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Sunday School Lesson Outline – Pleasant Zion Missionary Baptist Church – 3317 Toledano Street – New Orleans, La.

January 27, 2019 --- Christ's New Teachings --- Matthew 6:1-13

Unit II – Christ Pursuing His Mission

Introduction: ―Although ’ remarks in the on the Mount (Matt. 5–7) were primarily directed toward His newly chosen apostles, a great multitude overheard what He said (4:23–5:1). Since were often present when Christ taught, a number of His statements were directed toward them. The multitudes and the disciples needed to know there was something amiss with the religious leaders. It must have come as something of a surprise to the Lord’s audience when He told them that their had to exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees (Matt. 5:20). This must have seemed an impossible requirement, as they were considered the most religious men in the land. As we will see, the problem was not so much what the Pharisees did but why they did it. They often did the right thing for the wrong reason, a practice even modern believers must constantly guard against.‖ – BE&I (See Right Motives on Page 6.)

I. HOW NOT TO GIVE -- Matthew 6:1-2

Matthew 6:1 1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

A. Showy giving (Matthew 6:1).

1. ―There were three important religious activities among the Jews of Jesus’ day: giving, praying, and . (All three were discussed by the Master Teacher in His famous sermon, although fasting is not included in this week’s lesson text [cf. vss. 16-18]). ‖

2. ―Nothing, of course, was wrong with doing any of these things. (But for the most part, the Pharisees did them only to receive praise from men.)‖

a. ―As modern disciples of Christ, we all need to be careful that what we do for the Lord is motivated by genuine faith and not a desire to receive worldly accolades.‖

b. ―As Christ said earlier in the sermon (5:16), our good works are to glorify God, not ourselves.‖

3. ―The word (eleemosune) translated alms in Matthew 6 is related to the word for mercy, which was one of the key qualities of a righteous person (as it is of God).‖

a. ―In Judaism, one of the most important acts of mercy was to give to the poor.‖

b. ―Both the Law and Prophets extolled helping the poor.‖

Practical Point 1: ―We should be genuine in our giving so that it benefits the recipients, not ourselves.‖

Matthew 6:2 2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

B. Conspicuous giving (Matthew 6:2).

1. ―Both the Pharisees and those who followed their lead needed to be warned about giving for the wrong reason.‖

a. ―Sure, the poor would be helped by their actions, but the giver would receive no heavenly reward.‖

b. ―Indeed, they had already received their reward: praise and honor from men.‖

2. ―We note that their giving was done conspicuously, in the synagogues and in the streets. (The reference to sounding a trumpet to announce their giving is probably a metaphor and not to be understood literally.)‖ 2

Practical Point 2: ―It is wiser to let God reward you than to strive for the glory of men.‖

II. HOW TO GIVE -- Matthew 6:3-4

Matthew 6:3 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

A. Inconspicuous giving (Matthew 6:3).

1. ―Obviously, the left hand knows what the right hand is doing, and vice versa (or rather, the person involved knows what both are doing). (Jesus’ instruction was a figure of speech, meaning that giving should be done as inconspicuously as possible.)‖

2. ―Even when our giving is done in secret, we can end up congratulating ourselves for our generosity.‖

a. ―This will lead to pride in the heart, degenerating into self-righteousness.‖

b. ―Others may not know that we are acting like Pharisees, but God does!‖

Matthew 6:4 4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

B. The greatest reward (Matthew 6:4).

1. ―When we think of rewards, we may assume that God will compensate us in a similar fashion as we have done for others. (Hence, if we give to help others, we will also receive unexpected blessings and gifts.)‖

2. ―While this sometimes occurs (Luke 6:38), it should not be expected, for we may be disappointed.‖

a. ―Whether God’s rewards come in this world or in the next, they should not be our primary goal.‖

b. ―The greatest reward is knowing that we have done what our Lord would have us to do (vs. 31).‖

