Matthew 6:1-8

Matthew 7:12-20

Matthew 7:12-20 1. He lays down a general principle for our guidance in all doubtful questions between man and man. 2. Our Lord gives us a general caution against the way of the many in religion. 3. The Lord Jesus gives us a general warning against false teachers in the church. "We are to deal with others as we would like others to deal with us. This is real Christianity." "We have no reason to be discouraged and cast down, if the religion we profess is not popular, and few agree with us." "Nothing supplies false prophets with followers so much as spiritual sloth under a cloak of humility." Questions: 1. We find here what has been called the Golden Rule: "treat others the way you want to be treated." Do you have questions that the Bible doesn't answer directly? Do you wish there was a clear rule laid out to give clarity to the situations you face? Well, as Ryle says, this verse is the answer to the unspoken situations we face. How often are we applying this rule to what we do? 2. Jesus declares to us here that there are two places that every person on the planet may be found: either on the wide or narrow path. The narrow path, as Ryle points out, is the way of repentance (turning away from sin), faith in Christ (turning toward Christ in trust), and holiness of life (growing in Christlikeness). These things, he says, have never been in style. The true flock has always been small, and despite how we feel, it is a good sign that the world would call us narrow-minded and bigoted. Where are you? Do we fit into the world, or do we stand out from the world? 3. Jesus not only warns of a broad road but that it is also filled with false teachers, wolves in sheep's clothing. Ryle warns that there always have been, are many today, and there always will be. Pastors and teachers are gifts to you (Ephesians 4:8-11) but only to the extent that the Word of God is faithfully taught. And that, Ryle says, is the best safe-guard against false teaching: to be regularly in God's Word with prayer asking for the teaching of the Holy Spirit. Do not be fooled by seminary degrees and speaking skills, is what is said from God's Word or not? And so we must ask ourselves: do I trust my pastor or other teachers blindly? Am I able to recognize when they are off? Am I willing to ask honest and humble questions if I am unsure of something that has been said? Ryle promises that the one who reads the Bible aright will never be allowed greatly to err. May it be true of us!

Matthew 7:1-11

Matthew 7:1-11 1. Contained in this passage is the importance of exercising discretion as to the person with whom we speak on the subject of religion. 2. Contained in this passage is the duty of prayer, and the rich encouragements there are to pray. "The first portion of these verses is one of those passages of Scripture, which we must be careful not to strain beyond its proper meaning. It is frequently abused and misapplied, by the enemies of true religion. It is possible to press the words of the Bible so far that they yield not medicine, but poison." "Knowledge, not improved and well employed, will only increase our condemnation at the last day." "Do we indeed pray? Then let us pray on, and not faint. It is not lost labor. It is not useless. It will bear fruit after many days. That word never yet failed, "Everyone who asks receives."" Questions: 1. Apparently this passage was just as misused in Ryle's day as in ours, as we hear him speak of the possibility of pressing the words of the Bible so far that they yield not medicine, but poison! Far from a text commanding Christians to not judge others, Ryle highlights that here Jesus condemns to a readiness to blame others for trifling offences, or matters of indifference, a disposition to magnify the errors and infirmities of others. Are we quick to find fault with others or do we strive to love them by assuming the best of them (that is, when offences are not clear and obvious)? 2. Jesus talks about not giving dogs what is holy and pearls to swine. In the context, this is giving discernment as to whom we seek to help pull the speck from their eye. Ryle warns that doing this right takes great wisdom and he gives two mistakes we tend to make. The first is to be over-cautious, that is we never actually go to someone to have the hard conversation. The second is over-zeal, that is we are too eager to approach someone in sin and even delight in the opportunity! Which error do you tend towards? How will you seek to hold a holy balance to this calling? 3. Jesus gives encouragement to pray. He promises that those who ask, seek, and knock will receive! Ryle warns that sadly, though even with such encouragements as these, that there is nothing which we are so slow to do. Do we really believe that those who pray receive? Be encouraged that prayer is not lost labor. It is not useless. It will bear fruit after many days.

Matthew 6:25-34

Matthew 6:25-34 1. He forbids us to keep up an anxious spirit about the things of this world. 2. He sends us to the birds of the air and flowers for instruction. 3. He suggests to us, that anxiety about the things of this world is most unworthy of a Christian. "One great feature of heathenism is living for the present. Let the heathen, if he will, be anxious. He knows nothing of a Father in heaven. But let the Christian, who has clearer light and knowledge, give proof of it by his faith and contentment." "We are not to carry cares before they come. We are to attend to today's business, and leave tomorrow's anxieties until tomorrow dawns. We may die before tomorrow. We know not what may happen tomorrow. This only we may be assured of, that if tomorrow brings a cross, He who sends it, can and will send grace to bear it." Questions: 1. Jesus knows we need food and clothing yet he warns against focusing on these things and calls us to focus on His kingdom and righteousness first. It is the focus of the things of this world, even needed things, that brings about much anxiety. How are our hearts in this matter? Are we anxious about many things? Do we find ourselves thinking primarily about the things that will pass away, or the things of eternity? 2. Jesus commands us to “not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” So many of our worries and anxieties are about the future, of which we are not guaranteed even tomorrow. Ryle says, “This only we may be assured of, that if tomorrow brings a cross, He who sends it, can and will send grace to bear it.” What does this truth do to your anxious heart? Do you believe that all things are from a sovereign and loving God who works all things for the good of those who love him? 3. Ryle, as usual, exhorts us to apply these things to our lives. He says, “Let us watch and pray against worry, and an over-anxious spirit.” He then wisely points out that to do so “deeply concerns our happiness.” How will you do this in your prayer life to increase your happiness in God?

