The Christian’s Religion and Prayer: not hypocritical but real

Matthew 6:1-18 Living a Christian Life that is authentic and having a life of prayer that reflect our true walk with
Christ.

Read Matt. 6:1-4 and Matt 5:16

1. Christ explained in 5:14 that we are “light to the world” so why does He now warn us to
beware of practicing our righteousness before men?

Righteousness, 5:6 vs. 6:1

2. What is the difference between these to uses of righteousness?

3. Who is being “praised” in each of these examples? Why is this significant?

Righteousness: dikaiosune (dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay); equity (of character or act); specially

(Christian) justification: [both passages use the same word]

 In chapter 5 the emphasis is on kindness, purity, honesty and love; now the emphasis is
on almsgiving, praying, and fasting.
 A.B. Bruce sums it up well when he writes that we are to “show when tempted to hide”
and “hide when tempted to show”

4. Why do the passages here look like a contradiction?

5. What did Jesus expect that we would do?
6. How are we warned concerning the practice of our righteousness?

 Hypocrite: hupokrites ( NT:5273), corresponding to the above, primarily denotes "one

who answers"; then, "a stage-actor"; it was a custom for Greek and Roman actors to
speak in large masks with mechanical devices for augmenting the force of the voice;
hence the word became used metaphorically of "a dissembler, a hypocrite." It is found
only in the Synoptists, and always used by the Lord, fifteen times in Matthew; elsewhere,
Mark 7:6; Luke 6:42; 11:44 (in some mss.); 12:56; 13:15. (from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical
Words, Copyright © 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers.)

Giving, v 2-4

 Means a deed of mercy or pity.

7. What reward do we receive if we “display our righteousness?”
 Give is secret, God rewards
 Give for public notice, no further reward
 Reward from God is “not a bad thing” (Read C.S. Lewis comments pg. 132)

Praying, v 5-6

8. What two different examples of prayer does Jesus describe?

9. Does this mean that we need to give up any public prayers?
 It is possible to attend church for the same reason that the Pharisees attended the
synagogues
10. Can this impact our private prayers also?

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Instruction in Prayer, v 7-15

11. Why would Jesus feel a need to instructed people in matters of prayer?
12. What is meant by “empty phases?”
 Pg 143 Jesus condemns verbosity, speaking without thinking, portrays the idea of
all words with no meaning
 These individuals assume that many words “being heard by God”
13. Why does Jesus begin with declaring God in heaven?
14. If God knows our needs why do we pray?
15. Why must forgiveness be a part of our process in prayer?
16. Explain the role of temptation when going to God in prayer?
17. So is this the only way to pray? If not, why not?

Christian Fasting, v 16-18

18. What is the purpose of fasting?

 Fasting, as here meant, refers not to a condition that is forced upon a person (II
Cor. 6:5; 11:27), but to voluntary abstinence from food as a religious exercise. It
served various purposes, either singly or in any combination. Thus, it might be an
expression of humiliation, that is, sorrow for, and in connection with confession of,
sin, lamenting over an ill, however, it is the fast as an expression of humiliation,
whether feigned (verse 16) or genuine (verse 17-18) (from New Testament Commentary by
William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Copyrights © 1953-2001 by Baker Books, William Hendriksen,
and Simon J. Kistemaker, as indicated. All rights reserved. For specific copyright information on each volume,
see the copyright page.)
19. What appearance should be display when fasting?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones “ultimately our only reason for pleasing men around us is that we may please
ourselves.” Pg.140

Do we understand that the heart is a critical element in how we deal with all of these matters?

When our motivation is for the “rewards” even if we say it is from God our hearts is leading us
down the wrong path.

Remember, God will not be mocked. He knows all we do and why we do it.

www.churchplantingbfc.org
Handouts available on Facebook, Milford Community Church
Ron Smith, 302-545-9049
Ray Bertolet, 302-245-0148
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Cited Sources:
John R. W. Stott, “The Message of the Sermon on the Mount” Inter-Varsity Press, 1978
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