2005 Message Archives
2006 Message Archives
2007 Message Archives
Order Messages
September 23, 2007
"Live For An Audience of One"
Discovering The World's Most Important Book—Part 2
Matthew 6 and 7
THE BIG IDEA:
While everything and everyone calls for my attention and allegiance, I will live for an audience of ONE!
THE PROBLEM:
For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
—Philippians 2:21
SPIRITUAL PITFALLS:
Pitfall #1. "Praying to the Gallery"
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
—Matthew 6:5-8
Pitfall #2. "Trying to Serve Two Masters"
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also... "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."
—Matthew 6:19-24
Pitfall #3. "Worrying Instead of Seeking"
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?... So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
—Matthew 6:25 and 31-34
Pitfall #4. "Unfair Judging"
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."
—Matthew 7:1-5
Pitfall #5. "Being Deceived by False Prophets"
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
—Matthew 7:15-20
Pitfall #6. "Being uncertain of your salvation"
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"
—Matthew 7:21-23
Pitfall #7. "Building on a Weak Foundation"
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
—Matthew 7:24-27
While everything and everyone calls for my attention and allegiance, I will live for an audience of ONE!
Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus.
—Philippians 2:3-5 MSG and NCV
"Jesus the Master Teacher"
Personal and Small Group Study
Getting Started
- Did you grow up in an openly religious home? Or, was religion a private matter, unseen by you until later years?
- Are you more likely to trust someone until proven wrong, or distrust until a person proves himself/herself trustworthy?
Digging Deeper: Read and Reflect
- The Sermon on the Mount—Part 1 (Matthew 5:1-6:4) What would you say is the secret to happiness? Which part of this portion of the Sermon on the Mount is most challenging to you? Why?
- Sermon on the Mount—Part 2 (Matthew 6:5-7:29) What do you suppose Jesus would have to say to people walking through a modern shopping mall? Which part of this portion of the Sermon on the Mount is most challenging to you? Why?
- The Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 13:1-58) How would you explain the Kingdom of Heaven to your neighbor next door? Why do you suppose Jesus talked so much about the Kingdom of Heaven?
- The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) In our global community today, what do you think it means to be a "neighbor"? Who is your neighbor? What is your responsibility towards that person?
- Lost and Found (Luke 15:1-32) How would you summarize the main points Jesus is making through these parables? For what would you be willing to give up everything?
Applying It To My Life
- What religious disciplines are valued in your circles? In what ways can they be misused to impress others?
- In what one area do you want to do a better job of living for an audience of ONE?