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Intermediate Sunday School Lesson 32 : THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

Text: Matthew 6:1-4
7 August 2022

INTRODUCTION

1. Take time to review Matthew 5

2. There are wonderful lessons that will help us:

a) Cultivate our Character
b) Correct wrong thoughts/ concepts
c) Challenge us to live even more distinctively for the Lord

APPRECIATING THE LESSONS THE LORD JESUS TAUGHT

1. There are many lessons to learn

2. The following things may be noted as we observe how the Lord Jesus taught

a) Current practices
b) Correction of wrong practices
c) Communicating the right things to do

THE COMMAND OF THE LORD TO CARE FOR THE POOR

7 “If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother,

8 but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs.

9 Beware lest there be a wicked thought in your heart, saying, ‘The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand,’ and your eye be evil against your poor brother and you give him nothing, and he cry out to the LORD against you, and it become sin among you.
10 You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand.

11 For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.’

Deuteronomy 15:7-11

1. A command from the LORD

2. To care for the poor

THE PRACTICE OF DOING CHARITABLE DEEDS

1 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

Matthew 6:1-4

1. Current common practice in the days of the Lord Jesus

a) People were giving to the poor
b) But they wanted to be seen/ noticed by people
c) Sounding a trumpet to gain attention and recognition
i) This was commonly practised in synagogues
ii) And in the streets

2. Why were things done in this manner?

a) To have glory from men
b) This is the “reward” people looked for

ASSESSMENT OF THIS PRACTICE BY THE LORD

1. This was hypocrisy

2. There will be no divine reward from God

THE TEACHING OF THE LORD JESUS ON GIVING

1. Proverbial saying

”Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing”

Matthew 6:3

2. Meaning

a) Let charitable deeds be done secretly
b) Seen only by God the Father
c) He will bless openly

APPLICATION

1. To have compassion for the poor

2. To express practical care and concern

3. To do this without desiring to gain glory for what we do