From the recording Matthew The Gospel An Intimate Review
Lyrics
Letter of Apostle Matthew – The Gospel
An Intimate Review
Pt 7
By Lawrence DeMetrius
Matthew 6:1-4
Giving and Prayer
There are different types of GIVING. ALMS GIVING is to be done in SECRET if one desires THE LORD to bless them openly for giving them.
*alms Gk #1654 eleemosune (el-eh-ay-mos-oo-nay) it means…
• compassion exercised toward the poor, is…
o a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering
• beneficence is…
o charity, active goodness or kindness and the doing of good
o a beneficent act or gift
• benefaction is…
o an act of conferring a benefit
o the doing of good
o a good deed and the benefit conferred
o a charitable donation
*secret Gk #2927 kruptos (kroop-tos) it means concealed and private
Matthew 6:5-13
The Elements of Effective Prayer
<See Mt 7:7-12>
There is a science to EFFECTIVE PRAYER. In this passage, Jesus Christ shares it in details with His Disciples. He begins by telling them to PRAY SECRETLY in their private CLOSET, and not in open spaces where others can see them.
He said HYPOCRITES love to PRAY where others can observe them. He said such observance is their REWARD.
*prayest Gk #4336 proseuchomai (pros-yoo-khom-ahee) it means to direct one’s prayer, supplication and worship to Yahweh
*closet Gk #5009 tameion (tam-i-on) it is a…
• dispensary, which is a…
o place where something is dispensed, especially medicines [Ps 1:1-3]
o charitable or public facility where medicines are freely furnished and inexpensive medical advice is available [Isa 55:1-3; Mt 5:19; 10:8, 27; 11:28-30; II Tim 2:24-26]
to dispense is…
to administer, deal out and distribute
in pharmacology, it is to make up and distribute medicine, especially on prescription [Isa 50:4; Pro 18:21; Eph 4:29]
• magazine which is a…
o room or place for keeping gunpowder and other explosives, as in a fort or on a warship
o building or place for keeping military stores, as arms, ammunition, or provisions
o storehouse or warehouse
o collection of war munitions
• chamber on the ground-floor or interior of an Oriental house that is generally used for storage or privacy
• spot for retirement
The PRIVATE CLOSET that Christ notes in this passage is the personal space, where a born-again believer prepares and stores necessary healing supplies and substance that benefit self and others in times of need. [Heb 7:25] It is also a space where they store weaponry of spiritual warfare. It is in this space that Christ instructs His disciples to direct their PRAYERS to Yahweh.
Again, HYPOCRITES have no such place, for they love to PRAY in spaces where valuable substance cannot be stored. Therefore, their place is one of spiritual barrenness and vain-glory.
*hypocrites Gk #5273 hupokrites (hoop-ok-ree-tace) it is…
• an actor under an assumed character such as a stage-player
• figurative of a dissembler, which is one who gives a false or misleading appearance and conceals the true nature of a thing
Again, HYPOCRITES PRAY for show and applause like stage-actors. The attention and applause they receive from their audience is their REWARD. Only sincere PRAYER practiced in SECRET will invoke public manifestation of Yahweh’s blessings.
*reward (1) Gk #3408 misthos (mis-thos) it is pay for service rendered, be it good or evil
*reward (2) Gk #591 apodidomi (ap-od-eed-o-mee) it means to give away, give up, give over and give back in various applications
In either case, there is something being yielded for the act performed. FEIGNED OPEN PRAYER yields the praise of lookers on. SINCERE PRIVATE PRAYER, made directly THE LORD in the Name of Jesus Christ, yields public manifestations of divine blessings. Per Christ, PRIVATE SINCERE PRAYER is void of VAIN REPETITIONS. [Mt 6:7]
*vain Eng
• conceited or excessively proud of and concerned about one's own appearance, qualities and achievements
• ineffectual, unsuccessful and futile
• without real significance, value or importance
• baseless and worthless
*repetitions Gk #945 battologeo (bat-tol-og-eh-o) it means to…
• stutter, which is to speak in such a way that the rhythm is interrupted by repetitions, blocks, spasms, prolongations of sounds or syllables, sometimes accompanied by contortions of the face and body
• tediously prate, which is to…
a. babble or talk excessively and pointlessly
b. utter empty and foolish talk
Jesus Christ advises that Yahweh already knows what one needs before they ask HIM. Therefore, sincere and reverent PRAYER to HIM in PRIVATE is all that is necessary to invoke HIS attention in PRAYER. In fact, fewer words used in PRAYER is better. King Solomon writes,
Be not harsh with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore, let thy words be few.
