Matthew 6-Walking Right

INTRODUCTION

Over the last several weeks, you have been reading and studying from a passage we call the “Sermon on the Mount.” It was a time in Jesus’ ministry when he began to lay the groundwork for practical living for those who wanted to follow Him.

Before we go forward, I believe we need to pickup where the last chapter left off:

Matthew 5:48 KJV 1900

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Prior to , we have this truth that God has a standard for us as believers. He wants us to love those around us, but most importantly, to Love God!

In our passage, we find that God wants to launch us out into a practical and private part of our walk with God. Though it is private to you personally, it is one of the most important parts of your walk with Christ.

I. The Private Walk ()

In these verses, we find that God emphasizes three types of personal, private worship. Remember that when we attend church, it should be a reflection of what we do privately on a daily basis with Christ. Our personal, private walk with God should be cared for, and nurtured in such a way that it helps to carry us through in our worship of Christ.

A. A Generous Walk (V. 1-4)

Alms was a gift from those who were more wealthy to the poor. It was encouraged by the Old Testament to help those who could not help themselves

Psalm 112:9 KJV 1900

He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; His righteousness endureth for ever; His horn shall be exalted with honour.

Although it was not salvific, it did provide for the giver blessings from God. Yet, by the time Christ came on the scene, it began to be a show instead of an inward desire to help others, it became an outward symbol of a person’s worth and wealth. The Pharisees would often only give once a year, so the amount looked rather large. They would hire a trumpeter to go before them to attract attention to their offering. They would then, in the presence of all men place their offering into the box.

NOTE: Christ said because of their heart level desire to be approved of men, their reward for their giving was received on earth. But consider the humble man, who gave consistently even if he wasn’t super wealthy. This man didn’t want to be seen of men, but humbly gave because he wanted to please and honor God. This man’s reward is in heaven.

Luke 2:1–4 KJV 1900

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Beth-lehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

When we talk about money, it is important for each of us to recognize that God says giving is an act of worship. He doesn’t say, if you’re poor, don’t give. But we are to give of the tithes no matter your economic status.

Prov 3.9-

Proverbs 3:9–10 KJV 1900

Honour the Lord with thy substance, And with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, And thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

B. A Meaningful Walk (v. 5-15)

Prayer is one of the sweetest gifts that God has given to us.

Prayer is our life-line that reaches to God,

A life-line that reaches to heaven

He bends his ear low toward the earth where we trod.

There is no time that is called waste,

When before the throne we are prostrate.

Therefore, bow before Him on bended knee,

And to the cross of Christ simply cling.

For in our clinging we safely find,

A friend that endures for the rest of time.

For as we cry out He will surely fulfill,

His purpose, plan and ultimately His will.

JMB 6/6/18

For in Him we find

JMB 6/6/18

i. Pray Privately

While there are times of public prayer, there must also be much more prayer that is done in private. *If the only place you ever pray is at church, then you are spiritually Starving!*

Spiritual TRUTH: We do not need a priest, a dead saint, or anyone else to pray for us, Christ is the mediator between us and the Father. We have direct access to God through Christ. (This is called: Priesthood of the believer).

NOTE: Regarding prayer for us, it does not mean that we cannot have someone pray with us! It is always good to have others pray with us concerning a trial that we are going through in our life.

Hebrews 4:14–16 KJV 1900

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:1

ii. Pray Seriously

When we pray, we have a habit of praying repetitious prayers. For example, if you are int he habit of praying before your meal, then it is easy to always say the same prayer without any thought about the prayer. This is called vain repetitions.

God wants us to seriously consider what we pray and why. Perhaps you respect someone, and you have heard them pray with fancy words. It is far better if you will not copy what others have said, but try to put in your own words what you want to relate to God.

iii. The Model Prayer

ACTS Model:

Adoration - Praise and Adore God for Who He is

Confession - Confess your sins and seek forgiveness from God. Also be aware that we not only need God’s forgiveness, but we need to extend forgiveness to others as well.

Thanksgiving - God loves a thankful heart!

1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV 1900

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Supplication - Be willing to pray for others, and then personal needs in your own life. (Keep a list).

