Lesson 17: The Prayer Principle

The Gospel
of Matthew

chapter 6

The Prayer Principle

Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy Name... Matthew
6:10

Just before we delve into this study, let us deal with one or two matters that arose in form of questions from Matthew 6:1-18.

Q&A
One of the questions that arose from our last study titled Religion versus Kingdom was; how can I be sure I am serving God and not religion? This was opened to discussion and again the insightful comments were profound:

· Church teaches you doctrine and not necessarily a relationship with Christ.

· Believers need to get into the Word themselves and not rely on church teaching

· Many Christians need to be mind delivered from the wrong world view they have

· The leading of the Holy Spirit is key in helping discern the difference

· Pure religion is about looking after others and keeping oneself holy –James 1:27

The Lord’s Prayer is a model for us about how to pray according to God’s prescription and instruction. It is not necessarily something to memorise religiously but to apply the principles. When we have a good look at these passages we see some amazing patterns emerging.

Our Father...

The modern church has emphasised the ME notion so much that we have a whole generation of believers who are selfish and caught up in their own matters to the exclusion of others. The popular books and conferences are testament to the fact that the Body of Christ is full of converts and not disciples. Self absorbed church goers who are focussed on their own success, promotion and blessings without any healthy concern for the state of others.

The prayer begins on the corporate level; it is Our Father not My Father. Once you bow your knees in prayer you immediately join the masses of saints across the world and ages that have prayed or are praying too. It is like logging on to God’s divine conference call or chat room.

Hallowed be your Name...

Many Christians have been taught to pray from a primary position of their Need rather than seeking God’s Lead. Jesus emphasises God and others through this model of prayer which takes the focus off from us and unto Him.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him and bless His name. Psalm 100:4

The first section of the prayer places our attention on God; Our Father, Your Name, Your Kingdom, Your will... There is no mention of me, my, I or mine.

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come, for men shall be lovers of their own selves...2 Timothy 3:1

We live in an age of YOU-Tube, My Space, Face-Book which are just indicators of a global emphasis the individual even though there seems to be greater electronic networking. Family structures and community cohesiveness are in conflict with values and norms that uphold individual rights above social and moral boundaries. The general social ethos now is, “If it feels good to you then go ahead and do it...”

Your Kingdom Come, your will be done...

Underscoring the God focus, we are admonished to pray for the things on God’s Heart before downloading our burdens. Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be ADDED unto you

Give us this day our daily bread...

This aspect of the Lord’s Prayer teaches us corporate responsibility. Even when we pray for our needs, we should be carrying into God’s presence the needs of others within our sphere of responsibility. So it isn’t give me but give us.

You represent a whole community of God’s people some of whom are in the Kingdom while others aren’t. It is part of your assignment on Earth to pray and take spiritual responsibility for those whom the Lord has linked with your life.

This represents a new paradigm for many of us who have been taught and fed on doctrines of individual achievement, personal development and goals to the exclusion of others. Many churches do not come before God carrying the weight, sins and problems of their community. This leads many into a warped theology that is laced with greed and selfishness.

⁴Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others.

⁴If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand Philippians 2:1-4(Message)

To be continued....

Lesson 16: Religion versus Kingdom

The Gospel
of Matthew

chapter 6

Religion versus Kingdom

Do not be like the hypocrites... Matthew 6:5

This is another outline where the text does the talking and teaching – direct!!

Our Lord Jesus was confronting religion head on by highlighting three key pillars of any world religious community – Giving alms, Prayer and Fasting. All these practices even though good in themselves are corrupted by wrong human motives. Let’s take a look at The Message version of the Gospel of Matthew 6: 1-18 skipping the Lord’s Prayer

Alms Giving

“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. ² When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth; they have received all the reward they will ever get. ³ But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. ⁴ Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

Prayer

⁵ “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth that is all the reward they will ever get. ⁶ But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

Fasting

¹⁶ “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and dishevelled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. ¹⁷ But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. ¹⁸ Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

We had an amazing conversation during the service as we tackled the issue of church religion versus true Christianity. We asked the question, If we as Christians serve a God of Love, why aren’t we known for our great Love for people? Do we find a lot of Love in Church?

The response was quite revealing and challenging concerning the state of the Body of Christ.
Some of the statements were:

· Christians do not trust each other because so many have been hurt in church

· Many Christians are only interested in money and material things

· There is a lot of jealousy, back stabbing and strife in churches

· Lots of believers have taken their eyes off the essence of who Christ is

· Prosperity teachings and emphasis on material things have corrupted many a heart

· Many believers find that non-Christians have more integrity than church goers

· Lots of people go to church, but the church is not in them

· Many people in church focus on ME, MYSELF & I, which is basically selfishness.

· Many church doctrines focus on what we can get from God than what we can give to Him.

These amazing statements clearly show that if these are anecdotal experiences of the average Christian, then something is definitely very wrong. The Heart of the matter is the matter of the Heart. Our motives are misplaced when we engage with a system of religion and not with the Lord. If we know more about Authors and Preachers than we know the Lord then we run the risk of ship wrecking our faith in times of crisis. We also run the more severe risk of the Lord’s Judgement on that Day!

Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name? And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands]. Matthew 7:22-23 Amplified

Some may now ask, how can we know that we are truly serving the Lord and not religion? We will deal with this in our next study. My simple advice right now is, confess your sins everyday to the Lord and ask Him to examine your heart and show you where you miss it...He will!!

Lesson 15: The Higher Life

The Gospel
of Matthew

Outline 15

The Higher Life

Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in
heaven is perfect Matthew 5:48

This amazing statement is made by Jesus as we step away from chapters five into six. It is so profound that we have to stop and take a look at it properly. Theologians believe that this verse has direct correlation with Deuteronomy 18:13. You shall be blameless before the LORD your God. How can a man be perfect or walk blameless? Is that possible?!! Isn’t being perfect reserved for when we cross over into eternity?

To understand this better, we need to look at the root word used here for perfect or blameless; teleios – goal, purpose, adult, full-grown, of full age. It’s inherent meaning is that of maturity. It means that we should grow up and stop acting like children but as mature adults
in Love. When I was a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 1Corinthians 13:11

God’s perfection is absolute while man’s is relative, reaching the goal set for him by God with each individual differing according to his God-given ability. The teleios is one who who has attained his moral end, the goal for which he was intended, namely, to be a man obedient in Christ. Zodhiates Greek Lexicon.

The LORD says to Abraham, I am Almighty God, walk before me and be blameless. Genesis 17:1

·Walk before me and have real integrity

· Live in the consciousness of My Presence

· Walk before me and be complete

· Walk before me and be perfect in Love

Him we preach, warning everyman and teaching everyman in all wisdom, that we present everyman perfect in Christ Jesus. Colossians 1:28

Be ye followers of God as dear children: and walk in love as Christ also hath loved us...Eph 5:1-2

We are being challenged to behave like God; copying His attribute of LOVE. We do not need to take our cue from people or need their approval to do what is right. The inner life of Christ produces a Higher life that overrides shallowness, pride and pettiness.

Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Matthew 6:1
...and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly