|
Home
What We Believe
Meeting Times
Pastor's Page
Resources
Pictures
Directions
|
|
|
Vidalia Georgia
Matthew chapter 6 - Study Aide
Elder Joe Nettles
Part 1
We hear often of our “personal,
intimate relationship with Christ Jesus” from various ministers. This
phrase is usually coupled together with an offering of eternal life if
you’ll just perform some action. Thankfully, we Primitive Baptists know
that “salvation is of the Lord” and so we would readily reject such lofty
and unscriptural invitations. Yet, there is certainly credibility to the
notion of a “personal, intimate relationship with Christ Jesus”. It may be
better stated as a “personal, intimate fellowship with Christ Jesus”. In
chapter six of Matthew, Christ on the mount addresses this concept in his
teachings to his disciples.
“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them:
otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.” Here
Christ instructs the disciples in regards to charitable giving. The act of
giving of our financial good to the support of the Lord’s house, ministry,
and those in need is an act of devotion, is it not? It is an act of
devotion as surely as when a bride faithfully serves her beloved husband.
What if the bride only cooked a meal for her husband when one of the
neighbors was there to see her do it? What if she only pampered him when
being seen by others so that she might gain for herself aplomb? Could that
be considered a personal, intimate relationship? Certainly not.
There are certain emotions, conversations, and considerations that I only
share with my precious wife. It would be disingenuous for me to play the
devoted husband in public for others to see while being apathetic at home
when it is just us. It is obviously important that my love for her be
evident when others are around, but more important is that the loving acts
and affections spring from a principle of devoted love for her, not a
desire to be seen of men.
I used to know of a brother in the church that would stand and announce to
the congregation the large amount of a gift given to the church. I would
always cringe when this occurred because it smacked of boasting. What of
the old sister or brother struggling to keep food on the table who may
only be able to give $5.00 or less per week? Would we dare despise the
widow’s mites by setting more wealthy contributions up on a public
pedestal? God forbid this should occur in the church! Giving of our alms
in secret is personal and intimate. A showy performance for public
consumption is as impersonal as you can get!
Christ continues in verse 5, “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as
the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and
in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say
unto you, They have their reward.” Again, what sweeter, more personal
devotion can be given than that of thankful prayer? It is our given and
commanded communication to the very throne room of heaven! It is as
Spiritual an activity as we can take part in as we are told that “the
Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be
uttered.”
Our attitude regarding prayer should be personal and intimate. We are
making supplications to him who has saved us and fills our very being with
his blessed presence. There could never be a more precious conversation
between a bride and her Husband. Proud, boastful men have always made a
mockery of this blessed devotion, uttering lofty words sprinkled with
false humility and fervor. Truly, our attitude should be to “enter into
thy closet” to pray.
Some will invariably wonder, “Why, then, do we ask men to pray publicly in
our church services if we are to enter into our closet?” The answer is
that Christ’s focus in this teaching was more on attitude than action. Our
attitude should always be personal and intimate with devotion to God and
not to the praise of men. We can have this attitude praying silently, out
loud, in a closet, on the street, or in a congregation.
Christ prayed publicly as did the disciples also. We have scriptural
precedent for praying publicly while in the congregation of the saints in
I Corinthians 14: 14-17. In the context of Paul’s teachings to the
Corinthian church concerning the regulation of speaking in tongues he
states, “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my
understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit,
and I will pray with the understanding also…Else when thou shalt bless
with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say
Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
For thou verily giveth thanks well, but the other is not edified.” It is
obvious from this passage that some prayer in the primitive church was
aloud so that others could be edified and blessed by that prayer. We don’t
have the gift of tongues in the church today as it was designed to be
transient; however, we do still have prayer in the church, thank God! In
an attitude of humility, praise, and devotion it is an acceptable and
invaluable part of our public worship.
“Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things
ye have need of, before ye ask him” (verse 8). What a wonderful truth! Our
Father is so powerful and omniscient (means that he knows all things and
thoughts that ever have or ever will happen) that he knows what we need
before we ask, even what we will ask for before we ask. If this is so, why
do we pray? Let’s ponder this question.
First, we pray because we’ve been commanded to. That’s simple, isn’t it?
In the following verse 9 Christ states, “After this manner therefore pray
ye…” I Thessalonians 5:17 commands, “Pray without ceasing.” There are very
many more verses that could establish this point, but I believe these
should suffice. Speaking as father to my children, it always pleases me
when my children come to me to converse or ask help in time of need.
Certainly it pleases our heavenly Father when his elect commune with him
in prayer!
The second point I would like to address is the mystery of reconciling
omniscience and intercessory prayer. It has been asked, “If God has known
from before the world began how all things are going to fall out, then how
can we be fervent in prayer for God to intervene in a matter. Why should
we expect our prayers to make a difference?” It is a good and honest
question, isn’t it?