[Eccl 5:2]
Because Yahweh only acknowledges the PRAYER of HIS worshipers and that is compliant to HIS will, Christ teaches His brethren to PRAY in a certain MANNER. [Mt 6:7, 13; Jn 9:31; I Jn 5:14, 15]
*manner Gk # 3779 houto (hoo-toce) it means in this way
The first step of this MANNER is to properly acknowledge Yahweh for WHO HE is in HIS Holy Place, which is FATHER of all creation, WHO abides in HEAVEN. One must also HALLOW THE LORD’S NAME in their heart.
*father Gk # 3962 pater (pat-ayr) it is a father near or remote, male parent, father-in-law, step or adoptive father, any male ancestor, especially the founder of a race, family or line, progenitor, a man who exercises paternal care over others, paternal protector or provider and one who has originated or established something
*heaven Gk # 3772 ouranos (oo-ran-os) it is the sky, heaven as GOD’S abode, the Christian Gospel, happiness, power and eternity
*hallowed Gk # 37 hagiazo (hag-ee-ad-zo) it means to make holy, purify, consecrate and mentally hold in deep respect
*name Gk # 3686 onoma (on-om-ah) it is a name by which one is identified, character and authority
In [Mt 6:10] Jesus Christ provides the next vital element of EFFECTIVE PRAYER, which is sincere desire for Yahweh’s KINGDOM to COME and WILL be done on earth as it is in heaven. Apostle John reiterates this element. [I Jn 5:14, 15] In fact, a heart that is void of such desire has no room to LOVE HIM, let alone seek HIS WILL to be fulfilled in their lives. [I Jn 2:15-17; Mt 6:24]
*kingdom Gk #932 basileia (bas-il-i-ah) it is royalty, rule and realm
• royalty is… [Jn 6:37-40; Rm 8:28-30; I Pet 2:9; Rev 1:5]
o royal persons collectively
o royal status, dignity and power
o a person of royal lineage or member of a royal family
o royalties, which are prerogatives, rights and symbolic emblems of a royal person
• rule is… [Mt 16:18]
o a principle or regulation governing conduct, action, procedure and arrangement
o the code of regulations observed by a religious order or congregation
o the customary or normal circumstance, occurrence, manner, practice and quality
o control, government or dominion
o tenure or conduct of reign or office
• realm is…
o a royal domain or kingdom [Jn 14:23; Lk 17:21; Rm 14:17]
o the region, sphere or domain in which anything occurs, prevails or dominates
o the special province or field of something or someone
In this passage, Christ is specifically teaching of Yahweh’s KINGDOM, the members and elements thereof, which are eternally secured by HIS Word and Holy Spirit.
*come Gk #2064 erchomai (er-khom-ahee) it means to go or come, which is to…
• approach or move toward a particular person or place
• arrive by movement or in the course of progress
• approach or arrive in time and succession
• move into view, appear, extend and reach
• take place, happen and occur at a certain point and position
• be available, produced and offered
• be derived, arrive, appear as a result and occur to the mind
• enter or be brought into a specified state or condition
• be born and enter into being or existence
*will Gk #2307 thelema (thel-ay-mah) it is determination, choice and inclination
*done Gk # 1096 ginomai (ghi-om-ahee) it is to cause to be, become and come into being
*earth Gk #1093 ge (ghay) it is the soil, region and solid part of the terrene globe including its inhabitants
When one considers the WILL of GOD, they consider HIS DETERMINATION, CHOICE and INCLINATION. When Yahweh’s WILL is fulfilled, that which benefits all creation manifests in due time. [Rm 8:28] The next element of EFFECTIVE PRAYER is one asking THE LORD to GIVE them DAILY BREAD. [Mt 6:11]
*give Gk #1325 didomi (did-o-mee) it means to give, bestow, bring forth, deliver up, offer and minister to
*daily Gk #1967 epiousios (ep-ee-oo-see-os) this refers to subsistence
needed FOR TOMORROW
*bread Gk #740 artos (ar-tos) it is a raised loaf of bread
ARTOS or BREAD is figurative of nourishment for one’s physical body. This gives credence to the idea that what one needs for each day, is already provisioned as they enter into the new day. This gives credence to the idea that THE LORD should first be entreated with thanksgiving for what HE HAS ALREADY PROVIDED.
