Public Grace lived in a Private Way

Public Grace

We have been talking a lot about the heart and how an inner transformation creates an outer change.

Starting in chapter 6 we turn a corner and start talking about how this heart change translates to living life and faith.

Matthew 5:14–16 ESV

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

We are commanded to let our lights shine - the question we want to answer today is who is that light shining on?

Humility

- a modest or low view of one's own importance; humbleness.

A humble person is not one who thinks little of himself, hangs his head and says, "I'm nothing." Rather, he is one who depends wholly on the Lord for everything, in every circumstance.

David Wilkerson (Cross and the Switchblade)

Matthew 6:1 ESV

1 “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.

We are going to look at 3 disciplines that at the time of the Sermon were religious duties - that should be still practiced

More than the action - we want to see the motivation - whose praise are we seeking?

Let’s Pray

Giving

Matthew 6:2–4 ESV

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.

Not if you give, it’s when you give

Generosity is a key trait of our faith

God models it

John 3:16 ESV

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Not say to not give publicly.

Guard the motives

Remember Barnabas - Ananias and Sapphira

Any questions or commnets

Prayer

Matthew 6:5–8 ESV

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.

Without going into how to pray - 4 heart checks on our motivation behind prayer

Pray in secret before you pray in public

Matthew 6:6 ESV

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.

Public prayer is good if you have a habit of prayer

Pray sincerely

Matthew 6:7–8 ESV

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.

Pray from your heart - God is good God is great....

Pray in God’s will

Matthew 6:9–10 ESV

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.

Putting God’s concerns first - what would those be?

What is God’s will - to be known and made known

Daily conversation - ask, seek and knock as we will see in the coming weeks

Pray having a forgiving spirit towards others

Matthew 6:14 ESV

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,

Forgiveness frees us to experience God’s forgiveness

Any questions or comments

Fasting

Matthew 6:16–18 ESV

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.

Fasting is not just depriving ourselves, - it is focusing ourselves on God

Private thing between you and God or as a church family

It teaches us dependence

Any questions or comments

Public Grace

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Five: The King’s Principles: True Worship (Matthew 6)

The most important part of a Christian’s life is the part that only God sees.” When reputation becomes more important than character, we have become hypocrites

What is our light shining on?

Humility is not a character trait to develop, it's the natural by-product of being with Jesus.

Louie Giglio

Let’s Pray