no boasting (eph 2:8-9)

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not of your own doing; it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Paul is clear, our salvation is a gift. We did not earn it. Why does the world see the church as a group of holier-than-thou people boasting (subtly) about their moral righteousness? The church is a group of people who know they don't have any righteousness but have been loved by God anyway. People who deserve nothing but have been given everything. This should cultivate deep humility - we are all great sinners with a great Saviour.

trophies of grace (Eph 2:7)

Ephesians 2:7

... so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus.

Our salvation shows how gracious God is. We are trophies of his grace. The immeasurable riches of his grace are demonstrated by his kindness towards us. The fact that God would love us and save us and accept us shows how wonderful his grace is. Do our lives show off God's grace? Or do we give off a message of self-improvement via "christianity"?

saved to ... (Eph 2:5-6)

Ephesians 2:4-6

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he has loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, has made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved - and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus

With Jesus our sins have been forgiven, but that is not it. It's easy to think that we have had our slate wiped clean and now we need to make a better job of it, at least until we have to ask for his forgiveness again next week, or tomorrow, or this afternoon. The gospel is much more than that, way more than just getting us back to square one. We have been transferred from death to life, eternally but also now, no longer spiritually dead but alive with Christ. He died, taking our sin to the grave with him, but he also rose and we have been raised up with Him to a new life. We have been seated with him in the heavenly places in Christ. Our position is different, our allegiance is different, our family is different, our life is different. By grace we have been saved, not only saved from something but saved to something - new life in Him.

old written code

Romans 7:6

But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.

The phrase "old written code" sums up the dominant view of Christianity. It's and old, irrelavant set of rules for living which some people still choose to follow. Actually, it's the exact opposite. The message of Christianity is not a heavy burden but freedom. We serve God joyfully, empowered by the Holy Spirit, not under any old religious system bullying us into self-improvement.

But God... (Eph 2:4-5)

Ephesians 2:4-5

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he has loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved.

verses 1-3 paint a bleak picture BUT GOD...! Without God involved everything would be hopeless, but he is involved. He is not only involved but he is rich in mercy and great in love. And that love is shown towards us - the sons of disobedience, the children of wrath, the people dead in sin. If we don't understand verses 1-3 then verses 4 and 5 aren't a big deal. If we think we are essentially loveable, then God's love is nice but not great... why wouldn't he love me? But when we have felt the weight of the bad news of sin, we understand the greatness of his love, the gospel truly becomes good news.

We had not turned ourselves around for God to show thins mercy - we were dead, he made us alive. We have been saved by grace by a great Saviour - so much more than a crutch or a co-pilot!

like the rest of mankind (Eph 2:3)

Ephesians 2:1-3

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of the world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience - among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

This is serious. We were not following God - but following anyone and anything else. God was not God but we were our own god - disobediently living out OUR passions and OUR desires. We were spiritually dead and deserving of God's wrath. There is no one who has not been, or is not in, this situation. It's everyone - the world, the rest of mankind, we ALL once lived like this. This is a desperate situation, and I can't wait for the next verse to tell us what the solution is!

walking away (Eph 2:2)

Ephesians 2:1-2

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked - following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit which is now at work in the sons of disobedience

Without Jesus, we were walking in sin, willfully walking away from God. We like to think of ourselves as independent but in our quest for "independence" from god we were actually just following others - following the world, following the devil. We were sons of disobedience, rebellion against God marked everything about us. But now, because of Jesus, we are god's sons!

dead men walking (Eph 2:1-2)

Ephesians 2:1-2a

And you were dead in the the trespasses and sins in which you once walked. 

Without Jesus, we are not just in need of a bit of assistance. We are in a much worse position than just a bit of room for improvement. We are dead men walking. Spiritually dead. "Absolutely void of all spiritual life, as incapable of quickening yourselves as persons literally dead" Wesley. Not just doing the odd thing wrong but willfully walking IN sin, dead IN trespasses. We are in serious need. We need serious help

technical forgiveness (psalm 51:18-19)

Psalm 51:18-19

Do good to Zion in your good pleasure, build up the walls of Jerusalem; then you will delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

David turns his attention to God's people. He recognises that he doesn't sin in isolation, it affects people and the effect is even greater considering his position. 
After recognising earlier that the sacrificial system is pointless without a broken heart he now returns to it in the right way. this was a system designed by God to forgive sin, but not as a technicality. For those convicted and repentant, the sacrificial system was where they should go. For us, Jesus was the final, true, perfect sacrifice. He can forgive your sins, but not as a technicality, not as someone just reciting a prayer to take part in a transaction. It's free but it's not cheap, it cost Him His life. Repent and cry out to God for mercy - he will give it

broken spirit (psalm 51:16-17)

psalm 51:16-17

For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

God set up the sacrificial system, he told the people to do it, but he will not be pleased with people going through the motions if their heart is not in it

    [8] “‘This people honors me with their lips,
        but their heart is far from me;
    [9] in vain do they worship me,
        teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
(Matthew 15:8-9 ESV)

We need to be broken down before we can be lifted up. Without a devastating recognition of our own sin, we will never be able to fully appreciate the cross and the depths of God's love. Stop going through the religious motions. Consider your own sin. Then consider his great mercy.

open my lips (psalm 51:15)

Psalm 51:15

O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise

Don't fall into the trap of thinking that we are doing God a favour by praising him. He is the one that puts the desire into our hearts, gives us the strength to open our mouth and the breath to sing his praise!

sing like you're saved (psalm 51:14)

Psalm 51:14

Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.

