|
Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
MY wife once read to me a news account of our acquaintance who is a gifted, talented woman. The news account, though, told how she had embezzled and stolen large sums of money. Apparently her focus was not on what God had given to her. She turned her eyes from her gifts and talents, her family, her husband and her business to gaze upon the things that moth and rust destroy. Sadly, she was even willing to break the law to fulfill her desires. Even worse, she was willing to break her bond with God to allow possessions to rule over her life. We all probably know of someone who trades God’s law for material possessions. Hopefully we aren’t one of those stories. Of course, this sad story began with Adam and Eve’s sin in Genesis 3. The human desire for more than God permitted has led to the ongoing restlessness in our souls. We all have inherited the eyes of Eve and Adam. Recall how they focused not on Eden, their personal Paradise and the whole earth at their disposal. God said, “No.” to the one tree; and yet, they could not keep their eyes from that one more thing. They greedily lusted for more, only to lose their most precious possession – their personal relationship with God. Breaking God’s law turned their love for one another and for God into guilt, shame and fear. Listen to Jesus’ words. Most of us do not commit crimes to get what we don’t have. But too many of us are willing to sacrifice our relationship with God, our children, our spouse, our family and our friends for more things we don’t have and don’t need. As our first parents in the Garden, we trade God’s favor for our eyes’ desires then suddenly find an emptiness impossible to fill. Jesus knows the rich life awaiting his faithful children in heaven. Desire God. Keep steadfast eyes on your Provider, Life Giver, Redeemer, Holy One, Father, Son and Spirit. And you will have all you desire. Psalms 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. Matthew 6:16-18 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
THERE is Jesus’ using “when” again. “When you do righteous acts. When you pray. When you fast.” inform us Jesus’ teachings are not ideas or suggestions. They are God’s commands. Obey his commands, and God’s will is done on earth. That is the way God’s kingdom works. He establishes the rules. Kingdom citizenship is King obedience. But most of us probably pay little attention to “when you fast” because we likely have not been taught about fasting. To fast is to not eat beyond a very basic nutrition for a period of time, usually a day or several days. To fast is to demonstrate to God your faith in his provision to care for you. Many who fast say, “I wasn’t hungry.” because the Spirit wa feeding God’s grace to them. When you fast, you spend less time on what you will eat and more time to consider your reliance on God’s mercy. A physical hunger can remind us of your spiritual needs. You fast and pray for your deeper awareness of God’s sovereign authority. Self-denial helps you, also, to learn how to resist temptations. Jesus taught us how to say, “No.” to evil during a forty-day fast when he resisted Satan’s temptations: Matthew 4:2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” When we know and remember what is written, God’s Word delivers us from evil. The Bible describes several times when Israel fasted as a nation to seek God’s favor. Scripture tells also of many individuals who fasted when there was a great challenge before them, including difficult assignment God gave them. As the church began, the twelve apostles continued to observe particular Jewish fast days that commemorated events of note in their history. But the church through the ages has seemed to diminish the importance of Jesus’ directive. Yes, Jesus said, “When you fast.” What, then, do you say? Fast quietly to focus on God. Submit to his provision and seek his direction for your life as the Holy Spirit leads you. As with prayer and offerings, fasting is to be private. What matters, as you know, is what is in your heart. Jesus Teaches: Self-denial in Christ will lead to a growing hunger to consume God’s Word. Matthew 6:14-15 “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
JESUS’ very direct teaching on forgiveness comes immediately after he has taught his disciples to pray, “Forgive us our debts (sins) as we forgive our debtors (those who sin against us).” Jesus has point upon point proclaimed the blessings of kingdom living based on the Beatitudes of Matthew 5:3-11. In truth, these teachings are based on God’s commands to love God and to love one another. Jesus is fulfilling the law as he teaches how to live into God’s law. He has spoken plainly about love even as it applies to our enemies. He then continues his life-giving teachings as he calls the congregation to a very new, even offensive response to those who sin against us. What does forgiveness mean to you? Is it in the framework of such mild infractions as, “Yes, I forgive my neighbor for allowing his dog to bark all night. I forgive my spouse for ignoring my wants. I even forgive the person who sat in my spot in church last Sunday.” But Jesus’ teaching applies to forgiving each person who sins against us - even those who repeatedly and violently offend us. For the Jews, this forgiveness was as an insult. It meant acceptance and cooperation with Rome and even the hated tax collectors. As a nation, the Jews had been under the power of various harsh empires – Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome – in the 600 years prior to Jesus’ arrival. What’s more, the evil Herods reigned over Galilee and Judah as Jesus spoke these words. A great hope for the Messiah was that he would lead an army to overthrow the oppressive rule. Certainly no Messiah would talk of forgiveness! How is it possible to forgive such offenses? Remember, Jesus is teaching us how. Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” And the Holy Spirit continued such teaching through James 2:13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment! Truly, forgiveness is an essential for kingdom living, isn’t it? Think about it. There is no substitute for forgiveness, for releasing the sins against you. You can only have eternal life through God’s merciful forgiveness of your sins. You can only live in peace with family members when you forgive them, and they forgive you. You can only live with an open mind to know and obey God’s rule when your heart is free of revenge and hateful retribution. Forgiveness softens and smooths your heart, so you are able to absorb God’s love and to love others. Forgiveness gives you and the other person the opportunity to build a close, vibrant loving relationship that can glorify God’s name. Even more, as you pray, “Father, forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” you are reminded of God’s eternal forgiveness. You become aware, also, God will hear your prayer in response to your forgiveness of others. If you are unwilling to forgive others, God will be unwilling to forgive you. Forgive others, even your enemies. Show Jesus to a world who needs to know the One who said from the cross, “Father, forgive them.” (Luke 23:34) Jesus Teaches: Forgive and be free to be forgiven. Matthew 6:9-12 “This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
