Thursday, April 24 – Matthew 6, 7

1. What was Jesus’ advice about helping the needy? (Matthew 6:1–4)

2. How did the Master condemn the hypocrisy of some in prayer?

3. What did He teach about the true essence of prayer? (Matthew 6:5–13)

4. How did Jesus show how much our heavenly Father cares about us? (Matthew 6:25–34)

5. How did Jesus condemn the hypocrisy of judging others without acknowledging one’s faults? (Matthew 7:1–6)

6. Read the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount and compare the attitude of the two builders to those who hear and do or do not do God’s will. What is the foundation of true spiritual building? (Matthew 7:24–29)

As we come to the end of the Sermon on the Mount, we are left with nothing but admiration for the extraordinary masterpiece of teaching and preaching it represents. Wonderful! We could draw hundreds of sermons from these three chapters of Matthew alone. Am I exaggerating? Today, we will take a bird’s-eye view of the final two chapters of Matthew, which recount such a brilliant sermon.

The servant of God writes: “All who heard the Saviour “were astonished at His doctrine: for His word was with power.” “He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” Luke 4:32; Matthew 7:29. The teaching of the scribes and elders was cold and formal, like a lesson learned by rote. To them the word of God possessed no vital power.

Their own ideas and traditions were substituted for its teaching. In the accustomed round of service they professed to explain the law, but no inspiration from God stirred their own hearts or the hearts of their hearers.” (The Desire of Ages 253)

There has never been, nor will there ever be, a teacher greater than our Lord Jesus Christ. All this world’s valuable teachings and philosophies have found their foundation in the wise words of the Master of Galilee.

Today, let us drink from the inexhaustible fountain of His wise instruction and be His disciples forever.

May God grant you a very blessed day.