Tag Archives: Matthew

Morning Thoughts (Matthew 16:12)

Morning Thoughts,

Matthew 16:12, "Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees."

This morning, two concepts that perpetuate themselves never cease to amaze me: 1. how relative the Bible stays day after day and year after year, and 2. how much man tries to discount the Bible and talk about how "how out of date" it is.  Polar opposite concepts, yet they continue to this day.  When reading the Bible, friends we are approaching a Book that is still just as fresh and vital today as it has ever been.  The old stories of real people, what they thought, and what they said then are still important now.  To repeat an adage from theatre, "Same story, different players."  How often do we see the same failures of the Bible repeated today?  How often do we also see the same blessings realized today?  More importantly, how often do we see the enduring and unchanging nature of God and His promises today as they were faithfully recorded then?  On this 400th anniversary year of our English Bible translation (King James), may we appreciate its value for us today and delight in the inspired word of God's continued relevance in our lives.

Our study verse concludes a dialogue between Christ and His disciples.  As the story unfolds, Christ warns them of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.  They assume He is chastising them for failing to pack some bread to eat on their journey.  He discerns their thoughts and reasoning with each other and quickly reminds them of two miraculous occasions in the recent past: feeding of the 5,000 and feeding of the 4,000.  His point drives home for them the idea that He is able to sufficiently provide for them and even abundantly more so.  They are then brought to the realization in our verse of what the Lord really meant by His warning.  His warning did not revolve around natural matters (literal bread), but rather revolved around spiritual warfare (ideas that attack the truth).

As a younger Bible student, I used to wonder how people in the Bible could think and act the way they do.  For example, I would wonder how the children of Israel remained so steadfastly stiffnecked in the face of all of God's rich care and providence to them.  Then, as an older Bible student, I realized that I was equally – if not more – guilty for failing to honour God and thank Him for His rich care and providence in my life.  Scripture affirms this should be our lesson. (I Corinthians 10:1-13) Equally often as a younger student of the Bible, I would wonder how the Pharisees and Sadducees could act so brazenly in the face of Christ and the power of His miracles.  Truly, some of them did so out of a hard and stony heart with a goat's nature that had not ability or desire to come to Christ. (John 10:25) However, some of God's children (among the Pharisees and Sadducees) did so for other reasons. (John 12:42-43)

Again, as an older student of the Bible, I realized that I was prone to act like a Pharisee or Sadducee in my daily walk and behavior.  Therefore, Christ's warning against their leaven/doctrine/way of thinking still applied today as a warning for me as much as it did for them in those days.  Truly, we do not have bands of men who are known by the moniker of "Pharisee" or "Sadducee."  Yet, their doctrine and thinking is still alive and well.  If we are to succeed in performing the avoidance of that way of thinking – per Christ's warning – it behooves us to know what it is and how we can end up there.  Therefore, let us try to briefly examine those points to see how we can succeed in being aware of the mindset and walking from and not to it.

A Sadducee denied many powerful spiritual things.  He denied the resurrection.  He denied the existence of angels and spirits. (Acts 23:8) A Pharisee denied that he was subject to the same kinds of problems that others had.  His life was a life of mastery (by his own doing), and others should aspire to be more like him rather than vice versa. (Luke 18:10-14) Their doctrine can be playfully seen in some cute twisting of their titles: the Sadducee denies the resurrection, which is why he is so "sad you see," and the Pharisee thinks he is better than everyone else, which is why he is so "fair I see."

People today have never seemingly been quicker to deny powerful miracles or extraordinary deliverances.  When amazing stories of providence come across the news waves, denial of God's gracious hand is quickly offered with preference to things like "luck" or "chance."  In a world of increasing cynicism, people deny any extraordinary benefit to attending church regularly, if at all.  Nothing truly special happens there anyway, or so they think.  The Bible is not an extraordinary book, and thoughts on the "after-life" – most do not talk about heaven and hell anymore but refer to life after death as either non-existent or something nebulous that no one can really tell or talk about – range from hugely cynical to mere hyperbole.

Also, due to the increased technology and other advances of medicine, etc. man today also believes himself to be part of the "smartest generation."  As an aside, one of my favorite tactics to destroy this house of cards is to ask, "Do you have any idea what men like Einstein, Newton, or others would have been capable of doing with supercomputers and the technology of today?"  It is a fallacy to believe that we are the smartest because of these things, for the great men of yesteryear (even in a natural way), might have doubled or tripled our output (and in my opinion likely would have) with the means that we have today.  Man today is not wiser and better than he ever has been, though he actively promotes the thought that he is.

