Sermon on the Mount
Pt 6
Purposeful Prayer
Matthew 6: 5-15
And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you they have their reward. [6] But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut the your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. [7] But when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. [8] Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. [9] In this manner, therefore pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. [10] Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. [11] Give us this day our daily bread. [12] And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. [13] And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. [14] For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
OPENING REMARKS
Can you picture in your mind – A Christian never praying?
A. Christianity and praying go together.
1. Praying is natural for a Christian. There is no separating them.
a. If you are a Christian and you do not pray you may want to ask yourself why is it that I am not doing one of the most natural traits of being a child of God?
b. A non-praying Christian is an oxymoron.
B. Praying is demanded.
1. When you pray … see v. 5, 6, 7, 9.
John MacArthur
None of us can comprehend exactly how prayer functions within the infinite mind of God. The Calvinistic view emphasizes God’s sovereignty, and in its extreme application holds that God will work according to His perfect will regardless of the way men pray or even whether they pray or not. At the opposite extreme, the Arminian view holds that God’s actions pertaining to us are determined largely on the basis of our prayers. One the one hand, prayer is seen simply as a way of lining up with God regarding what He has already determined to do, and on the other it is beseeching God to do what He otherwise would not do.
Scripture supports both of these views and hold them, as it were, in tension. The Bible is unequivocal about God’s sovereignty. But it is equally unequivocal in declaring that within His sovereignty God calls on His people to beseech Him in prayer – to implore His help in guidance, provision, protection, mercy, forgiveness, and countless other needs.
It is neither required nor possible to fathom the divine working that makes prayer effective. God simply commands us to obey the principles of prayer that His Word gives.
--- [The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: Matthew 1-7, Moody Press, 1985, p. 362] ---
C. Purpose
1. This passage is both important and practical for us the believer today; for from it we learn not only how to pray but also how we are not to pray. A lesson that is to be understood by all of us who claim we are Christians. Prayer has a purpose and that purpose is to bring glory to God.
TEXT
I. WHEN YOU PRAY …
A. Don’t Put on a Show
V. 5
And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you they have their reward.
1. Hypocrites – [same as v. 2] - Gk. means: actor, one who puts on a false front to pretend to be what he is not.
a. may be seen of men – self-praise, self-recognition, self-importance
i. how often do we try to impress those who are listening to us pray instead of just talking to the Lord?
b. standing in the synagogue – before religious people
c. corners of the streets – before the public
2. They have their reward – [same as v. 2] - they have been paid in full. Therefore, no other payment (reward) is due to them.
NOTE: Jesus does not condemn public prayer – 1 Tim, 2:1-4. His purpose here is to tell men not to make their prayers to have people focused on them, but to pray that people put their focus on God.
B. Don’t Go Public
V. 6
But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut the your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
1. Every effort should be make to find time for private prayer. During this time you can completely focus every moment of your time in communing with your Lord and Master.
2. Forbidden to pray in certain circumstances – no one | no how | no where can prevent you from coming to your Father privately in your mind and heart.
NOTE: We can privately pray almost anywhere. It can be in our home, at our job, in the car, w/o anyone aware that we are talking to God. Paul told us, Pray without ceasing – 1 Thes. 5:17. We are to continually have an attitude of prayer and whenever the need arises – we can go to the Lord in private.
John Phillips
Since God is omnipresent, we can transform any corner into a cathedral and pray – silently in a crowd or out loud if we prefer when we are alone.
--- [Exploring The Gospel of Matthew: An Expository Commentary, Kregel Publishing, 1999, p. 111] ---
NOTE: God will honor those who come to Him faithfully in private.
C. Don’t Babble On | On
V. 7-8
7
But when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
1. All too often ritual prayers are offered up for specific occasions or times. Prayer should come from the heart (whether short or long) and not come from a prepared formal intercession.
NOTE: cf. 1 Kings 18:26-29 – where the prophets of Baal at Mt. Carmel cried continuously in vain to their idol – but he did not hear! | Acts 19:24-34 – Demetrius and the other silver smiths of Ephesus cried out for two hours chanting, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
NOTE: Ritual begets ritual. How often do we pray the same prayer over every meal asking God to bless our food? Wednesday night prayer meetings?
8
Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
NOTE: If God is God – He must be all-knowing!
John MacArthur
Prayer is sharing the needs, burdens, and hunger of our hearts before our heavenly Father, who already knows what we need but who wants us to ask Him. … Prayer is our giving the opportunity to manifest His power, majesty, love, and providence – cf. John 14:13, [W]hatever you ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
[p. 369-370, (adapted)]
D. Be Personal
Galatians 4:4-6
[W]hen the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, Abba! Father! (emphasis mine.)
NOTE: You are talking to your heavenly Father because of your Savior Jesus Christ, God’s Son.
V. 9-13
9
In this manner, therefore pray:
A model, a sample, a guide to follow – not emulate.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.
We should always remember who we are approaching.
10
Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
God’s will is unquestioned in heaven – only here on earth do you find rebellion – may His will be accomplished here just as in heaven.
11
Give us this day our daily bread.
Our utter dependence is upon God.
12
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
It cost God His Son’s life upon the cross to forgive us our debts – we are to forgive because it is the character of righteousness and therefore Christian’s [Christ like] forgive (John MacArthur, p. 394).
13
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
a. God does not lead us to sin (James 1:13) – here we entreat God to keep us from situations where we will be tempted to yield to the desires of the world, desires of our flesh, will of our nature.
b. We especially need God’s grace to deliver us from the evil one who roams about seeking those whom he can devour, (1 Peter 5:8).
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.
** Probably not a part of the original manuscript – however, they do form wonderful doxology to this model prayer of the preeminence of God: His Kingdom, His Power, and His Glory for all eternity!
E. Be Forgiving
V. 14-15
14
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15
But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
NOTE: These two verses seem to reflect back to verse 12. Often when God repeats some doctrine or teaching it is an indication that we are to pay close attention to what He is saying to us:
God forgives us – He expects us to forgive others.
We were unforgivable, yet He sent Christ to die that we might become forgivable – surely we can forgive others.
CONCLUSION
What is Purposeful Prayer – it is prayer that realizes that the purpose of prayer is to bring glory to God. Our prayers are to be concerned with the exaltation of the name, kingdom, and will of the Lord Jesus Christ.
INVITIATION
Lost –
If you have never seen a need for Jesus Christ as your Savior – I urge you today to recognize your sinfulness before God, turn from it and look to the crucified and resurrected Christ in faith as your only hope for salvation. Your only true prayer to God today is that He will have mercy on your soul. Don’t delay for now is the acceptable time – now is the day of salvation (2 Cor. 6:2).
Believer/Church –
What is your motive for praying this day. If your motive is to be recognized by men I urge you too to run to Jesus Christ today and cast yourself upon Him and plead unto Him to show you how to pray in secret so that His Father will reward you openly accordingly.
COME WORSHIP THE LORD
. Our Invitation is open to all:
. Come to Christ
. Come if you need to pray
. Come be a part of us
. Come share with us what the Lord would have you to do
Bruce Allen
Underwood Baptist Church
bea0210@hotmail.com
September 23, 2007
