“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. (Matthew 6:1-4) We shouldn't do anything for God to be seen by men! We shouldn't even talk about how much we give in tithes, offerings, and charitable contributions. We should, however, give as much and as often as we can (see Tithes and Offerings - Part 1, 2, 3, 4); Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say,
“They [the righteous] share freely and give generously to the poor.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever. [Psalm 112:9]" (II Corinthians 9:6-9)
Their good deeds will be remembered forever. [Psalm 112:9]" (II Corinthians 9:6-9)
Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” (Luke 11:1) “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. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. (Matthew 6:5-6) Most of us today practice this form of praying, in private with us speaking to God directly. During biblical times, many of the "religious" people would pray out in public for all to hear, so that they would appear as or be perceived as very righteous. (see Religious Does Not Equal Christian) There is an appropriate time to pray publicly, but most times when Christ, the prophets or men and women would call on God, they would pray individually or in a small group, but in a private place.
Christ instructs us on how to pray, but what should we say? And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts [sins, tresspasses], As we forgive our debtors [those who sin, tresspass against us]. 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. [Luke 11:2-4] “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. (Matthew 6:7-15)
This is very important! Often called the "Lord's prayer", but it should be called the "Model prayer". Christ starts off explaining we should not use vain repetitions. Christ was explaining to the disciples how to pray, not teaching them a prayer to recite. So the first thing we have to do when we pray is make sure we're praying to, Our Father in heaven. We can pray to anyone and anything, but only if we are talking to God, our Heavenly Father will our prayers be heard. Then we need to acknowledge Who He is and His authority and power in our lives and over all creation, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Next, if we are Christians, we put our complete trust in God to Give us this day our daily bread. Just like Jesus said, For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. God has filled us with His Holy Spirit, and Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27) Afterwards, we should ...confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9), and believe that ...the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations...(II Peter 2:9)
Lastly, we should conclude all our prayers saying, "in Jesus name I pray. Amen." Jesus taught that, And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (John 14:13) Now this is conditional! People have said that "I prayed and asked God for..., and He didn't answer me." Not just any and everyone has access to God through prayer. We have to be saved. Once we're saved, then we have to make sure that we pray according to His will: Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. (I John 5:14-15) Remember from the "Model prayer", God's will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Nothing wrong with making a specific request to God, and making it repeatedly (Luke 11:5-8). But we also must have the confidence to know that He knows better than we do what we need, when we need it, and He will make sure we have it at the right time.
"Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. (Matthew 6:16-18) Fasting and praying go hand-in-hand. Christ often fasted, especially to prepare for a major event that was about to take place in His ministry, which we will study more in future lessons. After performing a miracle that baffled the people, He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” (Mark 9:29) But fasting is not to be done for show. Nor are we to appear like we are depriving ourselves like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. Fasting should be a private act between us and God, for the purpose of strengthening our relationship, dependence and trust in God to provide all our needs.
One of the best examples of this is when Daniel and his three friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, chose to obey God instead of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.” So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.” So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days. And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. (Daniel 1:8-17) Give, pray and fast! But do it God's way, and not for show! In turn, God will bless us with knowledge, wisdom and understanding!
The lessons of Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount"! Refer to the previous lessons, to study the entire sermon in context:The "Beattitudes" Lesson!; "Salt & Light" Lesson!; Importance of The Commandments!; "You Shall Not Murder" Lesson!; "You Shall Not Commit Adultery" Lesson!; 'Til Divorce Do Us Part?; Watch Our Mouth, and Responses!; Don't Be A Hypocrite, A Show-off!; God and His Kingdom First!; Don't Judge; Be An Example!; Follow The Leader!; Not Just Hearers, but Doers Also!
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