(a) What does Jesus teach in the sermon on the mount about? (i) Almsgiving (ii) Prayer (iii) Fasting.
(b) How has the Christian Church in Nigeria adhered to these teachings?
(a) In His sermon on the mount, Jesus warned and charged religious leaders not to seek praises from men. This is what the Jewish religious leaders did in order that they might be praised publicly. Jesus drew some biblical teachings from the following:
(i) ALMSGIVING: According to Jesus, when we give alms, it should not be made known to the public in order not to attract the praises of men. When you give gifts in secret, God who sees in secret will reward and bless you accordingly. It is then that you can be adequately rewarded by God who sees in secret.
(ii) PRAYER: When we pray, everything that could attract people or public attention should be avoided. We should direct our prayers with all respect to God our father. We should base our hope on the will of God to be done in the world; afterwards, we ask God for necessities of life and the power to overcome sin. An example of this kind of prayer was rendered in our Lord's prayer - "Our father "
(iii) FASTING: Jesus gave his disciples some instructions regarding fasting, to the effect that, when we fast, we should not disfigure our outlook to the public to show that we are fasting, nor should we allow ourselves to be praised by people for this purpose. Instead, we should anoint our heads and wash our faces so that our fasting may be known to God alone who will also answer our prayers.
(b) Today, many Christian churches in Nigeria follow these teachings with regard to almsgiving, prayers and fasting. Yet, there are certain groups, especially the modern day Pentecostal churches, who, when praying, will shout in public places so that they may be heard. They organise carnivals and revivals in street corners to attract others who do not belong to their groups to show that they know how to pray better.
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