Lesson 3 · June 9, 1900
Heart Work Not Formalism
(.)
- 1.What needed warning does the Lord give His servants? Of what will it deprive us if we do not heed it? . Side texts: ; .
- 2.What ostentation is condemned? When does such giving obtain its reward? . See note 1.
- 3.How should charitable deeds be done? Who rewards such almsgiving? .
- 4.What manner of praying is forbidden? Of what class of people are loud, ostentatious prayers characteristic? .
- 5.What should be the character of our communion with God? Of what are we assured as the result of such relation? . Side texts: .
- 6.What kind of prayers should be avoided? . See note 2. Side texts: ⟦9?⟧.
- 7.Of what may we be assured before we pray? .
- 8.What simple and instructive form of address does Jesus give in the model prayer which He teaches? . See note 3. Side texts: .
- 9.What petitions are presented concerning our relations with God? . See note 4. Side texts: .
- 10.What petition does He give for our needs? . See note 5. Side texts: ; .
- 11.What should we pray as regards our sins? .
- 12.What petition does the prayer contain for future safety? Who is willing and able to grant all these things? .
- 13.On what condition alone may we expect God's forgiveness? .
- 14.What alone will be a bar to His mercy? . Side texts: .
- 15.What mode of fasting is condemned? .
- 16.What kind of fasting is enjoined? . Side texts: .
Notes
1. "They have their reward" here and now. They are looking to men, and they get what men have to give.
2. "Vain repetitions," among which would be included the names or titles of Deity repeated over and over in an irreverent form. Some prayers from really earnest persons would seem blasphemous in cold print. The name of Deity is used as one would use the name of a common man in a narrative. Our Lord forbids this, and enjoins reverence.
3. Not the Lord's prayer, but a model prayer which Jesus taught His people for all ages. Note how much it includes: (1) The address; (2) our relationship to Him; (3) our needs; (4) our character and relation to our fellows; (5) our future safety, with the closing ascription, omitted from the Revised Version, but eminently scriptural. "Father" is the home name, an affectionate and an endearing relation; "our Father," implying brothers and sisters and uniting in one family all God's children. "Hallowed," holy should the name and character of God be regarded. This could not be done without becoming like Him.
4. "Thy kingdom come." Where?—Here, and, first of all, in our own hearts. No man ever truly prays the prayer if he does not submit to God's law and desire that God shall rule supreme in his life. It must be personal, "Thy will be done" in me in the earth.
5. "Our daily bread," spiritual as well as physical. Man thinks he must eat daily of physical food to maintain strength and vigor. Is not daily feeding upon the Word as necessary for moral strength and vigor? "Manna from heaven falls fresh every eve" for God's people now as well as anciently.
Bible texts in this lesson
Matthew 6:1-18 · Matthew 6:1 · Deuteronomy 24:13 · Daniel 4:27 · Daniel 4:2 · Daniel 4:3 · Daniel 4:4 · Daniel 4:5 · Daniel 4:6 · 2 Kings 4:33 · 2 Kings 4:7 · 1 Kings 18:26 · 1 Kings 18:2 · 1 Kings 18:8 · 1 Kings 18:9 · Luke 11:2 · Luke 11:10 · Mark 14:36 · Mark 14:11 · Job 23:12 · Proverbs 30:8 · Proverbs 30:12 · Proverbs 30:13 · Proverbs 30:14 · Proverbs 30:15 · Matthew 18:35 · Matthew 18:16 · Matthew 18:17 · Matthew 18:18 · Isaiah 58:3-11
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