Practical Point 3: ―All that matters is that God sees what you do, even if no one recognizes you for it.‖

III. HOW NOT TO PRAY -- Matthew 6:5-8

Matthew 6:5-6 5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

A. Hypocritical praying (Matthew 6:5-6).

1. ―Christ warned about being hypocrites regarding these things ( issues).‖

a. ―In antiquity, the word hypocrite was regularly used of what we would call an actor.‖

b. ―As we all know, an actor simply plays a part; he is pretending to be someone he is not.‖

c. ―Unlike modern performers, ancient actors changed characters by simply putting on a different mask.‖

2. ―While it seems commendable that someone would love to pray in any place, the motive is critical.‖

a. ―In this case, the hypocrites were praying for the wrong reason: merely to be noticed by others.‖

b. ―Their reward: the recognition they received from the people who witnessed their supposed piety.‖

3. ―In contrast to the above, praying that pleases God is to be done in secret.‖

a. ―This, of course, does not forbid public praying, for there are many biblical examples of such .‖ 3

b. ―But for those who do pray publicly, there are inherent dangers as alluded to here.‖

4. ―The word closet in verse 6 should not be taken too narrowly.‖

a. ―The Greek word (tameion) can mean storeroom and could be any enclosed, private place.‖

b. ―It is elsewhere rendered secret chambers (24:26) and storehouse (:24).‖

Practical Point 4: ―We pray to communicate with God, not to impress man.‖

Matthew 6:7-8 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

B. Heathenish praying (Matthew 6:7-8).

1. ―Typical of the heathen (Gentiles), prayers were often repetitious, so as to supposedly arouse the favor of the gods on their behalf. (Such was the practice of the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel [I Kings 18:21-29]).‖

2. ―Representing one Greek word (battologeo), vain repetitions in Matthew 6:7 may mean to babble or repeat empty phrases over and over.‖

a. ―Since this word appears only once in the NT and nowhere in Greek literature, its meaning is debated.‖

b. ―Jesus was not talking about perseverance in prayer, which He encouraged (Luke 18:1-7).‖

3. ―Since God already knows our needs, we do not need to ritually repeat our prayers so as to secure His attention. (Again, this does not forbid repeating the same request more than once, over time [Matt. 26:36-44; II Cor. 12:7-9]).‖

Practical Point 5: ―Trust God with your needs.‖

IV. HOW TO PRAY -- Matthew 6:9-13

Matthew 6:9 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

A. God's name (Matthew 6:9).

1. ―The Lord’s Prayer begins by addressing God as Father: as children of God, we are part of one family.‖

2. ―While it's acceptable to call earthly fathers Father, a religious leader shouldn't be so addressed (Matt. 23:9).‖

3. ―To consider God’s name holy is to acknowledge God Himself as holy.‖

a. ―Just as your name stands for you (as when you sign a check or a contract), so it is with God.‖

b. ―To dishonor God’s name (or use God's name in a flippant or casual manner) is to dishonor God.‖

Matthew 6:10a 10a Thy kingdom come. …

B. God's kingdom (Matthew 6:10a).

1. ―Depending on how God’s kingdom is viewed, this request can be variously understood.‖

a. ―There are passages where God’s kingdom seems to be present now in God's rule and reign (12:28).‖

b. ―Other texts view it eschatologically, that is, dealing with the future kingdom.‖

2. ―We should therefore pray that God’s kingdom will come to all those people and places where He is not now acknowledged as Saviour and King.‖ 4

Matthew 6:10b 10b …Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

C. God's will (Matthew 6:10b).

1. ―Some see this request as parallel with the prayer for the coming of God’s kingdom. (In other words, when and where God’s kingdom comes is when and where God’s will is done.)‖

2. ―For most people, when the will of God is discussed, the focus is usually on one of two issues.‖

a. ―Some want to know why a certain event occurred and whether (or why) this was God’s will.‖

b. ―The other area has to do with making decisions about God’s will for their lives.‖

3. ―As God’s will is perfectly executed in heaven, so it should be on earth, or that is what we should pray for.‖

Matthew 6:11 11 Give us this day our daily bread.

