[Biblemat] The Messenger Vol 002, Iss 037

Sun Nov 11 20:29:44 CST 2007

The Messenger

Published Weekly by Main Street Church of Christ

306 West Main Street, Newbern, TN 38059   731-627-3514

bibleanswers at charter.net                                    www.mainstreetcofc.com

Bulletin Editor: T. Sean Sullivan

VOLUME 002::ISSUE 037:: November 11, 2007  

NEW SERIES: Lessons Drawn from the "Sermon on the Mount"

ARTICLE ONE: Teach Us To Pray: Matthew 6:9-13

ARTICLE TWO: We Must Be Judges: Matthew 7:1-5

Article One: Teach Us To Pray: Matthew 6:9-13

      As we continue to study the Sermon on the Mount. This lesson brings us to Matthew 6:9-13. This passage is probably more easily recognized by the title, "The Lord's Prayer".  Although it was indeed our Lord Jesus who worded this prayer it would be improperly titled as the Lord's pray and may be better described as "The Model Prayer"

For centuries this prayer has been misused by many. For years it has been part of memory work and been inappropriately used word for word in different "religious services". Now, that being said, it may seem as though this prayer is not to be used at all. Even though it has been misused by many, the true intention of this prayer is still needed and useful today. Jesus Himself stated that His disciples were to pray "like" the prayer He used as a demonstration. He did not intend for that prayer to be memorized and quoted for any occasion of prayer. In fact in a previous verse (6:7) Jesus condemns this action by commanding us not to use vain repetitions. Let's look at the proper use of this model of prayer-for our use, even today. 

Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be Your name

Jesus starts where we all must start-addressing the One to whom we pray-GOD the Father. Every recorded prayer or mention of prayer in the New Testament is directed to the Father. When we go to the Father in prayer we must approach Him with reverence and praise. Psalm 67:3-7 "Let the peoples praise you, O God." Our Creator is worthy of our praise (Psalm 100:1-3; Revelation 4:8-11). 

Your Kingdom Come 

This is where we cannot repeat the words of this prayer in our own prayers today.  The disciples were instructed to pray for the Kingdom of God "to come". Today we know that this prayer has been answered. The kingdom has come already-it is the church. Jesus told His apostles to wait in Jerusalem for its coming (Luke 24:44-47). The fulfillment of those words of Jesus happened in Acts 1 and 2. 

Even though we can no longer pray for the church to come, since it is here, Jesus wanted His disciples to pray for the church and this we can do, even as Paul did (Philippians 1:3-4).  We can pray for the continual faithfulness of the church and the strength of the church. 

Your Will Be Done. On Earth As It Is In Heaven

We need to pray that God's will is done every time we pray. According to Jesus the example of "how" God's will is to be done is pictured in heaven's example. God's will is the all in all in heaven. Everything that is done is done according to His will (just as Jesus proclaims here in this verse). We need to pray that the world would do the will of their Creator; to seek His guidance for all that they do (Matthew 9:37-38). We must pray that they will find salvation, which will only be found by those who do God's will (Matthew 7:21-23).

Give Us this Day Our Daily Bread.

Is God only concerned with spiritual matters? No, He has provided for both our spiritual and our physical needs. God has provided us with a place to live that sustains our life and provides livelihood. He has maintained our place-the earth with sun and rain (Matthew 5:45: Job 5:10). He has promised the opportunity of all necessary things if we primarily seek His righteousness and His kingdom (Matthew 6:32-33). 

In praying for our daily bread we: Pray for the opportunity to work and provide for our own (1 Timothy 5:8). We also pray for wisdom: that you might be a good steward of the blessings we receive (James 1:5). Then always remember to pray with thanksgiving for your many blessings (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18).

Forgive Our Debts, As We Forgive Our Debtors

This relationship of being forgiven dependant upon our own willingness to forgive others is consistent throughout the teachings of Christ (Matthew 6:14-15; Matthew 18:21-35; Mark 11:25-26). We must do what we ourselves expect to have done to us.

 We must forgive others if we are going to ask God to forgive us. We are to forgive others when they repent and seek forgiveness (Luke 17:3-4). As Christians, we are forgiven when we repent and seek forgiveness (Acts 8:22-24). Forgiveness is also available by becoming a Christian (Acts 2:38). 

And Do Not Lead Us Into Temptation, But Delivers Us From The Evil One.

God does not tempt (James 1:13) so what does this line mean? We can pray for guidance which in part is wisdom (James 1:5). God's guidance is through the word. Pray for a heart that is willing to heed His advice.

For Yours Is The Kingdom The Power The Glory.

Start with praise, end with praise. We must understand our role before God and who we are compared to God and with that understanding give Him His due honor. Always remember that prayer is a privilege.

