Elder Nominations: Nomination team: Jane (chair) Joy Graham Marilyn Hayden ANNOUNCEMENT

June ALLAWAH COMMUNITY CHURCH

Sermon on the Mount Mark 6:1-4 Giving to needy Mark 6:5-15 Lord’s Prayer Mark 6:16-18 Fasting

CATCH UP Matthew is the author of the book. He is a disciple of Jesus. He is writing the book of Matthew to a group of Jews to help them understand that Jesus is the Messiah. He starts the book Matt 1-4 proving that Jesus is the promised Messiah. Genealogy John the Baptist declaration Temptation of Jesus

Sermon on the Mount

Blessed are the Humble Blessed are those who are merciful Blessed are those who hearts are pure Salt & Light Law vs Righteousness AngerAdulteryDivorceVowsRevenge

Matthew 6:1-4 “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

Matthew 6:1-4 “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. Expectation We will give to help those in needThis is not part of our tithe / giving It is about helping others and honouring God not ourselves As we are able – Share what we can Help can come in many formsMoney, Time, Friendship etc God will reward those who help others

Why does God want us to be givers? God wants mini me’s, people who mirror his attitudes and behaviours. God is a giver to the needy. It is focused on others – the greatest destroyer of the Christ follower is self focused behaviour. (pride / selfishness) It brings reality to our lives. (Maybe things aren’t as bad as I thought.)

Romans 12:6-8 (NLT) 6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. For some giving is easy or easier, but as part of the family we are all expected to be givers, helping those in need.

How do I get better at helping those in need? 2 Peter 1:5-8 (NLT) 5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self- control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. 8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. FaithDo goodDo good that helpsBe Self controlKeep tryingMirror GodReal careLove for others Values define choices Force action Persist at action Action becomes habit Values changed

Matthew 6:1-4 “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. CHALLENGE: Ask God this week in your prayer time to open your eyes to the opportunities to help others and thus wear the Jesus Jersey. TEAM JESUS

Matthew 6:16-18 (NLT) 16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and dishevelled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. 17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

The Pharisees fasted every Monday & Thursday Funny enough on the days when the Synagogue met To help people notice them they Did not wash Did not anoint themselves Went barefoot Sprinkled ashes on their heads

Matthew 6:16-18 (NLT) 16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and dishevelled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. 17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. Expectation We will fast It is something that God rewards It should not be used as a tool to show others how godly you are.

What do we know about Fasting? Old testament requires the Jews to fast on the Day of Atonement Old testament requires the Jews to fast on the Day of Atonement For all other festivals the Jews celebrate and feast. For all other festivals the Jews celebrate and feast. Jews added other fasts to their calendar (destruction of Jerusalem) Jews added other fasts to their calendar (destruction of Jerusalem) Fasting was tied to Fasting was tied to Sorrow Sorrow Repentance Repentance Sincerity Sincerity New testament New testament Church prayed and fasted about choosing Elders Church prayed and fasted about choosing Elders Church prayed and fasted before sending missionaries out. Church prayed and fasted before sending missionaries out.

Fasting is not just about going without food, that’s a diet Fasting does not guarantee the outcome you want. What Fasting isn’t? Something to consider? Adam and Eve were asked to fast from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. It was about self control, denying self. Isaiah 58 tends to indicate Fasting helps us align ourselves with God’s agenda. It focus’s our life on his priorities. It helps us see the needs of others. Fasting means spending time with God in prayer, reading his word, listening to him. (ties alms, prayer and fasting together – lent)

Challenge No 2 for this week If we want to be effective members of the Jesus team we need to be Looking for opportunities to help others We become God’s hands to others We carry on the work of Jesus in our local community God’s Word tells us that Prayer and Fasting help open our eyes to what God is doing so we can be part of this. Are we willing to take time out of our busy schedules to seek God’s desires, his plans for us as part of his team?

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 (NLT) 11 So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. 12 Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honoured because of the way you live, and you will be honoured along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.