Monthly Archives: March 2022

Matthew 6- Heart Exam

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Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.  Matthew 6:16-19

As we are now going through the “Lent Season” we can see that some of our man made traditions and practices are really not Biblical. I wrote an article a few years ago on “Is Ash Wednesday Biblical”? and  most Christians would instantly say Yes, because its become a Church tradition. However when you examine the practices of Ash Wednesday and Lent season, compared to Jesus teachings it’s really not

Jesus said “When you fast, don’t be like the hypocrites, that disfigure their face to prove to people they are fasting” this is essentially what we do during Ash Wednesday. We dump ashes on our face to prove to people we are fasting or mourning our sins. What are we trying to accomplish here? Yes it’s mostly just a Church tradition , but why? 

Jesus goes on to say “When you fast, anoint your head with oil and wash your face” So this is actually the opposite of Ash Wednesday, Jesus instructs us to wash your face. Why? Because Christ wants you to have a personal relationship with him. You don’t need to put on a show for other people or try to demonstrate your relationship with Christ. Now I’m not condemning anyone who practices this , we each regard one day above another as long as we regard it to The Lord (Romans 14) but something to examine and meditate on when we’re doing things.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:19-21

The next thing Jesus teaches us is to store and collect stuff, because this world is temporary. Storage sheds have become a big business, why? Because people love to keep buying stuff that they don’t even need or can’t store. The world  is obsessed with accumulating possessions, however we need to think eternally, we need to think about the Kingdom of God

The reality is that a fancy car will eventually one day end up in the junkyard and it won’t save your soul. However, you’ll spend years paying off the debt. As Jesus said “Where your treasure is, your heart is also” Again it’s all about a heart issue. The same with fasting , praying, and your financial decisions. 

Jesus came to make us Born Again (John 3) to give a new and clean heart so we can worship God in Spirit and Truth, Amen (John 4:24)

Matthew 6- The Lords Prayer

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And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. Matthew 6:5-8

Prayer is essential to the Christian life, in fact prayer should be considered essential such as oxygen to the body, prayer is vital to your soul. How can you expect to have a personal relationship with God, if you don’t talk to him? Jesus taught us the proper method and intentions of prayer. When you pray you should pray in private, alone with God. I think many are honestly afraid to do this, to be alone with God. Find a private room, removed from distractions and spend some time alone with God and pour out your soul to Him

Secondly, vain repetitions don’t constitute true prayer in the eyes of God. God wants to hear your heart and soul, while religious practices can be good, don’t expect to build a personal relationship with your Father by not opening up your heart to him. 

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Matthew 6:9-13

The Lord’s Prayer is one of the many great gifts that Christ has given us. Every line in the prayer has significant meaning and explanation, I did a complete commentary on The Lord’s prayer here. But imagine the power and unification The Lord’s Prayer has when millions of Christians are repeating the same words spoken by our Lord Jesus Christ together. The Lord’s Prayer is more like a pledge or anthem of our faith

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. Matthew 6:14-15

Jesus ends his teaching by telling us “If you forgive others of their sin against you, then God will forgive you also”  Did you catch that? Yes you need to forgive people, why? Because Christ forgave you? I understand some circumstances are more complicated than others, but give it up to God and let him deal with it, lift the heavy load off your shoulders and let Christ be truly your Lord

The Lord’s Prayer, a beautiful gift and proclamation for all Born Again believers, lift your voices up and praise The Lord , Amen!

Matthew 6- Give Righteously

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Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:1-4

One of the most annoying things to see nowadays on social media, is anytime somebody does anything helpful or kind for someone, they have to post it on social media. Everyone needs to let the world know they did something good, we even see this at Church, people need to announce everytime they do anything helpful. Why do we do this? Well the honest truth is we want the credit, we want the glory, we want everyone to know we are great people. This is part of the problem with our sinful nature, pride.

The problem is Jesus said “Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before people or you will have no reward in Heaven ” You might have gotten alot of likes or shares on your social media but you lost your reward in Heaven. It sounds harsh but this is what God said, you have a choice , either the vanity of this world or a reward in Heaven. Now are we saying nobody should do anything “good”, of course not, but everyone doesn’t need to know about it. Don’t worry God knows everything you’re doing, if you do something worthy for His Kingdom, you will be reward for it.