D. Physical needs (Matthew 6:11).

1. ―Since most of us have enough food, we probably do not view this request in the same manner as did Christ’s original hearers who lived from day to day, not knowing where their next meal was coming from.‖

2. ―Even so, God is the Provider of our material needs.‖

a. ―This has to do with basic necessities, such as food, shelter, and clothing.‖

b. ―Yet when it comes to these basic things, many cannot distinguish between wants and needs.‖

Matthew 6:12 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

E. Spiritual needs (Matthew 6:12).

1. ―Our debts are our sins (:4) that need to be forgiven.‖

2. ―We must also be willing to forgive those who have sinned against us.‖

a. ―This does not mean that we earn by being forgiving.‖

b. ―We nevertheless render ourselves unforgivable when we are unwilling to forgive others.‖

Matthew 6:13 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

F. Moral needs (Matthew 6:13).

1. ―God would never lead us into temptation, but we often walk heedlessly into spiritually hazardous areas. (The prayer is really a request for protection from our own carelessness and insidious evil inclinations.)‖

2. ―We must never blame God for temptation, because He is not its source (Jas. 1:13-15).‖

a. ―God may, however, have us experience a number of spiritual tests (Matt. 4:1-11) and when we pass them, we will be stronger (Jas. 1:2-3, 12).‖

b. ―The prayer then closes with a .‖

Practical Point 6: ―If we want access to the power of God, we should follow Jesus’ example when we approach Him.‖

Compiler: Rev. Kenneth E. Thompson From: Expositor and Illuminator, Union Press, Cleveland, OH: Standard Lesson Commentary NIV, Standard Publishing Company, Cincinnati, OH; Power Bible CD, Online Publishing Co., Wordsearch 9 Basic Edition, Wordsearch Bible Software, Austin, TX.

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Sunday School Lesson Text With NIV And Interlinear

January 27, 2019 --- Christ's New Teachings --- Matthew 6:1-13

Mt 6:1 ¶ Take heed (prosecho) that ye do (poieo) not (me) your (humon) alms (eleemosune) before (emprosthen) men, (anthropos) to be seen (pros) (theaomai) of them: (autos) otherwise (ei de me(ge)) ye have (echo) no (ou) reward (misthos) of (para) your (humon) Father (pater) which (ho) is in (en) heaven. (ouranos)

1 "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. (NIV)

2 Therefore (oun) when (hotan) thou doest (poieo) thine alms, (eleemosune) do (salpizo) not (me) sound a trumpet (salpizo) before (emprosthen) thee, (sou) as (hosper) the hypocrites (hupokrites) do (poieo) in (en) the synagogues (sunagoge) and (kai) in (en) the streets, (rhume) that (hopos) they may have glory (doxazo) of (hupo) men. (anthropos) Verily (amen) I say (lego) unto you, (humin) They have (apecho) their (autos) reward. (misthos)

2 "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. (NIV)

3 But (de) when thou (sou) doest (poieo) alms, (eleemosune) let (ginosko) not (me) thy (sou) left hand (aristeros) know (ginosko) what (tis) thy (sou) right hand (dexios) doeth: (poieo)

3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, (NIV)

4 That (hopos) thine (sou) alms (eleemosune) may be (o) in (en) secret: (kruptos) and (kai) thy (sou) Father (pater) which (ho) seeth (blepo) in (en) secret (kruptos) himself (autos) shall reward (apodidomi) thee (soi) openly (en). (phaneros)

4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (NIV)

