LOC 053 The Life of Christ:
When You Pray....
We are still looking at some important aspects of the Sermon on
the Mount. Today we will look specifically at Jesus’s instruction to his
disciples regarding prayer from Matt 6:5-15.
But, first, let’s have a quick review to be reminded of how we got
hear and the important truths that underlie this section of Jesus’ sermon.
Jesus is addressing his disciples--perhaps in plain view and
earshot of the multitudes.
This is occurring immediately after Jesus made his final cut of
twelve disciples who were to devote themselves to his service and to learn from
him. This is still part of the first
things he taught to his band of 12 intimate followers.
Jesus started off this sermon by teaching them of the ways of
spiritual weal or blessedness. Luke
summarized this way to spiritual prosperity with four beatitudes:
1. Blessed are you poor, for yours in the kingdom of God.
2. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be filled.
3. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.
4. Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you
and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake,
Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for indeed your reward is great in
heaven....
Jesus contrasted those four ways to weal with four ways of woe or
judgment.
He then went on to use two illustrations of how the disciples were
to function among men in the world. They were to be:
1. Salt--preserving and cleansing
2. Light--to show the way of truth and to the Father
Jesus then made a statement about the law: its use and importance.
He then instructed the disciples that their righteousness had to
exceed that of the Pharisees. We noted how the righteousness of which Jesus
spoke is not in degree of righteousness, but in the kind of righteousness. The disciples of Jesus were to have a “true”
righteousness present in their lives, rather than the “false” or hypocritical
apparent righteousness of the Pharisees. We spent the next week looking at the
doctrine of justification by faith, lest we confuse Jesus’ teaching to those
who were already his disciples, with Jesus’ preaching to the multitudes unto
salvation. The righteousness in view in
the Sermon on the mount is a sanctifying righteousness built on the presence of
God’s declarative pronouncement of them being just.
We also worked through the six antitheses that show the right use
of the Law and its true meaning.
This morning we come to the second of three sections at the
beginning of Matthew 6 that deal with practical matters of faith as regards all
disciples. Three weeks ago we looked at
the first of the three--charitable deeds.
Today, we will look at Jesus’ teaching on prayer in the life of the
disciples.
Jesus is still teaching his disciples. However, we need to note an important
subtlety in the words and method of Jesus.
Jesus is contrasting his teaching with another group to show the
disciples what they are not to do and then teaches them what to do. He corrects and instructs together.
Look at Matt. 6:2
“Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before
you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that
they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
Look down at Matt. 6:5 “ ¶ And when you pray, you shall not
be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the
synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men.
Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
And then down to Matt. 6:16 “ ¶ Moreover, when you fast, do
not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure
their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you,
they have their reward.
Jesus is teaching these things to his disciples that they not
become hypocrites: people wearing a mask to appear as something they are
not. He wants his people to live
righteously from the heart without any pretension at all. It is a high calling. But, who are the hypocrites? They are the Pharisees and leaders of the
Jews.
Sometimes, people appear to be people of faith outwardly, while
they have all sorts of ungodliness within.
People do not like to deal with the issues of the heart. They conform outwardly to get the praise and
approval of men while still breathing murder in the heart.
Jesus teaches the disciples, in the presence of the multitudes to
not be like the Pharisees. Be who you
are, not what others expect you to be.
But, be yourself understanding the calling to which we have been called.
Let’s go to the text for this morning:
1. A Word of Correction
Matt. 6:5 “ ¶ And when you pray, you
shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the
synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men.
Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
2. A Word of
Instruction--where to pray
6
“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your
door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees
in secret will reward you openly.
3. A Word of Instruction--How
not to pray
7
“And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For
they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8
“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you
have need of before you ask Him.
4. A Pattern for Prayer
9
“In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your
name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your
will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our
debts, As we forgive our debtors. 13
And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours
is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
5. The Importance of
Forgiveness--an essential lesson
14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses,
your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15 “But if you do not
forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Let’s look a little closer at the text:
1. A Word of Correction
Matt. 6:5 “ ¶ And when you pray,
Jesus doesn’t allow for prayer to be optional in the life of the
disciple--he expects them to be praying people.
Here and again in verse 6, he says, “when you pray....” Prayer is an
essential part of the Christian life.
Without it, disciples would have no power for living, no vital living
connection with their head. Pray is
essential. This is not an if you pray, I
will bless you sort of thing. It is
“WHEN” you pray. There is a big
difference between IF and WHEN.
