Please turn with me to Matthew 6 - starting at verse 1.  We’ve been looking at Jesus’ teaching from the Sermon on the Mount - Jesus teaching us what it means for us to live in relationship with the living God down on the level where we live life.

The issue that Jesus has been focusing on - here in chapter 6 - the section of Jesus’ teaching that we began looking at last Sunday - the issue Jesus’ has been focusing on is what motivates us in our relationship with God - what motivates us down at the heart level - at the core of who we are.

There are a lot of things in our lives that move us forward.  That motivate us.  Its been said that, “The most motivated person on earth is a 5’10” non-swimmer in 6’ of water.” (1)

Food is a great motivator.  Isn’t it?

What motivates us when the odds are against us?  What drives us forward to do the things that we do?

Jesus is dealing with our hearts - at the core of who we are - examining what’s motivating us in our relationship with God.   Teaching us to do from the heart what pleases God.  To live before God in the way that God desires to reward - to bless - with joy that comes from our being in the presence and pleasure of God - today - and forever.

Last Sunday we looked at Jesus’ teaching about almsgiving - giving to the poor.  And we looked at fasting.  Today, we’re looking at prayer.   What our motivation should be while praying. 

Matthew 6 - verse 5:  When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men.  Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

Jesus begins with an example of what was commonly seen as righteous living.  What - as people were living in the community of that day - what was commonly understood to be living in a way that pleased God.

There are three parts to what Jesus says here that we need to pay attention to.  First:  The behavior of the hypocrites.

The word “hypocrite” comes from the Greek word “hupokrites” which means what?  It was the Greek word for someone who wore a mask - an actor who assumed the role of another person.  Over time it came to mean someone who was a fake - someone who played a role with the world as their stage.

In Jesus’ day there were specific times set aside for prayer - morning - midday - and dusk.  A person could work out their schedule to be at the synagogue or on the street someplace - shopping at Costco - in the middle of a large crowd - when the time for prayer arrived.

We could stop - stand there - lift up our hands - gaze up toward heaven - and pray loud enough to make sure that everyone around us could hear the piety and awesome depth of our relationship with God.

Second:  Notice the motivation of these hypocrites.  They’re playing a role - acting righteous - so that they can be seen by others.  Seen and thought of as righteous - as being tight with God - blessed by God.

(phone call) Oh, God.  Excuse me.

Yes.  I know what they did to the Armenians.  But, if you wipe them out then that whole loving and merciful God thing just isn’t gonna fly.  Okay, maybe a small earthquake.

Look I’m trying to preach here.  About 10:15.  A.M.  Well, some of us have to operate in the time space universe.  Spring forward.  Fall back.

Okay.  Well, can you call be me back in a couple of hours and I’ll try to help you with that.  Okay.  Say hi to Jesus for me.  Bye.

Sorry about that.  Where was I?  Oh.  So these hypocrites were trying to impress others with their supposed inward relationship with God by the way they showed off praying in public.

Third:  Notice the reward they receive.

Jesus lays it out like it is.  If their motivation is the be honored by men they’ve received their reward in full.  They have their fleeting moment in the sun.  Their moment on stage.  The ou’s and awe’s of the crowd.  Their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  Hey, it’s possible.  See the little pulpit?  For a moment they get the adoration which lasts for a time.  Then that’s it.

All of which Jesus uses as an example to us - as a warning.   Pay attention to this behavior and see if this is what you’re doing.  Because its not righteous.  God - who’s concerned about our hearts - what motivates us - God doesn’t reward this kind of hypocritical behavior. 

Verse 6:  But you - in contrast to the hypocrites - with their public displays of prayer motivated by pleasing themselves - in contrast Jesus is going to give us examples of prayer that God rewards.  Four characteristics of prayer motivated by hearts focused on God - not us.

Verse 6:  But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

First characteristic:  Prayer is about communicating with God.  Say that with me.  “Prayer is about communicating with God.”  Prayer isn’t about what others see.  Its about our communication with God.

We get the picture of what Jesus is saying here.  Right?  When we pray we’re suppose to go find some place where we’re not going be seen by others or be distracted by others.  Don’t worry about God seeing us - or our prayers bouncing off the ceiling - God sees - God hears.  He’ll respond to what’s coming out of our heart.  We’re together on that.  Right?

Let’s be careful.  Jesus isn’t giving some prohibition against public prayer - the congregation praying together - or a Bible study group - or some meeting called for prayer.  There are number of examples in the New Testament where believers got together publicly - as group - and prayed.  Even Jesus prayed in public.  God rewarded those times of prayer.  So this isn’t a prohibition against coming together for prayer.

Where Jesus is going with this has to do with how we get off focus during public prayer.  There are a number of different ways that we can get hung up about this.