5 ¶ And (kai) when (hotan) thou prayest, (proseuchomai) thou shalt (esomai) not (ou) be (esomai) as (hosper) the hypocrites (hupokrites) are: for (hoti) they love (phileo) to pray (proseuchomai) standing (histemi) in (en) the synagogues (sunagoge) and (kai) in (en) the corners (gonia) of the streets, (plateia) that (hopos) they may (an) be seen (phaino) of men. (anthropos) Verily (amen) I say (lego) unto you, (humin) (hoti) They have (apecho) their (autos) reward. (misthos)

5 "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. (NIV)

6 But (de) thou, (su) when (hotan) thou prayest, (proseuchomai) enter (eiserchomai) into (eis) thy (sou) closet, (tameion) and (kai) when thou hast shut (kleio) thy (sou) door, (thura) pray (proseuchomai) to thy (sou) Father (pater) which (ho) is in (en) secret; (kruptos) and (kai) thy (sou) Father (pater) which (ho) seeth (blepo) in (en) secret (kruptos) shall reward (apodidomi) thee (soi) openly (en). (phaneros)

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. (NIV)

7 But (de) when ye pray, (proseuchomai) use (battologeo) not (me) vain repetitions, (battologeo) as (hosper) the heathen (ethnikos) do: for (gar) they think (dokeo) that (hoti) they shall be heard (eisakouo) for (en) their (autos) much speaking. (polulogia) 6

7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. (NIV)

8 Be (homoioo) not (me) ye (homoioo) therefore (oun) like (homoioo) unto them: (autos) for (gar) your (humon) Father (pater) knoweth (eido) what things (hos) ye have (echo) need of, (chreia) before (pro) ye (humas) ask (aiteo) him. (autos)

8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (NIV)

9 ¶ After this manner (houto) therefore (oun) pray (proseuchomai) ye: (humeis) Our (hemon) Father (pater) which (ho) art in (en) heaven, (ouranos) Hallowed be (hagiazo) thy (sou) name. (onoma)

9 "This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, (NIV)

10 Thy (sou) kingdom (basileia) come. (erchomai) Thy (sou) will (thelema) be done (ginomai) in (epi) earth, (ge) as (kai) (hos) it is in (en) heaven. (ouranos)

10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (NIV)

11 Give (didomi) us (hemin) this day (semeron) our (hemon) daily () bread. (artos)

11 Give us today our daily bread. (NIV)

12 And (kai) forgive (aphiemi) us (hemin) our (hemon) debts, (opheilema) as (kai) (hos) we (hemeis) forgive (aphiemi) our (hemon) debtors. (opheiletes)

12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. (NIV)

13 And (kai) lead (eisphero) us (hemas) not (me) into (eis) temptation, (peirasmos) but (alla) deliver (rhoumai) us (hemas) from (apo) evil: (poneros) For (hoti) thine (sou) is (esti) the kingdom, (basileia) and (kai) the power, (dunamis) and (kai) the glory, (doxa) for (eis) ever. (aion) Amen. (amen)

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ' (NIV)

Right Motives Right Motives in Giving -- What a man does matters greatly to God. God expects men to be kind and to do good in the world: to help others both through personal involvement and through giving generously and sacrificially. But there is something else that God expects, something of critical importance: God expects a man to have the right motive. Just why a man does good and shows kindness matters greatly to God. It matters so much that a person's eternal fate is determined by his motive. Because of this, Christ warns us about right and wrong motives.

Right Motives in Prayer -- this passage is speaking to those who pray—people who take prayer seriously. Prayer is one of the greatest acts of the Christian believer. Talking to God, whether by thought or tongue, is the way a believer fellowships with God; and the one thing God desires is fellowship with man (Isaiah 43:10). Thus, it is essential that we pray and pray often, sharing all day long.

However, that we do pray is not the concern of Christ in this point. His concern is how we pray. It is possible to pray amiss, with the wrong motive and in the wrong way. It is possible to pray and never be heard by God. It is possible to pray and to be speaking only to ourselves, to have our prayer go no higher than our own ears. Therefore, Christ sets out to teach us the right and wrong motives for praying. -- POSB

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