We don't sing songs to and about God just because that's what Christians do. We sing because it expresses our joy that we have been saved. We have been delivered. Our lives deserve death, but Jesus blood was shed so that ours wont be!

joy-motivated evangelism (psalm 51:13)

Psalm 51:13

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you

David's thoughts to evangelism are linked to the previous verses. If God creates a clean heart in him, doesn't cast him from his presence and restores the joy of salvation, then he will tell others about God. This is not some sort of negotiation, but a recognition of the fact that our salvation naturally leads to our witness. Mission should flow from a place of joy, not a begrudging sense of duty. If we have no desire to tell others about God, we should look beyond the temporary solution of forcing ourselves to do it and ask ourselves if we have forgotton the gospel. When we realise we should be cast out but we aren't, when God hides his face from our sins and blots them out, when he creates a clean heart within us that leads to joy - and we naturally tell others about the things that bring us joy.

restore the joy of your salvation (psalm 51:12)

Psalm 51:12

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

God's saving of us should not just bring relief but joy. Christians should be the most joyful people around as they are set free from the guilt and shame of their sin and welcomed into God's family. This is not something we have to work up in ourselves, but if we feel like it is lacking, we should join David in asking God to restore that joy to us. Asking Him to remind us of the great news of the gospel and give us a willing spirit to continue walking with him. the christian life is not begrudging submission but joyful obedience. Do you at least want to want that? Then join in David's prayer

cast away (psalm 51:11)

Psalm 51:11

Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me

David knows that he deserves to be cast from God's presence. He deserves to have the Holy Spirit's anointing as king removed. He is not crying out for justice, he is crying out for mercy. We can be confident that we will not be cast away from God's presence because of the cross. Because Jesus was forsaken, we will not be.

clean heart (psalm 51:10)

Psalm 51:10

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

David recognises that his problem runs deep. He needs more than forgiveness of sinful acts. He needs his heart to be transformed. Like David, we are powerless to change our own hearts. Maybe we can disicpline ourselves for a while to modify certain behaviour, but if the sinful desires remain in the heart then it's only a matter of time until we fail or it manifests itself in a different way. We need God to change our heart. the good news is that he can and will. the gospel is not that we receive forgiveness and then have to do a better job next time. We receive the Holy Spirit who empowers us to change

Proverbs 20:9  

Who can say, “I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin”?

No one.
But... 

Ezekiel 36:26-27

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

permanently removed (psalm 51:9)

Psalm 51:9
Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

In the previous verse, David is asking God to restore joy and gladness to him. How is that going to be possible with David's guilt and shame over his sin? It can happen if God blots out his iniquities and hides his face from his sins.
The image of God hiding his face is usually seen as a bad thing throughout the bible - God hiding his face from people who have rebelled against him (eg Deuteronomy 31:17-18, Jeremiah 33:5, Micah 3:4). In other psalms the writer cries out that God has hidden his face because He seems absent (Psalm 13:1, 27:9, 69:17). So why would David ask God to hide his face from him now? How can God hide his face from our sin, without hiding his face from us as well. The reason is Jesus who became like one from whom people hide their faces (Isaiah 53:3) and who did not hide his face from mocking and spitting (Isaiah 50:6).

The idea of blotting out is permanent removal. When we consider our sin and are convicted, how can that possibly result in joy and gladness? Because of Jesus' life, death and resurrection, which means that our sin is permanently removed, God has hidden His face from it, but not from us.

bone breaker (psalm 51:8)

Psalm 51:8
Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice

Hang on. The bones that YOU have broken. God is responsible for David's overwhelming conviction, grief, sorrow and shame over his sin. How is that good news? If God had just left him alone, David would have been able to justify to himself what he had done. Now he feels terrible.

True joy and gladness is never going to be found by suppressing our guilt, by trying to cover over our sin and shame. We might be able to dull our senses and harden our hearts to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, but that is not going to take away the problem. Shoving sin deeper within ourselves does not get rid of it. The good news is God can get rid of it. We can be clean. That's the good news. Breaking the hand that clings onto something that leads to death is the most loving thing to do. And God loves us, so he will not shy away from breaking a few bones if that is what we need to find our way to his mercy.

inside (psalm 51:6)

Psalm 51:6
Behold you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

We are interested in the outside. In the Bathsheba incident, David took care of matters so that everything looked ok on the outside. But God is interested in the inward being, the secret heart. He knows our desires, motivations and thoughts. We should pray that God will convict us of sin that is beneath the surface and ask Him to transform us from the inside out.

unscientific

There are no universal truths in science, only things that have yet to be proved false.

Brian Cox & Jeff Forshaw, Why does E=mc2?

Brian Cox would no doubt hate me using this quote like this but, if science is your big reason for doubting Christianity, then please pay attention to the quote above. Please don't take "christianity can't be true" as your universal truth that you are not willing to question. You have yet to prove it false. Look into the evidence about Jesus' life death and resurrection, don't leave it untested, that's unscientific!

hyssop (psalm 51:7)

In Psalm 51, as David is repenting and crying out to God for mercy, he says:

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

(Psalm 51:7 ESV)

When he mentions hyssop, he is likely to be thinking of the uses of hyssop (a shrub) found throughout the Old Testament

If a house was unclean, blood from a sacrifice was to be sprinkled on the house using hyssop to make the house clean (Leviticus 14:49-53). When Moses gave the law to the Israelites, the book and the people were sprinkled with blood, using hyssop, to signify the beginning of the covenant (Hebrews 9:18-19). When God was going to kill every first born son in Egypt , the Israelites had to dip some hyssop in blood from a sacrifice and put the blood on their doorposts so that God would passover them (Exodus 12:22-23).

