Sermon on the Mount Bible Study
Study the Bible with Me | Kim Howard
Jesus Teaches on Giving
Matthew 6:1-4 1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret Himself shall reward thee openly.
Personal Translation: Pay attention here, don’t do your charitable giving in front of people just to be seen by them, otherwise you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So, when you give to the poor, don’t announce it with trumpets like the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets so they will be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they is the only reward they will receive. But when you give to the poor, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret, and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you openly.
*NOTE: Definition of alms, “charity, donation to the poor, something (such as money or food) given freely to help the poor.”
Notice that Jesus says “when” you do your alms, not “if.” So, He is expecting that a person wanting to please God will be helping the poor. But it appears He is concerned on how we give. Jesus said “take heed,” meaning pay attention, your giving to the poor should be because you want to help them, not draw attention to yourself. The expression to not let your left hand know what your right hand does is somewhat metaphorical and not to be taken literally. Jesus is trying to make a strong point, we should maintain an extremely low profile when giving gifts or performing acts of mercy. What Jesus is reacting against are those who make a public show of their giving, seeking to impress others with their ‘godliness’. When one gives by seeking praise from others, that will be their only reward, praise from men. Jesus said this kind of giving is not rewarded by God.
Jesus is simply telling us to care for the poor and needy without thought for counting the costs or a pat on the back. And then our reward will come from our Father above.
Pay attention - not seek attention!
Jesus Teaches on Prayer
Matthew 6:5-8 5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men, Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before you ask him.
Personal Translation: When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites. They love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so people will see them. Truly I tell you, that is their reward.
But when you pray, go into your closet (the mind), shut the door (your eyes), and pray to your Father who is in secret (in private). And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you openly.
And when you pray, don’t use conceited words and repeated phrases like the heathen do, because they think they will be herd for their many beautiful prayers. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
*NOTE: Jesus is teaching on personal prayer, our private conversation with God. This does not pertain to praying for or with others, or the church uniting in prayer to God.
What Jesus is teaching against are those who make a public show of their prayers, seeking to impress others with their ‘much speaking’. When one prays aloud seeking praise from others, that will be their only reward, praise from men. Jesus said this kind of praying is hypocritical. The Lord says our Father knows the things we need before we ask Him.
We are to enter into our closet “mind” and shut the door “eyes” and pray to our Father in secret “in private.” Closing our eyes turns our thoughts inward and is a way to block out distractions and focus on our prayers with our heavenly Father. We then can talk to the Lord with all our heart, mind, and soul. When we pray in private for the things we need God will reward us openly.
Quote: “Where the eyes go the body will follow” - Author Unknown
Jesus Gives Us a Model to Pray by
Matthew 6:9-13 9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed by thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen
Personal Translation: Pray in this manner: My Father which is in heaven, I honor your Holy Name. I pray Your kingdom come, and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give me this day my daily bread. And forgive me of my debts, as I also forgive those who owe me. And do not lead me into temptation, but deliver me from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Our Father which art in heaven means we're praying to our Father who is in heaven. We start the prayer out this way so we know that we're praying to God our Father and we're not alone. God likes it when we call him Father and he wants us to talk to him like we talk to our own earthly father. God is our loving Father and we are his special children.
Hallowed be thy name is next and it means holy is your name. Even though God wants us to call him our Father, He is still God. It's sometimes really hard to understand who God is and what He's like. It is important to remember that when we pray to Him we need to be respectful. It is written “Be ye holy, for I AM holy (Leviticus 19:2; 1 Peter 1:16).
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. One component of Jesus training in prayer involves understanding that God’s kingdom has not yet been wholly fulfilled on this earth. It’s not just an expected yearning for the coming of our Lord, even though this longing is contained in the plea. But thy kingdom come also expresses the prayerful desire to see God’s kingdom broaden and become increasingly established throughout the world in the here and now - God’s will be done in earth as it is in heaven. We pray thy kingdom come so that God’s sovereign rule will come now and in the future in its fullness and permanence.
Give us this day our daily bread means we are to bring our needs daily to God in prayer. Keep in mind that these are things that we can't live without - we need food, water and shelter.
