Authentic Faith: Heartfelt Giving, Prayer, and Fasting
Summary
### Summary
Welcome, everyone. Today, we delve into the profound teachings of Jesus on the Sermon on the Mount, focusing on the themes of giving, praying, and fasting. These practices are not just religious rituals but are meant to align our hearts with God. Jesus warns us against hypocrisy, urging us to examine our motives and seek genuine intimacy with God.
We begin by discussing the importance of giving without hypocrisy. The Torah commands generosity towards those in need, and Proverbs highlights that kindness to the poor honors God. The Pharisees, however, sought public applause rather than divine approval. True giving should be marked by self-sacrifice and self-forgetfulness. It's a heart issue, not just an action. We should reflect on how we feel when our good deeds go unrecognized. Are we seeking human praise or God's reward?
Next, we explore the practice of prayer. Every culture has its prayers, and Judaism had fixed hours of prayer. Jesus criticizes those who pray publicly for attention and urges us to find a private place to commune with God. The enemy of our soul tries to keep us from praying, but we must resist. Jesus teaches us the Lord's Prayer, a short but powerful prayer that emphasizes our relationship with God as our Father. This prayer is both a model and a creed, guiding us to seek God's will and provision.
We then move to the topic of fasting. Fasting was a common practice in response to significant events or as an act of repentance. However, by Jesus' time, it had become a biweekly act of piety for many Jews. Jesus warns against fasting for show and emphasizes that it should be a private act of devotion. True fasting is a response to God's actions and a reminder of our dependence on Him. Isaiah connects fasting to social justice, urging us to share our food with the hungry and provide shelter for the poor.
Jesus uses strong language to condemn hypocrisy, comparing it to whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but full of death inside. He calls us to a greater righteousness that goes beyond external actions to the very core of our being. Our obedience must be rooted in our hearts, minds, and motives. We must cultivate a healthy inner life, out of which can grow healthy fruit.
In conclusion, Jesus invites us to a life of genuine devotion, free from the need for public approval. He calls us to a secret life with Him, where our true identity is formed. This is the abundant life He offers, not mere religion but a full life in His kingdom. Let's leave the acting to the actors and daily humble ourselves before the only pure and righteous one, Jesus Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Heart of Giving: True giving reflects the heart of our generous and merciful God. It's not about seeking public applause but about self-sacrifice and self-forgetfulness. We should examine our motives and ask ourselves if we are seeking human praise or God's reward. The condition of our heart is crucial in our acts of generosity. [17:01]
2. The Essence of Prayer: Prayer is a deep longing to commune with God, not a public display for attention. Jesus teaches us to find a private place to pray, emphasizing the importance of our relationship with God as our Father. The Lord's Prayer serves as both a model and a creed, guiding us to seek God's will and provision. [21:06]
3. The Purpose of Fasting: Fasting is a response to God's actions and a reminder of our dependence on Him. It's not a tool to manipulate God but a private act of devotion. True fasting is connected to social justice, urging us to share our resources with those in need. Our motives in fasting should be pure and focused on God. [27:11]
4. The Danger of Hypocrisy: Jesus condemns hypocrisy, comparing it to whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but full of death inside. He calls us to a greater righteousness that goes beyond external actions to the very core of our being. Our obedience must be rooted in our hearts, minds, and motives. [11:20]
5. The Invitation to Intimacy: Jesus invites us to a life of genuine devotion, free from the need for public approval. He calls us to a secret life with Him, where our true identity is formed. This is the abundant life He offers, not mere religion but a full life in His kingdom. Let's leave the acting to the actors and daily humble ourselves before the only pure and righteous one, Jesus Christ. [39:46]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[02:11] - Introduction to Hypocrisy
[04:20] - Jesus' Warning Against Hypocrisy
[07:13] - The Condition of Our Heart
[08:48] - The Importance of Deep Roots
[09:50] - The Lure of Public Approval
[11:20] - Jesus' Strong Condemnation
[13:32] - Common Practices of Devotion
[15:05] - The Deceitfulness of the Heart
[17:01] - Giving Without Hypocrisy
[19:16] - The Heart of True Giving
[21:06] - The Essence of Prayer
[22:45] - The Enemy's Distraction
[23:34] - The Holy Interruption
[24:53] - The Lord's Prayer
[26:00] - A Model and a Creed
[27:11] - The Purpose of Fasting
[28:24] - Fasting and Social Justice
[29:39] - Choosing Our Audience
[30:38] - The Concept of Rewards
[31:22] - Acting in Secret
[32:16] - Becoming More Like Him
[33:00] - Living Before the Audience of One
[33:54] - The Invitation to the Ocean Side
[34:47] - The Harm of Faking Things
[35:43] - Cultivating a Healthy Inner Life
[36:23] - The Danger of Seeking Approval
[37:10] - The Call to Intimacy
[37:45] - Turning Condemnation into Invitation
[38:22] - Daily Laying Bare Our Hearts
[39:02] - A Community of Love and Acceptance
[39:46] - Leaving the Acting to the Actors
[40:18] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 (NIV)
> "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 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 others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 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. 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 others. Truly I tell you, 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. When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, 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 others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
2. Isaiah 58:6-7 (NIV)
> "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?"
