Kingdom of God Blog

Matthew – Chapter 6 – “When No One is Looking…”

Jesus basically says that it is what we do when we are certain that on one will see or know – that defines what kind of person we are (or perhaps we are becoming).  The most interesting (sobering) thing of course is to know that there is One who always sees, always knows – He, is our “Audience of One”.  In Chapter 6 Jesus teaches on three basic practices or principles and  on how someone who would be His disciple approaches life.  He talks about:

What we give when (we think) no one is looking… (verses 1-4)

God sees and He knows our heart – our motive.  This is all between you and Him!  Jesus makes the point that if we give anonymously we are not tempted to be noticed and the receiver is not tempted to see us as the source.  This is because we are stewards, caretakers or trustees of God’s resources - we are no more the source for His provision that a pipe is the source of the water – it is only a channel through which provision comes!

What we pray when (we think) no one is listening…(verses 5-18)

There is no “formula”.  He gave us an example of how we should pray and what we should pray about.  He said, “pray like this…”.  Again, this is between you and Him – He gave us a model to follow.  Jesus talks about forgiveness because unforgivness hinders the Holy Spirit from working in us.  He also says that fasting is between Him and us – not to be noticed by men so that they will think that somehow we are “super – spiritual”!  We don’t fast for God to hear us – we fast – we quiet ourselves (put aside competing voices and media) so that we can hear the voice of God! (look at Isaiah 58).

What we value when we are up against it…(verses 19-34)

Jesus says that our money goes toward what we value – because that is where our heart is!  In other words – our heart and our money are always in close proximity!  Money is only good so far as what it can accomplish.  It will try to compete for our loyalty and our affections!  It is just a means to an end so far as the Kingdom of God is concerned.

When it comes to how we live our lives, we need to trust and live by faith -  that God is Jehovah Jireh – He is our provider and as we seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness – His rule and reign in our lives – He will provide and He will supply our need.  We don’t need to worry about tomorrow because He will be there to provide as well.  (this doesn’t however mean that we are not to plan)

All three of these practices illustrate Kingdom thinking and living.

We are to subordinate our giving, our spiritual life (prayer, etc.), our thoughtlife, our physical life to His Lordship (this will help to keep us from becoming religious!)  We are not adhering to a set of rules or dogma but we are surrendering to a real King as we are subjects of a Kingdom – the Kingdom of God.

May our Lord Jesus help us to see His Kingdom and walk in His ways – especially as in these times we see His return drawing near!  May we always be about advancing the Kingdom and proclaiming the preeminence and the utimate victory of the King!

Blessing and Peace,

Pastor Dave

Matthew – Chapter 5: 13-48 – “You’ve heard it said…but I tell you…”

In the last part of Chapter 5 Jesus continues teaching on life issues.  He is clearly contrasting what has come to be tolerated and accepted by culture and tradition with the standards of the Kingdom of God!  His is an “Upside-down Kingdom”!  (upside down from the world!) This is what He had to say about:

Salt and Light – we have more responsibility and influence with our life than we realize.   We need to empty ourselves into our world because the preserving power of Jesus is present in our lives.   We must live our life so that we glorify God and draw attention to Him.

The Law (the first 5 books of the Old Testament) and the prophets – Jesus did not come to abolish or replace the law but to fulfill its requirements and purpose.  We should give attention to the law and encourage others to do the same, but just trying to keep the law by observance will not get us into heaven (or change you on the inside) – we must live by faith in the one who fulfilled the law – “The Just shall live by faith!”  The purpose of the law is to prove our need for a savior!  It is like a schoolmaster teaching us how much we need the grace and mercy of God!

Anger – Jesus takes the implications of anger beyond our actions and focuses on the intent and condition of the heart.  We are to reconcile our relationships and forgive – get our heart right so that God can receive our worship.  This is all about reconciliation with others and being reconciled to God.  We must humble ourselves before God – take His way out (through)!

Adultery – Jesus looks beyond the act and addresses the source of temptation.  My dad used to say, “It’s the second look that gets you into trouble!” – when we begin to imagine and fantasize in our mind – we are all guilty here!  Jesus is using hyperbole here when He refers to “cutting of a hand or gouging out an eye” – an extreme example to make His point – whatever it costs you to remove the source of the temptation or to remove yourself from the temptation – it is worth it!  You will escape and save your life

Divorce – Jesus is comparing the hardness of our hearts with the heart of God.  Moses allowed men to just write a certificate of divorce and dismiss a woman for no cause – we do the same today – thousands of times every day!  Many believers have come to Jesus with varied experiences and situations because divorce can be forgiven, however, we are called to a higher standard than our culture and our society once we know the heart of God!  We are accountable to God for what we know from this point on, and what we do with that knowledge!

Vows – Jesus makes it clear that we are never to use the Lord’s name to give credibility to our actions – to somehow show sincerity and/or add validity to our situation.  How many of us have ever said something like, “As God is my witness…” or “God knows…”?  Well, the truth is that He certainly does know and if He does we don’t need to go beyond our “Yes” and “No” to somehow justify ourselves!  He will vindicate His own name!

Revenge – We are to go beyond payback to mercy!  The Word is clear that “He who sees in secret will reward you openly”!  It also says, “Vengeance is mine, says the Lord, I will repay!”  Jesus is going beyond the Law – just treat your loan as a gift and don’t expect repayment!  Otherwise we should not give it!  The Word says, “Those who give to the poor lend to the Lord”.  It is especially a blessing when you give to those who can’t repay – kind of like what Jesus did for us at the cross!  “I owed a debt I couldn’t pay – He paid a debt He didn’t owe!”

Love for your enemies – We are to forgive as we have been forgiven, and follow this up with action!  This is the true test of the Love of God in us.  He makes the same things available to those who love Him and those who don’t – to those who respond positively to His message and those who don’t.  He is completely just and merciful – and on the Day of His return He will be able to prove it!

We often don’t realize how much our thoughts values and decisions are affected by our culture and our traditions.  Often times we find ourselves in direct opposition to the standards and demands of the Kingdom of God.  May our Lord Jesus help us to discern where in our personal life there is conflict, and show us how to surrender to the purposes and plans of the King!

Blessing and Peace,

Pastor Dave

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