The Gospel of Mathew | Pt.11 - How NOT to be a Pharisee | Pastor Jackson Lahmeyer

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Matthew 6:1-18
3 rewards for 3 habits of righteousness
Nothing seems to bother Jesus more than religiosity; not religion
Jesus likes honesty, authenticity and simplicity
Commonalities
He assumes we are already doing these things
He bypasses if to when
Done in secret
Rewarded openly
Giving
Christian life = Life of radical generosity
Pastor just wants my money. Church just wants my money. Everyone wants my money!
I don't want your money but I do want God's best for you
More than half of Jesus parables were about giving
He taught more on money than any other subject besides the Kingdom & Hell
Why so much about money?
Greed is in our heart and it is only broken by generosity
God is not against you having money; against money having you
Sensitive area for us that we dread to hear in church
Messages on giving are not meant to harm you, but to help you
Prayer
Pray to the Father in the name of the Son in the power of the Holy Spirit
Prayer is the root of all fruit
Want much fruit? Much prayer
Want love? Pray
Want joy? Pray
Want peace? Pray
Much prayer = much fruit
Prayer is like breathing air
Affects every area of life
Prayer is important
How do we pray?
Jesus said when you pray, pray LIKE this
He gives a model, a framework, a guide of how to actually pray
We call it the Lord's prayer | Disciples Prayer would be better
Our Father In Heaven, Hallowed Be Your Name. Your Kingdom Come and Your Will Be Done On Earth As It Is In Heaven. Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread and Forgive Us Our Sins As We Forgive Those Who Have Sinned Against Us. Lead Us Not Into Temptation But Deliver Us From The Evil One. For Yours Is The Kingdom, The Power and the Glory Forever Amen.
2 Halves
1. - God: Father, Name, Kingdom
2. - Us - Day, Bread, Forgive
God - Us - God
What is prayer?
Prayer is NOT an information session
God already knows
We don’t pray to inform but to involve
His knowledge however does not equal His action
2 Wills Of God: Unconditional Will & Conditional Will
Unconditional Will - He determines what will happen regardless of anything we do or do not do
Conditional Will - Many things He has decided not to do until He get human cooperation.
Ex. - God desires that all people to be saved. His will is tied to a condition: whoever believes will be saved.
When we pray we are not informing God, we are involving God and pulling down His will from heaven to earth
Prayer does not get God to do what He does not want to do
Prayer moves God to do what He already wants to do
Prayer is relational conversation
Acronym for prayer
ACTS
A = Adoration (Not my name is Jimmie give me give me give me)
C = Confession
T = Thanksgiving (We have so much to be thankful for)
S = Supplication (Requests)
Can be done throughout the day
Conversation with God
We have a direct line of communication with the Creator of all things
Public power comes from private prayer
I know praying long can be hard
Prayer is always a last resort
Prayer comes after something goes bad instead it should be before
When the devil attacks then we pray
Fasting
Fasting does not change the circumstances
Fasting changes you in the circumstance
Fasting feeds the soul
Brings clarity
Conclusion
James 1:27 says, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
What does it mean to be a Christian? Love God by loving on people and keep yourself uncontaminated from the evil world around you.

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Loved the Q&A

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Watching from NJ

[@christopherglover291]

Something that has been super beneficial to the growth of The Spirit in me is fasting from sun up to sun down on the Sabbath. You will be amazed at what Communion during a fasting session will do! All glory to God! 🙏