Hyssop was used when there had been a sacrifice. A sacrifice necessary because of breaking God's law, blood necessary to be spared from deserved  judgement and to be made clean.

David, like us, has broken God's law. He, like us deserves God's wrath and is crying out for God's forgiveness. He recognises that requires sacrifice when he brings up the idea of hyssop. Why aren't we dipping hyssop in blood right now to sprinkle ourselves with blood from a sacrifice?

    After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
(John 19:28-30 ESV)

    Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

(Hebrews 10:19-22 ESV)

   

it's natural (psalm 51:5)

Psalm 51:5

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, in sin did my mother conceive me.

David is not trying to say that the act of his conception was sinful but, instead, that his sinfulness had existed as long as he had. Sin is natural to us, no child needs to be taught how to sin. As long as we hold onto an idea of ourselves as being essentially good people who have made a few bad choices we will only ever be looking to Jesus as a moral guide, not a Saviour. We wont rejoice about his rescue mission until we realise that we need rescuing.

against you alone (psalm 51:4)

Psalm 51:4

Against you, you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgement.

You only? David's sin involved others and had consequences for others. This is not a denial of that but a recognition that all sin (including his adultery and murder) starts with sin against God, it starts with rebellion and idolatry.

"so that" does not mean here that David sinned in order to make God just. It is that David sinned therefore God's judgement is just. Everything that God says to David through Nathan about this incident is completely justified.

ignoring sin? (psalm 51:3)

Psalm 51:3

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me

Are we aware of our sin? Do we know our transgressions? There will be areas where we are blind to sin in our lives and we need someone like Nathan to come and point it out. With that information, or with sin that we are already aware of, what are we going to do with it. We are most likely to ignore it, try to push it to the back of our mnds, explain it away and justify it. We don't want our sin "ever before us" as David describes, because that makes us feel guilty or depressed. But without it "ever before us" we will forget the good news of the gospel which is the only thing that can really deal with that guilt and the sin that caused us. Conviction may not seem nice, but it's for our good.

it's good, it's all good

James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights

The fact that God is the Creator is not just about the beginning of time or evolution. It also means everything good that we experience is good because He is good and He created it. Do you enjoy good food or good music? He created food and music. He came up with the idea. If the created things are good, the Creator is even better. 

This is important to remember when God's way of doing something is at odds with the way we want to do it. For example, God does not confine sexual relationships to heterosexual, monogamous marriage because he is trying to limit our experience of sexuality. He invented sex, He created it to be good, He wants you to have the best sex life possible, and He knows how it works best - within marriage. 

God is powerful and mighty and holy, but He is also good. He is more committed to your good than you are!

a powerful message for everyone

    For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
(Romans 1:16 ESV)

When I feel ashamed of the gospel, or embarrassed by it, it is likely to be because I have forgotten it's power. God saved me through the power of the gospel and he can do that with anyone - Jews, Greeks, barbarians, wise, foolish (v13-14). It is for everyone, not just certain types of people or people who are just like me. And it doesn't depend on my intelligence or eloquence when talking to non-christians. It's the power of God, it's His gospel, it's the good news about Him. I have no need to be ashamed.

laboring the point?

    So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.
(Romans 1:15 ESV)

Paul is writing to the church in Rome, to Christians (see v7). So why is he eager to preach the gospel to them? Christians must need to hear the gospel too! We never move on from the gospel, we move deeper into it.

a few things about the gospel

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,

  
(Romans 1:1-6 ESV)

 In this short section, Paul manages to cram in a lot about the gospel:

• It is "of God" - the gospel is more about God than it is about us. Do we tend to start with us and work back to God?
• It was promised throughout the Old Testament - God had a plan from the beginning of time to rescue us. The Old Testament is not irrelevant but sets up the promises of God that Jesus came to fulfill. 
• It is about Jesus
• ...who was human - he was descended from David according to the flesh
• ...and also God  - declared to be the Son of God
• it is proved by his resurrection
• it is a gift of grace
• to which we respon in obedience and faith
• it is for all the nations

washed clean (Psalm 51:2)

Psalm 51:1b-2

according to your abundant mercy, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!

David is aware of his sin. Just like David, I have transgressed, I have rebelled against God and deliberately gone my own way. I also find myself in iniquity, twisted in on myself, my selfish heart affecting everything in my life. I have sinned, I have failed to live up to Gods' perfect standard. The good news of the gospel starts with recognising our sin.

David knows the solution is not within himself. Aware of our sin, we could just accept it, either revelling in it or wallowing in it but not expecting or even wanting change. David knows that something needs to be done about it. but he recognises that it is not something he can do himself. We can't sort ourselves out. We can't turn around the rebellion, untwist ourselves and start being holy. We need intervention. the good news of the gospel is that God has intervened.

David asks God to blot out his sins, to wash him thoroughly, to cleanse him. Nothing else can cleanse us, can wash us. We can't blot out our own transgressions, no matter how much we try. The good news of the gospel is that God can, and will, do that. On the cross, our transgressions were blotted out, our iniquity was washed away and we were cleansed. In verse 1, David cries out to God for mercy. How does God show mercy? By dealing with our sin.

mercy (psalm 51:1)

Psalm 51:1

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy, blot out my transgressions

David asks God for mercy. He asks God to show compassion to him instead of treating him as he deserves to be treated. The good news is that God has and shows mercy in abundance. He is not just merciful once or twice, he is abundantly merciful, I have not used up his supply. He has more mercy than I have sin. He is merciful towards us because of his love for us which is steadfast, it is unchanging, he is consistent in his position towards us. Cry out for God's mercy, He is merciful.

