you will never catch Him 'off-guard' with you prayer request
Mat 6:8 ...... Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
He is omniscient - He knows all things, past, present and future!
3) Fasting
Mat 6:16 "When you fast, don't make yourselves look sad like the hypocrites. They put a look of suffering on their faces so that people will see they are fasting. The truth is, that's all the reward they will get.
Mat 6:17 So when you fast, wash your face and make yourself look nice.
Mat 6:18 Then no one will know you are fasting, except your Father, who is with you even in private. He can see what is done in private, and he will reward you.
a) again we see this phrase; "when you fast"
indicating again that fasting is also something that a true Christian should be doing from time to time as the Spirit leads, without drawing attention to our
Fasting, though never commanded in the NT, was expected at the appropriate time for Jesus’ disciples (Matt 9:15)
Fasting is not a way of showing off one’s spirituality, but of drawing closer to God and seeking His guidance.
b) also when we fast, it is done in secret
4) Treasures in Heaven
Mat 6:19 "Don't save treasures for yourselves here on earth. Moths and rust will destroy them. And thieves can break into your house and steal them.
Mat 6:20 Instead, save your treasures in heaven, where they cannot be destroyed by moths or rust and where thieves cannot break in and steal them.
Mat 6:21 Your heart will be where your treasure is.
Mat 6:22 "The only source of light for the body is the eye. If your eyes are good, you will be full of light.
Mat 6:23 But if your eyes are bad, you will be full of darkness. And if the only light you have is really darkness, you have the worst kind of darkness.
Mat 6:24 "You cannot serve two masters at the same time. You will hate one and love the other, or you will be loyal to one and not care about the other. You cannot serve God and Money at the same time.
a) I believe that this portion of scripture is two-fold (maybe more)
we are not to focus on earthly possessions - though important to some extend -
everything on this earth is temporal.
b) we are to focus on what is not temporal
what is it that is not temporal? That which Jesus has come for.... to seek and to find those who are lost.
God is in the 'Souls-business', we ought to be too.
If I want to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, and He gave His ALL, who am I to give anything less than my ALL?
Discipleship ought to be the core of any church or congregation that identifies themselves with the Body of Christ
c) 6:21 “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
It emphasizes that where one puts one’s interest and energy truly reveals one’s priorities.
The heart is the centre of the person. It expresses the totality of one’s self.
d) 6:22 “The eye is the lamp of the body;”
what am I focused on?
what is it that takes up most of my thoughts / time?
what is it that is the most important to me?
e) Matt 6:24 "You cannot serve two masters at the same time. You will hate one and love the other, or you will be loyal to one and not care about the other. You cannot serve God and Money at the same time.
5) Do Not Worry
Mat 6:25 "So I tell you, don't worry about the things you need to live--what you will eat, drink, or wear. Life is more important than food, and the body is more important than what you put on it.
Mat 6:26 Look at the birds. They don't plant, harvest, or save food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. Don't you know you are worth much more than they are?
Mat 6:27 You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it.
Mat 6:28 "And why do you worry about clothes? Look at the wildflowers in the field. See how they grow. They don't work or make clothes for themselves.
Mat 6:29 But I tell you that even Solomon, the great and rich king, was not dressed as beautifully as one of these flowers.
Mat 6:30 If God makes what grows in the field so beautiful, what do you think he will do for you? It's just grass--one day it's alive, and the next day someone throws it into a fire. But God cares enough to make it beautiful. Surely he will do much more for you. Your faith is so small!
Mat 6:31 "Don't worry and say, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?'
Mat 6:32 That's what those people who don't know God are always thinking about. Don't worry, because your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things.
Mat 6:33 What you should want most is God's kingdom and doing what he wants you to do. Then he will give you all these other things you need.
Mat 6:34 So don't worry about tomorrow. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Tomorrow will have its own worries.
a) Matt 6:25 "So I tell you, don't worry about the things you need to live
the King James version says: "take no thought"
don't even give that thought the time of day
b) but there is a condition:
Mat 6:33 What you should want most is God's kingdom and doing what he wants you to do.
Other translations: seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness,
Then there is a guarantee: Then he will give you all these other things you need.
......: and all these things shall be added unto you
So this new Year 2014, let's focus on:
- giving to the needy
- Praying
- Fasting
- Storing treasure in heaven - (souls - discipleship)
If we pay attention to the above mentioned, then we are seeking God's Kingdom and His Righteousness, then we can add:
- No Worries, knowing that God provides to all our needs!
Connect With God - Connect with people!