ILL>>> The difference between IF and WHEN. Flight attendants, if there is a drop in
cabin pressure, the oxygen masks will drop out of the above compartment. Put one on you face, like this, and then
assist any children, or adults who act like children who are travelling with
you. They don't say, WHEN the plane has
difficulty and there is a drop in pressure, but if there is a drop in air
pressure. When shows a definite expectation
of the thing, if only conveys a sense that something might happen or occasional
occur. Jesus says, when you pray
expecting that his disciples will pray and pray regularly.
Jesus tells them when they pray, that...
...you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray
standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be
seen by men.
Remember three weeks ago when we looked ever so quickly at Jesus
words about charitable deeds? We noted
that works of mercy are to be done secretly without attracting the praise of
men. Pray should have the same
motivation. Pray is not designed to be a
time to show off, but a time to submit to and speak with God.
People can pray publicly in order to get the attention and
affection of others. Some pray in order
to be thought of highly by others. Some pray
and will monopolize times of pray out of love for the limelight. It happens.
A grace given for our good can be turned into an occasion for great sin.
And, what happens in the mind of one who prays in this manner? Well, either they know what they are doing or
they are blind to their arrogance. Men can justify themselves in all sorts of
ways and in this, they will justify themselves by saying, “I was just praying.”
When, in actuality, they were just talking to be heard by others. Oh, the
potential of wickedness in our hearts is ever so great! We must be careful to
guard our hearts, even when it comes to pray.
Look at the tragic reality of this sort of practice....
Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
Jesus goes on to instruct his disciples about prayer, that they
will know what he expects.... He gives....
2. A Word of
Instruction--where to pray
6
“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your
door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees
in secret will reward you openly.
We have often heard this word “room” translated as closet. We speak of one’s “prayer closet” a place
where one goes to get away from the hustle and bustle of the world in order to
have some time of solace with God in prayer and thought. The word is literally “inner room” or
“treasure[d] place.” The Greek word is found four times in the New Testament
with an interesting range of meaning. It is used in a literal sense and in a more
figurative sense too.
The first meaning is that of
our text: 7.28 tamei√ona , ou n: a room in
the interior of a house, normally without windows opening to the outside —
‘inner room.’ It is found this way in Lk 12:3 ‘whatever you whispered in
(people’s) ears in the inner room will be shouted in public.’ In Lk 12:3 the
emphasis is upon the strictly private location of the inner room. In such a
context one may translate ‘a strictly private room’ or ‘a small room in the
center of the house.’
7.32 tamei√onb , ou n; qhsauro/ßa , ouv m: a room for the storage of valuables — ‘storeroom, treasure
room.’as in Luke 12:24:‘they don’t have a storeroom or barn’. It is still the same basic meaning of a
special or inner room, but with a specific purpose.
This idea is often be
rendered by descriptive phrases, like, ‘a room where valuable things are kept’
or ‘a place where valuables are stored.’
In Mt 12:35
storehouse or treasure room is used figuratively‘a good man draws good things
from his good storehouse,’ meaning ‘… storehouse of good things’) to describe
the heart as a kind of storehouse or treasure.
Jesus is telling the disciples to get away from the rush of life
and indulge yourself in prayer. Get to a
place without distractions, to pray. Go in, figuratively shut the door, and
speak to your heavenly Father who is there.
See the text in verse 6... pray to your Father who is in the secret
place; Disciples do not withdraw from God when they pray, the obtain
his special presence as they withdraw from this world to speak with him. He is in our secret places, our treasure
houses for prayer. It ought to be a
great delight to speak with him wherever that may be.
Just as Jesus withdrew to pray, so should his disciples. We have
noticed at least four occasions when Jesus went off to pray. If it was necessary for our Lord, even more
so it is for us.
3. A Word of Instruction--How
not to pray
7
“And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For
they think that they will be heard for their many words.
Jesus tells his disciples what the ETHNIKOI do, they pray many
words repetitively thinking that they will be heard. Pray is not about quantity of words, it is
about the quality of our prayers and the disposition of our souls--the effectual
fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
Pray is not to be empty repetition. It is to be thoughtful, full of
content.
THE PHRASE RENDERED “VAIN REPETITIONS” in only one word in the
original. It is the word for mummering
incoherently or to speak much or talk incessantly, with a possible added
implication of speaking meaningless words — ‘to use many words, to speak for a
long time.’ This is not what Jesus wants from his disciples. He adds....
8
“Therefore do not be like them.
Don’t do it. Don’t imitate
them. They might look good and seem
spiritual for their many words in the public places, but my disciples are not
to be like them. Don’t pray
repetitively! That’s how the pagans pray. You don't have to get God’s attention
through rambling words. Take heart, if
you are a disciple, For your Father knows the things you have need of before
you ask Him.
