Sermon on the Mount Part #6 (Matthew 6:16-34)

We are continuing to Move Thru Matthew and we are in the middle of The Sermon on the Mount. The Sermon on the Mount is where Jesus removed himself from the crowds, took his disciples and taught them about what it means to be righteous. The Sermon on the Mount covers Matthew 5, 6, 7.

Why is this time different from most of Jesus’ teaching though his ministry? Most of the conversations that Jesus has is with the Scribes, Pharisees, or Sadducees. But for three chapters he focuses mostly on his disciples. These would be the ones who would take what the have learned, and will see in his death and resurrection, and spread the gospel after Jesus had returned to heaven.

So for 3 chapters he is teaching them what it means to be righteous. And he says in Matthew 5:20, that their righteousness must exceed those of the Pharisees. He is saying that they may look righteous, but that is only on the outside, true righteousness happens on the inside.

So today we are going to continue and pick-up in Matthew 6:16

Read Matthew 6:16-18

Last week we talk about giving and praying. In both giving and praying, Jesus pointed to the Pharisees and said Don’t be like them in this area. Don’t give so others can see what you are giving, and don’t pray to be seen by others. Jesus would say if you give like them and pray like them then you have already recieved your reward…it would only be a reward of man, not GOD.

The whole point is this, when we worship (giving or praying) its not to draw attention to ourselves, it is to draw attention to God. He is the one who is worthy!

The same is true for fasting. Jesus said that when you fast...

“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

He is saying don’t draw attention upon yourself. Don’t walk around like you are starving. People will see this and ask are you sick, is there something I can get for you? No! the attention is turned toward you, when it should be turned toward God.

So what is fasting? Most of you know that fasting is going without food. But what is the purpose?

English Standard Version Chapter 58

6  “Is not this the fast that I choose:

to loose the bonds of wickedness,

to undo the straps of the yoke,

to let the oppressed go free,

and to break every yoke?

7  Is it not to share your bread with the hungry

and bring the homeless poor into your house;

when you see the naked, to cover him,

and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

The entire purpose of fasting is to breakaway, for a time, from the things that get our attention. .And food is one of those things that gain our attention How many of you like to eat? Sometimes it is all we can think about. So the reason that someone would fast, for one day, or 40 days, is so that their total focus would be on Jesus. They will replace times of taking a meal, with times of prayer.

But not so that they can be seen by others, so that they can glorify God. Because that is where the reward comes from…God.

English Standard Version Chapter 6

17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Jesus then begins to teach on true treasure...

Read Matthew 6:19-21

How do we see the things we have? If you have naira, is this your true treasure. You clothes, are they your true treasure? How about your football boots, or your ear rings or make-up. How much do you treasure these things. What about when you get older? You car, machine, your job, or your house? How much will your treasure those things?

Are those things bad to have? No. But we need to understand that all of those things I mentioned do not last. That school, as strong as it is , one day will be gone. Ot will not last. Your naira…will not last, one day that nice car you buy…will not last. But there is one treasure that will last…your relationship with Jesus Christ. That is a treasure, but he says “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” As a Christian, who is saved by grace, shows their righteousness by doing the will of God, that person is laying up treasures in heaven, that do not fade or spoil.

“where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (vs 21) If football is yoru treasure, that is where your heart is. If clothing and jewelry is yoru treasure, that’s where your heart will be. But the true follower of Jesus Christ makes him their treasure, and their life reveals that their heart is with him.

Read Matthew 6:22-23

These verses are not talking about how we see, what we see, or even a person who is blind. Jesus is pointing to the importance of the inside of our hearts. What is the spiritual condition our our heart? Light or dark? In this bible, light is always good and darkness is considered bad. So light is one who is living a life that honors God, while darkness is one who has turned away from God or has not come to repentance and faith in God.

Read Matthew 6:24

For the follower of Jesus Christ, we have one master. We have one Word, we have one hope. Think about this what if you had two Dad’s and two Mom’s living here right now? And one Dad said we are going to do this, but the other Dad said, no we are going to do this. Would you be confused? Now even though Mom and I are different, we are the same. The guidelines and the rules that are put in place here, we decide those together. Yes? Can you imagine if Mom said you had to be in the gate by 5 and I said you have to be i the gate by 6. What would you do? Who would you obey?

Jesus said, you cannot serve two masters. This goes back to the verses about treasure (vs 19-21). You cannot serve your treasures on earth and serve God at the same time. There is not room for both!

And Jesus closes this area by a famous verse: (24)

You cannot serve God and money (money or possessions)

Read Matthew 6:25-34

Another word for anxiety is “worry.” Do you worry? I do. Sometimes my mind goes places it should,’t. What if this happens, or what if that happens, what am I going to do? Maybe your worry about your future. How you will do on an exam. While you get accepted into school. Will your friends like you. All of those things are worry and anxiety. And all of those things you can never do anything about. No one ever worried something to be good. It will not happen. Worry changes nothing.

Jesus is wanting us to change our anxiety, our worries, into TRUST.

He says that the birds don’t worry, he care for them. The flowers do not worry… and you should not worry.

But HE DOES tell us something to do....

English Standard Version Chapter 6

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Is he saying seek me first and I will provide you everything you want? No. Is he saying seek me first and you will never have to worry about being sick or dying young? Is he saying seek me first and you will live to be 100 and have all the naira you want? No. This could be one of the most misunderstood passages in all of Scripture. Many pastors teach that ALL THESE THINGS means anything you want or desire. That is not what Jesus is saying. Look at what he says....

English Standard Version Chapter 6

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

ALL THESE THINGS are provisions. Our food, our care, our well being while he sustains our life here on earth. Provisions is millions and millions of naira. Provisions are not what you want… provisions is his care. The donors of A Place of Hope do not provide you with whatever you want, they provide you care…food, clothing, a safe place to live, and your education.

But notice that before he says he will provide you all these things…he says

“seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness”

All of these words today about fasting, laying up treasures in heaven, and not worrying about things, don’t make any difference if you not sought first the Kingdom of Heaven.

To seek first the Kingdom of heaven means to understand that without God and his son Jesus Christ, you have NO hope. To have the HOPE of Jesus isn’t about what you know about the Bible, its not about what someone says that sounds good....SEEKING FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS A PERSONAL JOURNEY. IT IS YOUR OWN RELATIONSHIP. No one else can do it for you.

No one else can follow Christ for you, know one else can seek him for you. No one else can invite him in to be the Lord of your life for you.

It is a decision, a journey only you can make.