Life of Christ 21

Introduction

Moving into the middle of the Sermon on The Mount

Notice that Narrative moves quick but preaching moves slow

Let’s look at what Jesus has done so far in this sermon

Defined true righteousness

Defined (exposed) true sin

Set the bar impossibly high for sinners to reach - leading us to the realization of the need of a Savior

But what about the righteousness of the Pharisees - Everyone thought that if anyone was making it to heaven- it was the religious guys. After all they memorized the Scripture, fasted twice a week, prayed almost non-stop, tithed on everything. - Surely they were good enough

This is human philosophy - It is the theology of works

It is the same theology that says - Go to church, give some money, go to heaven

This is not the gospel

Illuss.: What do you think of me? - Most Christians look at pastors and elevate them - They look at the sacrifices, study, knowledge - But God sees me as I am am - A wretch in need of grace - And the closer I get to Jesus, I see myself the same way

Everyone saw the pharisees as the best when they were actually the worse - why the were judging based upon man centered gospel

To understand the begining of Chp. 6, we must go back and read verse 5:20

Chp. 6 is going to two things:

Knock out the righteousness of the pharisees

But also instruct us as to how we live out our own walk with Christ

Jesus is preaching and these are commands

Chp.6 - Purpose of Righteousness

What is the biggest difference between a Christian and a Pharisee?

The object is which they worship - Christians worship Christ, Pharisees worship themselves

This is the underlining issue of Chp.6

In Giving - 1-4

Warning - use discernment

Ask yourself - Why am I do this? Love of God and others, or love of myself

In Prayer - 5-15

What is the purpose of prayer - to commune with God or to communicate with others that you are speaking with God

v7 - Guidelines that speak to the heart of prayer

Illuss.: My kids and I have a game we play everyday. Doing good? What did you do today? Did you learn anything? Nothing?

v9-15 -Principles of Prayer

Prayer is relational - “Father”

Prayer is worshipful - “hallowed . . . in heaven”

Prayer is focused upon God’s will

Prayer calls upon God’s gace - in daily life - in spiritual life

Prayer calls out hypocrisy

Prayer seeks spiritual protection and protection from God

In Fasting (16-18)

Assumes fasting

FAST - Is a four letter word to most Christians

Why fast?

Sometimes associated with mourning (Matt. 9:14-15)

Prayer ()

Charity ()

Seeking God’s Will (; )

Fasting is intentionally placing the spiritual over the physical

There are proven physical benefits to fasting

Illuss.: Autopsies of those would died in concentration camps

Conclusion

There is a theme in these things: In giving, prayer, and fasting - Christ is the object of worship on our lives

For the pharisees - They carried out these activites for themselves to be seen -

The most common form of idolatry is self worship

The question we have to ask ourselves is simply this - what is my motivation for ________________?

What is Jesus not saying here, this important?

Let’s go back and read 5:14-16

How do we reconcile these?

Easy - It is our works and the effects of our works that people should see - Not us

Application - That is why if I can do anything under the umbrella of the church - I try to

Illuss.: Ed and a van to Haiti

Be careful that you are not using works to exalt yourself

Good works are meant to exalt God