When I was a kid - not too many years ago - my parents would take me to these mid week prayer meetings.  Remember those?  The way these worked - we’d sing a few hymns - the pastor would share a few things - and then we’d commence to praying.

At first there was this awkward silence.  People waiting to see who’d go first.  Then a few people would offer some okay prayers about stuff.  After that when on for a while - one of the elders would stand up and offer A PRAYER.  Impressive in solemnity and thought and vocabulary and passion and length.  Then another elder would stand and offer A PRAYER.  Then another elder.  When they were done we knew - or at least a child - I knew - that we had prayed.

Don’t get me wrong.  There’s a place for prayers that are well thought out and passionately delivered.  That’s not a bad thing.  But as a child I’d missed the part about all that coming from the heart.  I was impressed with the form.  And that form was intimidating.

Public prayer - for most people - is terrifying.  Speaking in public is bad enough.  But praying.  That’s over the edge.  Been there? 

What will others think of us?  Will they think we’re showing off?  Will they think less of us spiritually?  Maybe we’re afraid that we can’t express ourselves adequately.  Or, we feel we lack experience.  Others are so much more qualified - more able to pray.  We might feel that others are more mature spiritually.

Sometimes what makes us uncomfortable when we pray may be the realization that we’re talking to our creator - the almighty God of creation.  How could our words ever be “good enough”.  By what right can we come before others and speak to God.  Who are we to even consider the idea of leading others in prayer to God?

Have you ever felt any of that?  When we get hung up on what others think - or comparing ourselves to others - then our focus in prayer can easily shift from God to self - to us.

Going into an inner room is choosing to let go of all those distractions.

God is not sifting through our prayers checking for grammatical errors -holding us accountable if we stumble over our words.  “You used an adverbial instead of a gerund”  ZAP!  POOF!  God is not holding us accountable to use pity pious religious sounding language when addressing Him.

God - our Father - desires for us to come to Him in prayer.  He enables it.  Chooses to listen to it.  God the Holy Spirit comes and helps us to put words to the deepest of our thoughts. 

Whether public or private - the purpose of our prayer is not what others see or think - its about our own intimacy with our Father - about our communicating with our Father.  When we choose to do that focusing on Him - He’ll reward our prayer - even our stumbling efforts - He’ll reward us with His presence - His blessing.

The first characteristic of prayer coming out of a heart focused on God is that prayer is about communicating with God.  Second prayer is about quality not quantity.  Say that with me.  “Prayer is about quality not quantity.”

Verse 7:  And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.  So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

Literally, “Don’t go on babbling like the pagans.”  Meaningless - mindless - repetition.  They’ve memorized all these formula prayers - little cliché phrases - prayers said at meals and at sunrise and sunset and various times during the day.  Thought being - that if we repeat these often enough sooner or later God is going to get the idea we’re serious and answer us.

Its like going down a list of prayer requests every day - during our devotions - regardless of whether our heart’s engaged or not.  We need to keep praying or God won’t answer.  Pray before meals - even if we’re not thinking about what we’re praying.  Don’t forget to thank God for the food.  It’ll be unblessed.  You’re gonna get poisoned. 

It’s the God is a vending machine approach to prayer.  Right?  Put coins in and out comes an answer - Coke Zero.  But the question is, How much is enough?  How many coins does it take?  How many times do we have to repeat the prayer before God answers?  If we stop at 100 and we should have prayed that particular prayer for that particular need - if we stopped at 100 and the number required was 101 then God won’t answer us.

Maybe yelling is better than just speaking?  What about facing towards South Dos Palos hopping up and down on our right leg and squawking like a chicken?  Do that 10 times a day and you’ll get God’s attention. 

All of that puts us in the driver seat.  Like we can manipulate God - coerce Him - impress Him with our piety and dedication - influence God by how we pray - the repetition and the formulas.

What God wants is quality not quantity.  He wants real communication coming out of our hearts.  He’s listening to what’s behind the words we say.

Jesus says that God already knows what we need before we ask Him.  He’s way ahead of us in prayer.  We’re going down the list repeating ourselves and He’s at the bottom line already.

The obvious question is what?  If God already knows then why ask?

There are 51 more shopping days till Christmas.  Imagine a small child makes a gift for their mommy or daddy in Sunday School.  They sneak it home.  Borrow some wrapping paper.  Scotch tape.  Ribbon.  Head off  to their room to wrap this present.  All of which is incredibly obvious to the parent.  When they bring out their gift it obvious what’s inside.  The wrapping job is creative.  Ever got a present like this?

