WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.900 Today's reading, we're going to continue Jesus' Sermon on the Mount by reading Matthew 6, the first 18 verses. 00:00:09.300 --> 00:00:14.900 Beware of practising your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, 00:00:15.660 --> 00:00:19.539 for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 00:00:20.820 --> 00:00:26.940 Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues 00:00:26.940 --> 00:00:30.520 and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. 00:00:31.880 --> 00:00:36.060 Truly I say to you, they have received their reward. 00:00:37.299 --> 00:00:43.500 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 00:00:44.020 --> 00:00:50.939 so that your giving may be in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 00:00:52.760 --> 00:00:56.320 And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. 00:00:56.939 --> 00:01:00.879 For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, 00:01:01.399 --> 00:01:03.159 that they may be seen by others. 00:01:04.399 --> 00:01:08.640 Truly I say to you, they have received their reward. 00:01:09.859 --> 00:01:16.879 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. 00:01:16.879 --> 00:01:21.599 And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 00:01:21.599 --> 00:01:28.839 And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, 00:01:29.559 --> 00:01:32.280 for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 00:01:33.140 --> 00:01:38.359 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 00:01:39.739 --> 00:01:41.679 Pray then like this. 00:01:41.680 --> 00:02:08.680 For if you forgive others their trespasses, 00:02:08.680 --> 00:02:12.000 your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 00:02:12.819 --> 00:02:15.480 But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, 00:02:15.980 --> 00:02:18.980 neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. 00:02:20.240 --> 00:02:24.280 And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, 00:02:24.780 --> 00:02:28.520 for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. 00:02:28.520 --> 00:02:34.040 Truly I say to you, they have received their reward. 00:02:35.400 --> 00:02:39.460 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 00:02:39.760 --> 00:02:42.200 that your fasting may not be seen by others, 00:02:42.580 --> 00:02:44.960 but by your Father who is in secret. 00:02:45.879 --> 00:02:49.640 And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 00:02:50.540 --> 00:02:51.260 Well, hi, everyone. 00:02:51.660 --> 00:02:52.400 Good morning. 00:02:54.439 --> 00:02:57.160 Well, let me begin with a story. 00:02:57.159 --> 00:03:01.500 Emma and I once got to visit the Vatican City in Rome, 00:03:01.639 --> 00:03:03.579 obviously a few years ago now, 00:03:04.219 --> 00:03:09.159 and walking among the crowds of people through all the beautiful artworks, 00:03:10.620 --> 00:03:13.159 the beautiful priestly vestments, 00:03:13.759 --> 00:03:17.139 and then into the Sistine Chapel, which was just, 00:03:17.919 --> 00:03:19.139 it took your breath away. 00:03:19.219 --> 00:03:19.780 It was awesome. 00:03:20.500 --> 00:03:23.159 And then you go into this showroom and you've got all the Popemobiles, 00:03:23.159 --> 00:03:26.639 which is just very luxurious. 00:03:27.479 --> 00:03:28.299 All these goodies. 00:03:28.520 --> 00:03:33.620 We learnt at Youth Group in Trivia the other night that the Pope used to own a Harley Davidson. 00:03:34.960 --> 00:03:38.199 Now, it was an interesting experience, but I've got to be honest, 00:03:38.259 --> 00:03:42.180 I came away from that tour just filled with sadness, 00:03:42.180 --> 00:03:48.819 that all these crowds just got a tour of what they thought was the religious capital of Christianity. 00:03:49.700 --> 00:03:50.640 And what did they see? 00:03:50.860 --> 00:03:55.280 They saw art and prestige, power and wealth. 00:03:56.879 --> 00:03:59.200 That's just the same thing the world lives for. 00:04:00.960 --> 00:04:02.540 Religious people were hypocrites. 00:04:02.539 --> 00:04:06.259 Isn't that the attitude of our times? 