PASTOR'S CORNER

Matt 6:1-18   Jesus said (paraphrasing of course) “Don’t play the hypocrite/actor, the mask wearing faker, who is outwardly beautiful but full of hypocrisy.”  So now! Jesus moves to the second spiritual discipline of prayer that we are to be extremely careful not to play like the hypocrite.   But first! How did Jesus Pray?   He Thanked The Father For His Pleasure In Hiding Truth From Some And Revealing It To Others. “At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children ; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.” Matt 11:25-26   Jesus Publicly Thanked The Father That He Hears His Prayers So That Others Will Believe The Father Sent Him. “So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing

Matt 6:1-18   I came across a question in my study on this passage and the question is “Why do people not attend church?”   Some of the answers are…..   The church is boring. The service or the sermon is too long. They always want my money. I’m not a fan of organized religion. The church has become too political. The church is a joke because it’s full of hypocrites.   The question after this was “How should the church respond?  Guilty as charged, the church is full of sinners, and we know that many of the things she has done needs repentance, and complete renewal.   In this section of Jesus’ sermon, He address three important pillars of the first century Judaism   Giving Prayer Fasting   Understand! What Jesus talks about here does not minimize or abolish the importance of these three acts of worship.  What Jesus addresses is the false act of hypocrisy and claiming it as genuine-heart worship.  Because according to Jesus we are to be displayin