Secret Righteousness - Matthew 6:1-18

INTRO

This sermon is called Secret Righteousness

But we live in a day where things are rarely if ever secret.

We take pictures of our latte and our Kid’s cute smile.

One thing I see often on my feed is quiet time pics.

As I was thinking about this I couldn’t help but laugh because friends I am so guilty.

PICTURE

Jesus has an invitation for us.

It’s to join him in the secret and to behold him.

That when we practice our righteousness in secret it’s their we find the reward our souls long for.

We have been going through the sermon on the mount exploring Jesus’ most well known sermon.

Over the last two weeks we saw Jesus reframing the law to show the motive of our heart.

Too often both in Jesus day and ours we tend to think of the law in terms of how much can I get away with rather than what does it look like to live an abundant life.

Jesus is now going to shift our focus to what we understand to be the disciplines.

That is practices that we should walk in.

He is going to look at three and again examine our motives.

Giving, Praying, and fasting.

All of these lead to a different reward depending on your motive.

Here is our Big idea that we will come back to.

Big Idea: The Kingdom Life is anchored in treasuring Jesus as our ultimate reward.

These actions, from giving with genuine generosity to praying in solitude, and fasting as a personal discipline, testify to an internal reality.

They're not just disciplines; they're declarations of a heart in tune with the Kingdom.

When we walk out these disciplines we have to look at the motive of our hearts.

Jesus is not saying, 'Hey, don’t let anyone ever see your good deeds.'

That’s not it.

Verse one - What is the motive: Is it to walk in the way of Jesus or is it to be seen.

What Jesus is drilling into is the heart behind our actions.

He’s calling us out on our motives, telling us to get real about why we’re doing what we’re doing.

Are we seeking applause, or are we genuinely trying to serve? Jesus is saying, 'Look, do your good deeds without making a show of it.

Focus on the Lord, not on who’s watching.'

So let’s walk through these disciplines and see the invitation Jesus gives us.

1. Giving (v. 1-4)

Matthew 6:1–4 (ESV)

“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.

“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. 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. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Now it seems a little ridiculous to consider someone having a band to follow them around to start blaring horns when they give.

Jesus was probably describing the sound of the temple trumpets that called citizens to come and give.

What a great opportunity to show off!

The trumpets would blare, and people would be seen scurrying along the streets toward the temple with pious looks on their faces.

“Hey, folks, look at my zeal! Big giver on the way to the temple here!”

They thought they were really something, but Jesus called them “hypocrites.”

Their giving wasn’t about God’s glory or helping the needy; it was about snagging the spotlight.

Now do we struggle with this today?

Do we struggle to give without wanting to feel acknowledged?

I can tell you having been apart of several fundraisers for non-profits one of the things donors want to know is how will they be recognized?

Will their be a donor wall, do I get to name the building, or put a plaque on the wall?

Now maybe you’re thinking hey Billy I don’t have name a building after me money so can I tune out?

Do you think we struggle with generosity and having a heart that holds loosely to our things?

Absolutely.

There is a reason Jesus speaks about money so often in the New Testament because he knows how possessive we can become.

Jesus gives us some pretty direct application when it comes to our generosity.

Matthew 6:3–4 (ESV)

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. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

So, what’s the takeaway?

True discipleship is marked by a generosity that seeks no spotlight.

Jen Wilken asks some poignant questions in regards to our giving.

How important is it that you get a tax receipt?

is it bad to get one? No? We give them! But what is your motive

How important is it that you get a thank you?

How important to you is it to know how your gift was used or spent?

How much control do you want to have over that gift after it leaves your hand?

Jesus isn’t just advising discretion;

He’s advocating for a kind of giving so pure, so devoid of self-congratulation, that it’s as if your left hand lives in blissful ignorance of your right hand’s deeds.

Charles Spurgeon and his wife, would sell, but refused to give away, the eggs their chickens laid.

People were always so confused why they seemed so stingy with their eggs.

Even close relatives were told, “You may have them if you pay for them.”

As a result, some people labeled the Spurgeons greedy and grasping.

They accepted the criticisms without defending themselves, and only after Mrs. Spurgeon died was the full story revealed: All the profits from the sale of eggs went to support two elderly widows.

Because the Spurgeons were unwilling to let their left hand know what the right hand was doing (Matt. 6:3), they endured the attacks in silence.

Giving hypocritically results in pride.

Righteous giving humbles us.

It’s a masterclass in humility—don’t even give yourself a pat on the back in private.

This isn’t about tallying brownie points in a spiritual ledger; it’s about a heart change, a transformation that transcends the act itself.