Exodus 43:6-7
The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin,

holidolatry

As many people are currently on holiday/recently returned from holiday/wishing they were on holiday/planning their next holiday, it got me thinking about how easy it is for holidays to become an idol that we worship instead of Jesus.

• We think a holiday is going to solve all our problems. If your family are at each other's throats, a bit of time together away from the normal routines may well help. But, by itself, a holiday wont address the root issues of that conflict. You are not in conflict with your wife and children just because you need a break, it exists because our selfish hearts sin against each other. The holiday wont stop that but why not use the holiday as a chance to confess sin to God and each other and repent, praying together that God would help because he is the one that can sort it out.
• Because we can think the holiday is the answer to our problems, we make sacrifices for it - saving up money throughout the rest of the year for it, having to cut back on other things to make sure it happens.We prepare for it - studying the destinations or attractions, reading the reviews, buying new clothes. We evangelise about it - talking about it before and after it happens. Pray that God would captivate our hearts so that we talk about him as much as we do about our holiday. If you are willing to make sacrifices of time, and money for a holiday, why not look at those same things to invest in your relationship with God.
• We can start to worship the holiday. The thought of it gets you through the long days at work. We think that we are better, happier people on holiday, you are really you when you're on holiday. In reality you're a better, happier person with Jesus. You're really you with Jesus. You need Jesus.

I am not against holidays. Take one. But worship Jesus instead of committing holidolatry

Jeremiah 8:20 “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.”

 For that we need Jesus

astonished (matt7:28-29)

Matthew 7:28-29

And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

The crowds didn't hear the sermon on the mount and remain indifferent, or think it was a nice bit of moral teaching. They were astonished. It blew their minds. They couldn't believe what he was saying. If we look at this and don't think Jesus is either God or a lunatic, then we haven't understood it. Here is a man that has claims that it's the poor in spirit, meek people who are blessed, who has raised the bar on the level of righteousness that the Pharisees demanded, who said that you need to be perfect, who said that you need to love your enemies and turn the other cheek, who has called the religious leaders hypocrites, who says that there are people claiming to follow God who are actually on a path to destruction. It's not only shocking to the people at the time but also for us - it's the opposite of the common opinions of our society.

It is crazy. Or true

foundations and storms (matt 7:24-27)

Matthew 7:24-27

Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.

• What is the difference? Two men are mentioned, wise and foolish. What's the difference between them? They're both listening to the words of Jesus but the wise man acts on it, he obeys Jesus.he doesn't just agree with the principles, he surrenders his life. Are you just listening to Jesus or are you listening and following?
• What's the foundation? Both men build houses. The difference is the foundation. the wise man builds his house on the rock - Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only sure foundation to build our lives upon. If we are building on anything else, money, career, relationships, reputation, we are building on sand. The house may look just as good, but it's moments away from collapsing - you lose your job and it's gone, your marriage is in trouble and it's gone.
• What's the result? We tend to think that building your house on the rock means that the storm doesn't come but that is no the picture painted here. Both men, both houses get hit by rain, floods and wind. Being a Christian does not mean the storms will not come. It doesn't mean that you wont suffer or face difficulties. The promise is not that you will have an easy life. It is that the storm wont be the end of you, you will stand in it, you have hope in it.

a party not a job interview (Matt 7:21-23)

Matthew 7:21-23

Not everyone who says to me "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?" And then will I declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness"

There are people who call themselves Christians but they are not. there are people who believe they are Christians but they are not. Jesus makes it clear that the test is not what you say, or even what you do, but whether you know him. Entering eternal life with Jesus is not like a job interview where our CV is examined to see whether we've made it. The people described in these verses are doing a lot of things, and doing them in Jesus' name. They've got a way better CV than the one I could present to Jesus, but he sends them away because he doesn't know them. It's not a job interview but a party, where what matters is whether you know the host. If I show up at a house for a party, I don't expect to get in because I've presented my partying CV to a stranger who is hosting it, but I expect to get in because I know the host.

Obedience is a fruit of knowing Jesus and that is more than just saying the right things. Don't focus on doing things for Jesus, focus on Jesus himself.

going through the motions

Amos 5:21-23

21 "I hate, I despise your religious festivals;
your assemblies are a stench to me.
22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings,
I will have no regard for them.
23 Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.

Strong words from God! He despises their religious activities. He hates them doing the very things he had prescribed - festivals, offerings, sacrifices, songs. What had happened that these things had become a "stench" to God? 

The people were performing all the religious practices but were corrupt. They hated people who worked for justice or told the truth (5:10). They exploited the poor to increase their own wealth (5:11). They oppressed the innocent, took bribes and did not give justice to the poor (5:12). They were selfish and self-serving, willing to exploit others in the process but would turn up at the temple and think that going through the motions would mean they were alright with God. That is what God despises.

"impurity of heart vitiated all their works, and this was the reason that God rejected every thing which the Jews thought available for holiness" Calvin

Turning up on a Sunday does not make you right with God. Giving up something for lent does not make you acceptable before Him. Giving money, reading the Bible, praying, trying hard to be nice to people, supporting charities, not drinking, not smoking, not swearing, even working for justice does not restore your broken relationship with him if your heart is still turned in on itself. You can do the right things with the wrong motivation and God doesn't accept it. Consider the condition of your heart, not just what you do. You need more than a change in behaviour, we need a heart transplant

Ezekiel 36:26

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh

recognising fruit (matt7:16-20)

Matthew 7:16-20

You will recognise them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognise them by their fruits.