00:04:07.620 --> 00:04:09.599 Religious people were hypocrites. 00:04:10.840 --> 00:04:12.919 And given the recent Royal Commission, 00:04:13.199 --> 00:04:16.740 there's a lot of trust in the church that's been lost in the community. 00:04:17.959 --> 00:04:22.459 But our society isn't the first to call religious people hypocrites. 00:04:22.680 --> 00:04:24.719 Three times in our passage today, 00:04:25.500 --> 00:04:30.000 Jesus himself calls his contemporaries hypocrites. 00:04:30.000 --> 00:04:34.959 And before we just point the finger at Catholics and others, 00:04:35.379 --> 00:04:37.959 if you have grown up in the church like I have, 00:04:38.519 --> 00:04:41.220 or if you've been in the church for a number of years now, 00:04:41.300 --> 00:04:47.480 then we need to put ourselves in the firing line of what Jesus is about to say. 00:04:47.959 --> 00:04:51.000 We can be hypocrites. 00:04:52.600 --> 00:04:55.620 We need to listen to Jesus' warning in verse 1. 00:04:55.620 --> 00:05:01.800 Beware, be careful of practising your righteousness before other people 00:05:01.800 --> 00:05:04.079 in order to be seen by them. 00:05:04.160 --> 00:05:08.780 For then you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 00:05:10.060 --> 00:05:18.100 So in this passage, Jesus looks at three key ways to express devotion to God. 00:05:18.720 --> 00:05:22.079 Giving to the needy, prayer and fasting. 00:05:22.079 --> 00:05:25.519 Now the first two of these need no explanation. 00:05:25.839 --> 00:05:26.680 You'll know what they are. 00:05:26.740 --> 00:05:30.339 But if you're like me, fasting, I had to learn a bit about that, 00:05:30.419 --> 00:05:31.159 what that was about. 00:05:31.719 --> 00:05:35.180 We've heard a lot of it, like fasting is all the rage for physical benefits 00:05:35.180 --> 00:05:35.680 at the moment. 00:05:36.259 --> 00:05:41.339 But what are those meant to be the spiritual benefits of Christian fasting? 00:05:41.339 --> 00:05:46.199 Well, the basic idea has to go without our earthly goods, 00:05:47.000 --> 00:05:52.560 without our being full of the things of this world so that we can focus 00:05:52.560 --> 00:05:56.719 on what is divine, what is eternal. 00:05:57.779 --> 00:06:00.219 So fasting was an occasional practice. 00:06:00.739 --> 00:06:05.079 It was often combined with repenting for sin and especially combined 00:06:05.079 --> 00:06:07.539 with prayer so that you can focus on God. 00:06:07.540 --> 00:06:12.140 So we see an example of this in the book of Acts when the church fasts 00:06:12.140 --> 00:06:16.520 and prays before sending out Paul and Barnabas on their missionary work. 00:06:17.500 --> 00:06:23.420 Now in Jesus' day, the Pharisees were so devout that sometimes they would fast 00:06:23.420 --> 00:06:25.720 twice a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays. 00:06:26.759 --> 00:06:31.600 So you'll find these three practices, giving, prayer and fasting 00:06:31.600 --> 00:06:33.480 among most religions of the world. 00:06:33.480 --> 00:06:38.100 You find them in the five pillars of Islam and they were central 00:06:38.100 --> 00:06:40.620 to the Jewish faith as well. 00:06:41.879 --> 00:06:47.100 Now when it comes to these things, Jesus doesn't hold back any punches. 00:06:48.480 --> 00:06:49.040 Hypocrite. 00:06:49.340 --> 00:06:55.660 The word hypocrite has the idea of an actor in a theatre putting on a mask 00:06:55.660 --> 00:06:58.480 to play a character for the applause of the crowd. 00:06:59.460 --> 00:07:02.620 These acts of devotion to God, they're good things, 00:07:02.620 --> 00:07:05.540 but they are meant to be for God. 00:07:06.360 --> 00:07:11.560 And Jesus puts up a mirror to show us religious people what God sees 00:07:11.560 --> 00:07:13.920 if we have a mask on. 00:07:14.840 --> 00:07:18.500 When giving to the needy, it's like we ring up Jimmy Miro 00:07:18.500 --> 00:07:22.319 and ask him to bring his trumpet to church so that he can play it 00:07:22.319 --> 00:07:25.300 on the way to the offering box at church. 00:07:25.959 --> 00:07:29.800 You make sure that at least someone knows that A, you are giving 00:07:29.800 --> 00:07:31.720 and B, you are giving generously. 