Matthew 6
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Motivation
Motivation
Many times we can do the right thing with the wrong motivation.
Motivation means: the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.
Motivation means: the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.
Jesus is digging into the reasons why we do what we do.
Jesus will address 3 major areas where our motivation can be the reason we are not fulfilled and abundant in our life.
Our Good works, Giving
Prayer
Fasting
Let’s start with the giving one!
The Why matters!
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
Doing what is right for a reward that people give you is not what God want’s for us.
Our need to people please is not Godly. People cannot give you true meaning in life. Only God can!
You cannot please people and God. Its either one or the other.
“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
Its not that God is telling us to be unkind to people or to be harsh or mean. He is stating that the approval and affirmation we seek is only present when it comes from God.
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
So don’t seek it, but if you receive it say thank you!
Knowing that your true reward is in God you can do all things!
so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
God sees what we do anyways, Isn’t it enough that God sees us and is faithful to us? Or are we looking for something else somewhere else?
Number 2
Prayer. Our approach to prayer matters.
Jews had to pray three times a day and people would go to the temple for private prayer.
The Pharisee stood up to pray, which was the usual practice. The Pharisee prayed about himself, informing God of the wrong things he had not done, “I am not like other men – robbers, evil-doers and adulterers”. Then he spoke about the religious practices he had observed, fasting twice a week and giving tithes.The Pharisee thought he was praying, but the only person he was praising was himself.
“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.
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.
Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.
I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’
And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
This is how we should pray!
1st not praising ourselves but praising God! He is worthy of all the praise, not us!
In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
Not boasting in ourselves but in His kingdom, His way of handling things and inviting His way into our lives
Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
Ask for what you need!
Give us this day our daily bread.
Forgive others. do not condemn or put others down in our prayers
And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.
Ask for help in self control and obedience. The one we need deliverance from… deliver 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.
Invite His kingdom into your life!
“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.
Number 3
Fasting
Fasting was to be time surrender our need of food to strengthen our spiritual life.
The Pharisees fasted 2 times a week on Monday and Thursday.
“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.
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.