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 Jesus teaches of lasting rewards… (Sermon on the Mount cont’d)  
Matthew 6:16-21 – Jesus teaches of lasting rewards… Session #1    (Pg.1)
— God’s rewards are given in response to faithfulness and righteousness.

Proverbs 11:18 (NIV) A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.

Q1. What do the words FAITHFULNESS, and RIGHTEOUSNESS mean to you? (Can you think of any real-life examples?)

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Q2. What do you think about “deceptive wages” versus ‘true wages’ as God sees them.

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In this study, we proceed with the understanding from Proverbs 11:18 that the opposite of the “deceptive wages” of the flesh, are God’s “sure rewards”.

— In Matthew 6:16-21 Jesus continues His sermon by teaching something we all need to understand about the rewards for right (righteous) behaviour. – (Using the ESV Bible below.) 

Reading #1/ (Vs.16-18) “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. (17) But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, (18) that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

— About Fasting… Not an often practised discipline, but a useful aid in seeking God’s answers to life’s dilemmas.

Q3. Why do people fast? (What generally motivates a person to fast?)

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Q4. How do you think fasting helps us reach out to God?

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Q5. Jesus tells us that hypocritical, elaborate, self-centered displays do not gain God’s rewards… So what is God desiring from us?
God desires:    ☐ Our praise.     ☐ Our money.     ☐ An intimate relationship with us.

Q6. Which of these is important in any caring relationship?
☐ Communication     ☐ Honesty     ☐ Money     ☐ Intimacy     ☐ Gold and jewelry

An interesting side-note from this scripture is that the English word ‘reward’ used here comes from the Greek word misthos (mis-thos’) meaning; pay for service either good or bad.   

Q7. Do you think that fleshly rewards bring lasting good to those who are so rewarded?

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(Cont’d over on next page)

Jesus teaches of lasting rewards… Session #1    (Pg.2)
Record your comments and your choices.

Reading #2/ (Vs.19-21) “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, (20) but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. (21) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  

— An important understanding in this scripture is that the English word ‘heart’ comes from the Greek word kardia (kar-dee’-ah) that is, (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind).

Q8. What treasures do you think we will find in Heaven?

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Q9. What tends to happen with us humans when we spend our time laying up for ourselves treasures on this earth?

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Q10. Can you imagine a place where there is NO SIN (no thieves) and where things do not corrode or wear out? (Think of the shoes of the people of Israel for 40 years in the desert.)

SEE Deuteronomy 29:5 I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have not worn off your feet. 

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This shows us that God is not restricted by our earthly limitations. That is a crucial understanding if we want to comprehend God and the REWARDS, He has prepared for those who accept His saving grace, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

I encourage you to enter our time of prayer with that glad thought of the home God has prepared for you. Where He has a place prepared with His rewards for those who “fight the good fight” to put off the flesh and follow after the example of Jesus, not sorrowfully, but joyously.

God will bless you as you do. …(KRK)