00:07:31.720 --> 00:07:34.680 What is God to see in religious prayers? 00:07:35.380 --> 00:07:40.880 In Jesus' day, some people might have timed their walk home 00:07:40.880 --> 00:07:44.920 so that they just happened to be in public for the afternoon prayer time. 00:07:45.880 --> 00:07:48.740 Or like in Buddhism with prayer wheels. 00:07:49.340 --> 00:07:52.480 It doesn't really matter if you mean what you're saying. 00:07:52.480 --> 00:07:57.680 All that matters is you recite the right words and out the other end comes the blessing. 00:07:59.900 --> 00:08:07.420 But is reciting the Lord's prayer mindlessly in an evangelical church service 00:08:07.420 --> 00:08:08.960 or before bedtime any better? 00:08:08.959 --> 00:08:13.120 I can heap up empty words when I pray. 00:08:13.839 --> 00:08:19.879 I can just waffle on as if somehow the length shows how many godly things I've got to say. 00:08:20.399 --> 00:08:24.899 Or I keep adding things in just to make sure my theology is correct, 00:08:24.959 --> 00:08:28.759 as if God doesn't get the wrong idea of what theology I have. 00:08:28.759 --> 00:08:34.299 Or instead of saying um in my prayers, I just fill the gap with Lord and Father 00:08:34.299 --> 00:08:41.039 and saying Father 32 times somehow makes the prayer more acceptable to God. 00:08:42.299 --> 00:08:43.919 And what about fasting? 00:08:43.919 --> 00:08:53.539 In God's eyes, when the Jews put on a sad face as they went about fasting, 00:08:54.120 --> 00:08:56.479 it was like they were putting ash on their face. 00:08:57.299 --> 00:08:58.799 It was just so obvious. 00:08:59.659 --> 00:09:04.779 And I wonder if this principle of fasting can be applied and extended out to other things. 00:09:05.360 --> 00:09:07.919 Going without other things to focus on God. 00:09:07.919 --> 00:09:11.860 So maybe it's going without sleep because of how early we get up. 00:09:11.860 --> 00:09:14.919 Or maybe it's going without breakfast to read our Bible. 00:09:15.159 --> 00:09:18.139 Or going camping, giving up our bed. 00:09:18.320 --> 00:09:21.860 Or giving up our phone and our devices to focus on God. 00:09:22.840 --> 00:09:27.019 Every one of those things I just mentioned, I've heard a Christian tell me that they did. 00:09:27.300 --> 00:09:34.120 And as I look back, frankly, I didn't need to know that they gave up those things. 00:09:36.279 --> 00:09:39.980 Now we might think all this showiness is obvious. 00:09:39.980 --> 00:09:43.980 But I think we religious people are often blind to it. 00:09:44.039 --> 00:09:51.320 It's not so much obvious to those watching on, but like an actor, the audience is fooled by it. 00:09:51.379 --> 00:09:52.240 We're taken in. 00:09:53.000 --> 00:09:58.620 Other people are genuinely fooled, thinking that's a godly person. 00:10:00.320 --> 00:10:04.820 It's not the public nature of doing these things that's the problem. 00:10:04.820 --> 00:10:09.180 Jesus isn't telling us, don't pray in front of others. 00:10:09.420 --> 00:10:12.640 The problem is the audience we're aiming at. 00:10:13.480 --> 00:10:24.000 As if somehow the approval of others, thinking that I'm a godly person, can then make me a godly person. 00:10:25.000 --> 00:10:29.040 Their approval reassures me that I am a godly person. 00:10:29.039 --> 00:10:33.839 And we shouldn't even be doing these things for our own eyes. 00:10:34.279 --> 00:10:37.839 Jesus says, don't even let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 00:10:38.519 --> 00:10:41.620 We shouldn't even seek our own approval, dwelling on it. 00:10:42.139 --> 00:10:48.139 That after we perform, suddenly that performance tells us, I'm a godly person. 00:10:48.139 --> 00:10:52.279 We need to hear Jesus warning to us. 00:10:52.460 --> 00:10:53.460 Jesus repeats it. 00:10:53.600 --> 00:10:59.159 If you need others to see you, then you have your reward in full already. 00:10:59.919 --> 00:11:05.399 One of the words is the idea of a receipt, paid in full. 00:11:06.779 --> 00:11:15.819 All you have, all we have if we are wearing a mask in our religious practices is the fooled opinion of others. 00:11:15.820 --> 00:11:18.020 But God won't be fooled. 