It shows you how far away the world is from the will of God. We see celebrities trying to get in those photo opportunities of mingling with the common folk or actually helping someone. It’s mostly all fake, why do we need to take the dignity of people for them to receive help? It’s a common practice on social media to pick a random homeless person and buy them something, that sounds great. But what if you were that homeless person? Would you want your face posted all over the world as a pawn in the game? Of course not, everyone deserves some respect and dignity , including the “victims” in need

So what should we do? Follow the words of our Lord and Savior, help the poor and needy, but don’t tell anyone. If you’re making donations , make them anonymous. Do we really need your name on a building or park because you had some cash? Now of course when we do help our neighbors, they will know who we are, but we don’t have to flaunt the situation on Social Media. I’m sure your neighbor has been through enough embarrassment and dread, they don’t need their name and face dragged through the community. 

Again we see this is ultimately a heart issue, why are you actually helping these people? Are you just helping to make yourself feel better or puff up your ego? Or are you helping them because you love God and love your neighbor? Because you want to Glorify God by being the Salt and Light of Christ! Let’s hope one day we will hear the words “Well Done Good and Faithful SERVANT” (Matthew 25:23) Amen!

Matthew 5- Love Your Enemies

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Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Matthew 5:38-42

Those who don’t believe there was a shift from the Mosaic Covenant, would have a hard time explaining these scriptures. Under the Mosaic Law it was an Eye for an Eye, a Tooth for a tooth,meaning there would be just consequences to evil actions. However the Religious leaders, like most things, abused this law, Jesus is giving us not only a correct interpretation of this Law, but Christ is taking this Law to a new level.

Under the Mosaic Law if someone struck you in the face, you had a right to strike them back. Jesus is saying “If someone strikes you in the face, turn your other cheek and let them strike you again” This teaching by Jesus sounds radical, it is because Jesus is trying to make a point! Love your enemies and resist evil, if only the world listened to the words of Christ

This all goes against our human nature, the world says “only the strong will survive” and “dog eat dog”, however in the end everyone is still condemned. Why? Because there is no salvation for your soul with Christ, as Jesus said “What does it profit you to gain the whole world, yet lose your soul “ (Mark 8:36)

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48

 We always hear people saying “Love your Neighbor” , but are these same people also saying “Love your Enemies”? As Jesus taught us , it’s easy for us to love our families and friends even evil people do that. However, to try and love your enemies, takes everything to a new level. Bless them that curse you, pray for them that persecute you! If anyone thinks Christianity is easy, you don’t understand true Christianity

If you think it’s unfair for Jesus to demand this from us, remember while Christ was nailed to the cross he said “Father Forgive Them For they Know Not what they Do” (Luke 23:34) As Jesus said “Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect” Love your enemies and Love truly like Jesus Christ, Amen!

Matthew 5- Adultery of the Heart

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Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.  And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. Matthew 5:27-30

Jesus continues to expand our understanding on Gods Law, as we talked about previously with Christs teaching on Murderer starting from the heart, here Jesus does the same thing with Adultery. Most people are asked “Are you an adulterer”? They would probably answer No, however by God’s standards you are guilty of adultery, because sin begins within the heart. 

Jesus said “If anyone looks at someone with lust, they have already committed adultery in their heart”, so have you ever looked at someone with lust? Of course you did, its part of our sinful human nature, you are guilty in the eyes of God committing adultery. Now you might say” God’s standards are too strict or impossible to meet”, that’s exactly the point. God is so Holy that we could never even to be worthy to stand in His presence with our sinful nature. This should reveal to you even more how much you need a Savior, you need Jesus Christ to save you from your sins.

Next Jesus starts telling us about Hell, yes Christ taught more about Hell than Heaven. Jesus is using hyperbole speech here “If your eye is causing you to sin, cut it out, because it would be better to have one eye then your whole body be thrown into Hell” Now is Jesus teaching us to literally cut off our body parts? No of course not, He’s saying “If your looking at things that cause you to sin, stop doing it” It’s that simple, but he strongly warns of the dire consequences of Hell Fire. 

Again , Jesus is teaching about adultery of the heart, so stop looking at pornography , its causing you to sin. Stop watching perverted movies and playing video games, they are causing you to sin. Remember Sin begins in the heart, and then it grows to your mind and actions. 

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. James 1:15

Notice what the Apostle James says “When lust is conceived it brings forth sin, and sin brings forth death” Sin begins in your heart and then your mind, then your actions. Why do you think the world wants us hooked on devices, video games, virtual reality? Because Satan wants you to destroy yourself from within, most nations destroy themselves from within also, like we are seeing in America or the Roman Empire.

Jesus is setting the standard even higher than ever before, those who believe Jesus fulfillment of The Law produces “cheap grace” they don’t know The Lord, unless you are Born Again, you will not see the Kingdom of Heaven, only through Jesus Christ, Amen!