The combination of the dismissal of supernatural blessings and self-perceived superiority of modern man declares for us that the doctrine of these two old sects is still alive and prospering today.  Therefore, we conclude that Christ's warning for His disciples then is still quite relevant for us today.  Knowing not only what these two ideologies believe and that they still play a dominant role in current, everyday thinking, how does a disciple of Christ succeed in warding off these detriments and avoiding these pitfalls?  Is it as easy as simply saying, "I refuse to believe what I hear in the world."?  Is it as plain as saying, "I will think of myself as poor, undeserving, and look forward to the resurrection."?

The answer is simply no it is not nearly that easy.  Too often times, these ideologies plague us before we realize that they are upon us.  If a Sadducee is sad due to a denial of supernatural power and blessings, we can very easily be a victim of that mindset when we are troubled and sad (despondent and without hope) in this old world.  Truly, the pains and sorrows of life do come.  Sorrow and travail of soul does manifest itself in our sin-laden walk.  However, being the victim of a pity party or actively living like one has no hope is exactly what falling prey to the doctrine (leaven) of the Sadducees brings about.  If a Pharisee is fair due to an undue amount of stock being placed in self, we can very easily be lifted up with pride or self-worth when we see things going well in our lives and seem to not be in need.  Periods of prosperity come from time to time.  Happy seasons do arrive sometimes like the seasons of the year.  However, we are victims of the doctrine of the Pharisees when we discount our need of God and do not thank Him for His rich mercy and grace upon us.

The disciples were victims to both doctrines in our lesson.  They forgot the rich power of God manifested in their recent travels from Christ feeding the multitude twice.  That great scene should have provided for them every reason to continually acknowledge the power of God and His supernatural ability to bring things to pass that we cannot comprehend.  They also worried about His perception of them from something they had not done (and perhaps wanted to conceal).  We will be lacking at times in our service to God.  We will fall short of His great mark that He set.  However, we should not spend our time around Him thinking, "What are we going to do?  How do we explain this one?"  Rather, we should come to Him often, freely confessing our failings, begging His forgiveness, and humbly asking Him what He would have us do.  When sorrow and/or comfortable pride reign in our daily lives, let us refocus our sight on His marvellous power and wonderful works.  May we take true comfort in the power of His might and seek to honour Him and His work by humbling ourselves under His mighty hand.  Truly, the rich Book still contains a gold mine of relevance for us, and may our lives heed it well.

In Hope,

Bro Philip

Morning Thoughts (Matthew 6:9)

Morning Thoughts,
Matthew 6:9, “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”This morning, society still enjoys and prefers image and attitude rather than substance and character. Have you ever heard someone say, “Well I may not like the way he is, but I sure like the way he does it?” Many years ago, my natural father was conversing with a woman while discussing her tax return. She complained about all the “extra” governmental taxes that were not there a few years before. Since the last year or so had seen a presidential transition, my father asked her if she voted for the new president. She responded that she had. He asked her why she voted for him only now to complain about his policies. Her response was classic, “Oh, but I just love the way that he smiles!” She was enamored over the new president’s image more than his character. Sadly, that attitude reflects not only in politics, but in most every venue of life sometimes – regrettably so – even into the endeavours of the church as well.

When considering a subject as important as prayer, it behooves us to consider not just the performance of it but the manner of the performance as well. In the political analogy above, we remarked that the manner of the man meant more to the woman than his character or substance. While our character and substance of prayer is pivotally important, God requires that our manner match our substance. Politicians are expected to be smooth, polite, cheerful, etc. while representing us. Police officers are expected to be firm, professional, and courteous while enforcing the law. God’s children are expected, by God, to have a certain manner while addressing Him and approaching Him in prayer. Whether considering our manner or our substance of prayer, they should reflect one another and complement each other fully.

Consider the words of Christ right before and right after our verse. In verses 5-8, Christ gives the manner or “image” of prayer. In verses 9-13, He gives the substance of prayer. Whether one considers the substance of prayer from the succeeding verses and reflects that onto the manner of prayer from the preceding verses or vice versa, both what we say and how we say it should go together. Let us, in our examination, consider the substance in light of the manner of prayer. The manner of the prayer from Christ’s words in verses 5-8 shows that we should have humility, discretion, and an understanding of who we are addressing. We should understand going into prayer that we are not “acquainting” God with anything, nor are we doing so publicly for publicity sake. Rather, our prayers are the honest, heart-felt yearnings of our inner man, and the reaching out to God in prayer that our hearts feel shows the submission and expectation that we have before an all-powerful and all-knowing Lord and Master.

