Bible Study - Transformed (1) - Transformed in My Worship - Matthew 6:1-8, 16-18 - June 5, 2016

Bible Study – Transformed (1) – Transformed in My Worship – June 5, 2016

This is lesson one (1) in our series entitled “Transformed: My Life in GOD’S Kingdom.”

Our focus scripture is Matthew 6:1-8, 16-18.

Giving, praying and fasting are disciplines of personal worship.

In this six-week study we will explore the transforming nature that our relationship with JESUS has on the way we live as Christians. We studied the Beatitudes a few months ago and saw that they represent the total Christian and the manner in which he or she lives. Living such a Christian life is impossible without the indwelling Holy Spirit to enlighten, empower and guide.

This scripture is also referred to as the “Sermon on the Mount.” JESUS was teaching HIS followers and HIS disciples how mature Christians live.

The setting for the Sermon on the Mount was in the area of Capernaum on a hillside on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. JESUS’ message in Chapter 5 was that GOD examines the hearts, intents and motivations. Worshipers of GOD can fool those around them but they will not fool GOD. GOD’S desire is for HIS people to worship HIM in truth and Spirit. JESUS had challenged those listening to HIS message that their righteousness had to exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees if they were to enter the Kingdom of GOD as recorded in Matthew 5:20:

20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

JESUS goes on to address the attitude of the heart.

Being a born-again Christian is all about relationship. It is our relationship with GOD through CHRIST and the degree we allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide our lives. Every day is a day of teaching, learning and putting into action the things that GOD allows to come into our lives that we may grow and mature in our relationship with HIM. This lesson focuses upon giving, praying and fasting in a manner that pleases GOD and not man. Hypocrisy is a term which means “play actors.” GOD’S desire is honesty and genuineness from those who worship HIM.  A person can fool other people but he or she cannot fool GOD because GOD knows the heart.

Let’s explore!

Let’s read Matthew 6:1-4:

How to Give

1 "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of people, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

Righteousness comes only from salvation. No human can be good enough to earn his or her salvation. When Christians are in right relationship with GOD through CHRIST, the indwelling Holy Spirit is their teacher and is The One to maintain balance and order in their lives.

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!

JESUS admonished Christians to give without fanfare.

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.

A Christian gives in such a secret manner that his or her left hand does not know what his or her right hand is doing. I have known people who try to keep their giving a secret.

Let’s read Matthew 6:5-8:

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.

7 When you pray, don't babble like the idolaters, 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.

There is personal and corporate prayer. When we pray alone we have only GOD to whom we are talking to. In a group or at a church gathering, we are talking to GOD but often we are talking to those present. We like to hear the accolades from fellow Christians. Our prayers must express what GOD has laid upon our hearts. Is writing out our prayers beforehand wrong? Many do. When we do, what is our motive? Is it to please those in hearing distance or to speak to GOD?

JESUS had a strong prayer life and HIS disciples asked HIM to teach them how to pray.

Let’s read Matthew 6:9-15:

The Model Prayer

9 "Therefore, you should pray like this: Our Father in heaven, Your name be honored as holy.

We must have the right relationship with GOD in order to call HIM Father. We know that after the passion of JESUS that relationship is through HIM. Salvation is through JESUS and HIS passion. We ask JESUS to forgive us for our sins believing that JESUS gave HIS life for us. It is through the shedding of HIS blood that our sin debt was paid in full. We ask JESUS to come into our lives and our lives are transformed. We are born into GOD’S Family as HIS Son or HIS Daughter through the miracle of rebirth and we receive eternal life. We have the right and privilege to call GOD, Father. Rebirth results in all Christians being made righteous as we read in 2 Corinthians 5:21:

21 He (GOD) made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we (those who place their faith in JESUS) might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Let’s continue with the model prayer:

10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Once we are born into GOD’S Family, we are also citizens of Heaven as we read in Ephesians 2:19:

19 So then you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God's household,

And in Philippians 3:20:

20 but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Christians are not foreigners or aliens but belong to and are part of and in relationship with GOD.

Let's return to the model prayer:

11 Give us today our daily bread.

Daily provisions both physical and Spiritual are vital to all Christians. All people live in the present.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

It is vital for Christians to have the right attitude toward others. They are to forgive as GOD forgives us for our wrongs. 

13 And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]

Help us to keep our eyes and hearts focused upon You Father that we will not be tempted. Help us, as Your Children, to stay focused upon whom we are, Your Son or Your Daughter. When we do, Your power will sustain us.

14 "For if you forgive people their wrongdoing, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well.

Have the attitude of GOD and forgive.

15 But if you don't forgive people, your Father will not forgive your wrongdoing.

Not forgiving has consequences.

1 John 1:5-10:

5 Now this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him.

6 If we say, "We have fellowship with Him," and walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth.

7 But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

8 If we say, "We have no sin," we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say, "We have not sinned," we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

Christians are to be honest with themselves and their relationship with GOD and fellow man.

Let’s read Matthew 6:16-18:

How to Fast

16 "Whenever you fast, don't be sad-faced like the hypocrites. For they make their faces unattractive 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.

What is fasting? It is being so deeply concerned over something or someone that you do not want food or drink. It could be a concern for health. It could be a concern for relationships – children, marriage, friends, work, decisions that need to be made such as selling a business, changing jobs, moving, being without a job, etc. It could be a deep desire to know GOD. It could be deep concern over a person who does not know CHRIST as his or her Savior or a Christian who is not living as a Christian. It can be concerns over a city, state or nation, fellow Christians who are being persecuted or Christian missionaries, pastors, churches, etc. The list goes on.

JESUS instructed those who were led to fast to not reveal it to others in word, appearance or actions. JESUS taught that fasting was personal and should be between that person and GOD. People with medical conditions must be cautious when fasting. A person can do without food for a longer period of time than water.

Give, pray and fast from a pure heart. Blessings!!!