Three Secret Things (Matthew 6:1-8)

Why Secret? Religious people make a show of these things, like the Pharisees, - hypocrisy - a thing abhorrent in the sight of God. Jesus warned against doing these things for a show.

Why do we do these things? not to impress people, but because God asks us to do so. We please God, not men. 

1. Prayer a vital activity for growth and power in the faith. It is the time I talk to the Lord and He talks to me. It is the time I open my heart to Him, and He reveals His secrets to me. It is the time when I get alone with God, when the Holy Spirit deals with me and reveals things hidden in my heart. The Psalmist says, Psalm 139:23,  "Search me, O God..." We also have a model prayer, which Jesus taught, that we need to be aware of (Matthew 6:9-13.). 
2. Fasting. This on its own is of no value, unless you want to lose weight! It is always coupled with prayer. It is the time we seek God intensely for some desperate/specific need. We fast alone, or with other believers. How often? it is entirely up to one's individual judgement. It is not a sad affair, nor for a show, like the Pharisee in Luke 18:10-12. There is no commandment to fast; but notice that Jesus said "When you fast". Sometimes God calls His people to fast, as in an emergency - Joel 1:14.
3. Almsgiving. Again there is no commandment; but an obligation to look after the poor and destitute of God's people. Deuteronomy 24:19-22 shows the principle of almsgiving. God commands this, it should not be for show. The motive is love and care. God is no man's debtor. He owes us nothing. Even a glass of water given to someone in need will have its reward.

The Church

What is the Church?  An organization, a club, a building, a circus? None of these things.

Firstly-It is a Family, the family of God -Galatians 6:10.  It is a family made up of sons and daughters of God by Adoption -Galatians 4:4-5.

Secondly-It is a Body of people, the Body of Christ, He is the Head, a living head. The Church is a living organism with a living Head-Ephesians 1:22-25.

Why is it called the Church? From the word Ecclesia, made up of members who are called out of the world into Christ-Colossians 1:17-18.

Where is the Church to be found? It is a Universal Body made up of believers throughout the whole world - the Redeemed.

What is a local Church? A group of believers who meet in a particular locality and function according to the New Testament Canon-1Corinthians 1:1-2. It does not depend on numbers.

Should I join a Local Church? Yes. Believers should identify with such a Church where they are ministered to and they minister to other members-Acts 2:43-47.

What kind of Church should I join? No Church is perfect. The guidelines should be: correct teaching and practicing of the Word, James 1:22-24.

What are my responsibilities in such a Church? Commitment to the Word ministered and to the fellowship of the members-1 Corinthians 12:12-27.

The Word should live and work in the life of the individual believer and of the Body.