September 5, 2010M.                                    ACTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS:

Matt. 6:1-18

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Review:

1. We are in the Gospel of Matthew, and in what is commonly called the Sermon on the Mount.

2. This is where Jesus has taken His immediate disciples, whom He personally has called, Peter, Andrew, James, and John, and has separated Himself from the crowd, and He is teaching them His doctrine.

3. We are seeing Him fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah, “that God’s servant would magnify the law.”

4. So far He has taught them concerning,

• The Similitudes.
• How He came to fulfill, and not destroy the law.
• Concerning murder.
• Adultery.
• Divorce.
• Oaths, or swearing.
• Retaliation, or getting even with someone.
• Love.

This morning we will look at how He magnifies the law concerning charitable deeds, and prayer, and fasting.

Charitable Deeds:

Mat 6:1-15 KJVR  Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.  (2)  Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  (3)  But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:  (4)  That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. 

• Many believe that the word righteousness is intended here in the place of alms. 
• If you recall just a little back in the Lord’s teaching He said, “except your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees.”  Meaning our walk with God should be pure, and without putting on pretence.
• So Jesus is taking 3 elements of righteousness, good deeds, prayer, and fastings, and using them to explain His expectations on how we should respond to these acts of righteousness.
• Alms,  a charitable deed.  The Lord very simply says don’t go around tooting your own horn, on how you do good deeds.  This was actually done in some cases, as someone with wealth would call the poor together to give them something.
• Under the law, these gifts to the poor were given beyond their instructions to tithe.  It is said that in the Old Testament, that most people that had wealth, gave upward of 40% to God’s work.
• We are not to make a big issue out of helping someone in need.  Just do it, if you are able.

Prayer:

(5)  And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are:

• The Lord uses this word, Hypocrite 14 times in the Gospel of Matthew.
• Hypocrite. A Grecian actor. The actors wore masks and appeared to be somebody else than they really were. So, too, the religious hypocrites.

for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 

• You can see the idea is too bring attention to how religious, or righteous they are.

(6)  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 

• Or go to your stump in the field, or to the creek bank, or in your bedroom.  He is just telling us not to make an open show of our prayers to God.
• We are taught to pray, Phi 4:6 KJVR  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
• Heb 4:16 KJVR  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

(7)  But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.  (8)  Be not ye therefore like unto them:

• Is this not clear enough?  Vain repetitions.
• Notice how the Lord teaches us to pray.

for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.  (9)  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  (10)  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  (11)  Give us this day our daily bread.  (12)  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  (13)  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.  (14)  For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:  (15)  But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

• Incorporated is our praise, and thanks to God Almighty;  Our desire to clothed upon by His Kingdom;  Our desire to live in His presence;  Supplying our daily needs;  Asking forgiveness for our sins, and forgiving those who sin against us;  Deliverance from temptation and evil;  Giving glory to the realm of God;  THEN THE ADMONITION OF FORGIVING THOSE THAT HAVE SINNED AGAINST YOU.  
• There are different prayers for different needs.  Listen to Paul.

1Co 14:15-16 KJVR  What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.  (16)  Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

• Here in chapter 14 of I Cor. Is the only place in the N.T. that gives us an idea of how the early worship was conducted.  Paul is here explaining one praying for all.  This is the N.T. practice of prayer.
• This prayer is given by one person for the many needs of the congregation.  The sick, our military, for the abiding presence of the Holy Ghost in our services, that the speaker would speak the words God wants him to speak, the giving of thanks for our many blessings, all these things are often mentioned in our prayer for the congregation.  Most of these things are incorporated in the Lord’s Prayer.
• Then there is our prayer for communion.  This prayer is repetitious, however, it is what needs to be petitioned at the time.  It is not the time to pray for other things.  Just concerning the communion.  Forgiveness, Thankfulness, Adoration, and remembrance of Jesus’ work on Calvary for us.
• Then there is our dismissal prayer.  A prayer of thankfulness, a prayer of watchfulness, and keeping us till we meet again.

Fasting:

Mat 6:16-18 KJVR  Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  (17)  But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;  (18)  That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

• Fasting is a personal act between you and God.  This should be practiced by all Christians, and Jesus is teaching us how to do it.
• Do not appear sad, or down trodden, but happy, and uplifting to those around you.
• Simple instructions for a very important, and beneficial act.

Charitable deeds;  prayer;  and fasting. 

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, help us to see the importance of what we have learned here today, and put them to actions in our walk with you.   Amen.