00:11:19.740 --> 00:11:25.700 You will miss out on the true reward for giving and for praying and for fasting. 00:11:26.960 --> 00:11:33.700 And when the secrets of men's hearts are revealed on the final day of judgment, the mask will be taken off. 00:11:33.800 --> 00:11:42.140 And we will never recover for all eternity from the shame we will experience as being exposed as mere actors. 00:11:42.139 --> 00:11:48.960 So is the solution to get rid of religion then? 00:11:50.059 --> 00:11:51.919 Get rid of these religious practices. 00:11:53.080 --> 00:11:54.720 Many have said that's the solution. 00:11:55.159 --> 00:11:56.720 Karl Marx, Richard Dawkins. 00:11:58.120 --> 00:11:59.740 Our own day and age. 00:12:00.659 --> 00:12:04.559 Our society values authenticity above everything else. 00:12:05.139 --> 00:12:05.860 You be you. 00:12:06.819 --> 00:12:10.039 The desires you see inside you, be that person. 00:12:10.039 --> 00:12:12.120 It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. 00:12:14.519 --> 00:12:18.279 But doing that doesn't get rid of the mask. 00:12:19.240 --> 00:12:21.059 We just have a different type of mask. 00:12:21.139 --> 00:12:24.219 It may not look religious, but we're still wearing a mask. 00:12:24.299 --> 00:12:27.539 And I'm going to borrow heavily from Tim Keller to point this out. 00:12:28.779 --> 00:12:30.519 Here's what Keller helpfully says. 00:12:30.519 --> 00:12:38.319 To have an identity is to have something true of you that is sustained in every setting. 00:12:38.899 --> 00:12:40.779 Otherwise, there would be no you. 00:12:41.480 --> 00:12:46.720 There'd only be masks for every occasion, but no actual face behind them. 00:12:47.620 --> 00:12:51.620 What about you does not change from place to place to place? 00:12:51.620 --> 00:12:54.320 We all need a sense of self. 00:12:54.639 --> 00:12:56.500 We all need a sense of worth. 00:12:57.299 --> 00:13:04.759 And to have an identity, you need a stable, core sense of who you are day in and day out. 00:13:04.840 --> 00:13:11.240 But if your identity is your desires within, they will be changing all the time. 00:13:11.240 --> 00:13:25.680 If in every situation you seek your own self-interest, responding in ways to get the approval and control you want in the moment, then identity essentially disappears. 00:13:26.759 --> 00:13:34.779 Ironically, the emphasis on being yourself results in there being no sustained you left. 00:13:34.779 --> 00:13:39.600 So that's Keller's words. 00:13:39.740 --> 00:13:42.759 Getting rid of religion doesn't actually get rid of the mask. 00:13:43.559 --> 00:13:52.639 We can all be wearing this mask, whether it's the expectations of others or our own desires that change in every situation. 00:13:53.919 --> 00:14:03.419 We need a deeper identity, something stable, something core about who we are that does not change from one moment to the next. 00:14:03.419 --> 00:14:17.719 So what's the deepest sense of self that will transform both our religious practice and also our approach to material possessions? 00:14:18.559 --> 00:14:27.599 We're going to hear more from Jesus next week in the rest of Chapter 6 about the secular way of life that chases after money and possessions. 00:14:27.600 --> 00:14:36.139 Where do we get a deeper sense of self that will transform our religion and our approach to money and things? 00:14:38.460 --> 00:14:45.120 Jesus offers us a core sense of self, a deep approval that is given and not earned. 00:14:45.120 --> 00:15:15.100 Jesus offers us a core sense of self, a deep approval that is given and not earned. 00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:17.120 Jesus offers us a core sense of self, a deep approval that is given and not earned. 00:15:17.120 --> 00:15:17.679 Can you see it? 00:15:19.799 --> 00:15:23.279 Your heavenly Father. 00:15:24.759 --> 00:15:28.679 Ten times the Father is mentioned so we don't miss it. 00:15:28.980 --> 00:15:33.799 You won't find God being called Father ten times in any Old Testament book. 00:15:34.560 --> 00:15:40.220 In fact, you won't find God being called Father ten times in all of the Old Testament combined. 