IT IS JUST NOT FAIR
MATTHEW 6:5-14
MARCH 10, 2002
INTRODUCTION: And now the end is near and so I face the final curtain. My friend I’ll make it clear, I’ll state my case of which I’m certain. I’ve lived a life that’s full, traveled each and every high way. And more, more than this, I did it my way. Regrets, I’ve had a few, but then again to few to mention. I did do what I had to do. I saw it through without exemption. I planned each charted course, each careful step along the by way. And more, more than this, I did it my way. Yes there were times, I guess you knew, when I bit off more than I could chew. But with it all, when there was doubt, I ate it up then spit it out. I grew tall through it all and did it my way. I’ve loved, laughed and cried and I had my fill, my share of losing. But now as tears subside, I find it all so amusing, to think I did all that and may I say, not in a shy way, oh no, no not me. I did it my way. For what is a man? What has he got? If not himself, then he has not, to say the things he truly feels and let words of one who kneels, the record shows, I took the blows and did it my way. MY WAY!
TRANSITION THOUGHT: Ulterior motives. What are they and why do they get in our way when we want to be in HIS way. Frank and Elvis, phenomenally gifted men, but men who chose to do it their way, had an ulterior motive, success and wealth. Maybe this is being judgmental and for that I ask forgiveness. Maybe and just maybe, they did it for the sake of fame, to be seen and known. Whatever the case, we are the same, by nature, if not by example. In any event, we share the struggle that our text is really focusing on, getting it our way or doing it His way. The focal point in our passage is prayer, but the real issue is JUSTICE.
THESIS SENTENCE: Only acts of righteousness done for God’s glory will be rewarded.
Jesus teaches us there are two ways to look at everything.
I. IT IS NOT FAIR, I WANT TO BE SEEN (VV. 5-6)
A. Our perspective: I want to be seen by men (VERSE 5)
1. Verse 5 tells the story. The tradition is that of formality. Prayer is seen here as a ritual to be done.
2. The problem is not strictly ritual, but ritual for the sake of appearance. 3. The more “religious” and I do use quotes here, the more one needed to be seen “DOING” the ritual. Anyone could follow the ritual, but if others were to know, you must do the ritual in public.
4. In public is not strictly the issue, but where in public. The “HYPOCRITES” stood on busy street corner to be seen by men. This would stand in opposition to those that stood in the Synagogue during a worship service.
5. The saddest reality to it all is “UNANSWERED PRAYER!”
6. If this is the reality, let me share the truth, these “HYPOCRITES” got just what they wanted, a win, lose situation!
ASIDE: BUT NOT REALLY! There have been times, when I was called on to pray, and not being emotionally or spiritually prepared, I prayed a prayer that sounded just like a preacher should pray and included all that was necessary for me to sound as Spiritual and Pastoral/ Christian as possible. The problem was, only God truly knows, I received my reward immediately, many thought a good prayer was prayed, but in my heart, I had prayed to be seen by men. Maybe I should have said, “NO!”
B. A Godly perspective: I want to be seen by God (VERSE 6)
1. Jesus has to teach us a powerful reality here.
2. Often we don’t think that God can see us because we can’t see Him. I would argue that we can see God, but that’s another sermon.
3. God who is unseen sees what is done in private places.
4. This is good news and bad news. TRUTH: HE SEES IT ALL!
5. Goodnews: even when we think that HE will not see, He will and it is for our benefit.
6. NOT only will he see what is done in secret, HE WILL REWARD YOU FOR IT!
7. JUST AS ABOVE, WE GET WHAT WE WANT: HIS REWARD!
ANOTHER STRUGGLE WE HAVE IS OUR UNFILLED DESIRE….
II. IT IS NOT FAIR, I WANT TO BE HEARD (VV. 7-8)
A. Our perspective: I want to be heard by men
1. I know this is old and cliché-ish, but did you grow up with, “Children are to be seen and not heard”?
2. What do kids want more than to be seen? THEY WANT TO BE HEARD!
PERSONAL ANICDOTE: When I was in Seminary, the most wonderful thing happened to me. I got a new doctor, and it was a woman. [THIS IS NOT THE WONDERFUL PART] When I first met Doctor Croy, I thought to myself, she is my age. As I endured the first check up by a lady doctor, I was overwhelmed by one fact; she listened to what I had to say. All my doctors of the past had treated me as a child and this one did not.
