11/4/07 Bring Your Motivations Into LineSeeking Your Father’s Approval1. MotivateDisplay Franklin Roosevelt’s report card from Groton (last page of this document). What kinds of things does a report card represent?- academic performance- teacher feedback- approval to advance to another grade (or on to college)- a report of attendance- what courses you took during that grading periodWhy do students seek approval on a grade card?- gain parents’ approval- personal satisfaction, pride- demonstrate accomplishments2. TransitionOne way that students seek approval via grades. We all seek approval in one way or another. Jesus taught that it is important that to seek approval from Him!Today  We study what Jesus said about our motivation and what kind of approval we pursue in our religious practices3. Bible Study3.1 GivingWhat motivates you to do things like a) getting up in the morningb) going to workc) going to churchListen for how Jesus describes motivations for why people do things.Matthew 6:1-4 (NIV) "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. [2] "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. [3] But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, [4] so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. According to Jesus, how did some people let others know of their good deeds?- out in the open, before others- announcing it with trumpets- not in secret1- you know you are supposed to- you’re in trouble if you don’t- it’s the right thing to do, even if you don’t feel like doing it11/4/07 Bring Your Motivations Into LineSeeking Your Father’s ApprovalWhat are some bad motives for practicing acts of righteousness in front of people?- just to be seen- to be honored by men- gain attention as a good person- impress othersWhat might be some good motives for doing acts of righteousness in front of people?- to be an example for your children  teaching them to give, to tithe demonstrating how to be involved in God’s work- it’s the nature of the activity  leading in worship preaching, teaching witnessingWhat would be some ways in which you could use your time and resources to help otherswith few if any people knowing?- involvement in volunteer work  church office delivering for a “Meals on Wheels” ministry a hospital- prayer ministry (personal or if your church has an Intercessory Prayer Room)- visitation to rest homes on your ownAccording to this passage, what kind of reward will people get for publicizing their good deeds so openly?- no reward from the Father in heaven- if you seek the honor of men, that’s exactly what you get, that’s all you getWhat is the reward to each of the people below when we give with pure motives?To the recipient To the giver To God- they are ministered to- their needs are met- they see a demonstration of God’s love- God gives eternal rewards- joy of seeing God multiplying your giving- pleasure at seeing His people acting to please Him- joy of seeing His blessings channeled through us Be aware of how your giving through your church supports different ministries- local outreach- foreign missionaries- seminaries, Bible colleges (both in America and overseas)- disaster relief ministries3.2 PrayingListen for how Jesus’ teachings on prayer differ from practices of the pagans.211/4/07 Bring Your Motivations Into LineSeeking Your Father’s ApprovalMatthew 6:5-15 (NIV) "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. [6] 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. [7] And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. [8] Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. [9] "This, then, is how you should pray: " 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, [10] yourkingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. [11] Give us today our daily bread. [12] Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. [13] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.' [14] For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. [15] But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. According to this passage, how do the hypocrites pray?- standing in the synagogues- standing on the street corners- to be seen by menHow does Jesus suggest that we pray?- in your room, your closet- behind closed doors- in secretHow do the pagans pray?- babbling  repeating words multiple times  continuously in foolish, excited, incomprehensible way- many words needed to impress or get their deity’s attention Repetition or perseverance in prayer is not wrong … meaningless chatter is wrong.How can we keep prayer from being “babble.”- talk to God in the same manner you talk to someone you respect- use full sentences- keep a list which helps you remember issues you want talk to God about, people you want to support in prayer- describe to God your concerns- tell God you trust Him, you believe in His power, His authority, His love- thank Him for His faithfulness, His attention to your burdenJesus says “your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” Why then should we pray?- it is conversation with God … it is more than telling Him what we need- it is declaration of our trust in His power to meet our needs, meet the needs of others around us- it is a two-way communication … with God talking to us also … impressing on our hearts and minds His workings, His intentions, His will- the essence of genuine prayer is to seek God, not impress others with personal piety3Consider how some of our public prayers tend to have these characteristics- repeated use of “Lord” or “God” or “Father”- always include much religious jargon whichwe feel must be there if it is to be a prayer11/4/07