True discipleship is marked by a generosity that seeks no spotlight, serves without a scoreboard, and loves without a ledger.

It challenges us, the body of Christ, to examine not just how we give, but why.

It calls for a generosity that’s not about the self but about the silent, sacred act of giving—just between you and God.

A man there was, and they called him mad; the more he gave, the more he had.” ~John Bunyan

So, as we navigate this path, let’s keep our eyes fixed not on the recognition we might miss

but on the rich, relational life we’re called to live out in secret symphony with our Creator.

Jesus goes from our giving to our praying

2. Praying (v.5-15)

Matthew 6:5–6 (ESV)

“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. 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.

Jesus knew the pharisaical heart of a show-off that liked to pray loudly in public, either on busy street corners or in synagogues, especially during times when everyone was expected to pray, like the afternoon temple sacrifice or public fast days.

Jesus had a different idea:

"When you pray, go somewhere private, close the door, and pray to your Father quietly. Your Father, who sees everything, will reward you." (v. 6)

Jesus champions a sincere, intimate prayer life over performative piety, emphasizing the value of privacy and authenticity in communion with God.

Jesus wasn’t saying praying in public is bad.

What He was really getting at is the why behind our public prayers.

Imagine the early followers of Jesus, who prayed together out in the open, just like we see in the book of Acts.

They weren’t showing off; they were genuinely connecting with God and each other.

Jesus is getting us to see something extremely important.

Prayer is communing with the father, it is a heart-to-heart with the almighty.

It's supposed to be personal, not a show for others to watch.

Think of it like this: When you’re talking to a close friend, you’re not trying to impress anyone else around you.

Do you find yourself praying more sincerely when no one else is around?

When you pray in front of others, is it just the overflow of what you’ve already been talking about with God in private? Or are you trying to come up with the perfect words to impress the crowd?

When we pray big eloquent prayers to woe others we get our reward, their praise.

Jesus takes our attention from the bad examples to how we should pray.

Matthew 6:7–13 (ESV)

“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. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

You ever been around someone who prays with a lot of words?

When we were kids we use to laugh because there was a guy in our church we joked prayed in King James.

Father God, we beesech thee unto us.

We don’t need a lot of words.

We don’t have to say some kind of special incantation or just the right wording to get God to hear us.

Our entry way to the ear of God is the blood of Jesus.

Jesus teaches us how to pray.

Again this is the point prayer is suppose to be a meaningful dialogue rather than a mindless repetition.

Martin Luther was once asked by his barber to provide some teaching and instruction on daily prayer.

He responded by writing a very helpful letter on the subject, pointing to the Lord’s prayer.

Here is what he said:

“You should also know that I do not want you to recite all words in your prayer. That would make it nothing but idle chatter and prattle, read word for word out of a book as were the rosaries by the laity and the prayers of the priests and monks. Rather do I want your heart to be stirred and guided concerning the thoughts which ought to be comprehended in the Lord’s Prayer. These thoughts may be expressed, if your heart is rightly warmed and inclined toward prayer, in many different ways and with more words or fewer.” _Martin Luther

Is it good to memorize and pray the Lord’s prayer, yes!

But what is even more fulfilling is to internalize it and then use it as a guide to approach the Lord with a heart that is rightly stirred and directed.

“Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

This isn't just about asking for things or following a ritual; it's about opening our hearts to God's will, acknowledging our dependence on Him, seeking His guidance, and striving for a world that reflects His love and righteousness.

Jesus wants us to get the real reward him.

Not the fleeting things we pray for or the attention we often seek from others.

But that we would draw near to him and dwell in him.

Jesus has one more practice for us to consider and it’s one we often overlook

Fasting.

3. Fasting (v.16-18)

Matthew 6:16–18 (ESV)

“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. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 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.

Fasting in Jesus’ day was an important and regular practice.

Jesus himself fasted at the beginning of his ministry.

Just like the other practices Jesus knew how quickly we can make fasting about us.

He once again zooms in on our motives.

Now I will be the first to admit that fasting is a bit confusing.

Youth group - 30 Hour Famine - Was it a fast? Was it a fundraiser?

Fasting is a deep and powerful spiritual discipline that often doesn't get the attention it deserves in today's Western churches.

It's more than just skipping meals—it's a way to pray with your entire being, dedicating every part of yourself to God in worship.

Leaders Collective - Bummed to fast

By fasting, we intentionally let go of our physical cravings to overcome the pull of our physical nature and open ourselves to the Spirit's changing power.

It leads us to find joy not based on our situations or instant satisfaction.

Fasting introduces us to a kind of voluntary discomfort that, surprisingly, expands our joy.