Knowing then that our manner of prayer should reflect knowledge of who we are addressing, what is, logically, the first thing that prayer should entail? Verses 9-10 show in our address and opening remarks that we exalt and understand the power and authority of God. Have you ever heard someone pray and felt that they “demanded” of God rather than requested of God? Their prayer may not have had the words “you have to give me” but their spirit seemed to show that. Perhaps their spirit showed that by simply lacking the words that exalted the One they spoke to. In verses 9-10, we see God addressed in the highest of tones. His name is revered, and His power magnified.

Obviously, we are neither speaking these words to make them so, or saying them to “butter God up.” Rather, we say them showing our understanding of the reality of God’s greatness and fervent desire to exalt that in our lives. Some of the older brethren have encouraged the younger like me from time to time, “Son, when you pray, just tell God how you feel.” That is sound and sage advice, and one of the things that we should feel is heart-felt gladness that our God is He that doeth whatsoever He pleases with all power in heaven and in earth. (Psalm 115) I like to pray with the reiteration of those wonderful, powerful thoughts, for they encourage me yet again in the knowledge that this One can do what we ask and has promised to be merciful to us when we ask. (John 14:13) Do we repeat our address to God vainly repeating what we have said before out of show? No, for that is what the heathen do. Do we repeat our address out of sincere thanksgiving for having a God so powerful, wonderful, and merciful? Absolutely.

Verses 11-12 deal with an aspect of prayer that fully considering might honestly frighten someone. As with the aspect of prayer above that someone fails to understand who they are addressing by making demands of God, have you ever heard someone pray that seemed to think better of himself than others around him? The Pharisee in Luke 18 had that mindset against the publican, and probably treated the publican accordingly. Looking at the Pharisees in Christ’s day, their disdain for those “lower than they were” was manifestly seen. Look at the Saviour’s words. “Forgive us as we…” The previous verse shows us that we beseech Him for our natural needs – daily bread – and verse 12 for our conduct and behaviour (spiritual needs).

Since we have daily needs – such as daily bread – our prayers to God need to ascend daily. Since our conduct with others need correction on a regular basis, our petitions to our Master should go up repeatedly. (I Thessalonians 5:17) How have we been lately? Have we asked God for what we need? Have we treated others the way we would desire He treat us? Sadly, my record is filled with black marks and demerits. The Saviour commands us to pray asking God to treat us the way we treat others and consistently pray that our needs be met. Quite a far cry from making demands of the Almighty, but earnest seeking of these things brings the peaceable fruit of righteousness forth in our manner and way of life.

Verse 13 closes the prayer with a petition for our future and reinforced remarks about the power and might of God. Sometimes we pray for things about our future that we really should not. Sometimes those prayers ask Him for specific things in the future that perhaps we really do not need. Maybe the petition is for something that we are not yet ready for. There are any number of faulty prayers for our future. However, it is never faulty to pray that our future be led away from temptation. It is never faulty to exalt God’s power and will in the future with the sincere prayer that we be more attuned to it. Some of the hoary heads from my youth were fond of praying, “May we be more faithful to thee in the future than we have in the past. May our steps be brighter going forward than they have been behind us.”

What do we most desire going forward? Our prayers should reflect an honest longing to be better servants, more faithful stewards, and more upright children in our walk. What will our circumstances be? That is of far less importance than the understanding of Who it is that goes with us. So what if the circumstances are not pleasant or we have stormy seasons? He has the kingdom, the power, and the glory “for ever.” What more could we desire for the future than to serve Him better knowing that the Omnipotent One goes with us always? What better thought for tomorrow can there be than He is there, whether in life or in death? What more could we want for our friends, family, and acquaintances than the knowledge that the One with us also goes with them?

Looking at the substance of the model prayer that Christ gives, how does it reflect the manner in which we pray? By exalting the power, might, and will of God in the address, it reflects the manner of humility that we should exhibit as inferiors addressing our superior. By petitioning Him for our daily needs and behavioral correction, it reflects our dependence upon His power and mercy. By beseeching Him properly for the future, it reflects our understanding of His unchangeableness, granting peace going forward. This manner stands in stark contrast to those that would demand from God or scoff at others around them. This manner stands polar opposite to prayers made out of show or convenience. Does this prayer reflect what we truly feel? It should, for our very Lord Himself used this model to show how our feelings should be when approaching the glorious throne of grace. May our manner and substance of prayer reflect one another, and may our outward steps of service from prayer show that with our every action and course.

In Hope,

Bro Philip