Step one in coming to peace with this question is to know that we can’t
know the mind of God. How can we box into our feeble minds the great
eternal God of glory! It’s impossible. I am thankful for the light that he
has given this poor sinner, but it still doesn’t change the fact that we
are at best looking through a “glass darkly”. “O the depth of the riches
both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his
judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of
the Lord? or who hath been his counselor?” (Romans 11: 33-34). Our Adam
nature likes to believe it can know things that can’t be known. This
carnal mindset can lead many a child of God down roads of errant
conjecture in scripture. Sometimes we need to step away from our heady
pride and proclaim as Job did in 40:4, “Behold, I am vile; what shall I
answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.” We must accept what the
Bible teaches and don’t dare pretend to have knowledge past its bounds!
By scripture I know that nothing has ever or could ever surprise God. He
has known the resolution of all events from eternity:
Acts 15:18 – “Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the
world.”
Jeremiah 23:24 – “Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not
see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.”
Job 34: 21-22 – “For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all
his goings. There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers
of iniquity may hide themselves”
Isaiah 46:10 – “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient
times the things that are not yet done…”
By scripture I also know that prayers can change the course, save from
dangers, help the sick, and make a difference:
Psalm 18:3 – “I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so
shall I be saved from my enemies.”
James 5:16 – “Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one
another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a
righteous man availeth much.”
Matthew 7: 7-8 – “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find;
knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh
receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall
be opened”
Daniel 9: 21-23 – “Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man
Gabriel…being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the
evening oblation…O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and
understanding. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came
forth, and I am come to shew thee…”
II Corinthians 1: 11 – “Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that
for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be
given by many on our behalf.
James 1: 5-7 – “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth
to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But
let him ask in faith, nothing wavering...For let not that man think that
he shall receive anything of the Lord.”
II Kings 20: 1-5 – “In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death…Thus saith
the Lord, set thine house in order, for thou shalt die, and not live. Then
he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord…And it came to
pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of
the Lord came to him, saying, Turn again, and tell Hezekiah…I have heard
thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold I will heal thee…”
Now, knowing the verses aforementioned, I should without a doubt know that
God knows the resolution of all events before they come to pass. I also
should without a doubt know that God changes the course of events in
answer to prayer when he chooses to do so. Does this mean that God is
variable? No, it means he is God and we are not. Can I reconcile these
eternal truths in your minds via quotes from past writers, logical jargon,
and mental acrobatics? No, but you can consider the facts reconciled in
your mind by understanding that even though there are truths we can’t
fully comprehend, we can still believe them. Great comfort and hope can be
gleaned from them. I recently read from a Reformed theologian that our
prayers are worthy, yet they cannot alter the course of events. Whatever
will be, will be! What a weight he must bear in his heart and soul to
disbelieve what the scriptures teach of our great Intercessor!
Consider the following doctrines: the resurrected body, the Holy Trinity,
the creation, the virgin birth, eternity, etc. These are all doctrines
that we rejoice in even though we dare not insinuate total understanding
of them. The reconciliation of God’s omniscience with intercessory prayer
is along the same line. Too large to grasp, but too precious to
relinquish!
Part 2
“After this manner therefore pray ye…” were
the words of our Lord in Matthew 6:9. Prayers
are very personal and intimate as anyone
who has ever yearned to pray to the Father
will readily attest. No matter what the burden,
how painful the affliction, or how often
assailed we be, prayer is the means by which
we pour out our hearts to the only Comforter.
My travails are largely personal and singular
to me as are yours to you. No rote expression
or prayer book could adequately express our
motions of pain, concern, and thankfulness.
No one could acceptably convey to God for
you what you experience and need subjectively
in all points. Even when public prayer is
offered in our assemblies it is with the
understanding that each individual worshipper
under the sound of the audible prayer should
not just assent to the expressions of him
that does the praying, but also silently,
with heart and mind moved by his supplications,
express their own personal supplications.
Only the Holy Ghost “maketh intercession
for us with groanings which cannot be uttered”,
that is, He is the only one who knows all
our needs and burdens and is able to perfectly
intercede.
It’s for this reason that the Lord’s true
church has historically eschewed prayer books
and responsorials (instructed responses spoken
by a congregation in response to a priest’s
proclamation or prayer). We believe them
to be impersonal, cold, unscriptural additions
to the Lord’s church. Please consider your
own children and your desire to hear their
requests and to help them in times of need.
I love to converse with my children and hope
they will always feel close enough to their
Dad that they will not hesitate to approach
me with their thoughts and desires. I want
to help them. I want to hear them. But, what
if every time I saw them they said the same
memorized greeting? What if all their words
to me were what someone else taught them
to say? My heart would be very grieved. How
cold and impersonal!