The first hurdles of fasting, like the irritability and hunger that come with missed meals, act as a reflection showing us where we need God's grace the most.

This place of openness paves the way for us to encounter God in new and unexpected ways, discovering the kind of spiritual food Jesus talked about—a kind of nourishment those who haven't fasted might not know.

Fasting isn't just about what we're giving up; it's a path to liberation and a closer relationship with God.

Fasting invites you and me to rediscover a neglected discipline that is as relevant and necessary today as ever.

Fasting is a heart hunger for God. (Piper)

There are two dangers that these fasting folks have fallen into.

One is that they are seeking the wrong reward in fasting, namely, the esteem of other people.

They love the praise of men.

And the other is that they hide this with a pretense of love for God.

Fasting means love for God—hunger for God.

So with their actions they are saying that they have a hunger for God.

But on the inside they are hungry to be admired and approved by other people.

That’s the god that satisfies them

If we want to fast it might sound a bit daunting, right?

When we think about skipping meals, it seems straightforward until we're actually staring down that missed lunch or dinner.

Suddenly, our stomachs become our loudest critics, making us question why we decided to fast in the first place.

Just some thoughts as we think about fasting

1. Ease Into It:

Don’t jump into the deep end with a week-long fast right off the bat. How about we start small?

Skipping one meal might be a good kickoff.

Once we've got that down, we can up the ante to fasting for a whole day.

The point isn’t to master our body, it’s that we would be mastered by God.

That we would hunger for him.

So start small.

2. Make a Game Plan:

Fasting isn't just about not eating; it's a chance to grow spiritually or focusing on God’s fullness.

So, let's think about what we can do with the time we usually spend eating.

Maybe we can dedicate some moments to prayer, reflection, or even doing something nice for someone else.

Setting a goal for our fast turns it from simply skipping meals to a meaningful experience.

3. Be Mindful of Others:

Love for God and for neighbor go together. Good fasting mingles horizontal concern with the vertical.

If anything, others should even feel more loved and cared for when we’re fasting.

Our fasting journey shouldn't leaves our friends and family puzzled or inconvenienced.

If we usually have meals with others, giving them a heads-up is both thoughtful and considerate.

It can be challenging to want to fast in secret but also not just disappear. Find balance

4. Explore Varied Forms of Fasting :

Fasting doesn't have to be a one-size-fits-all kind of deal.

There are so many ways to go about it.

Maybe we can get our family, friends, or small group involved for a shared purpose.

We find a variety of forms in the Bible: personal and communal, private and public, congregational and national, regular and occasional, absolute and partial.

5. Alternatives to food fasts:

Not everyone can or should fast from food, and that's totally okay.

There are other ways to embark in fasting that can be just as fulfilling.

Maybe taking a break from our screens or other daily pleasures can help us refocus and find that deeper connection or fulfillment we're seeking.

6. Focus Your Heart and Mind:

When our stomach starts growling, it's easy to fixate on the fact that we haven't eaten.

But instead of dwelling on the hunger, let's shift our focus to why we're fasting in the first place.

Whether it's for a cause close to our hearts, a personal challenge, or a spiritual renewal, remembering our purpose can turn those hunger pangs into powerful moments of clarity and commitment.

So, ready to give fasting a shot?

Remember, it's not just about what we're giving up, but what we're moving towards.

The true reward for fasting is drawing closer to God Himself.

Through fasting, our affection for God grows, and our attachment to worldly desires diminishes.

It's a way to prioritize the kingdom of God in our lives.

CONCLUSION

Through the teachings of Jesus on giving, praying, and fasting, we're invited to engage in acts of secret righteousness that resonate deeply with the call to genuine discipleship.

These practices are not mere religious obligations but are transformative actions that reflect the heart's alignment with God's desires.

They urge us to move beyond the superficial and embrace a life where our deepest intentions and most private moments are devoted to God, seeking not the approval of others but the rewarding presence of God Himself.

GOSPEL - WHY?

As we navigate these disciplines, we are reminded that the essence of our faith is not found in public accolades but in the quiet, sincere devotion of our hearts to God.

This journey challenges us to embody the kingdom life, where Jesus is our ultimate treasure, and our lives are a testament to the transformative power of living in secret symphony with our Creator.

1. How can I practice giving without seeking acknowledgment or praise from others?

2. In what ways can I make my prayer life a more honest reflection of my relationship with God, beyond just seeking answers to requests?

3. How can I incorporate fasting into my spiritual disciplines in a way that truly reflects a hunger for God rather than a desire for self-improvement?

4. What steps can I take to ensure my acts of righteousness are motivated by a genuine love for God and not by the desire to be seen by others?