00:15:41.220 --> 00:15:44.379 Israel should have treated God as their father. 00:15:45.320 --> 00:15:46.860 But they didn't. 00:15:47.620 --> 00:15:51.340 The king of Israel could be called a son but not an individual. 00:15:53.899 --> 00:15:59.220 Calling God Father, we can take it for granted as Christians but it is new. 00:15:59.980 --> 00:16:01.420 It comes only with Jesus. 00:16:01.419 --> 00:16:10.879 In an article I read a little while ago, a woman from Iran starts her story of coming to Jesus with these words. 00:16:11.319 --> 00:16:16.559 In Islam, there are 99 names for Allah. 00:16:17.719 --> 00:16:19.799 Not one of them is Father. 00:16:19.799 --> 00:16:29.519 Everyone in this world, whether religious or secular, without God as Father, they don't know how much they are loved. 00:16:30.079 --> 00:16:40.359 They don't know his provision in every circumstance, his direction, his nurturing discipline, his promises, his family, the church to belong to. 00:16:41.059 --> 00:16:43.939 Don't have a home to look forward to after death. 00:16:43.940 --> 00:16:50.160 The world is full of orphans, some religious, some not religious. 00:16:51.040 --> 00:16:53.880 But with God the Son turning up, everything changes. 00:16:54.420 --> 00:16:59.480 This identity he gives us is his identity as the Son of God. 00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:02.640 And it can't be by our performance. 00:17:03.540 --> 00:17:09.220 We've just heard in chapter five, Jesus has hammered us. 00:17:09.220 --> 00:17:15.779 He's removed any self-righteous leg we thought we had to stand on before God. 00:17:16.600 --> 00:17:22.819 Knowing God as Father can only be by his incredible forgiveness. 00:17:23.720 --> 00:17:29.279 That somehow we come to share in the relationship Jesus has with the Father. 00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:41.920 A Christian is someone who already has the approval of God as their Father because of what Jesus has done, not because of their performance. 00:17:42.079 --> 00:17:44.940 And so a Christian doesn't need to perform. 00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:46.599 We don't need to act. 00:17:49.720 --> 00:17:57.240 I remember a time when I was in youth group with my brothers and I said a joke that made those who heard it laugh. 00:17:57.240 --> 00:18:02.880 I made quite a decent crowd laugh and I was feeling pretty pleased with myself. 00:18:03.359 --> 00:18:07.700 I was pretty chuffed until I caught the eyes of my brother. 00:18:09.160 --> 00:18:13.859 The unapproving eyes of my brother, it cut through me. 00:18:15.059 --> 00:18:21.079 My brother's opinion outweighed the crowd combined and I regret that joke ever since. 00:18:21.079 --> 00:18:27.339 How much more than siblings do we value the approval of our parents? 00:18:28.579 --> 00:18:39.259 When we know our identity as a child of God, his opinion, his delight in us outweighs everyone else combined. 00:18:39.259 --> 00:18:45.960 Now, I've got to admit, I don't crave this opinion as much as I should. 00:18:47.319 --> 00:18:50.539 Partly, I think that's because of the actor that still lives in me. 00:18:51.200 --> 00:18:54.700 And I think partly it's because I can't see his smiling face. 00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:57.859 I can't hear his approving words. 00:18:58.740 --> 00:18:59.640 He is in heaven. 00:18:59.779 --> 00:19:00.960 He is in secret. 00:19:01.379 --> 00:19:03.279 But he won't always be in secret. 00:19:03.440 --> 00:19:05.720 We know that heaven is coming to earth soon. 00:19:05.720 --> 00:19:09.980 So we should live every moment anticipating our father's words. 00:19:11.180 --> 00:19:11.759 Well done. 00:19:12.920 --> 00:19:13.720 Well done. 00:19:15.339 --> 00:19:16.920 But he's not just future. 00:19:18.319 --> 00:19:22.420 The emphasis here is that God sees what is in secret. 00:19:22.700 --> 00:19:25.180 He sees what's behind closed doors. 00:19:26.000 --> 00:19:28.660 In our thought life, in our hearts, attitude. 