Michael Porter - God-Centered Worship: A Sermon on Matthew 6:1-8
/God-Centered Worship: A Sermon on Matthew 6:1-18
March 15, 2020
Pastor Michael Porter
Sermon Text: Matthew 6:1-18
1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
5 “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. 6 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.
7 “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. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 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.
Main Idea: Righteous worship is God-centered worship, not self-centered.
Sermon Outline:
I. The Principle of God-Centered Worship (6:1)
II. Three Examples of God-Centered Worship (6:2-18)
a) God-Centered Giving
b) God-Centered Prayer
c) God-Centered Fasting
Spiritual Growth Questions for March 15, 2020
1. Read Matthew 6:1-18 as a group and discuss your initial impressions of the text as a
whole.
2. Briefly skim through Matthew 5. There, Jesus spoke about true righteousness with
respect to the way we live and relate to others. In Matthew 6:1-18, Jesus turns now to the
righteousness that his disciples are to display in their religious/worship practices. How
does righteous behavior go hand-in-hand with righteous worship?
3. The idea of “reward” comes up several times in this passage. What reward is gained from
people? How does that reward compare to the reward to be gained from God the Father?
Is this promise of a reward from the Father an unworthy or worthy motive for Christian
discipleship?
4. Look at vv. 2-4. What great danger does Jesus alert us to when giving to the needy as a
ministry endeavor? How does Jesus instruct his disciples to avoid this? How does this
apply to you/your group?
5. Look at vv. 5-6. Why does the hypocrite pray? How does Jesus instruct his disciples to
avoid falling into the same trap? How does this apply in your own private prayer life?
6. Look at vv. 7-15. The distinctive thing about Christian prayer is the nature of the God we
address. What does the Lord’s Prayer tell us about God? How are these aspects reflected
in your own prayers and do they have any impact on the way you worship?
7. Look at vv. 16-18. Fasting is not a popular pastime these days. And yet, the fact that
Jesus says “And when you fast” implies that he expects that his disciples will do so.
Discuss reasons for commending the practice.
John Lloyd - Transformation: Becoming More Like Jesus
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Strengthen Your Core Series
Transformation: Becoming More Like Jesus
March 8, 2020
Pastor John Lloyd
Our physical bodies are made up of several core muscles. If kept in shape through exercise, they will function properly. God’s goal for followers is to make us more like Jesus. This happens when we think like Jesus, CORE beliefs, act like Jesus, CORE practices, and be like Jesus, CORE virtues. We need to exercise our CORE in order to glorify God. The journey of becoming like Jesus begins by thinking like Jesus. When we start thinking like Jesus, we are well on our way to becoming like Jesus. Today, we will look at the transformation of moving the CORE beliefs, practices and virtues from head to heart in order to bless others and glorify God, as Jesus would desire for us to do.
2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Memory Verse: John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Key Question: How do we get a belief from the head to the heart?
Key Idea: Jesus transforms us as we yield and remain vitally connected to Him. Inside belief produces outside fruit and service.
I. Embrace the revelation by faith that you _____________ to God.
2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,
2 Peter 1:4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
“Faith is a reasoning trust, a trust which reckons thoughtfully and confidently upon the trustworthiness of God.” John Stott
I belong to God! I want to live and become more like Jesus.
II. Active faith produces beautiful ________________.
2 Peter 1:5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. Galatians 4:19, 2 Peter 3:18
Read the following questions and ask God to show you one to work on during this season.
1. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I sacrificially and unconditionally loved and forgave others? (Love)
2. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I had inner contentment and purpose in spite of my circumstances? (Joy)
3. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I was free from anxiety because things are right with God, others, and myself? (Peace)
4. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I took a long time to overheat and endured patiently under life’s pressures? (Patience)
5. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I chose to do the right things in my relationships with others? (Kindness)
6. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I established a good name with God and others, based on my long-term loyalty in those relationships? (Faithfulness)
7. How would my life improve and my relationships relationships be strengthened if I was thoughtful, calm, and considerate in my dealings with others? (Gentleness)
8. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I had the power through Christ to control myself? (Self-Control)
9. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I coped with the hardships of life and faced with courage the prospect of death through the hope I have in Jesus Christ? (Hope)
10. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I chose to esteem others above myself? (Humility) Frazee, Randy.
Inside belief produces outside fruit!
III. Active faith produces _____________ and _________________.
2 Peter 1:8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.
John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
· Transformation continues by staying connected to Jesus.
John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
· Transformation grows us and impacts others.
Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
· Transformation grows exponentially by serving.
2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
When an entire community of believers is unified and takes on this mind-set of Christ, not only is an ideal place created where we belong, but a revolution is also created, drawing others to long to belong as well. The individual revolution of becoming creates the communal revolution of belonging within the church. Your personal Think, Act, Be Revolution begins when you “long” to “be” like Jesus, because you belong to Jesus. Frazee, Randy. Think, Act, Be Like Jesus.
Belong, Grow and Serve! Think, Act and Be like Jesus!
Inside belief produces outside fruit and service.
Spiritual Growth Questions for March 8, 2020
(take one question each day and grow deeper in Bible study)
A. Read through the following statements and ask God to show you one that he wants you to focus on? Share your choice and why?
1. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I sacrificially and unconditionally loved and forgave others? (Love)
2. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I had inner contentment and purpose in spite of my circumstances? (Joy)
3. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I was free from anxiety because things are right with God, others, and myself? (Peace)
4. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I took a long time to overheat and endured patiently under life’s pressures? (Patience)
5. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I chose to do the right things in my relationships with others? (Kindness/Goodness)
6. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I established a good name with God and others, based on my long-term loyalty in those relationships? (Faithfulness)
7. How would my life improve and my relationships relationships be strengthened if I was thoughtful, calm, and considerate in my dealings with others? (Gentleness)
8. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I had the power through Christ to control myself? (Self-Control)
9. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I coped with the hardships of life and faced with courage the prospect of death through the hope I have in Jesus Christ? (Hope)
10. How would my life improve and my relationships be strengthened if I chose to esteem others above myself? (Humility)
Frazee, Randy. Think, Act, Be Like Jesus (p. 243). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
B. Read 2 Peter 1:3-11 two times. Go verse by verse and write down truths from each verse. What stands out to you.
C. Read John 15:1-17 two times. Go verse by verse and write down truths from each verse. What stands out to you.
D. Read Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 3:17-18. Think of these three truths: Belonging to a community of believers, Growing in our walk with God and others and Serving within that community and outside of it. Discuss together how these three aspects truly bring transformation to our lives and build up the body of Christ.
Memory Verse: John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.