IF you’ve been around church very much, you recognize this scripture as “The Lord’s Prayer”, one you may have spoken many, many times. Yes, it is likely we’ve all said “The Lord’s Prayer” in some form, whether in the King James language using “Thy” instead of “your” and to close with Matthew 6:13b “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.” The above is the New International Version language, or you may use some other version. Some of you may have simply seen it in your church bulletin or on the media screen and didn’t know it was Scripture. That was my experience until my teenage years when a good pastor taught the Bible. Much, of course, has been written on the power, the petitions and the brevity of Jesus’ model prayer. As we have been reading Jesus’ lessons on the right attitude of prayer, he now gives us a framework to speak with God. Now I ask, “Is this the Lord’s prayer or yours?” In other words, are you simply repeating the words Jesus prayed? Or do you pray this from your heart, taking these words on as your own? When it’s time to pray it in church do politely say it, or do you pray it? I hope you pray this prayer from your heart as (your first name)’s Prayer. Some have said, and I believe it is correct, it is more appropriate to label this, “The Disciple’s Prayer”. After all, Jesus said, “This, then, is how you should pray.” Moving from his lesson on the condemnation of the Jews’ public prayers, Jesus teaches that prayer should honor God’s holy name. Your primary desire must be for God’s Kingdom to come in full on the earth. Prayer must be a confession you submit to his will for your life as you understand all you need comes from God. You are to pray with humility to seek forgiveness and confession of your sins. You want God’s power, also, to resist evil, especially the Devil himself. Remember, Jesus is preaching. He did not teach this prayer to be spoken as a quotation of his words. He taught it to be a framework to honor God, praise him for his provision, confess our sins, forgive others and resist the devil. This is to help us express our heart’s desire to acknowledge our Holy God. Be Jesus’ disciple who forms and shapes your prayers around the Lord’s prayerful words. Honor God. Submit to his will. Forgive and be forgiven. Resist sin. Declare God’s promise to come. Prayer: Heavenly Father, may I keep your name holy on my heart, tongue and mind. I pray your kingdom will quickly and fully come on the earth. Grant your will is done in my life, your church and throughout the world as it is done in heaven. May we have food to eat today and your food to eat forever. Forgive my sins, Lord, and open my heart to forgive those who have sinned against me. Keep me from temptation. Guard me against Satan’s evil. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Matthew 6:5-8 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 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. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”
JESUS continues with his teaching point of the Father’s constant knowledge of who you are. Here are some points on a God-centered prayer life. One of the Bible’s shortest verses is 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray continually.” In that epistle, the apostle Paul urges Jesus’ disciples to be in constant conversation with the Holy God. Here Jesus teaches us about an appropriate way to engage in that conversation. Jesus condemns the Jewish leaders’ hypocrisy in their public prayers. Then points us to a true heat-to-heart relationship with the Father. Jesus does not condemn public prayer. We know Jesus prayed before thousands and with his disciples. He also prayed alone. Jesus’ prayer purposes included petitions for the Father’s care on the disciples. He asked for the Father’s glory to be revealed in the healing of the sick and raising Lazarus from the dead. He prayed to seek the Father’s will. In contrast, Jewish religious leaders often spoke long and loud self-focused public prayers. Their prayers were not a conversation to care others and to seek God’s will but to tell the world, “I am holy.” When Jesus said, “They have received their reward in full” he declares their payment for their sin will be God’s judgment on their pride. God will cut down with one word those who try to rise above him with self-centered words. Jesus and the apostles affirm prayer is to be a regular, real conversation between you and God. Speak to him with pointed praise, thanksgiving and supplication. Confess your sins and seek his will. Join also with others in public meetings to pray together. The Bible has many such times when God’s people especially realized they needed God’s intervention. Sit quietly with him in private. Pray God’s will is done in your life. Whenever and wherever you pray, be real. Be prepared to respond to his answers. Colossians 4:2-3 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Matthew 6:2-4 “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 men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