Even though we pray for things we need, that doesn't mean we'll get them. There are still people with no food in many parts of the world but that doesn't mean we stop praying for these things. When we ask God for things that means we trust Him and we'll leave the decision to God.
There is both a physical and spiritual intent to praying for our daily bread. Jesus said, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever” (John 6:51). We cannot live without physical food for nourishment and we also cannot live spiritually if we do not have Jesus in our lives every day.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Debt means “that which is owed, an offence, or sin.” I certainly believe we are to forgive those that wrong us if we expect God to forgive us of our wrongs. But this prayer could also be calling us to forgive those that owe us money, or are in debt to us. It happens. Sometimes people can’t pay back what they owe due to unfortunate circumstances. It’s easier to forgive a debt when that happens, but what about someone that owes you and refuses to pay because they are unreliable or dishonest. That one is a bit harder to forgive. But, we owed a debt that was impossible to pay and God forgave us all. We should be reminded of the parable Jesus told in Matthew 18:23-35 when it comes to forgiving one that owe us a debt. We should keep in mind God forgave us a huge debt. If we forgive others, God will forgive us.
*Note: See end of prayer vs. 14 & 15. Jesus reminds us twice at the end of this prayer to forgive those that trespass.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. We know from James 1:13 that God does not tempt us to sin. The request for God not to lead us into temptation teaches us that avoiding temptation should be one of the primary concerns of one following Christ. And praying not to be led into temptation reflects one’s desire to avoid the dangers of sin altogether.
By asking God to deliver us from evil, we acknowledge that we are helpless by ourselves to fight off evil, only with God’s help are we able to take a stand against the powers of darkness.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. The last part of the prayer is the best part! For yours is the kingdom means that Heaven will last forever and will always be God's. God also has all the power and all the glory FOREVER! AMEN!
*NOTE: What position should you be in to pray? The Bible does not demand any certain way we should pray. The Bible speaks of people praying while sitting, standing, kneeling, bowing, lying upon their face, or with raised hands. Rather than focusing on what position we should be in to pray; the Bible focuses on the position of the heart. That means we should pray with all our mind, heart, and soul. Whether you are standing, kneeling, sitting, or lying down, the important thing is that your heart is bowed in submission to God. However, when we pray, it should always be done with a humble heart and with great respect!
Are we to pray out loud? The Bible does not command that prayer must be spoken out loud, nor does it forbid it. Scripture shows that both silent prayer and spoken prayer are acceptable, depending on the situation and the heart.
The Bible gives examples of silent prayer, such as Hannah, who prayed quietly in her heart and was still heard by God (1 Samuel 1:12–13). God responded to her prayer even though no words were spoken aloud, showing that He hears the heart, not just the voice.
It also gives examples of spoken prayer, especially in group settings or public worship. Jesus prayed out loud at times, such as when He gave thanks before feeding the crowds (John 11:41–42), and the early church often prayed aloud together (Acts 4:24).
What Scripture emphasizes most is how we pray, not how loudly. Jesus taught against praying out loud for attention (Matthew 6:5–6), stressing sincerity over performance. Prayer is meant to be genuine communication with God, whether whispered, spoken, or silent.
In short, the Bible teaches that God hears prayer from the heart, whether it is spoken aloud or prayed silently, and neither is more spiritual than the other.
Jesus Teaches on Fasting
Matthew 6:16-18 16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18 that thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Personal Translation: When you fast, don’t be like the hypocrites who make their faces look sad and disfigured so that people will notice they are fasting. Truly I say unto you, that is their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head with oil and wash your face, so that you won’t appear to others to be fasting, but only to your Father who is in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you openly.
Jesus is teaching his followers to give to the poor, pray to the Father, and fast, privately, just between them and the Father. The central message here is not about the proper procedures, but about our heart’s intentions. Jesus is highlighting the hypocritical way the Pharisees worshiped for the praise of men. Jesus instructs us not to be like them. He teaches God does not reward a heart that seeks to please men.
What is fasting? Basically, abstaining from food, and sometimes drink, to serve a spiritual purpose. It is an intentional self-affliction. It is not pleasant to fast. Hunger is the growing expression of something you actually need to function. And so, as an intentional self-affliction, fasting trains us to put the “flesh” under submission. And when we fast we are to anoint our heads, and wash our face, so as not to appear to be fasting. The Lord knows our heart and when He sees our heart’s desire is to please Him, He will reward us openly!
