Encounter Jesus – Matthew Week 6

Where is Your Heart?

Matthew 6

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As we encounter Jesus tonight, we see again, He cares about our hearts, not just our actions.

How to Practice Our Faith (6: 1-18)

  • Read 6:1 – This is the key point for the first 18 verses – don’t practice religion IN ORDER TO be seen by people
    • The point of 5:21-48 was that our intentions and heart matters, not just our actions
    • Jesus now applies that to how we practice our religion
    • It is irrelevant if we do the right things if we aren’t doing them for the right reason
    • Do we go to church on Sunday or Bible study on Wednesday because we’re supposed to or because we want to worship the Lord and learn about His word?
    • We need to really examine ourselves in every aspect of our habits and practices of faith – worship, prayer, study, ministry – are we doing it for the right reasons?
  • Jesus addresses the 3 standard elements of Jewish piety – Giving, Praying, and Fasting
    • Lots of verbal parallels in these 3 sections to help us get the point
    • Concept = Just do it, don’t put on a show to get the applause of others
    • 3X Repetition of “And your Father who sees in secret will reward you”
      • Jesus begins really emphasizing the Fatherhood of God – Big Idea
      • God sees everything we do – good and bad, and knows WHY we do it
    • Read 6:2-4 (Giving)
      • Don’t make a big show about it, just give
      • I love giving, but this is why I hate talking about what we give, even though its occasionally my duty because a passage brings the topic up
    • Read verses 5-8 (Praying)
      • Prayer isn’t a show – it’s a privilege and joy, just being able to talk to our Father
      • Our Father – warmth, relationship, caring, intimacy, respect
      • Sidebar on verse 6 (praying in secret) – Jesus doesn’t mean don’t pray in public – He prays in public all the time. It means don’t make a show of it!
    • Read verses 9-13 (Lord’s Prayer)
      • Note Jesus heart and priorities for us when we pray – because this is the pattern (not necessarily the exact words) we are to follow in prayer – the pattern of priority and focus. HOW to pray, not WHAT to pray.
      • 6 requests – first 3 are about God, second 3 are about what we need on a continuous basis from God.
      • Priorities: 1) Honoring God, 2) Prioritizing His Kingdom and will here on earth, 3) Daily provision for basic needs and forgiveness of the sins we’ve committed that take us out of fellowship with God, 4) spiritual protection.
      • It’s not a wish list, it’s not just a laundry list of needs, it is God-centered, Kingdom-focused, and then addresses our genuine physical and spiritual needs.
      • Note – it’s clear we’re to be praying daily!
    • Read 6: 14-15
      • Need to come into it with clean hearts, having already forgiven others, else we aren’t really in a place where we’re really ready to fellowship with God. 1 Peter 3:7 – hindering our prayers.
  • Stuff (6: 19-34) – 2 of my absolute favorite passages!
    • Treasure – Read 6: 19-24
      • Not earthly, but in heaven
        • Earthly treasure can be stolen, decay, lose value, turn to nothing. It will be useless to us when we die.
        • Heavenly treasure – the fruit of righteousness, e.g. 5: 12 (the reward of persecution, etc) is permanent, eternal
        • NOT saying don’t save money or be careful with spending, or to not work hard or provide for your family – we’re told to do those things elsewhere
        • It’s about our HEART – priority and intent, just like everything in the Sermon on the Mount
        • What motivates you? Is it Kingdom values and responsible saving?
        • Or is it earthly values and trying to hoard the money God gives you?
      • The eye segment
        • It’s still about money! It’s in the middle of two segments on money, which means it is too – intercalation
        • Eye = Heart in Jewish writing. It reflects one’s character.
        • The good eye was understood then to be generous. The bad eye stingy.
      • Can’s serve two masters – either you own your stuff and both you and it serve God, or it owns you!
    • Anxiety – This has long been a huge comfort for me when financial concerns pop up
      • We have an exaggerated sense of need – much of that is just “want” in 21st century America
      • Lord’s Prayer asked for daily bread = what we actually need
      • Jesus tells us we can and should trust God for what we need
      • Read 6: 25-34
      • Consistent message of Sermon on the Mount so far – Kingdom, Kingdom, Kingdom
      • Do your part for the Kingdom and his righteousness in your life – God will provide what is needed
      • verse 34 – critical advice – don’t be anxious for tomorrow – live day-by-day
        • Doesn’t mean don’t plan, just means, don’t fret
        • Back to the Lord’s Prayer – it’s DAILY bread, not WEEKLY or MONTHLY
        • God gives us the grace and strength we need each day if we ask. We don’t get to consolidate for efficiency. It is a daily exercise in reliance on the Lord.