3. Proverbs 19:17 (NIV)
> "Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus say about the motives behind giving, praying, and fasting in Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18?
2. According to Isaiah 58:6-7, what actions does God associate with true fasting?
3. How does Proverbs 19:17 describe the relationship between kindness to the poor and God?
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize the importance of secrecy in our acts of righteousness, such as giving, praying, and fasting? ([04:20])
2. How does Isaiah 58:6-7 expand our understanding of fasting beyond just abstaining from food? ([28:24])
3. What does it mean to "lend to the Lord" by being kind to the poor, as stated in Proverbs 19:17? How does this align with Jesus' teachings on giving? ([17:01])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own acts of giving. Do you find yourself seeking recognition or approval from others? How can you shift your focus to seek God's reward instead? ([19:16])
2. Jesus urges us to find a private place to pray. Do you have a designated space and time for prayer in your daily routine? If not, what steps can you take to create this sacred space? ([21:06])
3. Consider the last time you fasted. Was it a private act of devotion, or did you seek to make it known to others? How can you ensure your future fasts are focused on God and not on public approval? ([27:11])
4. Jesus condemns hypocrisy and calls for a greater righteousness that goes beyond external actions. In what areas of your life do you struggle with hypocrisy, and how can you work towards genuine righteousness? ([11:20])
5. How can you incorporate the principles of true fasting from Isaiah 58:6-7 into your daily life, such as sharing your resources with those in need? ([28:24])
6. Jesus invites us to a life of genuine devotion, free from the need for public approval. What practical steps can you take this week to deepen your intimacy with God and focus on your inner spiritual life? ([39:46])
7. Reflect on the concept of rewards in Scripture. How does understanding that our true reward comes from God change the way you approach your acts of righteousness? ([30:38])
Devotional
Day 1: The Heart of True Giving
True giving reflects the heart of our generous and merciful God. It's not about seeking public applause but about self-sacrifice and self-forgetfulness. We should examine our motives and ask ourselves if we are seeking human praise or God's reward. The condition of our heart is crucial in our acts of generosity. Jesus warns us against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, who sought public applause rather than divine approval. True giving should be marked by self-sacrifice and self-forgetfulness. It's a heart issue, not just an action. Reflect on how you feel when your good deeds go unrecognized. Are you seeking human praise or God's reward? [17:01]
Proverbs 19:17 (ESV): "Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed."
Reflection: Think of a recent act of generosity you performed. Did you seek recognition for it? How can you shift your focus to seek God's approval instead of human praise?
Day 2: The Essence of Prayer
Prayer is a deep longing to commune with God, not a public display for attention. Jesus teaches us to find a private place to pray, emphasizing the importance of our relationship with God as our Father. The Lord's Prayer serves as both a model and a creed, guiding us to seek God's will and provision. Jesus criticizes those who pray publicly for attention and urges us to find a private place to commune with God. The enemy of our soul tries to keep us from praying, but we must resist. The Lord's Prayer is a short but powerful prayer that emphasizes our relationship with God as our Father. [21:06]
Matthew 6:6 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Find a quiet place today where you can pray without distractions. How does this private time with God change your perspective on prayer?
Day 3: The Purpose of Fasting
Fasting is a response to God's actions and a reminder of our dependence on Him. It's not a tool to manipulate God but a private act of devotion. True fasting is connected to social justice, urging us to share our resources with those in need. Jesus warns against fasting for show and emphasizes that it should be a private act of devotion. True fasting is a response to God's actions and a reminder of our dependence on Him. Isaiah connects fasting to social justice, urging us to share our food with the hungry and provide shelter for the poor. [27:11]
Isaiah 58:6-7 (ESV): "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?"
