The Book of Matthew
Matthew was taught by Dr. James Modlish

CHAPTER SIX

6:1-4 The alms are gifts of charity (Acts 3:3; 10:2). The entire setting is Jewish (synagogues - vs. 2). But it is mostly practical Christian living:

[1]. Motives are critical, (vs. 1).

[2]. Public recognition for service is the only reward many will have, (vs. 2).

[3]. Charity needs to be spontaneous as opposed to premeditated for applause, (vs. 3).

[4]. Secret charity, not be confused with giving to your church, helps keep motives in check.

6:5-6 Public prayer is not being condemned - (Acts 27:35; 1 Tim. 2:8), but rather the outward badges of spirituality, as in length of hair, skirts, etc. All of the emphasis is placed on what can be outwardly observed.

6:7-8 Prayer is to be from the heart, not a rite or a ritual at any time. Phil. 4:6

6:9-10 The "Lord's Prayer" is misstated, for Jesus said "pray ye" to the disciples.

"Thy kingdom come" presents an interesting possibility because the kingdom of God is within - (Lk. 17:20,21) as opposed to the kingdom of Heaven announced in (Matt. 3:2; 4:17).

The kingdom of God is spiritual - (Rom. 14:17; 1 Cor. 15:50). See (Matt. 6:33).

6:11-13 If the passage is to be interpreted literally then forgiveness is based on us forgiving others, but a Christian must judge his own sin and confess it to Jesus - (1 Cor. 11:30-33; 1 Jn. 1:9). The atonement was not yet complete in (Matt. 6) - our forgiveness is based on the finished work of Christ, (Acts. 13:38-40; Col. 1:14). The kingdom is God's, and its His to bring in (vs. 14,15).

6:14,15 The paramount thing to remember is that this entire passage is dealing with how to get a kingdom (physical).

6:16-18 More badges of spirituality

Fasting can be Biblical, providing its spiritually motivated.

[1]. Jesus prophecy - (Matt. 9:15)
[2]. Local church practice - (Acts 13:2,3)
[3]. Paul's example - (2 Cor. 11:27)
[4]. Can be complied to without reward - (Zech. 7:4-7)
[5]. Has to be accompanied by right living - (Isa. 58:3-7)

6:19-21 Earthly subtraction is heavenly addition. These verses have a church age application (Col. 3:1-4; Rom. 8:18; 2 Cor. 4:17,18). Future rewards have always been a Bible themes (Prov. 13:7; 15:6).

6:22,23 "be single" must have something to do with singleness of purpose (Col. 3:22,23). The eye is a source of sin - (Gen. 3:6). See Achan and David.

Job was trying to guard against (Job 31:1) the #1 sin of the last days (2 Pet. 2:14).

6:24 The human heart tries to straddle the fence (1 Ki. 18:21; Josh. 24:15). An old time preacher once said, "You are entitled to everything that God gives you along the line of God's purpose for your life, but you are entitled to nothing you get, when you step out of God's purpose for your life to get it."

6:25,26 How many churches that desire to build their theology on the Sermon on the Mount give strict heed to this passage - check any of them out on Easter Sunday.

6:27 Will worry help you grow bigger?

6:28-30 A careful look is a clear demonstration of a contrast between saved and lost - God even temporarily clothes those who will end in the oven. See (1 Pet. 1:24).

"O ye of little faith?" Seems to be a favorite rebuke of Jesus to Israel.

6:31,32 You can't help but be impressed with the idea that our God was a Jewish God before us. There are only the most subtle of hints in Matt. that God might make the way open to the Gentiles.

6:33,34 Interestingly the very next verse in the 1st hint. A kingdom of God's righteousness is being introduced which is defined in -
(Rom. 1:1-4).

The kingdom of God is closely associated with a moral and spiritual righteousness not necessarily found in the kingdom of heaven for it includes bad fish, tares, lost virgins, unsaved servants, etc.

The new birth is a requisite for the kingdom of God, but not heaven.

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