Sermon Tone Analysis
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Introduction
INTRODUCTION
I heard a story of a ship that was sinking in the middle of a storm, and the captain called out to the crew and said, "Does anyone here know how to pray?"
One man stepped forward and said, "Yes sir, I know how to pray."
The captain said, "Wonderful, you pray while the rest of us put on life jackets--we're one short."
Prayer wonderful privilege enjoyed by the children of God is prayer
Through prayer we can receive mercy and grace to help in time of need - He 4:14-16
Through prayer we can find peace that guards our hearts and mind - Php 4:6-7
But the privilege of prayer assumes God will heed our prayers
a.
Not all prayers are acceptable to God - cf.
Pr 28:9
b.
Indeed, God does not hear the prayers of all men –
Isa 59:1-2
Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
3. Do we know what qualifies as "Prayer That Pleases God"?
a.
In His sermon on the mount, Jesus had much to say about prayer
b.
Especially the kind of prayer which finds favor in God's sight
In this study, let's take a look at Mt 6:5-15, where Jesus taught His disciples regarding prayer.
First, we find Jesus telling us:
1.
How Not to Pray
Here in verse 5 we find Jesus teaching us how not to pray.
It would seem that, just as was the case with helping the poor, so there was a tendency for people to use their prayers as a means of impressing others with their piety.
But prayer is to be communion with God, not a means of increasing one’s reputation
A. Like the Hypocrites
These are people who profess piety to God, but they are more interested in the people that see them rather than God.
Who love to pray - Standing in the synagogues, or on the corners of the street (rather than seeking a humble bowing, kneeling, or sitting position).
While we can pray standing up and anywhere they do so "that they may be seen of men" - Mt 6:5
Our prayers are to be different – we are a different people!
B. The Reward of the Hypocrites
That is, they are indeed seen by men
They were pretentious – attempting to impress by showing greater talent or importance.
They wanted to appear more pious
But that is the extent of their reward (the praise of men.
They have no reward or blessing from God!
C.
This Does not Prohibit Public Prayer
Jesus is not teaching on public prayer, He’s teaching on hypocritical prayer; ‘that they may be seen of men.’
Evident from the fact that He Himself prayed in public – Mt 11:25; Jn 11:41
As did Paul
The emphasis is the same as stated in Mt 6:1, "do not do your alms before men, TO BE SEEN BY THEM." (Of course we give in public and pray in public, but Christ is always looking at the heart.
How, then, are we to pray as to be heard by God?
2. Prayer that Pleases God
A. Given in View of God Alone
This is the main idea of "praying in secret"
"The sincere and humble worshiper, one who is not interested in making a public display for the sake of enhancing his prestige, will find the secluded nook or den to be most appropriate for his devotions."
(unknown)
This is a specific prayer session.
Their public praying was for display not a momentary urgent need.
Our sessions of prayer should be in secret.
Closet here is really any place of privacy.
The person who prays much in secret is praying to be seen of God, not men!
Note!
We are praying to the Father – not Mary, not the saints, not to dear departed grandma.
Our reward for private prayer comes from God – we’re not told what it is, but we are told who it comes from.
Many obscure saints will one day be rewarded openly before all.
B. Is Given to be Heard of God
Avoiding the use of "vain repetitions" - Mt 6:7
As was often practiced by the heathen religions
"The heathen tried to tire out their gods with such endless prayers.
Mere formulas were repeated over and over again; the Jews had such prayer formulas, Catholics also have them in the form of their rosary."
(Lenski)
Vain repetition is seen in ‘Our Father’s and Hail Mary’s’ It’s also seen in the charismatic non-sensical babblings.
Speaking of erring Jews, look what Jesus says
This is not condemning all repetition, but "vain" (insincere, useless) repetition
Jesus repeated Himself in prayer at Gethsemane - Mt 26:36-44
Paul repeated his requests concerning his "thorn in the flesh" - 2Co 12:7-8
Since "your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him," prayers to be heard by God do not have to be filled with superfluous words
Divine omniscience is no excuse not to pray.
We pray so we continue to put our trust in Him.
Have you ever noted the brevity of prayers recorded in the Scriptures?
God is not swayed the by quantity of words, but by the quality of the heart!
C. Follows The Proper Pattern
The phrase "after this manner" suggests that this prayer is a pattern for praying and not a liturgical exercise as sometimes practiced
This injunction to prayer is a divine command.
Note as we look at this how simple this pattern is – therefore – connects with before.
Jesus is giving us an illustration of what he is looking for in prayer.
Note how brief it is.
Let’s look at some of the key points
Prayer in Reverence for God and His Name
This notes our relationship to Him.
Again we are only praying to the Father.
He is in Heaven – He is above all that we deal with.
His name is Hallowed or Holy – people use the name of God in very unholy ways – we should be reminded of Him and His nature.
Prayer for God’s Will
God’s Kingdom implies He is the ruler – we see that this implies also that Jesus is coming soon.
Our hope in prayer is that God’s will is done here.
Prayer for Physical Needs
Notice here that we need God’s mercy to give us what we need.
Not because we are good or deserve, we need him to be gracious to us.
And not bread for life – but for today.
We need to depend on God everyday!
The story is told of a wonderful, elderly, Christian lady.
She had very little money and lived in a rundown house, but she was always praising the Lord.
Her only problem was with the old man who lived next door.
He was always trying to prove to her that there was no God.
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