Seeking Your FATHER'S Approval - Matthew 6:1-18 - November 4, 2007

Sunday School Lesson – Seeking Your FATHER’S Approval – November 4, 2007

Our scripture for the month of November will be Matthew Chapters 6 and 7. Our study this week continues to examine our motives. It focuses on our motives for our worship and service to GOD as believers.

Our scripture is Matthew 6:1-18.

In Matthew Chapter 5, JESUS laid the foundation for the qualities that GOD wants the ideal disciple to possess in the Beatitudes. HE followed it with the fact that believers are salt and light. There are things in the world that will cause a believer to loose his or her saltiness or become barriers to letting his or her light shine.

Therefore, believers must know themselves by knowing their hearts to ensure they are not deceiving themselves. GOD expects believers to follow the spirit of the law as well as the law. Believers encounter all sorts of people in the world around them. When others do not treat us as we think they should, as believers, how do we respond? How we respond gives us a glimpse of our hearts toward the unlovely.

The HOLY SPIRIT is the ONE WHO helps us to grow and mature such that we will have all the qualities and character that GOD wants us to have in our lives. So what is our part? We have to yield our wills to CHRIST and allow the HOLY SPIRIT to control our lives. This is extremely hard to do. Our flesh wants to rule our flesh kingdom and it will fight hard to maintain that control. I know I have been there and still fight it daily to regain control and often it does. But that is also part of the process of sanctification or our lives being set aside to be obedient to GOD.

This week JESUS wants HIS disciples to consider their motives when they worship and serve GOD.

Our motives for serving GOD are very important and cast light on our heart. GOD wants us to be honest when we serve and worship HIM. Our motives give us a clue about where our heart is. Do we want the praise of others or do we want to be obedient to GOD?

The question comes to mind, why is it important for us to know our motives when we serve and worship GOD? One reason is that when we serve to please others and want to be seen by others, it can suggest that our faith in GOD is compromised. In other words, we do not hold GOD in the place of esteem and honor in our lives. It is an indication that we want to please others who we can see rather than to please GOD who we cannot see. I think it highlights a faith or heart problem. It is a warning sign to us to ask GOD to show us our heart and put HIS finger on barriers that are preventing us from having an intimate, loving relationship with HIM.

JESUS addresses three (3) areas of serving and worship – giving, prayer and fasting. There is a presumption that believers will give, pray and fast because JESUS uses the words “when (in some translations) or whenever (in this translation) you give, pray or fast.”

Let’s read Matthew 6:1-4:
How to Give
1 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness[1] Other mss read charitable giving in front of people, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 So whenever you give to the poor, don’t sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the • synagogues and on the streets, to be applauded by people. • I assure you: They’ve got their reward! 3 But when you give to the poor, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.[2] Other mss read will Himself reward you openly

JESUS says not to serve such that our motive is for others to see what we are doing. Believers can serve for the wrong motives but there is no reward. When we give, we should be so discrete that our left hand should not know what your right hand is doing. Do not make a show. Serve through giving in a quite way.

JESUS is coming from the point-of-view that we will serve when HE uses the “when”. We need to keep in mind when we serve and give as GOD leads us for the right reasons, we are rewarded by GOD. The reward may be while we are still on earth or waiting for us in heaven.

GOD wants our motives for giving to be for the right reason. GOD knows our human nature. It is natural for us to seek approval of others. When we give to be seen, then we give as we choose rather than as GOD led us to give. GOD wants to be the ONE WHO guides us in our giving. When we seek the guidance of the LORD, it shows that we recognize that GOD has provided the resources we have to share and we seek HIS guidance because HE has a plan for all things in life. It is all about obedience.

Let’s read Matthew 6:5-15:
How to Pray
5 “Whenever you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by people. I assure you: They’ve got their reward! 6 But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.[3] Other mss add openly 7 When you pray, don’t babble like the idolaters,[4] Or Gentiles, or nations, or heathen, or pagans since they imagine they’ll be heard for their many words. 8 Don’t be like them, because your Father knows the things you need before you ask Him.

JESUS again addresses the intent and motives of our heart. Our flesh gets in our way. Our ego is powerful and we want to be seen and for others to recognize and be aware of what we are doing.

Again it is to seek the praise of others.

JESUS is saying know your heart and if you discover your motives are tainted then, confess it. When our motives are askew, it is an indication that our relationship with GOD is also askew. Our relationship with JESUS is vital and critical in serving, giving, praying and fasting.

JESUS is not attacking our posture when we pray but our motive. There is a place for public prayer and also a place for private prayer. We can go to a secret place such as a closet or an out-of-the-way place if we need to pray aloud or we can simply pray to ourselves. When we see others as we go about our daily business, we can utter a prayer for them. When we hear a siren, someone is in need. We can pray for those going to meet that need. We can pray and no one except us will know that we are praying. We should pray about all things at all times. Constant communication with our LORD is vital in our daily walk with HIM.