If the false prophets are difficult to recognise because they come dressed as sheep, then how do we know them? Jesus repeats the point a number of times - by their fruits. This might not be immediately obvious, but the inward position of a person will eventually be revealed, it will come out. The tree might not look diseased until the bad fruit appears. A teacher may look good, say the right sort of things, even use the bible, but if the fruit is bad, it shows the condition of the heart. What is the fruit we should be looking for? Not worldly standards like popularity but the sort of thing Jesus has been talking about in the sermon on the mount - humility, meekness, selflessness, repentance, truth, seeking God. This stuff will be difficult to evaluate if we are not living life with people. If we are living life alongside each other, then the fruit is seen.

undercover false prophets (matt 7:15)

Matthew 7:15

beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

To beware of false prophets is a common warning in the NT but are we actually doing it? It seems like we are aware of the possibility of false prophets in theory but don't really expect to encounter them, even though the bible says that it's almost certain that we will! To beware is to be on the look out for them - it's not a witch hunt but it does mean that we evaluate and judge (!) what people are saying. 

These wolves look like sheep. If they looked like wolves there wouldn't be much of a problem. The problem is not that they will be teaching crazy stuff because we'd probably notice. The danger is that they will seem plausible, they will seem attractive, what they are saying will sound like something that we want to be true. Jesus pulls no punches, they are ravenous wolves and we are in danger.

going with the crowd (matt 7:13-14)

Matthew 7:13-14

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Conventional wisdom is powerful. We tend to think that whatever most people do is most likely to be the right thing, whatever the majority of people think is probably correct. If it's suggested that we might be wrong on something we take comfort in the fact that others believe the same thing as us. But what if the majority is wrong? What if the conventional view that God probably exists but it doesn't matter much is wrong? What if the prevailing view that there can't just be one way to God is untrue? 

The truth of a particular statement is independent of the number of people who agree with it. Look for truth, but don't just go along with the crowd.

a loving father (matt7:9-11)

Matthew 7:9-11

Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

We are not trying to persuade God to be good to us. He is a loving Father who loves to give good gifts. Even as sinners, we care for and provide for our children so we can expect God to do that but in a perfect way that we could never manage. So, if we think God is withholding something for us, think of the reasons you might withhold something from a child - in their best interests. The child may be upset at the time, but the parent knows more about the bigger picture. God knows our needs better than we do and can be trusted.

suffering

This is not a well thought out response to the question of suffering but just a couple of ideas that I've been thinking about recently.

1 - The fact that we recognise that such a thing as suffering exists points to a compassionate and just God. Pure natural selection would see us at least uninterested if not happy about the latest tragedy involving the loss of life as it represents less competition for resources for those of us who have survived. instead of seeing tragedies as survival of the fittest we are deeply affected by them. We have a sense of justice because God, who is Just gave it to us. We have a sense of compassion because God, who is Compassion, gave it to us.

2 - The worst case of innocent suffering is seen at the cross where Jesus who did nothing wrong and didn't truly deserved our worship, received every form of suffering imaginable. Did that appear unjust? Yes. Could the Father have intervened? Yes. Why didn't he? Because there was something bigger going on. In the midst of the worst case of suffering imaginable, God knew what he was doing. He still does.

the golden rule (matt7:12)

Matthew 7:12

So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the prophets.

The golden rule - everybody loves this, don't they? If we all just did this then the world would be a better place (which is true) but the problem is that we all think the we're doing it and the problem lies with other people. Too often we have twisted the golden rule into a selfish version that's more about what others should be doing than me - "other people should treat me the way that I (think I) treat others". Jesus gives this command to you to think about your own behaviour, not to be the golden rule police for others. At best we may manage a negative version of the rule - "don't treat others in a way that you wouldn't like to be treated" - so don't steal, murder etc because you wouldn't like that doing to you. Jesus wants more - you are to treat others the way that you wish you treated - this is positive and requires initiative and action rather than just the absence of negative action - you like to be loved so love others, you like to be appreciated so appreciate others, you like others to be generous to you so be generous to them. Don't look straight to the golden speck in your brother's eye but examine the golden log in your own.

This sums up the Law and the prophets? With no mention of God? Jesus has made it clear throughout the sermon on the mount that treating others in this way is impossible in our strength without him.

ask (matt7:7-8)

Matthew 7:7-8

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

We are told to keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking. We are to persevere in prayer. God will respond. Is this a green light to pray for a new car and if you keep on going you'll get it? Jesus has already taught that prayer is about God's will and God's kingdom as well as our needs and we are to pray along those lines. Our perseverance isn't about wearing God down - it's part of the process. Sanctification is not a one time download but it's a lifelong process and part of that process is seeking after God.

The very fact that we are needing to ask/seek/knock should humble us - we NEED something, we are not self-sufficient, we are dependent on God's giving. Don't look to yourself, look to God

generations

After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel.

Judges 2:10

It's a frightening situation to think about the next generation growing up and not knowing anything about God. How can we stop that happening? We are responsible for passing it on:

One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.

Psalm 145:4

What does that mean practically?

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Write them on the door-frames of your houses and on your gates,  so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the Lord swore to give your ancestors, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth.

