Matthew Chapter 6 Verses 1 – 4

• This word translated for us as “charitable deeds” literally in the Greek is “alms.” A word that we don’t really use anymore but simply put it means practically the giving of money specifically to the poor. And again, Jesus is addressing not so much the action but the attitude behind the action. Not so much the act but rather the heart and He’s saying that if you make a big deal about giving then man, you already have your reward. It’s like you’re standing on the corner of the street talking about, “Look at what I can do! Oh how great I am!” But the whole point of giving is to proclaim personally to God, “How great are You!”
• Originally there was a large basin that they called “The Trumpet” on the outside of the temple in an area called The Chamber of the Secret where the people would come and give for the sake of distribution to the poor. It was all very discrete and done without any real process or hoop-la but as time went on, the Pharisees said amongst themselves, “Why do we have to go all the way to the temple to give to the poor?” And so they began to carry around these small trumpets and when they wanted to give to the poor they would stand on the street corner and blast!
• Jesus says, “There’s no worship in that! There’s no seeking God in that at all and therefore there is no reward from Him.” Hebrews 11:6, “God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Why? Why no reward? Because a charitable deed was not done? Nope! But the key is in verse one…that thing was done to be seen by men…not with a heart for God…
• And yet know this…any act with a heart for God, especially those not perceived by men, is so very pleasing and real and acceptable to God…and His reward is open and evident to all. You will be blessed! (Confirmed, approved, affirmed)

Matthew Chapter 6 Verses 5 – 6

• Again, this statement by Jesus, “Your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” This is actually a HUGE statement! (Maybe that’s why He’s repeating Himself.) You see literally He is saying have a secret with the Father. Right? Something between just you and Him. The word in the Greek is actually “kryptos” and I love that because it’s where we get our word The Crypt Keeper HA JUST KIDDING, no but that’s where we get our word cryptography or cryptology which is the study of the hidden secret!

• Any military weapon system or governmental communication system or corporate collaboration platform has to have what’s called a “crypto.” A device on both ends that ensures secure and private communications. No outsiders, no distractions, no sharing of what’s being said…it’s simply private and I love this, proper cryptography ensures confidentiality, communication integrity, authentication and non-repudiation which practically means an infallibly genuine transmission!
• Jesus says, “Encrypt your giving! And for that matter, encrypt your walk! Such that it is special and real and personal and relational with God!” And check this out…doing stuff for men and not for God, Jesus says, “Assuredly, they have their reward!” Of course they do! They have their pay right there…fire and forget…a pat on the back and then no lasting value…and the word He uses for reward is “Misthos.” It just sounds good…, “I was trying to honor God but I done missed-those!” HA! But literally it means, “Wages.”
• Now in verse 7 when He is talking about God’s reward, it is an entirely different word! Apodidomi! The world pays you wages for your work, Misthos…but God’s reward, Apodidomi, literally means a delivery of a gift in such a way to restore…OH HOW I LOVE THAT! Jesus is not just giving practical direction but man He is talking about heart health! Your heart, as you encrypt life with God…your heart changes, man…and the more that you do and have and walk in secret with God…not for any other reason but because He is good and because He is God and because you don’t just say you are His but YOU ACTUALLY TAKE STEPS TO HONOR HIM AND BE HIS, the more you have this restoring benefit delivered to your hearts and Romans 12:1-2 takes hold! SO COOL!

Matthew Chapter 6 Verse 7

• This can’t be any clearer. How many religious around the world do this today and yet miss the very primary point of prayer. Rehearsed prayers and direction from church and religious leaders to recite them day after day…most of those prayers aren’t making it past the ceiling. It’s the same as chanting around a pagan bone fire, Jesus says…
• I remember the church I went to as a kid…well we were CEO Christians…you know, Christmas, Easter and other holidays…HA!   And we would go once every over month also at the urging of my grandparents…but I remember it was a church that had a very structured service…we would sing the same song after each service and that really really bored me as a kid…Jesus says don’t do that…be real, be genuine, be authentic, and don’t be long winded! Sheesh!
• People say, “Can I pray for you?” And literally I have looked them in the eye and said, “Sure, 20 seconds!” HA! I mean for realz though! I’m not going to think you spiritual if you ramble on and on for 7 minutes and neither is God. If I ask someone if I can pray for them I will stun them with my brevity! Why? Because of verse 8…..

Matthew Chapter 6 Verse 8

• It’s been said that a person that prays long in public prays short in private…God knows the need. He knows the situation. He loves them more than you do…so if you want to bless someone and pray for them, make a short work of it…hey, that will just free you up to pray for more folks, right?
• Jesus says, don’t make a show out of it for men! Encrypt it for God! And pray in this manner…He doesn’t say, “Pray this.” This is not the “Lord’s Prayer” as we have so called it. The Lord’s prayer is found in John Chapter 17. But rather this a good template upon which to consider our prayers…look at this…

Matthew Chapter 6 Verse 9a

• How Jesus begins this manner of prayer is revolutionary! He begins with “Our Father.” It’s relationship before religiousity and that would have stunned the crowd! Now remember, He isn’t saying pray this over and over again…He’s saying understand this manner…Our Father…relationship and intimacy, “hallowed be Your name.” You alone are holy. Everything else. All else that touches me, it’s all tainted by sin…You alone are not.

Matthew Chapter 6 Verse 10

• I am ready and wanting Your ways. You’re my Father. You’re in heaven. You alone are good and therefore Your will is a must for me.

Matthew Chapter 6 Verse 11

• Now the contextually correct petition! I so often start my prayers with “gimmie gimmie gimmie” but my heart isn’t yet prepared properly…

Matthew Chapter 6 Verse 12

• You see this definitely could not be the actual Lord’s prayer because He had zero debts!

Matthew Chapter 6 Verse 13

• This temptation is not a temptation towards sin but rather a testing of character. And tests/trials are good…we have that fact throughout many scriptures…but what fool would pray for testing? Jesus is instructing us and them to pray for a heart of humility and dependence because when God does lead us into testing we can be still in Him and know that it is for our best…and don’t miss the “but…” Testing with no profit stinks! I hate it…but to deliver from evil, God give us wisdom! See that?
• For His alone is the kingdom (royalty), the power (all that is real) and the glory (all that is good), from the beginning of time to the end of time…

Matthew Chapter 6 Verses 14 – 15

• I so love these verses. Because boy do folks twist them to their own hurt and to the hurt of others…to manipulate and control others and that is not the heart of God whatsoever. Jesus is saying that if you are His…if you are born of God…a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven…then forgiveness is in your blood man…stemming from your heart of hearts where God Himself dwells in the Person of the Holy Spirit…
• Forgiveness is weak compared to love…if love is there, forgiveness of others is not even needed…it just happens…like the branches bending in the wind…it just happens…And the fact is that once you’ve received the forgiveness of your sin, in its totality from a perfect and holy Creator God…who loves you and gave everything for you…man then forgiveness of others is your privilege and heart’s desire…but if not, then the warning…have you yourself been forgiven?