Matthew 6:25-34 - King Jesus Claims Your 'NOW'! (Part 12)

INTRODUCTION

     Matthew 6:24

I.  Jesus commands Kingdom citizens, "DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT YOUR LIFE"  (6:25-32)

    A.  How does a believer know if he/she is living the anxious life Jesus forbids?

    B.  What are the results of living an anxious life?

          1.  False World View (6:26-30)

          2.  Little Faith (6:30)

          3.  Indistinguishable life from the Heathen (6:31-32)

II.  Jesus commands Kingdom citizens, "SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS" (6:33)

     A. "SEEK"

     B. There is no second thing to seek.

     C. God's Promise

     D. How does the believer repent from living a life of anxiety to living a life of faith?

          Answer these questions:

                        1. Are you a follower of Jesus Christ?

                       

                        2. Do you believe that Christ abides in you?

• Through Christ, I am dead to sin and spiritually alive (Romans 6:11).
• Through Christ, I am forgiven (Colossians 2:13-14).
• Through Christ, I am crucified with Him (Galatians 2:20).
• Through Christ, I am declared righteous (1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
• Through Christ, I am God's possession (Titus 2:14).
• Through Christ, I am heir of God (Romans 8:17).
• Through Christ, I am blessed with all spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3).
• Through Christ, I am a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20).
• Through Christ, I am victorious over Satan (Luke 10:19).
• Through Christ, I am secure in Him (1 Peter 1:3-5).
• Through Christ, I am loved by God (1 John 4:10).

                        3.What do you really believe about God's sovereignty? Romans 8:28

                   4. Practice your faith.                         (Philippians 4:9)

• (Philippians 4:4)
• (Philippians 4:5; Psalm 46:10; 1 Peter 5:6ff
• (Philippians 4:6-7; Matthew 6:9-15)
• (Philippians 4:8; Romans 12:2a)

     E. The Kingdom citizen's resolve (6:34)

CONCLUSION



Audio:

Matthew 6: 19-24 - The Treasure of Earth and Heaven (Part 11)

Matthew 6: 19-24

The Treasure of Earth and Heaven

I. Laying up Treasures – The Kingdom Economy

1. The definition of “earthly treasures”: material possessions as both means and end.
2. Earthly possessions waste away

II. The Eye as the Pathway to Desire

1. We are consumed by what we strive to attain
2. The Vision of the Kingdom Citizen is God

III. Being a Slave to one Master

1. Both God and Money can be influential Masters
2. God is the true Master worthy of full Allegiance
3. The Kingdom Citizen is born into Wealth

Audio:

Matthew 6:5-15 - When You Speak with the King (Part 10)

1. HOW NOT TO PRAY (Matt. 6:5-8)
a. Don't pray to earn the praise of men (6:5-6).
b. Don't pray to earn the grace of God (6:7-8).

2. HOW TO PRAY (Matt. 6:9-15)
a. The Frequency of Prayer
- "When You Pray"..."Pray then like this..."
b. The Basis of Prayer
- "Our Father in heaven..."
c. The Content of Prayer
- Acknowledge God's Position
- Ask for God's Provision

Audio:

Matthew 6:1-4, 16-18: Reward: public or private? (Part 9)

Matthew 6:1-4, 16-18: Reward: public or private?

Intro: After finishing chapter 5 we have learned:

1  Characteristics of a believer, (verse 1-12)
2. The behavior of a believer to the world, (verse 13-16)
3.  Relationship of the Christian towards law of God (verse,17-48)

Chapter six teaches us about having dependence on God:

V1 starts with a disclaimer: BEWARE: what does this word communicate to us: road closed, danger ahead , i.e beware of dog. In the same way we have to be aware about the way that we portray ourselves as well as being aware about how others portray themselves.

What happens when we ignore sign that say beware, because this means that someone can get hurt or may pay a price by ignoring that sign.

Now Jesus is not saying that we should be not excellent or impressive , what Jesus is saying is that our goal or motif should not be to do everything in order to please people.

What happens when we try to please people?:  the focus is on us, we get an earthly reward when we do everything to please people.

What are we suppose to do?  Our goal, motif should be to do everything to honor and please God.


Reference to Let your light shine before others: Matthew 5:16, " let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Jesus is encouraging us to shine our light in public, however we must do that without excepting rewards from people.

Christians should be interested in rewards as well as blessings from God not from people.

In next few versus Jesus talks about three things: giving, prayer and fasting.

V2: when you give, Jesus is not saying if you give.... Jesus presupposes that believers will give.

So giving is not optional, we are encouraged to give, however how we give is important.

We are to give secretly to avoid showing off to others. Also Jesus is not saying that we are to give in secret to win a heavenly reward. However we are encouraged to avoid the glamour of honor. Our giving should come out of complete reverence to God.