Isaiah 58:1-12, Is this not the fast I have chosen? These words were spoken by Isaiah the prophet hundreds of years ago, but they reveal the purposes that God will honor as we choose to fast and pray.
Treasures in Heaven
Matthew 6:19-21 19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Personal Translation: Don’t store up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moths and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy and where thieves cannot break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
One of the biggest challenges a Christian will face is money and possessions. God desires our devotion, and He knows you will battle the temptation of wealth. Money is not the root of evil, it’s the “love” of money that is the root of evil (1 Timothy 6:10). The love of money or an excessive focus on wealth can lead one to err in their faith, and have negative outcomes, such as greed, selfishness, and sinful behavior. We will either worship our wealth, or worship with our wealth. In this passage Jesus talks about “earthly treasures” and “treasures in heaven”.
What are treasures on earth? In general treasures on earth include money and possessions. It’s not that we should not have money or own earthly things, such as a house, car, or possessions. Again, Jesus goes straight to the heart of the matter. Where is your heart focused? Wealth can become a heart issue. These things should not consume us to the point they become our main focus in life. What possessions or wealth we gain in this life will pass away. When it comes to forever - things we gain here on earth - don’t really matter.
What are treasures in heaven? Treasures in heaven include living for God’s glory and for the good of others. Laying up treasure in heaven, is obtained by following Jesus’ teachings. Jesus taught in the scriptures before this one that we are rewarded when: we share the gospel (be a light), give to the poor, pray and fast in secret, forgive someone, love our enemies, turn the other cheek, and endure persecution. When we do these things for God’s glory and not our own - that is our reward, our treasure in heaven. This kind of wealth is what really matters, it will last forever!
Jesus taught “Blessed are the merciful - for they shall obtain mercy, blessed are the pure in heart - for they shall see God, blessed are the peacemakers - for they shall be called the children of God.”
Are your eyes full of light or darkness?
Matthew 6:22-23 22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
Personal Translation: The eye is the light of the body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body will be filled with light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. And if the light within you is actually darkness, how great that darkness is!
If the eye be single. The word “single” here is translated - whole, good, sound. If therefore your eye be whole, good, and sound, the whole body will be full of light. How do we keep good eyesight? It begins by keeping our eyes on Jesus. He is the light of the world. He was sent into the world to cast out darkness, and point people to God. Jesus said whoever follows him will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (John 8:12). As followers of Jesus, we too, become the light to the world, pointing others to God’s greatness (Matthew 5:14).
But if the eye be evil. The word “evil” here is translated - in a physical sense: diseased or blind, in an ethical sense: evil, wicked, or bad. If the eye is evil, it is diseased by wickedness, sin, and blind. The whole body is full of darkness, and how great is that darkness!
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people love darkness because their deeds are evil. Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and will not come into the Light for fear their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the Truth comes to the Light, showing that his deeds are of God (John 3:19-21). If we seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness, instead of darkness, there will be light for all we do (Matthew 6:33).
Serving two masters
Matthew 6:24 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Personal Translation: No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and wealth.
Mammon here is translated - treasures, riches, wealth. You cannot serve God and mammon. You cannot serve God and the world. Are you laying treasure up in heaven or on earth? You cannot serve two masters.
Master here is translated - one who is in control of a person. What master is controlling you? Is it the world, money, a job, alcohol, drugs, lust? Jesus’ call to follow Him is a call to abandon all other masters. You cannot serve two masters.
We cannot serve two masters because, as Jesus pointed out, we end up hating one and loving the other. If we attempt to serve two masters, we will have divided loyalties, in the end we will choose one or the other. The magnetic pull of wealth, worldly success, and worldly pleasure will draw us away from God.
It’s your choice. Which master will you choose? Only with the help of the Holy Ghost can we remain devoted to one Master, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Trust God instead of worrying
Matthew 6:25-26 25 Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; not yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Personal Translation: Therefore, I say unto you, do not worry about your life, about what you will eat or drink, or about your body and what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they do not plant or harvest or store food in barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you far more valuable than they are?