00:19:30.200 --> 00:19:34.960 Your father who sees in secret will reward you. 00:19:35.779 --> 00:19:43.620 This gives meaning and weight to everything we do, every thought we have when we're doing it for an audience of one. 00:19:45.140 --> 00:19:55.600 I reckon we're going to be surprised to learn just who God was working through in this world to bring the kingdom of God more fully when Jesus returns. 00:19:55.599 --> 00:20:00.559 It's going to be the old man praying at home faithfully. 00:20:01.119 --> 00:20:06.519 It's going to be the family barely getting by who give generously with a cheerful heart. 00:20:06.959 --> 00:20:11.480 It's going to be the uni student who turns his phone off to seek the Lord's face. 00:20:11.480 --> 00:20:14.920 We can't see those things now. 00:20:16.120 --> 00:20:22.680 But the point is, the kind of the point is, we don't need anyone else to see it. 00:20:23.019 --> 00:20:24.420 We know the father sees it. 00:20:24.900 --> 00:20:26.079 And he's pleased with that. 00:20:26.079 --> 00:20:33.159 And where other people can be taken in by a show, our father is not fooled. 00:20:33.160 --> 00:20:47.100 So already having his approval in belonging to him through what Jesus has done, seeking his pleasure, that gives us a profound integrity as a child of God. 00:20:47.820 --> 00:20:51.960 A child genuinely interacts with their father for his sake. 00:20:51.960 --> 00:21:00.779 Which raises the question for me, what is the reward Jesus doesn't want us to miss out on? 00:21:01.740 --> 00:21:04.519 I'm going to suggest a few things that this reward might be. 00:21:05.620 --> 00:21:13.180 To live always as an actor with a mask means you never know the peace and joy of being a child. 00:21:14.600 --> 00:21:20.779 A child doesn't fear the final judgment because we know Jesus has died for us. 00:21:20.779 --> 00:21:27.200 But a child waits for that final, hearing those final words, well done. 00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:31.839 I think that's going to be a wonderful reward, isn't it? 00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:44.859 The reward of knowing that God is present with us, like Catherine was saying in the kids talk, no matter where we go, our father is present to help us, to forgive us every single moment. 00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:49.519 We get the natural reward of these religious activities as well. 00:21:49.519 --> 00:21:52.639 We don't get some gold medal like in the Olympics. 00:21:52.879 --> 00:21:55.079 That's not the reward for these things. 00:21:56.359 --> 00:22:04.259 So in giving to the needy, I get the satisfaction of being like my father in satisfying the needs of others. 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:15.259 In praying, I get the reward, not of others seeing me, but knowing that my father hears me, that he's present, and that he's ready to provide for me. 00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:17.299 As verse 8 says, he's ready to give. 00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:26.379 In fasting, in going without, I get the reward of having my heart and my mind refreshed by focusing on what ultimately matters. 00:22:26.380 --> 00:22:36.480 And I get the reward in doing these things by, as a child, becoming more and more and more like my father. 00:22:38.840 --> 00:22:40.280 There's a lot of rewards. 00:22:40.279 --> 00:22:54.700 If my core identity is as a child because of what Jesus has done, there will be a deep integrity through all of life as a result, doing things for my father's sake. 00:22:54.700 --> 00:23:04.640 And I think this integrity is why Jesus pauses in verse 9 to 15 and gives us a model of how to pray. 00:23:05.480 --> 00:23:15.000 Because this prayer, this kind of praying shows the deep childlike faith of a Christian. 00:23:15.000 --> 00:23:21.640 And this prayer also gives us a framework to help us become the child that we are. 00:23:22.960 --> 00:23:31.039 So instead of the actor wanting the focus to be on himself, the child wants the father to be the focus. 00:23:31.460 --> 00:23:42.980 He wants God to be the focus, that the father's name will be made holy, that God would have the highest place in every person's mind and heart all over the world in every society. 