Matthew 6 n 7

Last night a group of Precepts trainers were asked to facilitate our 4th lesson on Matthew because our pastoral team and admin staff were on work cum fun "vacation" in JB.

Matt 6 : 1 started with 'BEWARE of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father, Who is in heaven." Last week's lesson ended with Matt 5: 48 - "you are to be perfect... your Heavenly Father is Perfect." But how??? Jesus taught His disciples in these two chapters to:

1) Practice our identity (our acts of righteousness)

Motive Matters:
a) V.2 In our giving to the poor, do not do it in order to be honoured by men otherwise you would have sacrificed your eternal reward for the praises of men.

b) V.5 do not pray like the hypocrites, to be seen by men but rather pray to your Father in secret. When we pray, we are not to be like the Gentiles who use meaningless repetition with many words. Instead, Jesus modelled for His disciples the LORD's Prayer, where He started first with worship, showing submission to GOD the Father, then our dependence on Him, followed by confession and forgiveness of sins, asking for deliverance and then end with worship again v.9-13

c) V.16 whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face to be noticed by men.

Does the above teaching of Jesus contradict what He taught in Matt 5:16? We are to do everything in secret but in Matt 5:16 it says "Let your light shine before men.... they may see your good works....." This is where the motive matters. When others see our good works they must ultimately "glorify our our Father who is in heaven", not us.

V. 14-15 talks about forgiving others as our Father in heaven forgives us of our transgressions, remembering we are all sinners saved by His wonderful grace.

2) Identify the Challenges

What are the pitfalls and danger zones we have to take note of?
V. 19-20 says do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven. Reason being the wealth, status, power and stuff we accumulate here on earth are temporal. Only the good works done with the right motive, glorifying GOD have eternal values.

V. 21 - "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." During my youth days, I learnt this song in church and have always been reminded of the words in this song:

Where Your Heart is

I guess it all comes down to where your heart is
It’s there your thoughts
and feelings all begin
But if you never give
your heart to Jesus
You’ll never really have
a part in Him.

If your treasures are in heaven
Then your heart will be there too
And the things you say and do will show Christ’s love
But if your treasures here on earth
Tell me where your heart will be
You’ll never have a part in things above

If your mind’s set on the Spirit,
And you’re walking in God’s light
Then the watching world will see Christ’s love in you
But if your mind’s set on the earth
And the earthly things you do
In poverty you’ll live your whole life through

V. 22 reminds us to have the right focus in life. What do we see with our eyes - they are the lamp of the body.

V. 24 we are warned that the world and her wealth are competing for our allegiance. We cannot serve 2 masters - which one will you choose?

There are 3 reasons why we should not worry in life (V. 25-32)

a) Life is more than food and clothing

b) You can't add a single hour to life by worrying.

c) Do not be like the Gentiles who eagerly seek these things. Why? Because your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things V. 32 and in V. 8 ".... even before you ask Him." Isn't it comforting and reassuring that we have such a wonderful, caring and thoughtful Father who knows our needs even before we ask of Him? Thank you GOD, with You I shall not be in need.

V. 33 "But seek ye first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Prov 3:5-10 tells us to TRUST in GOD, Who gives us our daily bread.

3) Identify the Challengers

Matt 7:15 - Here's another "BEWARE" Of who? False prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. And how do you know if they are real or false? V. 16 n 20 say "You will know them by their fruits."

In V. 1-5 we are taught to judge with discernment from GOD. In Greek "krino" means distinguish and to make a decision. John 7:24 says we are to judge with righteous judgment, in the fear of the LORD. V. 6 sounded weird to us Gentiles but not to the Jews at that time. It means if you use GOD's principles and practice them on the non-believers, then you are like "giving what is holy to dogs and throwing your pearls before swine."

V 7-11 refers to prayer. When we are thirsting and practicing righteousness, seeking first His kingdom, we are driven with an inner desire that manifest into action and direction. Intentionally seeking that relationship with GOD and His righteousness.

V. 12 - Do unto others what you would others do unto you for this was what the Jews were taught in their OT Law and from the prophets.

V. 13-14 talks about the wide gate that is broad that leads to destruction and the narrow gate with the small and narrow way that leads to life, practicing righteousness that surpasses that of the Scribes and Pharisees.

V. 21- 27 warns us that only those who does the will of GOD, who hears His Word and acts on them will enter the kingdom of heaven, but those who practice lawlessness and does not act on what he hears from GOD's Word will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

V. 29 In all of the above, Jesus taught with authority.

Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness

And all these things shall be added unto you

Allelu, alleluia

Man does not live by bread alone but by every word
That proceeds from the mouth of God

Allelu, alleluia

Ask and it shall be given unto you. Seek and ye shall find

Knock and the door shall be opened unto you

Allelu, alleluia