THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT. Matt. 5, 6, 7 (24)

January 5, 2019

5-6-18

Key: SCHAFF: “When the Lord open his mouth, we should open our ears and hearts” 

GOOD WORKS WITHOUT OSTENTATION. Matt. 6:5-15 … Prayers …1

‘The hypocrites wearing the mask of goodliness, are actors in their own theatre, the synagogues and the corners of the streets’ The Lord Jesus was here teaching what true prayers should be. He was not opposed to either private prayers or public prayers, but condemns ostentation in any form of prayers. The example in Lk. 18:10-15 best explains the teachings of Christ. The publican prayed openly, and loud, with stricking manifestation of grief, in the court of the temple, attracting the contemptuous observation of the Pharisee, and no doubt of others; yet his prayer was acceptable.

  1. Matt. 6:5 “When you pray, you should not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagougues and on the corner of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.”
    1. ‘When you pray…’ This is to re-emphasis that prayer is important for people of God, as he told His disciples to pray in other places in His teachings. Lk. 18:1-8, Matt. 26:41; 7:7, Jn. 16:24. The Apostles also echos His admonitions on prayers. Eph. 6:18, 1Thess. 5:17, Jas. 5:13.
    2. ‘For they love to pray standing in the synagogues…, that they may be seen by men’
      1. The position and places of prayers are not the issue, but the intention of the heart. There are various examples of positions and places in the Bible. Examples are: Standing – 1Sam. 1:26, Mk. 11:23, 26, Lk. 15:11, 15; Kneeling -2Chro. 6:13, Ezr. 9:5, Dan. 6:10, Lk. 22:41, Act. 7:60; 9:40; 20:36; Postrating on the face – Num. 16:22; 20:6, Josh. 5:14, Matt. 26:39. Bowing – 1Kg. 18:42, Ex. 4:31; 12:27; 34:8; Sitting –Neh. 1:4, 2Sam. 7:18. Standing is not condemned.
      2. The places merely illustrates a principle, which is to be applied according to circumstances. It is a mistake to think that our Lord forbids individual prayers except when in solitude.
      3. Closing of eyes when praying: The patriachs of our faith encouraged and admonished believers to close their eyes when praying, particulally in the public to avoid distractions. The human mind sometimes wonders away when praying, and our confession is vital, since the tongue is powerful and contols the whole body Jas. 3:3-8, hence the importance of praying aloud.
      4. ‘I say to you, they have their rewards’. There are rewards for believers who pray to God the father both in time and eternity. Hypocritical prayer have their reward from men. Some of the rewards of prayers: Self edification and strengthening ones faith – 1Cor. 14:4, 15; 2Cor. 12:7-10; Prayers ascends as incense before God – Rev. 5:8; 8:3-5; Receive answers to their prayers – 1Sam. 1:27, 2Kg. 19:19-20; 20:1-7, 1Chro. 4:9-10; a place of rest is reserved in heaven for those who pray – Act. 7:55-60, Rev. 6:9-11.

It continues