12: Doing It Wrong? (Mt 6:1-8, 16-18)

I have caught myself singing during worship only to realize…I’m not really singing to the King. I am thinking about other stuff rather than focusing on God’s graciousness to me. I’m critiquing musicians or the musical style, while others might think I’m humbly calling out to God.

Have YOU ever done something like that?

Probably not….it’s probably just me.

But just in case you HAVE DONE IT WRONG, knowing that you can’t do anything to change past decisions, Jesus has something to say to our future decisions.

Today Jesus continues to deal with the ATTITUDE behind the ACTION…digging below WHAT we do to WHY we do it.

Specifically, Jesus talks about good deeds, prayer, and fasting. Let’s dig in and talk about

Good Works

Matthew 6:1 (NIV)

Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

Did you know your reward from God is forfeited when you do the right thing for the wrong reason, to be seen by people? There were many listening to Jesus that day that had done just that…there might even be some here today…you’ve likely seen them today…IN THE MIRROR.

Matthew 6:2 (NIV)

So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

Here Jesus gives an example of doing the right thing - when you give to the needy, for the wrong reasons, to be honored by others.

Then Jesus uses a humorous hyperbole (an exaggeration to make a point) to show what this is like.

Imagine a person blowing a trumpet in front of you, to announce something like this, “Hear ye, hear ye, the gracious & humble ________ (insert your name) approaches to bestow good gifts on the needy.”

Jesus calls these people hypocrites, that is - people who are pretending to be something or be someone they aren’t (this Greek term was used of actors who played multiple roles by putting on multiple masks).

Jesus says they have received their reward in full - that is - the applause of people - and that’s where it ends.

But the one who wants God to reward him/her won’t parade it on the streets or - in our day - post it on social media.

Instead, the followers of Jesus are to show humility, love, and sincerity.

Matthew 6:3–4 (NIV)

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Again, this left hand/right hand thing is a hyperbole, an exaggeration to make a point. What’s the point?

Kent Hughes says it well: ”The idea is, not only are we not to tell others of our giving—we are not to make a big deal of it to ourselves.” [1]

It’s then that your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

“Father”: This is an incredible term that we shouldn’t just pass by without pausing to consider. Jesus calls God our Father - our Creator, Provider, & Protector - the One who sees all we do and will reward us!

Keep in mind that during the same sermon Jesus had said these words:

Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

It’s not that people should never see our good works, or that everything we do for others must be done in the shadows.

It’s not whether what we do HAS BEEN SEEN by others, but whether what we do is done TO BE SEEN by others.

The goal of good works is to honor our Father.

So our good works done in public are to demonstrate humility, love, and sincerity.

But if we are doing it TO BE SEEN by others, then we’re doing it wrong.

BIG QUESTION: Do I seek the approval of God or the applause of people?

Then Jesus deals with another area that some folks in His day paraded their righteousness to others.

Prayer

Matthew 6:5 (NIV)

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.

Once again, we see the point of the hypocrite’s prayer: to be seen by others. Jesus again says that’s ALL the reward they will get - the applause of people, but not the approval of the Father.

You’ve probably never done anything like that. But I know someone who has.

College Group at my house (19 yrs. old) - One guy would pray for 10-15 minutes with them…and NONE by himself. I found out about it and confronted that guy - the guy I saw in the mirror everyday. I spent more time praying in public that in private and Jesus has a problem with that.

Here’s what Jesus says.

Matthew 6:6 (NIV)

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.

This is not the only place we can pray, nor is Jesus saying we can never pray in public. How do we know this? The early church, led by the apostles of Jesus prayed in public. The difference? Just as before, they were praying seeking the approval of God rather than the applause of people.

Jesus was not condemning public prayer, but prayer for the public.

When we pray we must remember who we are praying to. Then Jesus reminds His audience…and US, of this incredible truth:

Matthew 6:7–8 (NIV)

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans [Gr. Gentiles], 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.