Brethren, our heavenly Father is far more
deserving of his children’s close, personal
expressions than are earthly parents. Consider
Galatians 4:6, “And because ye are sons,
God hath sent forth the spirit of his Son
into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”
In accord with Galatians 4:6 is Romans 8:15,
“…But ye have received the Spirit of adoption,
whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” Please note
that both verses refer to the very moment
that a sinner first cries out to the Father,
or, first prays. Both verses point to the filial relationship between he that prays and He to whom the
prayer is offered. The relationship between
a father and son should be very special and
affectionate. A son should speak unto his
father respectfully, yet no less intimately.
By the same token, no cold, rote, rehearsed
prayers are acceptable to the Father. It’s
no light thing that this prayer begins, “Our
Father…”
If rigid, structured prayers are unacceptable,
why did Christ give this “model prayer”?
He certainly didn’t give it with the intent
that we simply recite it verbatim every time
we go to our bower of prayer. This is clear
by the usage of the phrase “after this manner
therefore pray ye…” The English term “manner”
is translated from the Greek word “houto”
which means (per Strong’s Concordance), “in
this way, in like manner, on this fashion”.
It doesn’t point to that which is rote or
rehearsed. This sweet prayer was given by
Christ as a guide and framework which we can follow in our own personal,
subjective prayers.
To help teach the point, I’ll use an example.
Every year in Pasadena, California, the Rose Bowl Parade is held. Groups who
desire to sponsor a float in the parade are
required to follow certain guidelines in
regards to the dimensions and specifications
of the floats. Does this make for a cold,
lifeless, drab parade? Certainly not! The
creativity and subjective talents of the
builders shine forth with brilliant colors,
automation, characters, themes, and so forth.
In like manner, our Savior provokes us to
consider what elements God-honoring prayer
contains that we may individually adorn these
elements with “supplications, prayers, intercessions,
and giving of thanks” according to our own
personal experiences and needs.
I want to try to approach in this and subsequent
articles each important phrase of this prayer
in Matthew 6:9-13 and consider the elements
taught. By meditating on these elements and
applying them to our prayer life, we’ll find
greater blessings rather than constriction
and quenching of the Spirit.
“Our Father which art in heaven…” There could
be no greater way to approach prayer than
with these vital truths. As was taught in
the aforementioned Galatians 4:6 and Romans
8:15, it is most important for us to consider
that only God’s regenerated children have
capacity and right to approach his throne
of grace. The cry of “Abba, Father” does
not come forth but by the Spirit first coming into your
heart. Some say that you have to respond favorably
to the motions of the Spirit within you before
you can become a child of the heavenly Father.
This errant thought is negated by clear scripture!
In Romans 8:9 is declared, “But ye are not
in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit
of God dwell in you.” If the Holy Spirit is in you moving you
to accept the truth of Christ’s lordship,
this verse teaches that you are already in the Spirit, and therefore, already born again of the
Spirit. This truth is again taught in the
14th verse of the same chapter, “For as many as are led by the spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” If the Spirit leads, then
the Spirit owns! Again, in Philippians 1:6,
“Being confident of this very thing, that
he which hath begun a good work in you will
perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”. If the Holy Spirit works in you one whit, he will successfully get you and hold onto you!
It grieves the heart to witness weeping sinners
approach and kneel at the front of congregations
of other orders praying earnestly for eternal
life in Jesus Christ, yet thinking that their
prayers are not fervent or honest enough
to “get the job done”. Why is it grievous?
Because that which they are hoping to get
through their prayers is the very thing which
was of necessity already applied to them
before they could even desire to ask for
it! If we could only impress upon their tortured
minds the truth that a heart desiring Christ and desiring to pray
is a heart in which He already reigns! Call to arms Old Baptists!
Sinner, if the Lord hears your prayer the
Bible teaches that it’s because we are already
righteous in His eyes. See Proverbs 15:29,
“The Lord is far from the wicked: but he
heareth the prayer of the righteous.” If
you think praying a prayer on the back of
a tract will get you saved to heaven, consider
that by the authority of scripture it is
revealed that if God does hear that “sinner’s
prayer”, it means you are already righteous
in his holy eyes and already in Christ! By
what authority do I make this claim? II Corinthians
5:21, “For he hath made him to be sin for
us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” How can God see you as righteous? Only
being “in him” and that your “iniquities
are forgiven” and your “sins are covered”
(Romans 4:7) by his perfect, sinless blood!
How joyful to know that we can only pray
to God because he is “Our Father which art
in heaven”! It’s always with the humbling
knowledge of this element that we should
approach our Father in prayer.
|