Any right thinking parent is going to receive that gift with joy.  Its not the wrapping job that’s important - is it?  Not even the gift.  Its what’s behind all that that’s important.  The heart of the child saying, “I love you.  I’m glad you’re my mommy or daddy.  I need you.”

We’re not praying to our Father in order to inform Him of our needs.  We bring our hearts to God because He’s the source of our life.  He desires for us to ask - to come to Him in prayer - not to manipulate Him - which He can see through anyway - God desires for us to ask so that we can be reminded of who He is.  When we have that quality of heart - opening our hearts to Him as the source of our lives - we receive His blessing - His love and approval of us.

First, prayer is about communicating with God.  Second, prayer is about quality not quantity.  The third characteristic of prayer coming out of our hearts is that prayer centers on who God is.  Say that with me, “Prayer centers on who God is.”

Verses 9 to 13 are probably some of the most well known verses in the Bible.  Last Sunday when Kathy asked us to recite these verses as a prayer - without hesitation most people were able to recite them.  People all over the world - Christians and non-Christians - know the Lord’s Prayer.

There’s a blessing in that.  A blessing in being able to join together in prayer.

There’s also a danger.  A danger in praying with our brains on autopilot doing the same kind of mindless repetition Jesus just warned about.  The Lord’s prayer is a means not an end.  Its a pattern to follow - a jumping off place - talking points to get us started as we learn to pray.

In the context of Jesus’ focusing on the motivations of our hearts its important for us to understand that Jesus is giving this pattern in order to teach us to center our hearts on God while we’re praying.

Verse 9:  Pray, then, in this way;  Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name.

When we pray “our Father” were speaking of ourselves as common, ordinary people, trying to live life, to measure up, struggling along looking to God for salvation.  People to whom God offers a radical and amazing intimate relationship - in which we can actually call God “our Father.”

Through Jesus Christ, God offers us the opportunity to open our hearts to Him, to repent and come to salvation in Jesus Christ, and to enter into this wonderful relationship.  “Our Father” centers us on what God has done for us.

He is “our Father who is in heaven” reminds us that He is the almighty God of creation.  Sovereign Lord of all.  The One True God.

“Hallowed - or honored - be Your name” is a statement of awe.  Who He is - His reputation - His character - His nature - His works - should leave us breathless - stunned.  There is no God like Our Father.

Verse 10:  Your kingdom come.  Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven is a prayer asking God to make the reality of His kingdom accessible to us now.

If we open our hearts to God, He will transform our hearts by the work of the Holy Spirit - conforming our hearts, minds, and actions - so that what we do here is in accordance with His will which is done in Heaven.  What we cannot do for ourselves God desires to do in us and through us.  Point being:  His will - alone - is worthy of accomplishment - in Heaven - on earth - in us.

Verse 11:  Give us this day our daily bread is our acknowledgement that our lives are in God’s hands.  It’s a prayer of faithful trust in God for His provision for our daily needs.  Those who live in God’s kingdom have no need to fear or worry about tomorrow.  God has it all under control and He will take care of us.  God is the source of all we need.

Verse 12:  And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors is first an agreement with God that we have a hopeless debt of sin that we owe God.  The payment for our sin requires our eternal separation from God.  And yet, God has forgiven our debt through Jesus Christ’s work on the cross.

Second - understanding God’s graciousness towards us should change our heart towards others.  We have the opportunity to live with compassion and forgiveness towards others.  Don’t miss this:  God is the source of forgiveness. 

Verse 13:  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil is the realization that we live surrounded by temptation.  We desperately need God to deliver us from succumbing to that temptation and falling into sin.  We fail and flounder in sin.  Yet, God gives us the choice to cry out to Him.  If we choose to follow God He will deliver us.  When we cannot trust ourselves - we can always trust God.

Then these words which some manuscripts add at this point:  For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.  Those words are not in the best ancient manuscripts.  But they are beautiful and they do reinforce Jesus’ point. 

An acknowledgement - a centering on who God is.  To God alone belongs the kingdom.  He is the power.  To Him alone belongs all the glory forever.

The final word “Amen” is an affirmation.  (cartoon)  “I dunno about that - are you sure your regular pastor lets you say, ‘Okey-dokey Holy-smokey’ instead of Amen?”  Amen is like “Right On.”  “Make it so.”  An affirmation - we agree with what is said here about God.

The pattern Jesus gives for prayer - in every part - whether its dealing with who God is - or our needs before Him - Jesus gives us this pattern in order to teach us to center our hearts on who God is while we’re praying.

First:  Prayer is about communicating with God.  Second:  Prayer is about quality not quantity - what’s coming out of our hearts.  Third:  Prayer centers on Who God is. 

Fourth  Prayer is not arrogant.  Say that with me.  “Prayer is not arrogant.”   

