January 21. Matthew 6

MONDAY, JANUARY 21

Matthew 6

 

 

This chapter is also part of the Sermon on the Mount.

 

 

6:1-18:   Why does Jesus encourage giving, praying, and fasting to be done in secret?  Why do people sometimes do these things in public?  Do you prefer public prayers, or your own personal and private ones?    What should motivate a person to give?  How does our sinful nature sometimes affect the way we give to God?

 

vv. 8-13  The Meaning of The Lord's Prayer  (From Luther's Small Catechism)

 

Hallowed be Thy name.

How do we keep God's name holy?  When His word is taught purely and we live according to His word.

 

How does God's kingdom come?  (Thy kingdom come)

When our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lead a godly life here in time and hereafter in eternity.

How is God's will kept?  (Thy will be done)

When God breaks and hinders every evil counsel and will which would not let us hallow the name of God nor let His kingdom come, such as the will of the devil, the world, and our flesh; but strengthens and keeps us steadfast in His Word and in faith unto our end.

What is meant by daily bread?  (Give us this day our daily bread)
Everything that belongs to the support and wants of the body, such as meat, drink, clothing, shoes, house, homestead, field, cattle, money, goods, a pious spouse, pious children, pious servants, pious and faithful magistrates, good government, good weather, peace, health, discipline, honor, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like.

What does it mean, "forgive us our trespasses?"  (Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.")
We pray in this petition that our Father in heaven would not look upon our sins, nor deny our prayers on account of them; for we are worthy of none of the things for which we pray, neither have we deserved them; but that He would grant them all to us by grace; for we daily sin much, and indeed deserve nothing but punishment. So will we, on our part, also heartily forgive and also readily do good to those who sin against us.

What does "lead us not into temptation" mean? 
God, indeed, tempts no one; but we pray in this petition that God would guard and keep us, so that the devil, the world, and our flesh may not deceive us, nor seduce us into misbelief, despair, and other great shame and vice; and though we be assailed by them, that still we may finally overcome and gain the victory.

Deilver us from evil.
We pray in this petition, as in a summary, that our Father in heaven would deliver us from all manner of evil, of body and soul, property and honor, and at last, when our last hour shall come, grant us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this vale of tears to Himself into heaven.

 

 

6:19-21:   What are the three most important priorities in your life -- your treasures?  How does this list reflect where your heart is?  Are these the kinds of things that can be destroyed by "moth" or "rust"?

 

Jesus is always concerned that weath can get in the way of our relationship with God.  It what ways does materialism interfere with your personal spiritual growth?  How do you decide how you will use the blessings God has given you?

 

6:25-34:  This section is one of the most beautiful and encouraging in Scripture.  What is making you anxious today?  What does Jesus teach here about your worries?