00:23:42.980 --> 00:23:45.860 That's not acting. 00:23:46.279 --> 00:23:47.920 It's just a God obsession. 00:23:49.460 --> 00:23:59.019 Instead of performing to the whims of society's standards or my own personal desires, a child wants the father's will to be done, trusting that that is best. 00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:07.319 And this God obsession, trusting that God's will is best, that defines my daily needs as a human being. 00:24:07.319 --> 00:24:13.480 I trust my father to be ready to provide for my every need as a limited creature. 00:24:14.839 --> 00:24:25.119 And unlike the self-righteousness of the actor, to live in the presence of the perfect father, I don't just need his forgiveness every so often. 00:24:25.339 --> 00:24:30.559 I need to swim in his forgiveness constantly unless I drown. 00:24:30.559 --> 00:24:36.799 Having been forgiven so much, I pass that forgiveness on to others. 00:24:37.859 --> 00:24:51.039 And unlike the self-confident actor who thinks they can remain true to God in their own discipline, a child knows that there is a spiritual battle going on and the battleground is my heart. 00:24:51.700 --> 00:24:57.480 And I need the father's protection and power to fight for my love for God. 00:24:57.480 --> 00:25:05.599 Can you just sense just the integrity of a childlike prayer life? 00:25:06.440 --> 00:25:18.599 True religion is just God obsessed, God focused, it's sincere, it's to the point, it's utterly dependent in all aspects of life and it's soaked in forgiveness. 00:25:18.599 --> 00:25:28.259 This kind of inner secret integrity is the only thing that will stop us from putting on a mask. 00:25:28.980 --> 00:25:35.480 And it will make our public life a light in a world full of orphans. 00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:52.500 So if, like me, you want to grow in your private prayer life and prayer attitude, then I think the Lord has given us this prayer to help us. 00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:54.920 It's a model of how to pray. 00:25:54.920 --> 00:26:05.960 We are a child, but using this prayer can help us become more of the child that God wants us to be and all the rewards that come with that. 00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:14.740 So let me just finish with two helpful pieces of advice that I've heard in how to pray like this child. 00:26:14.740 --> 00:26:24.620 The first piece of advice is from a faithfully praying man all his life who helped found the mission agency CMS. 00:26:25.960 --> 00:26:28.079 So his name is Charles Simeon. 00:26:29.000 --> 00:26:36.680 He found prayer to flow freely when he dwelt on his abundance of forgiveness. 00:26:36.680 --> 00:26:46.640 And I think this captures why Jesus says, verse 14 and 15, that the Christian life is essentially marked by forgiveness. 00:26:47.480 --> 00:26:50.019 So here's what Charles Simeon says. 00:26:51.519 --> 00:27:00.480 By constantly meditating on the goodness of God and on our great deliverance from the punishment which our sins deserve. 00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:03.099 So constantly meditating on these things. 00:27:03.880 --> 00:27:10.599 We are brought to feel our own vileness and our utter unworthiness. 00:27:11.039 --> 00:27:17.440 And while we continue in this spirit of self-degradation, everything else will go on easily. 00:27:18.099 --> 00:27:20.900 We shall find ourselves advancing in our course. 00:27:21.200 --> 00:27:23.160 We shall feel the presence of God. 00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:25.500 We shall experience his love. 00:27:25.500 --> 00:27:32.519 We shall live in the enjoyment of his favour and in the hope of his glory, of being like him. 00:27:32.920 --> 00:27:36.420 You often feel that your prayers scarcely reach the ceiling. 00:27:36.559 --> 00:27:43.640 But, oh, get into this humble spirit by considering how good the Lord is and how evil you are. 00:27:44.279 --> 00:27:47.420 And then prayer will mount on wings of faith to heaven. 