Reflection: Consider how you can incorporate acts of social justice into your fasting. What specific action can you take today to help someone in need?
Day 4: The Danger of Hypocrisy
Jesus condemns hypocrisy, comparing it to whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but full of death inside. He calls us to a greater righteousness that goes beyond external actions to the very core of our being. Our obedience must be rooted in our hearts, minds, and motives. Jesus uses strong language to condemn hypocrisy, urging us to examine our motives and seek genuine intimacy with God. He calls us to a greater righteousness that goes beyond external actions to the very core of our being. Our obedience must be rooted in our hearts, minds, and motives. [11:20]
Matthew 23:27-28 (ESV): "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you may be acting hypocritically. How can you align your external actions with your internal motives?
Day 5: The Invitation to Intimacy
Jesus invites us to a life of genuine devotion, free from the need for public approval. He calls us to a secret life with Him, where our true identity is formed. This is the abundant life He offers, not mere religion but a full life in His kingdom. Jesus calls us to a secret life with Him, where our true identity is formed. This is the abundant life He offers, not mere religion but a full life in His kingdom. Let's leave the acting to the actors and daily humble ourselves before the only pure and righteous one, Jesus Christ. [39:46]
Matthew 6:4 (ESV): "So that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
Reflection: Spend time today in a private moment with God, away from any distractions. How does this time of intimacy with Him shape your understanding of your true identity?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We live in a world where our identity is often wrapped up with our outward appearance, our outward measurements of importance, our wealth, how many followers we have on social media, how big our car is, our house is, the labels on our clothes. We exhaust ourselves trying to get an identity through performance and accomplishments. But this often comes at the expense of our interior life. Jesus invites us to counter culture." [34:47]
2. "Faking things ultimately harms us. Just take our food industry. In the last 50 years, we have deemed it a really brilliant idea to replace real food with food-like items. Highly processed, chemical-laden, eternally shelf-stable, plastic-wrapped products. Fake food might look good, it might taste good, but it will ultimately hurt us. A doctor recently commented that we should put a warning sign on processed foods like they do on cigarettes. This food may be detrimental to your health." [35:43]
3. "We are really good at messing things up, at distorting God's way, and then covering it up with a shiny religious veneer. Jesus wants to liberate us from it. He invites us to cultivate a healthy inner life, our true identity, out of which then can grow healthy fruit. The enemy of our soul is more than happy for us to fake it, to go through the motions, to act religious, as long as our core being is not transformed into the likeness of Christ." [36:23]
4. "Jesus warns us of the danger of seeking the approval of others because of its intoxicating and self-deceiving powers. I must say that this passage has really humbled and convicted me the weeks I was preparing. Where am I going?" [37:10]
### Quotes for Members
1. "True giving needs to be marked by self-sacrifice and self-forgetfulness. The emphasis is on what the heart is thinking, while the hand is doing. And we might just discover when we do that, that it is more blessed to give than to receive. I was stunned the first time I learned of a person who would like to stay anonymous, who paid for a separate postbox so that the recipients of his or her donations would not know who the donor is." [19:16]
2. "Jesus said that these hypocrites sought the most public place. And in contrast, Jesus urges us to find the most private place. The word he uses here for room can mean an inner room, a pantry, or a storeroom where treasures might be kept. We know that the enemy of our soul will put effort into keeping us from praying." [22:45]
3. "Jesus warns us of the danger of seeking the approval of others because of its intoxicating and self-deceiving powers. I must say that this passage has really humbled and convicted me the weeks I was preparing. Where am I going?" [37:10]
4. "Jesus invites us away from mere external law-keeping and religiosity to a deep, internal love relationship with him, out of which Jesus. And then can grow healthy fruit. Just think of our kids. We don't want our children to just obey externally. When I was five years old, my best friend Claudia and I, when we were in kindergarten, we decided that the day was far too beautiful and sunny to go to kindergarten." [07:13]
5. "Jesus came to save us, to give us abundant life with him. He didn't come to give us religion, but he came to give us full life in his kingdom. Don't be content with less. So, let's leave the acting to the actors, the hypocrites, and daily humble ourselves and enter the presence of the only people pure and righteous one, Jesus the Christ." [39:46]
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