Instead of the vain ramblings of the non-believers, I’ll give you
instruction so you will know what to do and how to pray.....
4. A Pattern for Prayer
9
“In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your
name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your
will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our
debts, As we forgive our debtors. 13
And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours
is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
If you add up all of professing Christendom and analyze how this
prayer is used, what conclusions would you draw?
First and foremost, we would have to conclude that it is used in a
way that is inconsistent with what Jesus taught about prayer in the verses that
immediately precede it. It is used as a repetitive prayer. It is used this way in many Protestant
Churches, in Orthodox Churches and in Roman Catholic Churches.
These folk would admit to using it repetitively, but would argue
that they do not use it as vain repetition.
They would say it is unto profitable repetition. However, the vast majority of people who
recite this prayer regularly and repetitively, do so without understanding its
content and how it is to be used as a pattern for the disciples many
prayers. Jesus is telling his disciples
they are to pray in this manner, not that they are to pray in these words.
Jesus gave an outline prayer to his disciples for when they would
pray. Notice, it is never said, that
Jesus prayed this prayer, he taught it to his disciples that they might pray in
this way.
There are five parts to the Prayer:
1. An Address
2. Three Concerns as
regards God
3. Three Concerns as
regards Men
4. Three Attributions
5. A Closing Word
1. Address:
1. Name:
Our Father
2. Place: Who art in heaven
2. Three concerns as regards God:
1. Hallowed by thy name
2. Thy Kingdom Come
3. Thy will be done On earth As it is in heaven
3. Three concerns as regards us:
1. Our daily bread
2. Forgive us our debts/trespasses
3. Lead us not into temptation/deliver from evil
4. Three attributions: For thine is the ... forever
1. Kingdom
2. Power
3. Glory
5. A Closing Word: Amen -- So be it in truth.
When Jesus’ disciples withdraw to their treasured place to pray to
God, they should pray in a God-centered manner according to the instruction
given.
1. An Address--It is
important to direct your prayer to God, our heavenly Father.
2. Some Concerns as
regards God--prayer is not about us as mere men. It is about our submission and adoration of
the God we address in prayer. We should
pray the sorts of things we find in the prayer for the disciples: that God’s
name would be honored, that the influence of His rule and reign would be
increase in the world and that His will might be found having its rightful
place in the world and in the hearts of men. There are more things concerning
God that can inform our prayers: his attributes, his work and acts for men, his
grace and favor towards us and those we know.
There is so much that we can and should pray about, just with regard to
God, his being, his ways, his word and his world. He should be the primary focus of our prayer
life. Only then, should we move onto
humanity.
3. Three Concerns as
regards Men--Prayer for the things we truly need. That he would provide the essentials to
sustain us. We have it so easy. Back then, one would have to scrape together
the basics of life in order to have food each day. For many it was a big deal to have daily
bread. And, as the disciples were now to
be with Christ completely, their faith would be tested as they sought daily
sustenance for God to use the people to provide for their legitimate needs.
Disciples should pray that he would not be offended at them, but would forgive
in his mercy, in just the same way the disciples forgave those who had offended
them. Pray and life are intimately related, lest we become hypocrites. The
disciples should pray to not be led into temptation, lest they give in and
cause a great reproach for the Messiah’s cause.
Men are weak in need of divine grace ever moment. We need God to deliver
us from all evil: whether it be from ourselves and our indwelling sin, the
influences of the world, or sometimes even the work of the devil. God alone can do this for his people.
4. Three
Attributions: All of life is really under his authority and dwells in his
domain--we need to see it and be aware of it, he alone is powerful to do what
he commands and to give what we need, he alone is glorious--he deserves his
rightful place in the hearts and minds of his creation. And all of these are to be his in a
never-ending way.
These are the sorts of ways in which we should pray. It is not about repeating words to earn God’s
attention and favor. It is living life
in a God-centered manner, with prayerful dependance upon him at all times. The pagans pray many words, the disciples
pray words of dependance with heartfelt content. Don't be afraid to fill in the blanks when
you pray.
Pray with a view to God’s domain into which you have been called
by his grace, if and only if, you are one of his Son’s disciples.
We will have to handle the Lord’s Prayer again to unpack it more
fully. And, we will look at the
importance of forgiveness as it relates to this model prayer and the life of
the disciples. There is so much more
that we need to learn.
Be glad, Jesus has taught us what we need to know as his
disciples. Even in our secret places,
when we pray these things, The Father’s promised presence is with us. What a blessed truth to carry us through the
difficulties of this life as we long for the final deliverance of heaven.
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