SF481- LIFE ON THE ROCK - BEING REAL AND REALLY BEING (Matthew 6 1-4)

SF481

Life on the Rock

BEING REAL AND REALLY BEING

Matthew 6:1-2, 5, 16

INTRODUCTION

Review Chapter Five

We learned that...

Matthew 5:20

For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:48

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

The emphasis in Chapter 6 is doing the right thing the right way for the right reasons!

Jesus deals with four critical areas that make up our Christian lives...

Our Deeds (1-4)

Our Devotions (5-15)

Our Disciplines (16-18)

Our Dedication (19-34)

Today we will examine the first three...

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1A.       Our Deeds (1-4)

1B.       Giving is Expected (2a)

“when ...”

Malachi 3:8,10

"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings. {10} Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

2B.       Giving is Inclusive

Time, talent, and tithe

Involve something of value

2 Samuel 24:24

But the king replied to Araunah, "No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing." ...

3B.       Giving is Instinctive

Issue is the manner and motive of their giving.

Giving should be spontaneous (3)

Giving should be secret (4)

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2A.       OUR DEVOTIONS (5-8)

1B.       We are expected to Pray (5a)

“when...”

It not wrong to pray in public

Acts 4:24

 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.

Again the issue is motive.

Young lawyer try to impress a man entering his new office. Carried on a “mock” phone call.  Hung up asked the man what he could do for him. He replied I am here from the phone company, I have come to connect your phone.

2B.       We do not pray to impress Men (5b)

3B.       We do not pray to impress God (6-7)

Not the location (6)

Not the language (7)

Not the length

Not to inform God (8)

4B.       We pray to invite God and enjoy God!

Prayer is like my flying an airplane with and experienced pilot, he doesn’t need me but I need him!

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3A.       OUR DISCIPLINES (16-18)

1B.       Fasting is Expected (16)

“when...”

Fasting is doing without food and other pleasures for a spiritual reason.

Jesus expects us to fast.

2B.       Fasting is Encouraged (17-18)

Proper motive

To draw closer to God (18b)

Not to be considered “holy” by men.

Proper method

Avoid looking “hungry” (16)

If you act humble, you are very proud.

Emphasis looking normal (17)

We need to dress and act so that no one will know we are Christians but will not be surprised when they find out.

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4A.       THE DANGERS OF HYPOCRISY (5,6,16)

Hypocrisy is rooted in idolatry

1B.       It Deceives

Others

Yourself

Been a hypocrite so long they don’t even realize it.

Matthew 23:13

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.

Matthew 23:15

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.

2B.       It Defrauds (2b. 5b, 16b)                       

“reward” = payment in full

Being seen of men is all you get!

“Most of what we will be rewarded for are the things we have forgotten.” A Rogers

3B.       It Destroys (7:22-23)

Hypocrisy is iniquity and will send you to Hell!

Many have been starched and ironed but never washed.

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APPLICATION

Verse 1: “Be careful”

Have I ever failed to obey God because I have wondered what others would think about it?

Do I ever do service for God that goes undetected? How often?

Is my private life consistent with my public image?

Am I wounded when others get credit for what I do?

Have you ever stopped serving, giving or attending because you were not recognized?

Do you take credit for things you did not do?

Am I defeated and discouraged by the hypocrisy of another?

It is only the hypocrite that is bother by the hypocrisy of someone else. Because if you have Jesus in your heart you know they are wrong but you also know that He is right.

You can’t hide behind something unless you are smaller than it.

Am I Really for Real?