00:27:47.420 --> 00:27:56.740 The sigh, the groan of a broken heart will soon go through the ceiling up to heaven into the very bosom of God. 00:27:59.519 --> 00:28:01.300 So there's one piece of advice. 00:28:01.420 --> 00:28:05.860 I think we try and avoid a sense of unworthiness. 00:28:06.019 --> 00:28:08.160 But we need to swim in it. 00:28:09.519 --> 00:28:11.560 Focusing on the goodness of God. 00:28:11.559 --> 00:28:15.679 And when we do that, we'll see how unworthy we are. 00:28:15.799 --> 00:28:18.019 And then we just remember how much we are forgiven. 00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:20.700 And that will energise our prayers. 00:28:22.339 --> 00:28:27.919 The second piece of advice is a bit of a practical thing from Martin Luther. 00:28:28.039 --> 00:28:36.759 Martin Luther used to take each line of the Lord's Prayer and use each line as a launching point into further prayers, 00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:38.359 like Catherine did in the kids' tour. 00:28:38.359 --> 00:28:45.679 So as we go about our day, I think we can pray in the morning or evening, whenever you do. 00:28:46.279 --> 00:28:47.679 Times of prayer are good. 00:28:47.799 --> 00:28:50.579 But I think we should be praying without ceasing. 00:28:50.759 --> 00:28:52.679 This is just the oxygen we breathe. 00:28:54.019 --> 00:28:59.779 So as we go about our day and we grate against frustrations, 00:29:01.159 --> 00:29:05.899 we pray your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 00:29:05.900 --> 00:29:12.040 As we are tempted to be unfaithful to the Lord, we can beg for his deliverance, 00:29:12.759 --> 00:29:17.360 that we don't have the power in ourselves to fight, and then we can trust that he provides a way out. 00:29:18.519 --> 00:29:24.480 As we are angry, we can rejoice in our own forgiveness and our indebtedness, 00:29:24.680 --> 00:29:27.480 and then ask for help to pass that forgiveness on. 00:29:27.480 --> 00:29:33.900 As we fret about our finances or the stresses of the responsibilities for the day ahead, 00:29:34.339 --> 00:29:42.720 we can rest knowing that God is ready to provide all we need as limited creatures. 00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:51.440 So there's two pieces of advice to help us be and pray like children. 00:29:53.620 --> 00:29:55.180 Let me finish with this question. 00:29:55.180 --> 00:30:03.580 What difference would it make to the integrity of our witness as Christians and as a church family 00:30:03.580 --> 00:30:07.759 if instead of all the acting that we do for one another, 00:30:08.840 --> 00:30:16.660 we've constantly remembered and reminded each other of our core identity as a child of heaven, 00:30:16.660 --> 00:30:24.920 already secure in the Father's approval, empowered by his presence, 00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:32.600 set free by his forgiveness, and learning to make dependence on him in prayer 00:30:32.600 --> 00:30:36.300 just the oxygen we breathe throughout the day. 00:30:37.420 --> 00:30:44.240 That inner integrity as a child, I think it will transform us. 00:30:44.240 --> 00:30:48.000 Will you pray with me? 00:30:48.079 --> 00:30:51.140 We need God's help to be the children we are. 00:30:51.259 --> 00:30:52.460 So let's finish by praying. 00:30:56.039 --> 00:31:04.019 Our Father, please give us, teach us this core identity as your child. 00:31:04.980 --> 00:31:09.539 We thank you for the Lord Jesus Christ, who was the perfect son, 00:31:10.000 --> 00:31:12.000 who was constantly faithful to you. 00:31:12.000 --> 00:31:16.859 Thank you that we can have a share in his relationship with you. 00:31:17.680 --> 00:31:20.680 Lord, thank you for your abundant forgiveness. 00:31:20.920 --> 00:31:22.640 Help us to swim in your forgiveness. 00:31:23.220 --> 00:31:25.880 Help us to extend and pass that forgiveness on. 00:31:26.660 --> 00:31:35.319 Lord, please change each one of us to have that prayerful attitude day in and day out. 00:31:35.319 --> 00:31:41.200 Lord, please make us the children that you have called us to be, 00:31:41.299 --> 00:31:42.379 that we already are. 00:31:43.299 --> 00:31:44.359 In Jesus' name I pray. 00:31:44.819 --> 00:31:45.139 Amen.