C. A Hungry Walk (v. 16-18)

Isaiah 58:6 KJV 1900

Is not this the fast that I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, And to let the oppressed go free, And that ye break every yoke?

There is a spiritual discipline that is often neglected, it is the discipline of fasting. Fasting is to go without something for a pre-determined period of time with the intention of praying and seeking God’s will on a matter.

CONCLUSION

A common fast would be to go without food, and to use the time you would normally eat in prayer. I have personally seen how God has used periods of fasting in my life and the lives of others to bring about a miracle. An example is that of Steve and Julie Lindsey. She fasted for her Husband during a real valley in his life, and God brought Him to a point of spiritual transformation.

Fasting is a powerful tool for the Christian. In this passage, Christ is reminding his followers that if we are to fast, then to allow it to be between you and God. As a child, you need to talk to your parents first. Fasting is not a weight loss tool, but it is something God can use in your life to draw you closer to Christ.

D. Application:

In your Spiritual walk with Christ, it is important that you recognize there are private areas of your walk with Christ that will benefit you greatly. In the Book of Acts chapter 8, one man, named Simon, wanted to have the public display of the Spirit’s power that he saw manifest in Peter. He wanted the public power, but not the private discipline. I will tell you right now that there is NO power from God without the Private Discipline of giving, prayer, and fasting. We must recognize that God honors those who invest privately in their relationship with Him. Do not strive to become famous, rather strive to become personally intimate with God.

II. The Heavenly Walk ()

When a man has a private walk with the Lord, the natural result is a Heavenly walk. Our private life lends to display itself publically. If you have a disorganized, lazy private life, then your public walk will reflect it, and people will not see Christ in you. If your choose to discipline your private walk, and seek to Honor God in your private walk then your public walk will reflect Heaven.

A. Focused on Eternity (v. 19-24)

ILLUSTRATION: Display pictures of awesome homes, exotic trips, fast cars, cash. How many of you got excited to see some of those pictures up on the screen? How exciting would it be to own something like that?

God reminds us that money can disappear quicker than it appears, Cars will rust out, homes will crumble and fade away, and clothing will eventually be destroyed. These things that we long for on this earth are temporary. God has allowed us to be temporary stewards (Or care takers) of all the things that we “possess.”

In order to stay focused on eternity, we must also be focused upward.

Colossians 3:1–2 KJV 1900

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Colossians 3.1-

Singleness of Eye - Good eye – When all the lights come into the eye, and hit the eye exactly where they are supposed to it is brought into a single beam that is sent to the brain. Evil eye – The lights come through distorted and confused and thus not allowing the lights to come through singly, but multiple lights, and hinders the person’s ability to see

ii. Evil eye – The lights come through distorted and confused and thus not allowing the lights to come through singly, but multiple lights, and hinders the person’s ability to see

Christ is teaching, then that if we have two masters, it is like having double vision, and you do not know which way you will go. It is therefore imperative that as a Christian you choose the right master.

Joshua 24:15 KJV 1900

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

B. Selfless Application (V. 25-34)

Matthew 16:24 KJV 1900

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

God’s Provision (V. 25-32)

God’s Provision (V. 25-32)

The three areas of need:

Fowls show us that God cares for their need of food

Flowers and Grass teach us that God cares for our need of clothing

God already knows you have these needs and is works to provide them. Don’t worry, but Trust God with these great needs.

Our Responsibility (v. 33-34)

Seek the Kingdom of God first. Or Seek the heavenly before the earthly. When we are in obedient to the will of God, we have no need of the physical because God is already caring for it.

Psalm 37:25 KJV 1900

I have been young, and now am old; Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his seed begging bread.

Don’t Worry! “Worry ends where faith begins!”

Romans 14:23 KJV 1900

And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

CONCLUSION

deals with your motives. What is your motive in what you do? When you walk with God and your motives are pure, then God blesses you. It is that simple! I urge you to walk with the Father more closely than you’ve ever been able to in the past by privately giving, praying, and fasting and keeping your focus on Heaven by not being distracted by the lusts of the world.

1 John 2:15–16 KJV 1900

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

1 John 2:15–17 KJV 1900

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

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1 John 2:25–26 KJV 1900

And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.