Matthew 6:16-24

Matthew 6:16-24 1. Let us learn from our Lord's instruction about fasting, the great importance of cheerfulness in our religion. 2. Let us learn from our Lord's caution about worldliness what immense need we all have to watch and pray against an earthly spirit. 3. Let us learn from our Lord's words about the "single eye," the true secret of the failures, which so many Christians seem to make in their religion. "Never let us forget that there is no religion in looking melancholy and gloomy. Are we dissatisfied with Christ's wages, and Christ's service? Surely not! Then let us not look as if we were." "Oh! let us all beware that we do not sink into hell by paying excessive attention to lawful things. Open transgression of God's law slays its thousands, but worldliness its tens of thousands." "Let us be decided, thorough-going, uncompromising followers of Christ. Let our motto be that of Paul, "One thing I do." (Phil. 3:13.) Then we shall be happy Christians." Questions: 1. These verses highlight the topics of fasting, worldliness, and singleness of purpose. In considering fasting, Ryle says that there is no command in the NT which seems to leave it upon to each person to be firmly convinced in their own mind and not to hastily condemn others. As for its purpose, Ryle declares that it is the "occasional abstinence from food in order to bring the body into subjection to the spirit." That said, have we ever considered it? If not, why not? If you have, did it help you and how? 2. The second consideration is of worldliness, which is to find our happiness in this world that is passing away. The first question we need to consider is whether we are aware that worldliness is, as Ryle says, "a treacherous, harmful, enticing and powerful enemy" that is a rock that makes shipwreck for many for all eternity? Is this surprising to you? Are our affections on the things of earth or the things of heaven? 3. The last consideration is on singleness of purpose, which Ryle calls the one great secret of spiritual prosperity. The opposite is trying to serve Christ and the world together, which is something Jesus says cannot be done. And so, when we try, it creates Christians who are uncomfortable, uneasy, and dissatisfied with themselves. Is this you? Are you trying to be a servant of Christ and of the world?

Matthew 6:9-15

Matthew 6:9-15 1. The first sentence declares to whom we are to pray--"Our Father in heaven." 2. The second sentence is a petition respecting God's name--"Hallowed be your name." 3. The third sentence is a petition concerning God's kingdom--"Your kingdom come." 4. The fourth sentence is a petition concerning God's will—“Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." 5. The fifth sentence is a petition respecting our own daily needs--"give us this day our daily bread." 6. The sixth sentence is a petition respecting our sins--"Forgive us our debts." 7. The seventh sentence is a profession respecting our own feelings towards others--we ask our Father to "forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." 8. The eighth sentence is a petition respecting our weakness--"lead us not into temptation." 9. The ninth sentence is a petition respecting our dangers--"deliver us from evil." 10. The last sentence is an ascription of praise--"yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory." "Perhaps no part of Scripture is so full, and so simple at the same time, as this. It is the first prayer which we learn to offer up, when we are little children. Here is its simplicity. It contains the germ of everything which the most advanced saint can desire. Here is its fullness." "May we resolve that, by God's help, our hearts shall go together with our lips! Happy is he who can really call God his Father through Jesus Christ his Savior, and can therefore say a heart felt "Amen" to all that the Lord's Prayer contains." Questions: 1. We have read the Lord's Prayer - which may be better called the Disciples Prayer. If you grew up in the church, there is a good chance you know it as it is one of the most famous parts of Scripture. And yet, as Ryle warns, many repeat these words and do not consider what they are saying; they do not care for the 'glory,' the 'kingdom,' or the 'will of God;' they have no sense of dependence, sinfulness, weakness, or danger. Where do you stand when it comes to this prayer? Is it a just something you repeat, or does each part inform your prayers? Which of the 10 lines do you need to grow in the most? 2. If you do not know this prayer, would you consider memorizing it and letting it inform your prayers? I was greatly encouraged years ago that one of the reasons we should pray this prayer is that Jesus is informing us about the very things God delights to answer. If you are at all interested, you can find a very helpful sermon series HERE [https://immanuelky.org/podcasts/sermons/2023-06-18-simple-prayer].