JESUS tells us that GOD already knows what we need. Some may ask, if HE already knows, then why pray? HE wants us to keep our minds focused on HIM. All things come from HIM. HE does not want us to be presumptuous.

I had an interesting experience just yesterday. I was shopping and my back was hurting. I needed to make one more stop. I considered not making the stop but really needed to do it. I thought I would see if there was a parking spot near the door. I also thought, “There is never a spot there so why even bother?” But I thought I would at least check it out. Well, guess what? There was a parking spot as close as possible to the door I needed to enter. As I pulled into the spot the still small voice of the LORD said, this is what it means when I know your needs before you ask. GOD met my needs.

Now, what does my human nature begin to expect? My human nature wants GOD to provide a parking spot for me every time. When we begin to anticipate and expect GOD to perform in a certain way, we will be disappointed. We are to pray about all things but be careful about concluding how HE will provide the solution. The next time I need a parking spot it may in the boonies because, HE knows I need the exercise.

The Model Prayer
9 “Therefore, you should pray like this: Our Father in heaven, Your name be honored as holy. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread.[5] Or our necessary bread, or our bread for tomorrow 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And do not bring us into[6] Or do not cause us to come into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.[7] Or from evil [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. • Amen.][8] Other mss omit bracketed text 14 “For if you forgive people their wrongdoing,[9] Or trespasses your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. 15 But if you don’t forgive people,[10] Other mss add their wrongdoing your Father will not forgive your wrongdoing.[11] Or trespasses

Often we hear this prayer referred to as the LORD’S Prayer. But it is a model for prayer. JESUS is telling HIS disciples here is a model but it is not the only prayer you need to pray.

So let’s look at it.

Our FATHER in Heaven – We are to direct our prayers to the true GOD, WHO we can call FATHER.

I was thinking of this prayer several weeks ago and got excited about it, when, for the first time, I noticed that JESUS began with “Our FATHER.”

It had never hit me before. JESUS could have said MY FATHER but HE said our FATHER.

JESUS begins the model prayer making it clear where our prayer is to be directed. It is not our earthly father but our FATHER WHO is in heaven. GOD can only be our FATHER through the miracle of rebirth. We can only call GOD our FATHER if we have been born-again into HIS family through JESUS our SAVIOR.

HIS disciples only put all this together after JESUS was crucified, buried, resurrected and ascended. Then JESUS sent the HOLY SPIRIT back to indwell them as well as all believers. It was then that they understood what JESUS was saying about GOD being “Our FATHER.”

YOUR name be honored as HOLY. This tells us that our FATHER is HOLY and HIS name is also HOLY.

JESUS continued that we are to show our heavenly FATHER respect and honor by acknowledging and keeping HIS name HOLY. In today’s society how often do we hear GOD’S name used in disrespect or in a flippant manner? About everywhere - Especially on television, certain books and some magazine articles.

YOUR Kingdom come. Our FATHER is the ruler of heaven and HIS Kingdom will come to earth where HE will also rule.

JESUS wants all believers to stay focused on the fact that once HE ascends to heaven, HE can return at any moment to fully establish the rule of GOD in the universe.

JESUS brought the Kingdom of GOD to earth when HE was born as a human. GOD’S Kingdom will be established in the hearts and lives of all believers when CHRIST fulfills the first part of HIS mission. Then all believers should be constantly looking for HIS return which will begin the steps necessary leading to the final judgment.

YOUR will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

JESUS acknowledges that GOD’S will is done in heaven. This statement can only be said by ONE WHO has been there.

GOD’S desire is for HIS will to be done on earth but all people including believers have the freedom to choose. The ultimate goal is for all believers to be obedient to GOD here upon earth as everyone is completely obedient to HIM in heaven. There is recognition of the universal authority of GOD. In essence when we pray the model prayer we are saying let GOD’S will reign in my life here upon earth just as it would if I were in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

JESUS has established the authority of GOD both in heaven and upon earth. GOD is the ONE WHO provides all things for us, as humans, to be able to live upon earth. Food is essential to sustain human life. Spiritual food is essential to sustain our spiritual life. JESUS acknowledges that we need to ask GOD to provide our daily bread to sustain us.

The word JESUS uses carries the ideal of GOD providing food for today as well as the next day.

Forgive our debts as we have also forgiven our debtors.

JESUS then addresses forgiveness. We, as sinners saved by grace, have been forgiven so much. The debt of our sin has been paid by the blood of JESUS. It is a debt we can never repay. When we understand that we have been forgiven so much, we should forgive others accordingly. This is a reminder that we are to forgive others each time we pray. Remember JESUS says when we worship, if we recall that someone has something against us, we need to leave and settle the matter before we continue to worship.

Do not bring us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.

