Woodville Baptist Church
Sunday Evening , Dec. 15, 2024

      • 2 Corinthians 3:18NLT

      • Acts 1:8ESV

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    Matthew 6: 1-4; 5-8; 16-18.
    Matthew 6:1–4 (NLT)
    1 “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.
    2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get.
    3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.
    4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
    Matthew 6:5–8 (NLT)
    5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get.
    6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
    7 “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again.
    8 Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!
    Matthew 6:16–18 (NLT)
    16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get.
    17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face.
    18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
    ​
    Introduction:
    In our text, Jesus spoke of three spiritual exercises for our spiritual man. These three, when exercised properly, will aid in spiritual growth for the believer.
    ​
    ​

    I. WHAT ARE THESE THREE EXERCISES? (Matthew 6: 1, 5, 16).

    A. Good deeds. (Matthew 6: 1 ). (Matthew 5: 16 ).

    Matthew 6:1 (NLT)
    1 “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.
    (Προσέχετε δὲ τὴν δικαιοσύνην ὑμῶν μὴ ποιεῖν ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων πρὸς τὸ θεαθῆναι αὐτοῖς· εἰ δὲ μή γε, μισθὸν οὐκ ἔχετε παρὰ τῷ πατρὶ ὑμῶν τῷ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς.)
    Matthew 5:16 (NLT)
    16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
    1. Refers to righteousness that is lived out in daily life and expressed toward others. (KJV. Translates this alms.; NSV translates this, practicing your righteousness. Is also translated as good deeds)
    2- Alms :δικαιοσύνη, to give to those in need as an act of mercy—‘acts of charity, alms, giving to the needy.’
    a- A gift to which the recipient has no claim and for which he renders no return, made purely from pity and a desire to relieve need.
    1) Alms is done as an extension of grace from those who have received grace. ( Acts 3:2, 3, 10; 10:2, 4, 31; 24:17; “almsdeeds,” Acts 9:36)
    (Matthew 10:8)
    Matthew 10:8 (NLT)
    8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!
    The Apostles
    Acts 3:2 (NLT)
    2 As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple.
    Acts 3:3 (NLT)
    3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.
    Acts 3:10 (NLT)
    10 When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded!
    *Paul and the gentile churches
    Acts 24:17 (NLT)
    17 “After several years away, I returned to Jerusalem with money to aid my people and to offer sacrifices to God.
    * Dorcas
    Acts 9:36 (NLT)
    36 There was a believer in Joppa named Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas). She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor.
    2) Alms is not done to produce righteousness.
    (Isaiah 64: 6 ).
    Isaiah 64:6 (NLT)
    6 We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.
    2. This is an outward expression of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

    B. Prayer. (Matthew 6: 5 ).

    Matthew 6:5 (NLT)
    5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get.
    (Καὶ ὅταν προσεύχησθε, οὐκ ἔσεσθε ὡς οἱ ὑποκριταί· ὅτι φιλοῦσιν ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς καὶ ἐν ταῖς γωνίαις τῶν πλατειῶν ἑστῶτες προσεύχεσθαι, ὅπως φανῶσιν τοῖς ἀνθρώποις· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἀπέχουσι τὸν μισθὸν αὐτῶν.)
    ( 1 Thessalonians 5: 17, 25).
    1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT)
    17 Never stop praying.
    1 Thessalonians 5:25 (NLT)
    25 Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us.
    1. Focuses on communion with God; Not public expression of piety.
    2. Prayer is like breathing. It is necessary to development.
    a) προσεύχησθε = to speak to or to make requests of God—‘to pray, to speak to God, to ask God for, prayer.’
    3. Prayer produces cleansing from sin.
    (Psalm 66: 18 ).
    Psalm 66:18 (NLT)
    18 If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.
    (Luke 18: 9-14 ).
    Luke 18:9–14 (NLT)
    9 Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else:
    10 “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector.
    11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector!
    12 I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’
    13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’
    14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
    4. Prayer avails us of spiritual power. ( 1 John 5:10-12)
    1 John 5:10–12 (NLT)
    10 All who believe in the Son of God know in their hearts that this testimony is true. Those who don’t believe this are actually calling God a liar because they don’t believe what God has testified about his Son.
    11 And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
    12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.
    a) The early Church knew this truth. (Acts 2: 1 ). (Acts 4: 23-31 ) . (Acts 9: 40.)
    Acts 2:1 (NLT)
    1 On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place.
    Acts 4:23–31 (NLT)
    23 As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said.
    24 When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—
    25 you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying, ‘Why were the nations so angry? Why did they waste their time with futile plans?
    26 The kings of the earth prepared for battle; the rulers gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah.’
    27 “In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed.
    28 But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will.
    29 And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word.
    30 Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
    31 After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.
    Acts 9:40 (NLT)
    40 But Peter asked them all to leave the room; then he knelt and prayed. Turning to the body he said, “Get up, Tabitha.” And she opened her eyes! When she saw Peter, she sat up!

    C. Fasting. (Matthew 6: 16 ).

    Matthew 6:16 (NLT)
    16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get.
    (Ὅταν δὲ νηστεύητε, μὴ γίνεσθε ὡς οἱ ὑποκριταὶ σκυθρωποί, ἀφανίζουσιν γὰρ τὰ πρόσωπα αὐτῶν ὅπως φανῶσιν τοῖς ἀνθρώποις νηστεύοντες· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἀπέχουσιν τὸν μισθὸν αὐτῶν.)
    1. Refers to abstaining from food in order to focus on spiritual things.
    (νηστεύητε = “to fast, to abstain from eating”
    a) It is a time of purification.
    b) It is a time of seeking God's face.
    2. Results in revitalized spiritual life.
    3. Practiced by:
    a) Jesus. (Matthew 4: 1-2 ).
    Matthew 4:1–2 (NLT)
    1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil.
    2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.
    b) Christ's disciples. ( 2 Corinthians 11: 27 ).
    2 Corinthians 11:27 (NLT)
    27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.
    ​

    II. WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPLES TO USE IN THESE EXERCISES? (Matthew 6: 1-4; 5-8; 16 -18 ).

    Matthew 6:1–4 (NLT)
    1 “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.
    2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get.
    3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.
    4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
    Matthew 6:5–8 (NLT)
    5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get.
    6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
    7 “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again.
    8 Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!
    Matthew 6:16–18 (NLT)
    16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get.
    17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face.
    18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

    A. Do your spiritual exercises out of the right motive.

    1. To be seen by God, not men.
    a) The object is to be pleasing to him, not get the praise of men. (Matthew 6: 1, 5, 16 ).
    Matthew 6:1 (NLT)
    1 “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.
    Matthew 6:5 (NLT)
    5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get.
    Matthew 6:16 (NLT)
    16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get.
    2. To respond to the need in your life for the exercise. (Matthew 6: 3, 6, 18 ).
    Matthew 6:3 (NLT)
    3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.
    Matthew 6:6 (NLT)
    6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
    Matthew 6:18 (NLT)
    18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
    a) The need for an intimate walk with Christ.
    b) The need to be obedient.

    B. Do your spiritual exercise so that God will be glorified. (1 Corinthians 10: 31 ).

    1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLT)
    31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
    1. By becoming an extension of the life of Christ to others.
    2. By being a channel of his power released.
    a) God's power in your life will be evidenced to others.
    (1) Like the Christians at Antioch? (Acts 11: 26 ).
    Acts 11:26 (NLT)
    26 When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.)
    ​
    Conclusion.:
    These three exercises done by the believer, using the proper spiritual principles, will result in a stronger testimony and spiritual life. Are you willing to use them?
    ​
    ​

      • Matthew 6:1NLT

      • Matthew 6:5NLT

      • Matthew 6:16NLT

      • Matthew 6:1NLT

      • Matthew 5:16NLT

      • Matthew 6:5NLT

      • Matthew 6:16NLT

      • Matthew 6:1–4NLT

      • Matthew 6:5–8NLT

      • Matthew 6:16–18NLT

      • 1 Corinthians 10:31NLT

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Woodville Baptist Church
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(601) 888-3613
http://www.woodvillebaptistchurch.net
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