Deuteronomy 11:18-21

It means we need to have God's word in our hearts and minds. We are not going to pass anything on that we are not captivated by ourselves. Then we need to talk about them to the next generation - not waiting for designated times or places but as part of our everyday lives. Are you telling the next generation about God?

discernment (matt7:6)

Matthew 7:6

Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

While not being judgmental (as Jesus has warned in the preceding verses), we are to be discerning. The gospel can and should be freely shared with anyone, when it comes to investing our limited amount of time with people, we need to be discerning. That means that an hour spent arguing in internet comment threads with Dawkins fans is probably not as useful as spending that hour with my neighbour or colleague. the gospel could be shared in both contexts. But if can only do one, it should be the second.

don't judge (matt 7:1-6)

 Matthew 7:1-5

Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgement you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, "Let me take the speck out of your eye" when  there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

"Don't judge" is probably the most quoted verse in the bible. We use it to excuse anything. We see it as the ultimate defense to any criticism. Reading this verse in context, we see that it is not about never making a judgement about anything (firstly that would be impossible, secondly, Jesus tells us to be discerning - which involves making a judgement and instructs us how to address sin in others lives - which also involved making a judgement) but this command is about hypocritical judgement - judging others while letting yourself off the hook. It is about being judgmental.

We do this all the time. We are quick to see other's faults but ignore our own. We are outraged that someone else has committed a particular sin but we justify our own. We criticise others and expect them to change but bristle at any criticism we receive or any suggestion something needs to change in our own life.

This isn't new - Calvin observed the same thing:

We see how all flatter themselves, and every man passes a severe censure on others. This vice is attended by some strange enjoyment: for there is hardly any person who is not tickled with the desire of inquiring into other people’s faults...This depraved eagerness for biting, censuring, and slandering, is restrained by Christ, when he says, Judge not. It is not necessary that believers should become blind, and perceive nothing, but only that they should refrain from an undue eagerness to judge

Jesus instructions are not about never confronting sin, and he is not suggesting we need to be blameless before doing it. It is about being more concerned about our own sin than somebody else's. It is about looking at ourselves more than we look at others. The sort of rebuking, confession and repentance that is supposed to take place in the christian community happens between people who are aware of their own sin and so approach each other humbly.

worrying your life away (matt6:34)

Matthew 6:34

Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Jesus closes this section on anxiety with a practical observation - there's enough stuff going on today that needs our attention rather than worrying about tomorrow. Are we so concerned with what might happen in the future that life is passing us by? Are we worrying our life away?

what are you seeking? (matt 6:33)

Matthew 6:33

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

 We should be seeking God before all the other things that are the subject of our anxiety:

• seek it before your needs
• seek it before your survival
• seek it before your image
• seek it before money
• seek it before anything else.

The giver is more important than the gifts. Are we more "anxious" about our sin or our reputation with others? 

Seeking other things will be a never ending quest for satisfaction. Seeking God leads to satisfaction and all the other things will be taken care of - by the one who knows our needs best.

Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither. 

CS Lewis

still anxious? (matt6:31-32)

Matthew 6:31-32

Therefore do not be anxious, saying "What shall we eat?" or "what shall we drink?" or "what shall we wear?" For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly father knows that you need them all.

A couple more reasons to not be anxious:

• God knows your needs. He knows them far better than you do - and he loves you!
• Anxiety is a pagan mindset - always wondering if we've done enough, wondering if God is in a good mood. The Christian mindset is confident - we know we haven't done enough but we know what mood God is in!

worry vs faith (matt 6:30)

Matthew 6:25a

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious...

Matthew 6:30

...O you of little faith

A lack of faith will cause us to be anxious. Don't take this as an instruction to try and whip up more faith in yourself. It's not so much the quality of your faith that matters but the thing/person you have faith in. Our faith will increase as we remind ourselves of the One who our faith is in

Worry: How am I going to make ends meet?

Faith: God cares for and provides for the birds, and I am more valuable to him than they are

Worry: What if I die?

Faith: God is in control of your survival and can be trusted.

Worry: How do other people see me?

Faith: God, the masterful creator, created you.

Worry: What about this? What about that?

Faith: Life is about more than this and that, it is about God.

darkness on the edge of town

Bruce Springsteen, in The Promise: The making of darkness on the edge of town, says something like: A lot of my writing is obsessed with sin, and what it means in a good life. You can't get rid of it, you have to carry it. It's about how you carry it.

He sees this leading to a heavy, weary existence, working, paying the bills but gradually dying inside.

In so many ways he's right. But that's only the story if it doesn't include Jesus

1 Peter 2:24 

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 

Matthew 11:28-30  

²⁸  Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Anxiety (Matt 6:25-30)

Matthew 6:25-30

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith.

The type of anxiety Jesus warns us about is material. We may worry about our life - food/drink, our needs, how are we going to survive? And/or we may worry about our body - clothes, which could also stretch beyond the physical need for clothing to extend to our appearance and image.

Worried about your survival? Jesus says:

• That if God is concerned about the needs of the birds, he is concerned about your needs (v26)
• worry doesn't work! you can't extend your life by anything, including worry. God is in charge of your survival (v27)
• Life is about more than survival (v25). You've worried and survived - is that a life?

Worried about your image? Jesus says:

• Life is about more than image (v25)
• The beauty of a minor part of God's creation far exceeds the best that man can manage (v28-29)
• God has expressed his creativity in the beauty of nature, which includes you. Your image is his creation (v30)

Therefore (matt 6:25a)

Matthew 6:25a

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious

To understand Jesus' instruction to not be anxious, we can't miss the "therefore", referring to everything he has just been talking about.

Therefore...

because earthly treasures are temporary

because heavnely treasure is permanent 

because your focus affects your entire life

because you can't serve both God and money

because of all of this - do not be anxious.