THERE is a “secret friend” helping ministry some Christians do to quietly care for another without that person knowing who is blessing them. Several people will gather to each draw a name of someone else in the group. The name each person chooses is the one to receive “secret” care through prayer, encouraging notes, gifts or other appropriate means. The secret friend ministers God’s grace. Do you think this “secret ministry” a bit odd? Would you want a note or gift from an unidentified source? Would it be better if the one offering the blessings received a “thank you” from the recipient? Anonymous ministry doesn’t seem to fit into our framework of loving relationships, does it? But here again, Jesus abruptly adjusts our view of Christian living. Keeping our deeds a secret will more easily turn the mind of the blessed one toward God. How freeing it is, also, to know that what you do is not about you. Focused on God’s commands, one can more easily respond as needs arise and God directs. Your only focus is to obey God. Unexpected blessings are also good ways to know God’s personal touch on their lives. Jesus teaches God rewards our quiet ministries: “Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” The New King James Version says that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. The great 19th century English preacher Charles Spurgeon anticipated, “Any praise from his lips, any reward from his hands, will be of priceless value. Oh, to live with an eye to that alone!” (from Spurgeon's Expository Notes) Does God reward you immediately? Yes, he does in a way you may not know. The Father sees you, and he is pleased. Imagine, the Father will bestow on you the reward of himself! You will be clothed more richly with his love, kindness and mercy. Also, you can trust the Bible’s teachings of heavenly reward for your righteous obedience to God’s commands. Living for God rewards you with God’s essence now and forever. The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus’ teachings of the way to know God and enjoy his blessings forever. There is no greater reward, is there? Matthew 5:48 Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect.
WE all know we cannot live life perfectly, so why would Jesus teach what seems to be an unreachable goal? In truth, Jesus is pointing us to our life’s purpose as we journey toward eternal life with God in heaven. Recall his sermon points in Matthew 5:13a “You are the salt of the earth. And in 14a “You are the light of the world.” From there his sermon points have been the ways we can be salt and light. Fulfill the law. Be righteous. Love one another. Jesus has just taught us a list of God’s perfection. Now he says, “be perfect therefore”. In short, as we’ve learned what the Lord requires of us, we must live into the knowledge. Jesus points us to what we are to become. The word for that “becoming process” is “sanctification”. To be sanctified means two things. First, you are set apart from the world, made holy in Jesus’ blood. Second, “sanctified” means you are on a pathway to live more and more obediently into God’s teachings. Your life is enriched in God’s truth and becomes life-giving salt and light. When a sanctified mind asks, “What would Jesus do?” we will know how to perfectly respond. Consider a sun-drenched, snow-capped mountain peak you can see from hundreds of miles away. With your eyes fixed on the peak, you see it, aspire to it and know the direction to the mountaintop. You will likely struggle and stumble along the way. But purposeful to complete the journey, you will adjust from your mistakes and come to the top. There is a reason mountains are often the place where God meets with his prophets and people. God’s perfection is a mountaintop for your soul. Keep your sanctified eyes fixed on God’s Holy Son as you journey toward your eternal destiny. Jesus’ command is also a call to faith: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16) A God-given faith lights your way to God. In Christ you are new, set apart from your past, free to become more and more as God calls you to be. 2 Corinthians 13:11 Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. Matthew 5:46-47 “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?”
MOST of us view love as an emotion that develops in our relationships with particular people. We “fall in love” in a romantic relationship. And we naturally love our children and siblings. We come to love people who are friends with whom we share similar experiences. Love is most commonly viewed as an emotional response to people who honor and love us. As Jesus teaches, “Do not even the pagans do that?” he refers to this natural, emotional and relational love most people generally experience at some point in their lives. Jesus then teaches that a God-centered love is much more than feelings. Jesus preaches a personal, active love that initiates a true change in another. This God-based love is a supernatural love. It is a holy love that flows only from the spring of new life we receive in the Holy Spirit. Paul expanded on this when he wrote, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love” (Galatians 5:22) and taught that Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. (1 Corinthians 13:4) These points helps us understand Jesus’ sermon point. Love is a spiritual gift of unique power. God’s love – or agape love as it is known - enables us to love as God loves us. With patient, kind, humble love from the Holy Spirit, we love those the world calls “unlovable”. We resist our own comforts to comfort the broken and weary. Our hearts are open to help and forgive. Jesus lived into this love throughout his life and especially the day he died. On Jesus’ final evening with his disciples before he was crucified, John 14-17 records a grand outpouring of Jesus’ love for his disciples. He declared his ministry on earth and the disciples’ mission to come was built on the supernatural, holy love of God: John 15:9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” As the Spirit awakens our minds to understand Jesus’ incomparable love, we begin to know God’s love. Seeing the world and our lives through Jesus’ love teaches us why he has counted us worthy to save us from sin. In his love, we are made worthy to receive new life and the spiritual gift to love others. Jesus-like love is a decision to live into Jesus’ love commands. We decide on each action of our lives, including what we think. Decide, then, to love. Let’s change our tendency to judge and criticize into a habit to love. Life is so much better that way. It is God’s gift. Receive it and live it because “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35) 1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. Matthew 5:43-45 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in Heaven.”