Jesus is not saying that we should not give in public, but we should not do it like hypocrite . English word "hypocrite " is derived from greek word  hypokrinomai or
hypokritēs Pronunciation hü-po-krē-tā's (Key). Which means  stage actor.

Giving in public as part of an act of worship is good,but giving in public to please people is wrong.

The Bible provides many examples of public giving:

Acts 2:45 " and they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need".


Acts 4: 4:36 Joseph who was called Barnabas sold his field and gave money to the apostles.

Also I Chronicles 29 lists how much leaders gave to build temple.

Numbers 7 lists names of donors at the Tabernacle's consecration

V 16- 18: fasting: personal discipline in one's spiritual life:

Old Testament believers fasted
Jesus fasted forty days
It is assumed in NT that believers will fast, as mentioned here when you fast.

We should fast to come close to God, for spiritual reasons Christians should fast.


Audio:

Matthew 5:38-48 - How Our Enemies Become Our Neighbors (Part 8)

INTRODUCTION

     We preach a Kingdom that is not of this world. (John 18:36-37)

     We live our lives as citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven with our    

            values, choices and lifestyle modeled and commanded by

            Christ. (Philippians 3:7-8)

     We live like Christ, because He lives in us.  (John 15:4-5)

I. The Kingdom Citizens' Response to Evil People:             (5:38-42)

            A. "You have heard it was said...

            B. Political Level

            C. Personal Level

                  1. "But I say to you, do not resist an evil person"

                  2. Jesus examples of living these Kingdom standards:

                        "whoever slaps you on your right cheek..."

                        "If anyone wants to sue you for your shirt..."

                        "whoever forces you to go one mile..."

                        "to him who asks of you...or wants to borrow from you.."

                  3. Non-resistance is not enough!

II. The Kingdom Citizens' Response to Enemies:                (5:43-44)

            A. "You have heard that it was said..."

            B. Children of God the Father love like this:

                  1. "love your enemies"

                  2. "pray for those who persecute you"

III. The Kingdom Citizens' Response to Living in Two Kingdoms:                                                                                               (5:45-48)

            A. It's all about "breeding" and the way you are raised.

            B. Be different

            C. Be like your Heavenly Father

CONCLUSION: How do our enemies become our neighbors?

            -- Acknowledge your personal death

            -- Depend on Christ for your new identity

            -- Relinquish your loopholes and expansion statements

            -- Extinguish your mechanical genuflection

            -- Flame the fire of Christ's Spirit in you

                        (Philippians 3:7-11)


Audio:

Matthew 5:31-37 - Citizens of Truth (Part 7)

Matthew 5:31-37
Citizens of Truth

I. Divorce and Committing Adultery
      a. Forfeiting commitments is the Natural outcome of Wandering Hearts
      b. The Marriage Covenant is a Picture of God’s Love
      c. A Broken Covenant “Permits” Separation
      d. Permission can quickly turn into License
II. Oaths and Vows
      a. To swear in God’s name is to call Him as a witness to our integrity
      b. God’s presence everywhere is always a test of our integrity
      c. Kingdom Citizens are called to be men and women of Truth

Audio:

Ephesians 6:1-4 - Five Characteristics Of Fathers Who Please God

Five Characteristics Of Fathers Who Please God

Ephesians 6:1-4

INTRODUCTION

     Are you my father?

     Fathers as Role Models

          Proverbs 3:5-8 "Trust in The Lord with all your heart..."

          Ephesians 5:1-2 "Be imitators of God..."    

Fathers who please God:

1. Approach the "impossible" role of raising children in our culture by honoring God, our Father (Ephesians 6:1-3)

     What this does not mean...

     What this does mean... Ex 20;12; Ro 12:10;  Mal 1:6;  Is 29:13

     What this looks like... 1 Peter 2:17; 1 Cor 10:31

2. Do not provoke their children to anger (Ephesians 6:4)

     What this does not mean... 1 Kings 1:6

     What this does mean... Colossians 3:21

     What this looks like... Luke 15:11-12; Hebrews 10:24

3. Provide nurturing homes ("bring them up")

     What this does not mean...

     What this does mean... Ephesians 5:29

     What this looks like... Luke 15:17-19; 1Timothy 3:4-5

4. Train their children in the Way of The Lord

     What this does not mean...

     What this does mean... 2 Tim 3:16; Heb 12:7-11; Prov 3:11-12

     What this looks like... Luke 15:20a; Prov 21:6

5. Admonish their children in God's love

     What this does not mean...

     What this does mean... Col 1:28; Col 3:16; 1 Thess 5:9-11

     What this looks like... Luke 15:20b-24


Audio: