Matthew 6:5-18

Matthew 6:5-18

INTRODUCTION

Imagine a life completely committed to Jesus.

  • What do you imagine when you imagine a life completely committed to Jesus?
  • What is one thing that needs to change in your life to move towards “completely committed to Jesus?”

SCRIPTURE

Matthew 6:5-18

“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 

7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this: 

“Our Father in heaven, 

hallowed be your name. 

10  Your kingdom come, 

your will be done, 

on earth as it is in heaven. 

11       Give us this day our daily bread, 

12       and forgive us our debts, 

as we also have forgiven our debtors. 

13       And lead us not into temptation, 

but deliver us from evil. 

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. 

16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 

  • What stands out to you from the text?
  • What questions or comments do you have about it?

OBSERVATIONS

1. When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites.

2. When you pray, don’t be like the non-Christians.

3. When you fast, wash your face. 

When we study God’s Word, it should lead us to both rejoicing and repenting. 

  • In what ways did you find yourself encouraged and/or rejoicing when you heard the message?
  • In what ways were you challenged to repent or change when you heard the message?
  • How did the teacher connect this passage to Christ? What other connections do you see between this message and the redemptive work of Christ?

CONCLUSION

  • What is one thing that you want to remember from this sermon?  
  • Why is that important to you?