We will be anxious if we are focussed on storing up earthly treasure. We will be anxious if we are serving the god of money, or even trying to serve money and God (as if that was possible). Peace will be found in serving God with our eyes fixed on our eternal life with Him.

money is a rubbish God (Matt 6:19-24)

Money makes a rubbish God. Acquiring "stuff" is not worth devoting your life to. Why? Jesus gives a few reasons in Matthew 6:

• It doesn't last. You'll be wanting an upgrade to that new phone this time next year. Your car is losing value as you read this. Your house will need money spending on it to stop it falling apart (v19)
• It can be taken from you in an instant. (v19 and see Luke 12:16-21)
• It affects everything. (v22-23) If your focus (eye) is fixed on created things rather than the creator, then  everything else gets messed up (darkness fills the house). Relationships, work, families, every aspect of your life will be negatively affected because your primary concern is getting more stuff.
• It will enslave you. Money wont be serving you, you'll be it's slave, sacrificing your time and effort for more of it, despite the fact that it never fulfills on it's promise to satisfy (v24)

On the other hand, a disciple of Jesus finds life that is everlasting, that can not be taken away, that brings every aspect of life into it's proper place and a master that fulfills all his promises

2 masters (matt6:24)

Matthew 6:24

No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

We try to serve two (or more) masters all the time. We think we can do it by compartmentalising our life. Serve God in this section. Serve money in this section - although we would never say it like this, it would be something about needing to work long hours to pay the mortgage, or talking about "needing" that new phone. The problem is that the "masters" will eventually come into conflict and whichever one you're truly serving will win. So we claim to be serving God but our giving to church is the first thing to get cut if our financial situation changes. We see somebody in need but can't sacrifice our own "needs". Money wants your entire devotion, it wants your life. Jesus wants your entire devotion, He wants your life. Money will enslave you - you think it's serving you but you're the one making sacrifices for it. But to be a slave of Christ is to find real life.

correctly focussed (matt 6:22-23)

Matthew 6:22-23

The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness.

The description of the eye being healthy/good/single suggests the focus. What is your centre of attention? Where is your focus? If we are focused clearly on Jesus, everything else in the "house" including material possessions finds it's natural place. If those possessions, or anything else, become the focus, darkness fills the house and everything else gets messed up. Relationships are affected, work is affected, families are affected because it's like grasping around in a pitch black house trying to cook a meal. Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.

what do you treasure? (matt 6:21)

Matthew 6:21

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

What we treasure reveals the true condition of our heart. Our idols are revealed by what we hold precious. What do you dream about? What do you consider worthy of spending money on? What are you willing to sacrifice time for? What would devastate you if you lost it? Do we treasure Jesus, or something else?

earthly treasures (Matt 6:19-20)

Matthew 6:19-20

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

The material possessions that we desire, the earthly "treasures" that we work so hard to achieve, are temporary. They perish. They do not last. The phone that you were desperate to get 2 years ago now wouldn't be able to be sold in the shop. The car that you felt so good about buying is worth less and less with every day that goes by. The "thing" that you thought would make you happy and satisfied didn't, but for some reason you think that the next "thing" will. 

Instead of storing up material possessions we should use them, we should invest them in the kingdom of God, we should be generous, we should give away as much as we can, we should give away our best, not just our surplus.

stain removal

Jeremiah 2:22

Although you wash yourself with soap and use an abundance of cleansing powder, the stain of your guilt is still before me," declares the Sovereign Lord.

1 Corinthians 6:11b

But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

^{Revelation 7:14b-15}

They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.

Jesus paid it all, 

all to him I owe.

Sin had left a crimson stain, 

He washed it white as snow  

Elvina Hall

conditional forgiveness?

Matthew 6:14-18

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

Is Jesus suddenly suggesting that forgiveness is conditional? What happened to grace?! If I have to forgive to receive forgiveness, then I'm in real trouble. While BW Johnson, might be able to say of this verse: "We ask, in other words, that he may mete out to us what we measure to others" - I wouldn't dare say that to God, I might as well ask him to strike me down!

Let's look at some other commentators:

Gill:

"not that the forgiveness of others is the procuring cause of forgiveness with God, which is the blood of Christ; or of the manifestation and application of it, that is, the advocacy of Christ; nor the moving cause of it, that is, the free grace of God...
... where men are not of a forgiving temper to their fellow creatures and fellow Christians, how can they expect forgiveness at the hands of God? or what sense of pardoning grace can there be upon their minds? Had they any right apprehensions of the grace and goodness of God, in the forgiveness of their sins, this would influence their minds, and engage their hearts to forgive such who have offended them...
... [if you are unforgiving] your Father has not given you a true sense of the pardon of your sins, nor can you be certain that he will; nor have you any reason to expect it"

JFB:

"it will not be thought that our Lord here teaches that our exercise of forgiveness towards our offending fellow men absolutely precedes and is the proper ground of God's forgiveness of us. His whole teaching, indeed--as of all Scripture--is the reverse of this. But as no one can reasonably imagine himself to be the object of divine forgiveness who is deliberately and habitually unforgiving towards his fellow men"

McGarvey & Pendleton:

"[unforgiveness] can only exist in a heart blind as to the amount of its debt

If you are struggling to forgive someone, don't worry. We need God's grace to forgive. You recognise the need to forgive but are finding it hard - cry out to God for him to enable you to forgive as you have been forgiven. If you stubbornly refuse to entertain the thought of forgiving someone - you probably aren't a Christian, you might be blind to the amount of debt you are in with God - ask him to reveal your sin to you, because only when we see the depths of our own sin do we really see the beauty of the gospel

am I a hypocrite?