Conclusion:

This prayer that can still be useful today "as a model".  It serves no practical purpose as a memorized saying and it is not sufficient on its own to convey our needs to God. When we pray we need to make sure we are giving God His due praise and honor as well as opening our hearts to Him so that we might draw close to Him. It is my prayer that the gospel will affect each of us toward salvation even now: consider the chart on the back of this bulletin. Look at the verses; follow the scriptural pattern. Become a Christian today. ~tss

Article Two: We Must Be Judges: Matthew 7:1-5

A very popular verse used often by the world is found in Matthew 7:1 "Judge not, that you be not judged." This verse seems to be thrown around anytime religious discussions happen. But its "misuse" leads to a great irony-since that statement itself is judgmental. It is impossible to make this statement toward another without judging that others are judging. 

For many years this verse has been implemented as a shield. It is meant to ward off any judgments rendered from another person. Is the intention of this verse a block to all or any judgments? Since there is a lot of confusion on this subject we must find the truth of the matter. Let's look further into the scriptures and this verse to see what the Bible does say about judging.

Inappropriate Judging

In Matthew 7:1 Jesus states, "Judge not that you be not judged." But the context does not stop there: Verse 2: For (or because) you will be judged with the same strictness of judgment. Then verses 3-5: Why do you judge the insignificant things in another when you are clearly in the same mess or worse?  It should be obvious that one who pronounces judgment on another, when he is guilty of the same or worse, is not balanced in his judgment. Paul draws out the example of the Pharisees who were constantly condemning the pagans, but were themselves wandering from the truth (Romans 2:1-3).

The context of Matthew 7:1 continues through vs. 6 saying, "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before the swine". This is a call for judgment. Jesus is not talking about actual dogs or pigs, He is referring to others who will not appreciate or accept the truth ("pearls"). Right here, Jesus is instructing us to judge others and to evaluate their willingness to receive the truth. There must be something more to Christ's first statement, in verse one, if He seems to condemn judging and then recommends judging just five verses later. In verse one, Jesus is condemning unjust, unbalanced judgment. Judgments made superficially against another based on anger or prejudicial dislikes. 

There are some other passages that condemn inappropriate judging like John 7:24a "Judge not according to appearance". The Jews were making judgments against Christ based on what they assumed was wrong conduct. Their judgment of Jesus was certainly prejudicial; based on fear and hatred. We certainly could catch ourselves falling into this category from time to time when we judge based on ignorance, assumptions, or unverified rumors. 

So far we must note that the condemned judgments are taking on a certain category.  The New Testament condemns superficial, hostile, hypocritical judgments. 

Appropriate Judgment:

Jesus continues His statement in John 7:24 by providing the appropriate judgment in a form of a command when He says, ".but judge with righteous judgment". There is a great distinction between that "judgment" which He condemns and this "judgment" that He commands. Jesus opens an entirely new category of judgment: 'Righteous Judgment'.

The command of John 7:24, ".judge with righteous judgment." is krinete, which means that when we do make judgments our judgments must be, in form, purpose, and intent, righteous. There is also more tied up in the adjective "righteous" in this command: If our judgments are to be "righteous" they are removed from the arena of opinion. Righteousness is never self-standardized; it is set by God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). So the standard of our judgments must be the word of God. Our attitude, our motive, and our follow-through must be in accordance to God's will.

We Must Judge:

We have certain obligations of judgment that we must not refuse: We are to "judge" erring members. In 1 Corinthians 5:1-5, 9-13, Paul states,"Do you not judge those who are inside?"-inside the church. This question is rhetorical but also demands a resolution of duty toward making such judgments. We are told in 2 Thessalonians 3:6, to ".withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly" and much the same again in 1 Timothy 6:3-5 ".from such withdraw yourself."          We must not allow error to go unchecked; we must recognize the responsibility of these appropriate judgments. 

There are certainly judgments for us as individuals. We are to judge ourself: 2 Corinthians 13:5 "Test yourselves as to whether that you are in the faith". We are to consider our own lives, and our walk (Ephesians 5:15). Another place of judgment surrounds the observance of the "Lord's Supper" (1 Corinthians 11:23-29) where we are to examine our self.  

We are certainly called to make judgment of situations, as well as judgments of others around us: 1 Corinthians 15:33 instructs us to use judgment in choosing friends. We are also to be able to judge all situations, as the Hebrew writer says in 5:14, "Discern both good and evil".

Conclusion:  Why has this passage been misused so often, for so long? Mankind, in general wants the easy way. If judgments are eliminated, many people will certainly rest a lot more soundly. But the truth of the matter is that the New Testament only condemns superficial, prejudicial, slanderous judgments and commands righteous judgments.

There are times in this life when you have to make a decision, even though that decision has consequences. When judgments are made, directions are taken, and circumstances are brought to light. 

Judgments maintain purity for self as an individual and for this congregation as whole.  All judgment must be done in accordance to God's divine will. 

Joshua, in the days of old, called on the people to make a famous judgment: Joshua 24:15 ".choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Are you ready to serve the Lord? ~tss

If you are enjoying The Messenger and you know someone else who would like to receive it. Please forward it to them or send me their email address and I will add it to the list.   Sean

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