Sermon Central
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New Years
Contributed by Koenie Vermeulen on Jan 3, 2014 (message contributor)
Summary: this sermon focus on the topics Jesus addressed in Matthew 6
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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 - )
