Jesus on Motives

40 Days with Jesus – Part 4

Life Church – October 24, 2010

Pastor Dan Walker

Matthew 6:1 (NIV) "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:16 (NIV) In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

John 12:43 (NIV) for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

1. __________ to the needy

1A. Give _______________

Matthew 6:2 (NIV) "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

1B. Give ______________

Matthew 6:3-4 (NIV) But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

2. _____________ to your Father

2A. Pray _______________

Matthew 6:5-6 (NIV) "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

2B. Pray __________________

Matthew 6:7-8 (NIV) And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

3. ____________ for God’s power

3A. Fast ________________

Matthew 6:16-17 (NIV) "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen;

3B. Fast expecting a _______________

Matthew 6:18 (NIV) … and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Message Study Guide

Jesus on Motives

Life Church – October 24, 2010

(Answer questions based on the message outline and verses)

Intro.     Why do you think God is interested in our motives for what we do?

How can Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:1 and Matthew 5:16 regarding our good deeds be explained?

1.         Why do you think giving is something Jesus expects of every follower?

1A.       In what ways could people today act as the hypocrites of Jesus’ day in giving (Matthew 6:2)?

1B.       How do Jesus’ instructions on giving have to do with heart attitudes (Matthew 6:3-4)?

2A.       What is Jesus teaching us about private and public prayer (Matthew 6:5-6)?

2B.       What kinds of intelligent prayers does God desire (Matthew 6:7-8)?

2C.       How could your private prayer life grow stronger?

3.         Why does Jesus expect every disciple to fast regularly (Matthew 6:16-17)?

3A.       What kind of heart attitude was Jesus looking for in his instructions on fasting (Matthew 6:16-17)?

3B.       What is God’s promise for doing each of these three practices with a proper attitude (Matthew 6:18)?