This expresses faith in HIS ability to continue providing the nourishment required for the next day’s journey. In [Mt 6:12, 14, 15; Rm 1:16, 17] the next element of effective PRAYER, is to ask THE LORD to FORGIVE one’s personal wrongdoings. One of the greatest benefits of being a born-again believer is the right to confess one’s sins, be forgiven and cleansed of them with their residue. However, this gratuity is contingent upon one’s continual practice of FORGIVING others. FORGIVENESS is one’s divine ability to heal themselves of hurt inflicted upon them by satanic forces, through the transgressions of others. Christ makes it clear that Yahweh will not extend FORGIVENESS to those who fail to practice FORGIVENESS. Due to Adam’s transgressions, all mortals, be they regenerate or not, are vulnerable to sin due to their weak mortal nature. [Mt 26:41; Rm 3:23; 7:14-25; Gal 6:1-3] They will remain so until they transition to immortality. [Rm 3:19] Those who profess they have no such nature are liars who also make Yahweh a liar, per such profession. [I Jn 1:8-10] Apostle John teaches that there are various degrees of sin and only one is unforgivable, which is blasphemy of the Holy Ghost. [I Jn 5:16, 17; Mt 12:31] Having this in mind, the Elect can recognize the importance of practicing FORGIVENESS. Thus, Christ includes it in His formula of EFFECTIVE PRAYER.
*forgive Gk #863 aphiemi (af-ee-ay-mee) it means to send forth away
*debts Gk #3783 opheilema (of-i-lay-mah) it is something owed or due and a moral fault, which is…
• a failing, flaw, defect and imperfection
• responsibility for failure and a wrongful act
• an error, mistake, misdeed and transgression
*debtors Gk #3781 opheiletes (of-i-let-ace) it is one who owes, is indebted or delinquent and a moral transgressor against God
In [Mt 6:13] Jesus Christ gives the next element of EFFECTIVE PRAYER, which is to ask GOD to be not LEAD into TEMPTATION but DELIVERED them from EVIL.
*lead Gk #1533 eisphero (ice-fer-o) it means to carry inward
*temptation Gk #3986 peirasmos (pi-ras-mos) it is…
• a putting to proof by experiment of good and experience of evil [Mt 6:34; Jn 16:33; I Cor 10:13; Jm 2:2-4]
• solicitation, discipline or provocation
• by implication adversity, which is…
o adverse or unfortune fate, event, circumstance or incident
o a condition marked by misfortune, calamity or distress
o distress, affliction and hardship
*deliver Gk #4506 rhuomai (hroo-om-ahee) it means to rescue, rush or draw for oneself
• rescue is to free from confinement, violence, danger and evil
• rush is to…
o move, act, or progress with speed or violence
o perform, accomplish or finish with speed or violence
o send, push, force and impel with unusual speed
• draw is to move in a particular direction by or as if by a pulling force
*evil Gk #4190 poneros (pon-ay-ros) it is that which is hurtful in effect and influence
Ironically, EVIL and TEMPTATION are instrumental in the overall spiritual perfecting of GOD’S Elect. [Pro 16:4; Mt 4:1-11; Heb 2:10; 12:2] However, HE will never allow more on them than they can bear. [I Cor 10:13] Christ, concludes these elements with acknowledgement of Yahweh’s ownership of KINGDOM, POWER and GLORY to grant such deliverance in one’s life.
*power Gk#1411 dunamis (doo-nam-is) it is force and miraculous power, usually indicated by a miracle itself
*glory Gk#1391 doxa (dox-ah) [Jn 10:38] it is glory as very apparent
Finally, Christ concludes the formula of effective PRAYER with the AMEN.
*amen Gk #281 amen (am-ane) it means firm, trustworthy, surely and so be it
When born-again believers PRAY in this MANNER, believing in its effectiveness per the Christ’s teaching, they can expect Yahweh to honor and respond to their PRAYERS. [Mk 11:21-23; Heb 11:1, 6]
<Time 13m52s>