3. It seems this is the human condition, we want to be heard by our peers, and everyone with which we have an audience. The problem is, many could careless what we have to say. When they hear us speak, it is the sound of a babbling brook. 4. Even Prayer can take on this effect. Prayer can be a matter of words and not a matter of the heart.
5. The real issue here is not long-winded preachers or simply long prayers, the issue is believing there is a formula or a magical spell to elicit the power of God.
ILLUSTRATION: In I Kings 18, we see an example of this. In verse 26 and following, it tells us, “they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. ‘O Baal, answer us!’ they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made. At noon Elijah began to taunt them. ‘Shout Louder!’ he said. ‘Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.’ So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed. Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention.”
6. The bottom line as to being heard, Jesus says that you “think you will be heard.” What is implied is, “YOU WILL NOT BE HEARD!”
LIFE APPLICATION: IT IS OKAY TO NOT BE HEARD BY MEN! Don’t worry about getting everyone’s attention. If God needs folks to hear what you have to say, HE WILL TAKE CARE OF IT.
LIFE APPLICATION #2: Don’t work overtime in the gossip mill, especially if you are trying to explain yourself. Leave it alone. Don’t add fuel to the fire. LET IT GO! WHY???
B. A Godly perspective: I want to be heard by God
1. Before you speak, YOUR Father knows what you need before you ask Him. 2. Remember Psalm 139 I spoke on a few weeks back? The Psalmist said, “Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord…. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain (verses 4 & 6).”
3. If our hearts desire is to be heard by God, we must realize that it is not a formula that will work, it is the knowledge/ the assurance that as we pray, HE HEARS. 4. Now about the issue of length, look at 1 Kings 8: 23-53. Now this is a prayer and a long one at that. In John chapter 17, Jesus prays and it is long, a whole chapter’s worth.
5. The issue isn’t length; it is motive of length. Let us let Jesus be our guide!
QUICK ASIDE: JESUS ON PRAYING TO BE SEEN AND HEARD: John 11: 41-44, “So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, ‘Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.’ When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ The dead man came out…”
III. IT IS NOT FAIR, I WANT MY WAY (VV. 9-15)
A. Our perspective: I want my will to be done
1. I want my name honored and held in reverence.
2. I want to build my own kingdom. I want to accomplish what I want to accomplish. I want to do it like Elvis and Frank Sinatra, My Way!
3. I want it said at the end of the day, I brought home the bacon, and I fried it up in a pan. I accepted no hand out today.
4. I will hold grudges if I so choose and I won’t forgive you if you wrong me! 5. I will go where I want to go and will do what I want to do!
6. Billy Joel: “My Life” LEAVE ME ALONE!
WHEN THIS IS FOCAL POINT JUSTICE DISAPPEARS!
B. A Godly perspective: I want God’s will to be done
1. The Lord’s Prayer is our Model
2. The focus is completely on the Father having control.
3. Jesus teaches us to pray with an understanding it is God who is Just and God alone as the change agent of time and eternity. Before God the Father, we are powerless!
4. Jesus teaches us to say, Father Sanctify your own Name!
5. Father, You bring your Kingdom!
6. Father, You bring about YOUR WILL!
7. Father, You Give us What We NEED!
8. Father, You Forgive us our Debts!
9. Father, You Lead us away from Temptation!
10. Father, You deliver us from the evil one!
11. Jesus is teaches us true Justice as realize in the Father alone.
12. Ultimately Jesus’ heart is in the power of Forgiveness. He can’t seem to let it go with one admonition, but concludes these thoughts with a powerful warning, “BUT if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins (verse 15).”
CONCLUSION: It Is Just Not Fair! I WANT TO DO IT MY WAY!
Truly it is not fair for us to act as we do, to seek our own way when the perfect way has been provided. Thom Rainer, at our Sunday-School workshop, stated the problem as doing what is good when we could be doing what is best. God’s best for us is to do things in HIS perspective, not ours. When we do, we will see the JUST-NESS of God at work, even in our lives. And we will experience the Reward that comes from His hand alone!
IN WHOSE DIRECTION ARE GOING, yours or HIS?
