Sermon on the Mount Blessing

Giving

Highs and Lows

So we have been talking about the Sermon on the Mount and today I want to talk about how Jesus is telling us these ways to live that make people think twice about who we are. Like just last week we talked about getting slapped and then turning the other cheek if you remember that?

Well lets take it one step further.

Jesus talks about giving to the needy in Matthew 6 but I want to start with a story, you see

I think about the time where I met a man on the corner of the street.

See I was in highschool and I was walking a click over to the bus stop, it was really a long story that you can ask me about later as to why I was getting on this bus in the middle of a school day But, I was walking over and this man comes up and asks, hey can I have a few bucks I need to buy milk for my family. Usually I don’t give people money out of my wallet but I looked at this guy and just felt peace about giving him the change in my pocket. I think I gave him around 4-6 dollars that I could have used to grab some mcdonalds as I was litterally standing 50 steps away from one.

I just had peace about giving him this money and went for it.

Jesus talks about giving out to the needy he says Matthew 6:2

Matthew 6:2 NIV

“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

Jesus wants when we give to be this quiet event where we are not announcing that we are doing it. Well when we give to others I am sure that they do not feel excited to ask for help.

When someone is in need there is a lot of shame and so when we give to others we want to help the other person, not to shame them.

I often thing about some youtubers that post about giving money to poor people. Like what how are you helping them, they wish they were having to ask for money and they are recording it, posting it and uploading it for even more money.

Jesus doesn’t say we shouldn’t give to others

Jesus does say just don’t shout it out loud that you are giving to others.

have you guys ever forgot to pack a lunch? what happened?

How can we give to someone who is in need at school?

Prayer

How do we pray? Well Jesus wants to combat the same deal here, where he wants to stop the pharisees from praying to seem more holy then others.

So he say, Matthew 6:6

Matthew 6:6 NIV

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Let me tell you that Jesus does not want you to pray long winded prayers inorder to seem more holy he would rather you prayer alone so that you will be rewarded in secert.

And just to throw this in here, if you think you are more holy then someone I have breaking news, you are not more holy then someone else. That goes for even someone who does not follow Jesus, don’t measure yourself to others and their faith.

Jesus is not saying that we should not pray.

Jesus is saying we need to be authentic in prayer, we need to be real people, not social influencers in prayer

When is the best time of day for you to pray?

What does your prays look like the most?

Same thing goes for this, don’t fast for clout

Fast for faith.

Matthew 6:16 NIV

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

Jesus is not saying don’t fast

Jesus is saying don’t make a big deal about it.

If you follow Jesus its not about Clout

Following Jesus will not make you more famous, and it shouldn’t

If you practice following Jesus for people to thing you are better then them I want you to re-evaluate this.

Jesus came as the Son of God and the Song of Man to serve us and die for us. So, if you can get to his level you got me. But since none of us can lets humble ourselves

Be humble

Jesus just wants us to humble ourselves in the way that we follow him. Yes we want others to see us be Christians and take notice on the fact that we made a life changing desicion to follow Jesus but we cannot flaunt it in their faces.

Jesus wants us to be humble and realize that God the father has everything in control. Matthew 6:27

Matthew 6:27 NIV

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

We don’t need to worry about others, nor do we need to worry about what our life will be. Jesus is in control and that is ultimately better then what we have planed. The key point is that we trust in God and humbly follow him.

So this week I encourage you guys be humble.

How can we be humble?

Well this week I want you to pray for someone, ask them how can I pray for you?

Then ask them to find a quiet place with you and pray for them.

Pray for whatever needs they have but do it humbly, you are not the bigger person, you are just doing something out of love.

If Jesus wants us to pray, give and fast but do them humbly, what does that show other people?

Who is someone you can ask to pray for this week?