JESUS preached with the authority of God because he is God. The prophets could say, “Hear the Lord’s word.” But when Jesus said, “I tell you.” the people in his congregation were directly hearing the Word of God from the Word made flesh. Yes, Jesus is a prophet, the perfect prophet, and in that office he is the sovereign God preaching his truth over all of his creation. Since then, all that has been and will be preached must proceed from God-breathed Scripture. Thus, when Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said.” he refers to a human’s view of God’s truths. “Hate your enemies” was the Pharisees’ reinterpretation and extension of God’s forgiveness and love law in Leviticus 19:18 “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” They translated love your neighbor into “hate your enemies”. They added to God’s Word with their own desires. This is the sin that has corrupted human minds since Satan tempted Eve. God never said to hate. Moses never wrote that. Yes, God directed Israel to defend itself, to attack and to destroy enemies who threatened their relationship with God. It is God’s purpose to protect us from those who seek to destroy us. It is not God’s purpose to have people hate one another. One demonstration of that is God’s post-Flood law that murder be a capital offense. Genesis 9:5c And from each man, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of his fellow man. Hatred and murder began with Cain to infect humanity to the point of God’s world-wide judgment. As the world began after the Flood, the LORD’s desire was we love and honor each other made in his image. You can be very grateful for God’s love. When he chooses us to be his sons and daughters, rejoice in his mercy. “Blessed are the merciful.” directs us toward loving one another. “I tell you.” negated the Pharisees’ unauthorized rules. Jesus’ truth saves you from living in ignorance, sin and death. Be thankful God’s way is to “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” This kind of love leads people to Jesus. Through his love God has told you the truth “that you may be sons (children) of your Father in here to edit. Matthew 5:40-42 “And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”
AS we’ve been reading Matthew 5, the beginning of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, perhaps we can see why this is known as the greatest sermon ever preached. Of course, the Living Word of God is preaching, teaching, encouraging and challenging us. Then note his pattern. Each point he speaks is a powerful, life-changing sermon point. The Sermon on the Mount is not a three-point sermon but a pointed, dynamic revelation of God’s will. This revelation is the reason for a sermon. Truly preached, a sermon properly reveals God’s law, judgment, grace and salvation. Receive the truth and strive to live into the Living Word. Certainly Jesus’ many culture-opposing, mind-changing points caused the crowd to ask, “How can we do such things?” That question is answered then and now when we listen, see and believe the Lord God. First, let’s understand Jesus wasn’t telling the Jews – many who had few possessions – to give away some used coat or covering. A tunic was often a person’s most valuable clothing possession. In addition they were to give away their cloak – their shirt. Jesus also teaches the crowd to be ready to go an extra mile. This refers to the Roman couriers’ and soldiers’ authority to order a Jew at any time to carry a heavy burden for some distance. Is Jesus saying to give and go as anyone demands of us? To answer we once more look to the Beatitudes to see the commands of meekness and righteousness leading to kingdom life. As previously mentioned, meekness before others in Christ’s strength is a very effective way to open a heart’s locked door. When you are willing to serve with your valued possessions, you are trusting God’s provision for you. Such generosity awakens you to know God provides, and it will turn unsaved hearts to seek the Servant King. Are we then to loan money to anyone who asks? Perhaps not everyone. Jesus also teaches elsewhere to use our money well, to invest it for good purposes and give as the Lord directs. We aren’t to loan or give money to someone we know will be wasteful. But, as throughout the sermon, Jesus does say to be generous in your considerations. Have a mindset that begins with desire to help others. Be open-handed to those God places before you. The kingdom economy functions best from a generous heart. You don’t have to be rich to loan money, only generous, trusting in God’s Word. Be open to discern a proper request and act accordingly. Jesus directs us to be gracious and generous beyond what we consider normal, if we consider it at all. Kingdom living is living and giving “abnormally” as King Jesus did. He has generously walked with us many, many miles to carry our heavy burdens to give of himself that we may inherit – be given – eternal life. Psalms 37:25-26 I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. 26 They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed. |
AuthorBob James Archives
November 2024
Categories |
RSS Feed