The Real Deal
Matthew 6:1-15
1 "Be careful not to do your ’acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 "This, then, is how you should 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 today our daily bread. 12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ 14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (NIV)
Real disciples live...
I. A life of concern (for others)(“Our Father in heaven”) 9.
A. Believers love all and not some.
B.
II. A life of compassion (for God) (“hallowed be your name”) 9.
A. True love flows from the lips.
B.
III. A life of commitment (to the eternal) (“Your kingdom come, Your will be done”) 10.
A. It is the selfless life not burdened with the temporary things of this world.
B.
IV. A life of dependence (upon God).
A.
B.
V. A life of cleanliness (“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors”) 12.
A. This is unconditional and all-inclusive.
B. Illustration: “If she is too weak to clean herself... she will die.”
VI. A life of contentment (“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one”) 13.
A.
B.