Next JESUS addresses temptation. GOD never tempts anyone. In essence JESUS is saying do not let us be tempted by our own human desires. But give us the strength to look for, see and take action when temptation comes our way. But help us to keep our minds and hearts so focused upon YOU that we will not be lured into temptation. The Bible tells us that HE always provides a way to escape when temptation comes our way. But we must choose to escape.

GOD will allow us to be tested. Testing is not for GOD to see how we will measure up but for us to see where we are spiritually. So if our human nature opens us up to allow the devil a foothold in our lives then come to our rescue/deliver us. Do not let us be consumed by the world because we know YOU are our deliver but we also know we are subject to our human nature, the flesh.

It seems to be an awareness of our vulnerability as humans when we take our eyes off of JESUS. It can and does happen to the best of believers. If you ever think you are above being led astray, then that is when you are most vulnerable. All Christians are targets of the enemy. We are always on the front lines.

For YOURS is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

JESUS ends with an acknowledgement that GOD is the power. We are in HIS care and we depend upon HIM for all things. This statement is not in the earlier manuscripts.

Forgiveness revisited.

JESUS then revisits forgiveness. Forgiveness is critical. An unforgiving heart can be detrimental to our physical as well as spiritual health. It robs us of the abundant life in CHRIST.

Let’s read Mathew 6:16-18:
How to Fast
16 “Whenever you fast, don’t be sad-faced like the hypocrites. For they make their faces unattractive[12] Or unrecognizable, or disfigured so their fasting is obvious to people. I assure you: They’ve got their reward! 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head, and wash your face, 18 so that you don’t show your fasting to people but to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.[13] Other mss add openly

JESUS addresses fasting. Fasting is something I have only done a few times in my life.

JESUS uses the word “When” you fast. So there is an expectation that HIS disciples will fast.

JESUS told HIS disciples about the importance of fasting in Matthew 17:14-21:
The Power of Faith over a Demon
14 When they reached the crowd, a man approached and knelt down before Him. 15 “Lord,” he said, “have mercy on my son, because he has seizures[10] Lit he is moonstruck; thought to be a form of epilepsy and suffers severely. He often falls into the fire and often into the water. 16 I brought him to Your disciples, but they couldn’t heal him.” 17 Jesus replied, “You unbelieving and rebellious[11] Or corrupt, or perverted, or twisted; Dt 32:5 generation! How long will I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.” 18 Then Jesus rebuked the demon,[12] Lit rebuked him or it and it[13] Lit the demon came out of him, and from that moment[14] Lit hour the boy was healed. 19 Then the disciples approached Jesus privately and said, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 20 “Because of your little faith,” He[15] Other mss read your unbelief,” Jesus told them. “For • I assure you: If you have faith the size of[16] Lit faith like a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. [ 21 However, this kind does not come out except by prayer and fasting.]”[17] Other mss omit bracketed text; Mk 9:29

This man had brought his son to JESUS’ disciples. They could not heal him. Notice what JESUS says in verse 21.

I know a missionary friend of mine was in the hospital very ill. She asked a local pastor to pray for her healing. The Pastor told her that he would pray about it. He came back to her and told her that the LORD had given permission to pray for her healing. But he along with his church had to fast and pray for her. He said they would fast and pray for her, as I recall, on that Wednesday. The church did and she was healed.

I have to admit when I fasted, I did so trying to manipulate GOD. I fasted for the wrong reason. I have never been, to my knowledge, led to fast and pray.

I have met people who have said they could not eat or partake of certain food or drink because they were fasting. JESUS says when we fast keep it to our selves.

I think. Now watch out when I say “I think” because this is my opinion. I think we need to be led into fasting. I say this only based upon where I am coming from. My nature has been to fast to manipulate GOD into doing something I wanted. Therefore I am very cautious. Also some people should be cautious about fasting because of existing health conditions such as diabetes.

Yes fasting is something we are called to do. It causes us to focus on the subject of concern and to focus our attention on GOD WHO is the ONE WHO can provide the solution or comfort.

This brings to mind (Nothing to do with fasting but someone must need this) another dear missionary friend who is now with our LORD, Miss Bertha Smith. What a cricket! We talked about the gift of healing. She said her sister had the gift of healing and people would come to her and ask her to pray for their healing. She would tell them to wait because she had to go and check. Miss Bertha said that meant she had to go and pray and ask the LORD how she should pray for that person. She would come back with one of two (2) possible answers (1) Yes, the LORD has given me permission to pray for you. She would and they would be healed. (2) No, the LORD has not given me permission to pray for your healing because this is something you need to go through but HE has given me permission to pray for your comfort as you go through this.

In summary, giving, praying and fasting are all about our motives. GOD wants us to have an intimate relationship with HIM. When we have the proper relationship, we will have the proper motives as we worship and serve HIM. So seek the relationship first by yielding your life to HIM and the rest will fall into place.