Lesson 9Matthew 6:16-24

Matthew 6:22-23

" The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

Fasting" Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.Matthew 6:16-18

Fasting1. What is Fasting?

Basic definition – abstinence for spiritual purposes.2. Why can a person fast?

Fasting should include abstinence of any legitimate thing for a spiritual purpose

FastingDo not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self- control. 1 Corinthians 7:5

Fasting1. What is Fasting?

Basic definition – abstinence for spiritual purposes.2. Why can a person fast?

Fasting should include abstinence of any legitimate thing for a spiritual purpose

3. How is it to be done?Mt 6:16-18

Fasting" Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you DO NOT APPEAR TO MEN TO BE FASTING, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.Matthew 6:16-18

Fasting….that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. – Matthew 6:5b

God & Riches" Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.Matthew 6:19-20

God & RichesTreasures on Earth 1. Temporary – moth and rust destroy them (time)2. Thieves break in a steal themTreasures in Heaven1. Eternal – treasures in heaven are not affected by time 2. Thieves cannot take away treasures laid up in heaven.

God & RichesWhich do you serve1. Where are your treasures? 2. Where your heart is reveals whom you serve.

God & RichesFor where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.Matthew 6:21

God & RichesWhich do you serve1. Where are your treasures. 2. Where your heart reveals whom you serve 3. You cannot serve both God and earthly treasures

God & Riches" No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.Matthew 6:24

God & RichesAnd the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, " Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.“Mark 10:24-25

The Lamp of the Body" The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!Matthew 6:22-23

The Lamp of the BodyIf the eye is good.1. There are two kinds of light (v.23) light that is good and light

that is darkness.“…If therefore the light that is in you is darkness….”

The Lamp of the BodyIf the eye is bad.1. If your eye is bad, just like the good eye, it affects the whole body; the body will be full of darkness.2. “how great is that darkness” – darkness in anyone is a spiritual death sentence.

The Lamp of the BodyThe lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness. Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light.“ – Luke 11:34-36

The Lamp of the BodyIf the eye is bad.1. If your eye is bad, just like the good eye, it affects the whole body; the body will be full of darkness.2. “how great is that darkness” – darkness in anyone is a spiritual death sentence.Darkness is reference to sin or sinful lifestyle. Therefore, darkness in a person’s spiritual body is a serious issue.

What about You?

How do you measure up to Christ’s teachings?