In our culture, people are less likely to volunteer to pray in public. In fact, many people seem to be scared to pray in public often are afraid of not doing it right, concerned about others will think about them.

Still others just don’t know how to pray and somehow think we must pray a certain way, using sacred words and special phrases. We will deal more with a few Sundays from now (April 16) as we talk about what is most called “The Lord’s Prayer”.

But whether you are praying in public or in private, you need to know something - you don’t get God’s attention because of your many words said just the right way. God doesn’t hear you because of a formula you follow. God hears you because of the Father He is.

When my children could only say a few words, and came to ask me something, they had my attention. You know WHY? Because they are my children!!!

Your Father knows what you need, so just ask!

You might be quick to lead prayer in public, but do you spend time praying in private?

BIG QUESTION: Do I seek the approval of God or the applause of people?

____________________

Finally, Jesus talks about another practice if prayer among Jews of His day.

A practice very Americans have ever practiced - Fasting.

Fasting is sacrificing time to eat in order to pray; going without food in order to seek God’s Presence & God’s answers. In fact, while fasting is not commanded in the New Testament, it is certainly never discouraged. And it certainly seems that Jesus expected many of the disciples He was speaking to, to fast in the future.

Do you have something serious to pray about? Consider taking the time you would eat and spend it instead, spend it in prayer. And...

Matthew 6:16–18 (NIV)

When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

But when you fast, it should not be obvious to others.

Don’t go around talking about hungry you are because you missed a few meals.

Don’t make yourself look sick to get pity from others as you tell them about ‘the sacrifice’ you are making to fast. If that’s what you do, then that - other people applauding you - will be your reward.

But if you really want God to respond, then keep your fast a secret. “And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

God knows your needs. God knows your sincerity. God will reward you by answering your prayer. Maybe not the way you want.

God will also reward you on the day you go to Him or the day He comes to you. Suddenly ALL of our motives will be exposed…and we will see the King. The only question will be…will He say “Well done” OR “I never knew you.”?

Once again, we need to answer THIS question:

BIG QUESTION: Do I seek the approval of God or the applause of people?

Would your Father in heaven give approval of your good deeds, prayer, & fasting? Or would He simply say, “You got your reward...the applause of people.”?

If you seek the applause of people…then you’re doing it wrong.

So…what if you breathed your last at the end of today? Are you confident that you TRUST in Jesus - that He is KING over your life?…that God IS your Father

OR…does that question cause you pause? Are you still an enemy of God - wallowing in your sin and disobeying Him - putting your trust in your good works?

You can’t do anything about the past, but you CAN change directions in the future. Here’s a couple of ways we can make that happen this week…

FEET2FAITH

Turn from sin and to Jesus and be adopted by the Father.

Find a quiet place and talk to your Father. Thank Him & ask Him for what you need.

Ask for opportunities to serve others for the glory of the Father.

In this way, we follow the perfect example of our King - living NOT for the applause of people, but for the approval of our Father.

What could God do through a GROUP OF PEOPLE who were living AWARE that we already have HIS APPROVAL?

In fact, that’s EXACTLY what I hope you will do NEXT SUNDAY - as we go into our community to LOVE LOUD.

We are going to PRAY and ask God to use our good works to share about the goodness of God demonstrated through the life of King Jesus.

Here are the teams you can plug into (SIGN UP TODAY or ONLINE):

Yard Work

Prayer Team

Nursing Home

Food Prep & Delivery

Windshields

Flowers & Door Knocking (need more people here)

Childcare

Laundry Mat

PRAY.

We want to help you -

STAFF

DEACONS/WIVES or another brother/sister

_____________

R. Kent Hughes, The Sermon on the Mount: The Message of the Kingdom, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2001), 147.

--------------

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Take some time to discuss these questions with your family, friends, or group.

What challenged or encouraged you most from today’s teaching? (You might need to look back in your notes to help explain your answer.)

Related Media

Related Sermons