LESSON 5:
PRAYING THROUGH
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
50. Do not judge? (Matthew 7:1-5)
Many people only quote the first few words of this passage: “Judge not, that you be not judged.” However Jesus says a lot more than this. He says that we will be judged in the way we judge others. He also says, “First get your own life in order and then you can see clearly to help others” (v. 5). So this is not a blanket statement, “Do not judge” – it is a warning to be careful about judging and also that we can help other people once we get things right ourselves (very different from simply “Judge not!”)
Pray that we will:
- Be careful how we judge people and situations.
- Avoid hypocrisy.
- Examine and deal with our own lives and attitudes first.
- Deal with the “logs” in our own eyes first.
- Then help others to get the “specks” out of their eyes.
51. Be sensitive to the Spirit and be sensitive to the spirit! (Matthew 7:6)
When we are witnessing, sharing our faith or what is precious to us, we need to be sensitive to both the Holy Spirit, and also to the spirit and attitude of those we are sharing with. If people are open and receptive to hear, then we can share the precious things of God with them, but if they are antagonistic to the Gospel and to God we may need to take another approach or leave the subject, at least for the time being. Jesus says not to give holy things to “dogs” who don’t appreciate them, or put pearls before “swine” because they won’t appreciate them and – worse – they will not only reject the things which are precious to us but may also turn and attack us!
Pray that:
- God will give us wisdom as we share our faith and testimony.
- We will discern where other people are coming from, and know what to share and what not to share.
- We will be careful not to share precious things with people who will reject them, and turn against us.
- God will lead us to share the precious truths of His Word with those who are open and receptive.
- We will have the joy of seeing a good response, not the heartache of rejection, scoffing and ridicule.
52. The sheer simplicity of asking! (Matthew 7:7-8)
Sometimes we make prayer so complicated! We have “formulas” for prayer, long prayers, complicated or high-sounding prayers, Old English prayers, etc. Nothing could be simpler than what Jesus says in these two verses: “Ask and it will be given to you. Search and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened for you”. How simple – like a child asking his Father for something. Child-like simplicity. Child-like faith. Child-like expectancy. Father-like generosity, kindness and love! If only we could learn to pray like this!
Pray:
- “Father, please help me to come to You with child-like faith and simplicity.”
- “Lord, please help me to remember that You give because You are a loving, wise Father; not because of my eloquence, my worthiness, or my ‘formula’ for prayer.”
- “God grant me patience, persistence and peace as I wait on You for Your answers.”
- “Spirit of God, I trust You for the answers, in Your way and Your time.”
- “Thank You, Lord, so much that You love and care for me!”
53. Relationship – the key to prayer (Matthew 7:9-11)
Jesus illustrates the simplicity of prayer by taking an analogy – but one which is more than merely an analogy, because this is a true picture of us coming to our Heavenly Father in prayer. He reminds us of the fact that if our child comes to us and asks for some bread, would we give them a stone instead? If our child comes to us and asks for some fish, would we give them a snake instead? Of course not! When children ask their parents for what they need, the good parent gives them what they request. How much more then will our Heavenly Father give good things to those who ask Him? If we, who are evil, give good things, God will do so even more!
Pray:
- For increased faith and simplicity as we come to God in prayer.
- For a real revelation of God the Father as our Father.
- For a real revelation of God’s love for us.
- For a right relationship with the Lord.
- That we will come, ask and receive all we need to serve Him and other people.
54. A summary of the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 7:12)
The Old Testament contains the books of the Law and also the books of the Prophets. Jesus said that if we want to sum up all that they said and taught in one short sentence it is: “Do to other people what you would like them to do to you.” We all want peace, respect, honesty, love, unity, support, encouragement, help in times of need, etc. How can we get this? By doing this to one another! It is all so very simple – except for sin, selfishness, laziness, greed, etc! So we need to learn to die to evil and self-centredness, and live a life which is loving and caring towards other people.
Pray that:
- We will begin to apply Christ’s principles to our lives.
- We will examine our lives and see where we are failing to apply Jesus’ simple principles.
- We will pray for this to become a life-long habit of putting God first, and other people second in our lives.
- We will teach our children, and new Christians, to follow this principle.
55. Narrow minded? (Matthew 7:13-14)
Jesus said that we can choose to go through one of two gates: one is wide, leading to a road that is broad, and many people go through that gate. The other gate is narrow, leading to a narrow road which few people find. Most people go for liberal, broadminded thinking, not wanting to judge too harshly, lest they condemn themselves. A few people realise that broadminded thinking, all embracive philosophies and religion do not lead to God, but lead away from Him. Some people believe that “all roads lead to Rome”. This is not true! Most of us have travelled on thousands of roads and have never been to Rome! Likewise, many people believe that all religions lead to God; this also is not true! In fact, all religions lead to Hell. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to God and to salvation. So enter the narrow gate which leads to eternal life, not the wide gate which leads to destruction!
Pray that:
- People will not be deceived by false religions and the idea that all religions lead to God.
- People will not enter the broad gate and end up lost and destroyed.
- People will enter the narrow gate, through Jesus Christ, and find eternal life.
- Christians will teach the truth concerning religions and the one, true Way – Jesus Christ – the Way, the Truth and the Life.
56. Beware of false prophets (Matthew 7:15)
The world is full of ideas, theories, religious teachings and “prophets” – with plenty of people who are more than willing to tell you what they think is the true. Proclamations are made, prophecies of all sorts abound and there is plenty of confusion as a result. In the midst of all this stands the Word of God – a divinely inspired Word given by God to lead us into the truth. Jesus warns us not to be gullible and accept every “prophecy” as coming from God. Many false prophets appear as sheep, but are actually wolves disguised as sheep. Paul says, “Don’t quench the Spirit. Don’t despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast to what is good and abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22).
Pray that Christians will:
- Be careful what they believe (and teach!)
- Test everything by the Word of God and by the witness of His Spirit.
- Not be led astray.
- Hold fast to what is of God and reject everything that is evil or from the evil one.
57. Become a fruit inspector! (Matthew 7:16-20)
The best way not to be deceived is to examine the fruit! You don’t get grapes from thorn bushes and you don’t get figs from thistles! When you buy fruit, look carefully at its quality first. One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is the gift of discernment, but anyone can tell whether or not something is good by whether or not it brings forth good fruit. “By their fruit you will know them!” Jesus said.
Pray that:
- Christians will not be gullible, but will test the fruit of people’s claims, prophecies, manifestations, teachings, etc.
- We will reject what is evil and cling to what is good and Godly.
- We will teach people what is good and wholesome and God-honouring.
- We will live according to God’s Word, His will and His ways.
QUESTIONS
1. What is wrong with judging what other people do?
2. Is such judging always wrong? Why or why not?
3. What things in Matthew 7:3-5 should we always do before judging situations?
4. What does Matthew 7:6 mean for us as Christians today?
5. What 3 things should we do, and what are God’s promises if we do them (Matthew 7:7-8)?
6. What will our Heavenly Father give us if we ask Him?
7. What is the “Golden Rule” which sums up the teaching of the Old Testament Law and the prophets?
8. What are the differences between the narrow gate and the wide gate?
9. How can we tell who are false prophets?
10. What is meant by “good fruit” and “bad fruit”?