…If you have ever attended a Broadway theater to see a play, you know that
they are usually very well done, having beautiful sets and outstanding
acting. Perhaps you have even been in a play, where you were an __actor__.
…Jesus, the Master Teacher, moves on to a new section of His sermon unfolding
the __outward__ disciplines of true believers. This material may __unsettle__
us as it probes the heart examining our motives. He calls us to __stop__
acting, to stop pretending in our living a godly life.
THREE OBSERVATIONS MOTIVATING US TO GIVE IN THE WAY GOD
BLESSES.
…for there is a right way and a wrong way to give!
I. Jesus
Lays Down A
__Guiding__ Principle In
The Practice Of The Spiritual Disciplines. (v 1)
A. Jesus
tells us to be very careful, to __beware__, in this matter. The word
means, “be on guard.”
1.
The Lord never
__wastes__ words…some of us talk and it is meaningless…
2.
There is a __real__
danger in failing here. It involves an eternal loss!
B. The
subject is the __outward__ spiritual disciplines of the Christian
life. Jesus calls these, “acts of righteousness.” This refers to the good
works that we do. Like James 2 tells of…
1.
Remember, what
is __in__ the heart will be lived out…true righteousness is expressed
in the disciplines of a believer.
2.
These
disciplines require us to put forth an __effort__ to be spiritual, they
are not automatic. “Sacrifice, self-__discipline__, and self-denial
are called for.” This is __not__ legalism.
…to grow in your Christian life, you must __apply__ yourself.
C. The
danger warned of here is the temptation to do the disciplines with the __purpose__
of impressing men. The goal to be __well__ thought of by others. It
is a “theatrical righteousness.”
D. The
guiding principle is this: Never practice spiritual disciplines with the __purpose__
of impressing others. If you do, you will have no __reward__ from your
Heavenly Father. Why we do something is significant as well as __what__
we do. (example: my preaching)
II. Jesus
Tells Of The Giving That
__Prevents__
The Blessing And Reward Of God.(v 2)
…It is possible for you to give in the wrong manner and __lose__ God’s
reward.
A. Jesus
assumes that we will give, “when”…when we give, we bear God’s __likeness__
for He is so generous. (We also show His resemblance when we create, __love__,
and forgive.)
B. This
“giving” referred to by Jesus meant any act of mercy, but came to be used
primarily of the giving of __money__, food, or clothing to the needy.
C. This
giving was often done __publicly__ and announced with “trumpets.” This
was __not__ so much a gift to the needy but a __purchase__ of
being well thought of by man.
1.
The hypocrites
(actors) do it this way…”in the synagogues and in the streets.”
2.
Their motive:
to receive the __honor__ (glory) of men.
D. The
__reward__ for this kind of giving:
…None from our heavenly Father!
…Only the __praise__ of men. That is it! Jesus said this is, “__paid__
in full.”
III. Jesus
Describes The Giving Which Heaven
__Rewards__.
(vv 3-4)
…Keep it between yourself and the __Lord__ and do it as if you willing
giving it to God Himself.
A. Again,
Jesus __assumes__ we will be active in our giving. “When” We are to
give (1 Cor 16:2) regularly and systematically to the work of our local __church__
and also to those in __need__.
…giving is described in the OT as a part of God’s __cycle__. As we
give, God blesses and when God blesses us, we give __again__ out of
what He has given to us. (Proverbs 3:9-10)
B. He
tells of our “right and left hands.”
1.
This is a
proverbial expression meaning, “__secret__ and spontaneous giving.”
2.
Even more, it
is a kind of giving that is not remembered by the __giver__.
…Don’t write it down. Forget it. It is __God__ Who keeps the Books!
(Matthew 25:34-40)
C. The
result: God will __reward__ you. (v 4) This is far greater than the
momentary praise of men.
…God sees all and nothing goes unnoticed.
He sees your gift, even given in __secret__ and rewards.
…We would do well to have a plaque in our home: YOU __GOD__ SEE ME.
This would change our…
LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES:
-
God is the great giver and He delights when you are kind and generous in
your giving.
-
God will bless you and reward you if your giving is done in secret and
forgotten by you.
-
Constantly be on your guard against the temptation of acting before others.
-
Receive the Lord Jesus and be saved even today.
|