When Jesus says “take no thought,” the Greek word means: Don’t be troubled, anxious, or tormented with worry. Jesus does not want us to worry or be overly concerned about life here on earth. He stated that eternal life was more important than food and clothes. When we commit to pursue what is of ultimate value in our lives - the Father and His kingdom, the necessities of life will fall into place. Want proof? Look at the birds which regularly receive God’s care and we are worth a whole lot more to Him than they are!
Matthew 6:27-30 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 and yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Personal Translation: Which one of you, by worrying, can add even a single minute to their life? And why worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field and how they grow, they do not work or make their own clothing: and yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of them. So therefore, if God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the oven tomorrow, won’t He much more clothe you? O you of little faith.
Jesus teaches about worry by pointing to God’s care for creation and contrasting it with human anxiety. He begins by asking who can add even a single hour to their life by worrying, showing that anxiety is ultimately powerless. To worry about how long you will live and how to add years to your life is to distrust God. A person ready to meet God will not worry about death.
Then He directs attention to the lilies of the field, which neither work nor plan, yet are clothed with beauty greater than Solomon’s splendor. If God so carefully provides for temporary flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, Jesus asks, how much more will He care for His people. His words gently confront worry as a lack of trust in God’s provision and invite His listeners to rest in the assurance that their heavenly Father knows their needs and faithfully provides.
Where is your faith? In your ability? In the world? In wealth?
Worry is an undisciplined heart seeking after the wrong things.
Matthew 6:31-33 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? Or, What shall we drink? Or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Personal Translation: So therefore, don’t worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ (For these are the things unbelievers seek after) But your heavenly Father knows that you need all of these things. Instead, seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Jesus is still teaching about all the things we should not worry about. When we become overly concerned for food, clothes, and drink, then life becomes all about serving our physical body, and meeting our earthly needs. That is what most advertising is about, “eat this, drink this, wear this.” It’s all about making the body attractive, comfortable, and entertained. Jesus stated these were all things the Gentiles (pagans) worried and sought after. Their desires and concerns were temporal ones - not eternal ones, and they lived in a constant race to fulfill those desires.
However, followers of Jesus are citizens, not of this earth, but of heaven. Therefore, we must be primarily concerned about the affairs of heaven, even as we abide on the earth. Jesus emphasizes this when he states “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” To overcome worry, we must focus on eternal matters - like becoming holy, seeing others saved, growing in Christ, and building God’s kingdom. To focus on earthly matters like riches and basic needs will always breed worry and anxiety. Focusing on eternal matters delivers us from those worries and brings God’s peace.
Matthew 6:34 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Personal Translation: So therefore, don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
As I ponder on these words of Jesus, I realize that worry and planning ahead are two different things. Planning ahead is not worrying. Basically, worry is not trusting God.
In Matthew 6:25–34, Jesus is not telling us to stop planning or providing for ourselves. Jesus is not saying, “don’t work, don’t save, don’t plan for the future, don’t be responsible.
The Bible actually praises wise planning:
- “The wise store up choice food and olive oil.” (Proverbs 21:20)
- “Go to the ant… who stores its provisions.” (Proverbs 6:6–8)
- “If anyone does not provide for his household… he has denied the faith.” (1 Timothy 5:8)
Working, planning ahead, and providing are godly and necessary. Scripture consistently praises wise preparation and responsible living. Instead, Jesus is addressing the anxiety that steals our peace.
Jesus is addressing fearful, anxious, restless worrying. The kind of worry that consumes your thoughts and distracts you from God and makes you act as if you have no Father in heaven.
Jesus is teaching that: Worry cannot change anything. God already knows what we need. We are far more valuable than birds and flowers, yet He faithfully cares for them. When we put God first, and trust in Him, everything else falls into place.
Faith is knowing God, faith is trusting God, faith is knowing God love us, faith is knowing He is going to take care of our needs, today and tomorrow, to think otherwise is evil.
Seeking first the kingdom of God means trusting Him above every worry - and believing He will provide everything we truly need.
Something to ponder on: The Lord might have said, “Take no thought for tomorrow. Make your plans. But don’t panic if I decide we will take a slightly different direction to get where you’re going. Trust Me.”
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