Matthew 5-7

Matthew 5:3-16 Teaches what the believer is suppose to be! Matthew 5:17 - 7:27 - Teaches what the believer is suppose to do!

A Christian’s Character: (5:3-12) A Christian’s Influence: (5:13-16) A Christian’s Righteousness: (5:17-48) A Christian’s Religion: (6:1-6, 16-18) A Christian’s Prayer: (6:7-15) A Christian’s Ambition: (6:19-34) A Christian’s Relationships: (7:1-20) A Christian’s Commitment: (7:21-27)

The Ethical teachings of Jesus do not represent a radical departure from the law, but are a natural extension of the two greatest commandments which are first found in the law: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart” (Deut. 6:5) “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev. 19:18) See Matthew 22:37-40

(Matthew 5:16) Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (ASV) (Matthew 6:1) Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men, to be seen of them: else ye have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. (ASV) Works done “before men” are done to glorify God; works done “to be seen of” men are done to glorify the doer. Think about the motive!

"Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:1; ESV)

"So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 3 "But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

When you give to the poor, do you want to tell everybody what you have done? Do you hope that everyone finds out and brags on you? Do you hope that the subject comes up in conversation so you can tell everybody what great things you have done? Would you give less if you knew no one would know of your deeds? Jesus warns us in no uncertain terms to keep our mouths closed about the matter, content that our Father knows! 1 st Test: Giving Alms

"When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6 "But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:5,6; ESV)

There is no Physical hideaway which can secure us against pride. It attacks us everywhere, even in our “closets” where we can be found wishing that there was somebody there to appreciate our prayers. Pray Always (1 Thess. 5:17) and Everywhere (1 Tim. 2:8) - only be sure that your heart is genuine and your mind is true, that you speak to God and not to men.

(Matthew 6:9-15) After this manner therefore pray ye. Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (ASV) The Prayer That Teaches Us How To Pray

Must be done “to be seen of God”, not men. Must be done “to be heard of God”, not men. Must be patterned after the manner Jesus described (pattern, NOT liturgy) Jesus meant for this prayer to serve as a guideline. 1. Relationship – “Our Father” 2. Reverence – “Hallowed be your name” 3. Resignation – “Your will be done.” 4. Reliance – “Give us this day our daily bread.” 5. Remission – “Forgive us our debts.” 6. Refuge – “Lead us…deliver us.” The Disciples’ Prayer

Do I pray more frequently and more fervently when alone with God than I do in public? When I pray publicly, what am I thinking about? Do you try to sound very holy in your public prayers? Do you hope someone will mention how good your prayer is? Do you remember who you are talking to in your prayers and that he knows your every motive? Do you try to “Fatigue the gods” (Pagan Ritual) with your long prayers? 2 nd Test: Prayer

(Matthew 6:16-18) Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen of men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face; that thou be not seen of men to fast, but of thy Father who is in secret: and thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall recompense thee. (ASV) When You Fast…

Christ assumes His followers will fast (9:15; 17:21; Acts 13:1-3; 14:23), but He says nothing of the frequency, occasion, or method. His concern is with the motive behind it. As with alms and prayer, fasting is to be between the person and God. (No fast day rituals for the church) When disciples fast they are to do so unpretentiously, betraying no difference in their appearance or routine. Would I be quick to tell others of the lengthy periods of prayer in my life? Would I give hints by speech or dress or manner that I was doing something “unusual”? 3 rd Test: Fasting

(Matthew 6:1) Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men, to be seen of them: else ye have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. (ASV) (Matthew 5:20) For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (RSV)

Invitation To A Spiritual Revolution by Paul Earnhart How To Deal With Lust By Brian Anderson Sermon Outlines on Matthew By Mark Copeland Outline By Johnny Felker Outline By Jim Deason Prayer Outline by Steve Higginbotham The Gospel of Matthew by Kenneth L. Chumbley