Need

Matthew 6:5-8
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

HYPOCRITES
Seen prominently
Doing nothing
Babbling
Often talking the loudest
But unheard by God
I wouldn’t like to get their Godly reward

Hypocrites – Greek – hupokrites. An actor under an assumed character (stage-player), i.e. (figuratively) a dissembler (hides ones beliefs)

Not a great character trait.

Heres a fact.
We will all see or have a need.
As a follower of Christ, if you see a need then you will probably have a need.

So.
If we see a need, what are your choices?

Well to find that out, we need to look at what the opposite of hypocrisy is first
You’ll find its words like
did
honest
ingenuous
sincere
true

I especially love the word did
It means action
It means getting the job done

As a pastor, I am so spoilt by having so many great people around me that also like to get things done.
Our 7 years as a C3 church is full of DID moments

Back to the question……

What are our choices when we see a need?
There are really only two options that I can see.
We can sit back and say “someone should do that”
Or we can get on with getting it done.

Everyone has a part to play.
Everyone has a time when they’re needed

When we read Matthew 14 and John 6 in the Bible, Jesus disciples once had 5000 men (that’s not women and children) hanging with them.
There was a need to get them fed.
12 disciples feeding probably 10000+
Not going to happen.
Best idea is to send them away to eat and come back later.
Nope
Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

How’d they feed them?

The answer was right in front of them.
In his case they had two things
A small boy with a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish
(We’re often surprised where great miracles come from)
And they had Jesus

Jesus gave thanks for what he had and God did the rest

When we ask, what can I do or what can I give,
Jesus often replies “what’s in your hand? Use that”

How do we fill a need?
Remember Matthew said that your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
He’s sorted it already

Use what’s in front of you
Then “give it to Jesus”
Don’t forget to give thanks with an honest, sincere, true heart.
Don’t fake it like the hypocrites

Act but don’t be an actor

Do then becomes did

Good on you.