Verse 14:  For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

Jesus and the disciples are in Capernaum - up on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee.  Jesus is teaching about relationships.  While He’s teaching, Peter asks a question.  “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him?  Up to seven times?” 

Peter had a brother - Andrew.  Andrew was probably a great source of irritation.  That’s what brothers are suppose to do.  Right?  Its in the fine print.  Read the contract.  Knowing Peter as a rough-around-the-edges fisherman - a down to the water kind of guy - Peter probably didn’t have much tolerance for those who irritated him - especially his brother. 

The rabbi’s said that we have to forgive someone 3 times.  The fourth time we can do whatever we want.  Peter is being magnanimous.  Not just 3 times.  But seven times.

Way back when there was man who rode into town to pick up his mail order bride from the railroad station.  On the way back to the farm - they’re riding along in the wagon - the bride - the groom - and the mule pulling the wagon stops.

The man gets out.  Gives the mule a swift kick - yells at it, “That’s once.”  The mule moves on.  After a while the mule stops again.  The man gets out.  Kick’s the mule.  Yells at it, “That’s twice.”  They go on.

The mule stops a third time.  The man gets down.  Takes his rifle and shoots the mule dead.  At which point his bride starts to yell at him, “What did you do that for?  That’s the only mule we’ve got to pull the wagon.”  The man looks at her and says, “That’s once.”  Have you heard that?

Jesus’ answer is off the chart.  Jesus said to Peter, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to - what? seventy times seven.”  (Matthew 18:21-35)

490 times.  Its a joke.  Sarcasm.  “Gee Peter, you’re really a forgiving type of guy.”

There might be some who would keep track, “489...490… BAM.”  But its not the number of times we’re suppose to forgive that’s important.  Otherwise we’d all be bean counters.  Jesus’ point is, why forgive at all?  “If that’s your attitude, Peter, if that’s what’s coming out of your heart, why forgive your brother at all?” 

We need to be honest.  What Jesus tells Peter is hard for each one of us to live out in the reality of our self-focused little worlds.

When we're focused on ourselves and not God - we’re going to think that God should forgive us.  After all God is a God of love.  He’s suppose to forgive us.  We deserve His forgiveness.  If we think about it, whatever our sins are they really aren’t that bad.  Not like other people’s sins.

Many times people will say the words, “I forgive you.”  But, inside there remains a tiny little knot, a burden carried around maybe even for years, a hatred towards someone, a rehearsed speech they’d like to level someone with.  When we’re focused on ourselves its possible to forgive without really forgiving.  That’s arrogance.

We owe God our lives.  Which is why Jesus had to give His.  His life was given in payment for ours.  His life was the only payment that would satisfy the debt we owe God.  We can’t earn the payment.  We don’t deserve it.  All we can do is throw ourselves in faith at the feet of our merciful God, accept what He has done, and surrender our lives to Him.

In verse 12 Jesus talks about being forgiven and forgiving.  Point being that if we understand how greatly we have been forgiven then that realization - if we allow it to penetrate our hearts - should reorganize our thinking about others - should reorientate our priorities before God as we pray.

What do we normally focus our prayers on?  Honestly, think about how much of our prayer focuses on our understanding of things and our focus in life.  Prayer is not about our asking God to give us stuff or what we want Him to do for us.  Its not about protecting our rights and prerogatives.

In prayer we have the God given privilege of seeking to align our hearts with God - who’s movement in history is about the redemption of humankind.  Are we laid bare before Him that His will would be accomplished in us and through us?  Are we open to follow Him - that should He choose to use us - that others might be drawn to Him - and that He alone would receive the honor and glory that is due to Him alone?

Four characteristics of prayer motivated by hearts focused on God - not us.  First:  Prayer is about communicating with God.  Second:  Prayer is about quality not quantity - what’s coming out of our hearts.  Third:  Prayer centers on who God is - our Father Who is in heaven.  Fourth:  Prayer is not arrogant.  It focuses on God’s purposes - His priorities - not ours.

One brief - but important - thought of application.  That is this:  God desires to meet with us in prayer.  Say that with me.  “God desires to meet with us in prayer.”  Personalize that for yourself.  “God desires to meet with me in prayer.”

When we pray and draw attention to ourselves - when we’re focused on ourselves - that’s a performance - hypocrisy.  We earn a brief - fleeting - reward.

But God desires to meet with us without the distractions of our selves - without pretense and pride.  But with our hearts open before Him.  To be in His presence and to know that He is and that He is there.  That in this life we’re not alone.  To bless us with His reward that includes the joy that comes from our being in the presence and pleasure of God - today - and forever.

_________________________

1. Chuck Swindoll, Swindoll’s Ultimate Book of Illustrations & Quotes, page 401