In Mathew 6:1-18, Jesus talks about what it means to be a hypocrite using three examples: giving, praying and fasting. He makes it clear that they are giving to the needy in order to be praised by others. They are praying publicly so that others will hear them. They are fasting so that others will see their devotion and sacrifice. Their actions may indicate worship of God but their motivation has little to do with him, it is primarily concerned with their own reputation.

Am I like them? Am I a hypocrite? Jesus contrasts the public show of the hypocrites with the "secret" worship of the disciple. This is not about no one ever knowing that you pray but more about how your private and public life match up:

• Do others think I'm more generous than I actually am?
• Do I have a reputation for being "spiritual" that does not exist when I'm on my own?
• Would I be as willing to serve if no one ever knew?

what if nobody knows?

Matthew 6:16-18

And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that heir fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face 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.

Again, Jesus assumes that his followers will be fasting. fasting may be a neglected part of the Christian life at this point in history, but again Jesus points to the motivation as the problem for the hypocrites. they wanted others to see the sacrifice they were making. They wanted others to see their devotion. What about me? Am I fasting/serving/sacrificing because of God or because of others? How do I know? Would I be bothered if no one knew I was doing it?

the lord's prayer (Matt 5:9-13)

Matthew 5:9-13

Pray then like this: "our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

our - Jesus' model of prayer is not addressed to "my" Father. We are in this together. Yes, we will pray alone, but we also need to pray together. Christianity is not a private, individual life. We are designed to live in community. Pray together

Father in heaven - Addressing God as Father would have been a revolutionary concept at the time. God is not just some far off creator/ruler/judge but we have intimacy with him as a Father. But he is also our father in heaven - he is different to us, he is holy. We find authority and intimacy, and need to hold the two in tension to avoid swinging to cold begrudging service on the one side or flippant familiarity on the other. Pray with humble confidence

hallowed be your name - the focus of our prayer is God. Our entire lives are for God's glory, for the sake of his name. Pray for God's glory

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. - this could be praying for Jesus return but also praying that his kingdom described in chapter 5 would be seen among our Christian community and not-yet believers. That we would see our sin and repent. Be reliant on God, not ourselves. Love God, love others, love our enemies. So often our prayers look like we are asking God to help build our empire and that he would cause our will to be done. Let God set the agenda for prayer.

Give us this day our daily bread, - we are to pray for physical needs. Too often this is the only thing we do pray for. Pray for your needs.

and forgive us our debts, - growth in the christian life should not mean less repentance, but a heightened awareness of sin, confession of that sin to God, and asking for his forgiveness. Pray through the gospel.

as we also have forgiven our debtors. - this statement seems out of place but is that just because we don't really appreciate how much we've been forgiven by God? We are like the unforgiving servant. If we can't forgive those who have sinned against us, have we really got the gospel? Pray for our relationships with others

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil - the christian life is not us trying to make a better job of it now that we know God likes us. We need him to sustain and protect us every day. We are totally reliant on him not ourselves. If a particular temptation was avoided today, it was the Holy Spirit not us, and, left to our own devices, we are no less likely to avoid it tomorrow. We are totally dependent on him. Pray about our dependance on him

why pray?

Matthew 5:8b

.. your Father knows what you need before you ask him

If God already knows what I need, then what's the point of praying? That question seems to make sense but, the more I think about it, the more it seems to miss the point of prayer. If prayer is simply a transaction, and if God knows what I need and is going to provide, then there is no point in me praying, it's more efficient in the same way that it's more efficient to shop online and save time. But prayer isn't a transaction, it's a conversation with our Father. I borrow tools from my dad and he always gives them to me, but my interaction with him consists of far more than me turning up and saying "pressure washer", collecting it and walking away. Prayer is not about the end result, it's about the person you're praying to - your Father in heaven.

praying to impress (Matt 6:5-8)

Matthew 6:5-8

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 . 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. 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. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

When you pray, are you trying to impress God. When you pray, are you trying to impress others?

The Pharisees made themselves the centre of attention when they were praying. Is that what you are trying to do? It could take two different forms. Maybe you try to create a good impression of yourself by praying eloquently, emotionally or at length. Or maybe you try to avoid creating a bad impression by just keeping your mouth shut. The same pride and self-concern motivates both the show-off and the person refusing to pray if others are present. It's not about whether we speak or not but our motivation that matters

Also, our prayer does not impress God. You do not have to try to create a good impression with God by the way you pray or the words you say ("heaping up empty phrases"). God's response to your prayer is not dependent on what you said, how you said it or how many times you said it.

Jesus likens prayer to a child talking to their father. A child approaches their father in conversation freely. Maybe it's a long conversation or maybe it's short. Maybe it's eloquent or maybe it wouldn't make much sense if it was written down. Maybe other people hear maybe they don't. The child knows that whether the father listens or not is not dependent on the form of the conversation. 

It's the same with us. Our prayer does not make us acceptable before God. Jesus does.

when you pray (Matt 6:5-6)

Matthew 5:5-6

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 . 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 is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Again Jesus says *when*, not *if*, you pray. He clearly expects us to be praying!

There is clearly a time for praying together, Jesus is not saying that we should always pray alone, his point is about our motivation. When praying with others are we trying to impress them. It's ok to pray long, but are we trying to impress others with the length of the prayer? It's ok to consider who you are with and use appropriate language, but are you trying to stand out with the language you use? The opposite side of the same problem is not being willing to pray with others. The same pride and self-concern that motivated the Pharisees to make a spectacle of their prayers also drives others to keep their mouths shut because of what others may think about them.

Jesus talks about praying in private. How does my public prayer life compare to my private prayer life? Corporate prayer should be just an extension of our individual practice of prayer. Could another reason why we tend to sit around in silence be that we don't pray individually either?