June 22, 2020
We are going to spend the next two weeks together as a church reading Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount! The Sermon on the Mount is the first of Jesus’ major teachings recorded in the gospel of Matthew. In it, Jesus explains the ethics and values of the kingdom of Heaven as opposed to the ethics and values of the world. The values and principles that are to govern our lives as followers of Jesus and citizens of the kingdom of Heaven are wildly different from those that govern the various cultures of our world, including the culture in which we live.
Over the next two weeks, allow the words of the Lord Jesus to challenge the way you think, expose the worldly and idolatrous values and desires of your heart, and transform you to live in the new way that He has laid before us!
In this passage Jesus continues to give instructions to His followers which expose their hearts. There is a lot there in this passage that we could hone in on, but the overall thrust of the passage is this pattern we see where Jesus warns his followers against “practicing your righteousness before people in order to be seen by them” (v.1). Doing so forfeits the reward that the Father extends towards the righteous!
There are three areas of life that Jesus addresses here: giving to the needy, prayer, and fasting. In each of these areas, Jesus instructs His followers that they “must not be like the hypocrites” (v.5). The religious leaders of the day practiced these righteous acts in very public ways in order to draw attention to themselves, to make themselves look very pious and religious. Jesus assures His audience here that the attention they get from doing these acts is the only reward they will receive!
Instead, Jesus says, these acts should be done in ways that are inconspicuous. The issue here is that, while it is very easy to get caught up in an act that is outwardly righteous, God sees through our religious façade to the heart and motivation behind our actions. It is very possible for us to come to church on Sunday, raise our hands in worship, amen the preacher, and look like the “put together”, outwardly religious person, but God knows what is really happening in our hearts; there is no hiding from him.
What we do in secret, when nobody else is watching, is what truly reveals who we are and what is in our hearts. When we choose to do acts of righteousness in ways that are not attention seeking, where only God will ever know we did them, it shows that our hearts are motivated, not by seeking glory from people, but by the glory of God!
Matthew 6:1-18
Giving to the Needy
6 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
The Lord’s Prayer
5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Fasting
16 “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.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Family Discussion Question:
- Jesus told us in chapter five to “let you light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). How can Jesus then turn around and tell us to perform our righteous deeds in secret? What does He mean by this?
Father, how can I let my light shine while in the closet, today while social distancing? So many hear my voice, but do not see me in the closet, or in the garage? May all that I do, may all my thoughts, my actions, my whispers, may my all be pleasing to you this day. Father, thank you for saving my soul. Thank you for loving me, a wretched sinner. Jesus, thank you for dying for me that I might have eternal life. Now, let’s be going together to spread the good news. May one more be added to the Lamb’s Book of Life today. Praying this in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Amen and amen.
Dear Heavenly Father,
As one of your children, I want to express my love to You in all ways that are pleasing in your sight . We are told to let our light shine and be a beacon for others to direct them to Your saving grace. But in so doing we should do it in a way with humility, not proud and puffed up. Help us to always examine our hearts and know the true intent is only to serve and glorify You. If we keep our focus on You, we will not be tempted to claim any credit for ourselves. For only by Your love and grace , go I. Thank you for giving me another day to show my love for You. In Jesus name’ , Amen.
Gracias mi padre por tu enseñanza, por tu amor por tu misericordia por tus palabras que nos hablas con tanto amor y que busquemos de ti en la intimidad con un corazón humilde y quebrantado, tú nos escuchas nos bendice y no te apartas de nosotros porque nos amaste desde el principio, y eres nuestro padre celestial por amor a ti te buscamos en cada momento para siempre tener tu guía y aprender cada día más con acción para ayudar al más necesitado para tu gloria no para nuestra recompensa, ayúdanos hacer hacedores de tú palabra con nuestras acciones justas en tú palabra en nombre y por amor de tu hijo amado amén ?
Thank you for loving me, a sinner……help me to show love to others today who truly need to see You. Help me to love and help others without expecting anything in return.
Father I know that your light should shine outward from me so that others will see and want you; while the things I do for others should be in secret. Help me to do as you instructed.
AMEN and HALLELUJAh!!!
Thank you for teaching me to help those in need. I always pray in my room. I give thanks for everything you have given me. I ask of you to guide me in your ways of my life. Shine your light on me always and forever. I praise this in my your name Jesus Christ Amen
Lord, help me have a heart that pleases You in all I say and do.
Lord let our light, the light of Jesus Christ shine, shine in all the dark places You take us this day. “ Spirit lead us where our trust is without borders
Let us walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call us
Take us deeper than our feet could ever wander
And our faith will be made stronger
In the presence of our Savior” (Hillsong), in Jesus Holy Name, Thank You Lord, Amen❤️
Thank you father whenever I have given or done for someone it was never for the Glory of me but because I obeyed you and The Glory was given to you.
The chapter instructs us to pray in the privacy and quietness of our room so that others may not see or hear us. I accept that. I remember the sights and sounds at the Wailing Wall. Jews shout their prayers as they continuously bob their heads as an indication of bowing before God. He knows their hearts but they are exactly the type of people Jesus addresses.
Lord keep me on the path of righteousness, seeking you. Thank you lord for another day to praise your name.
Amen Tanya! God bless you!
Thank you Lord for another day & thank you for the rain. Help me to live as you want me to. Protect me , my children & grandchildren & keep us healthy. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Help me know when I need to do things for you Lord, that bless others in part, by inspiring them and allowing them to see you in me. However, also help me discern when I should do things for no other reason, than it’s you living through me, pleasing you and reflecting your glory.