Untitled Sermon

Heart Check: The Motive Behind Your Actions

Bible Passage: Matthew 6:1-8

Summary: In Matthew 6:1-8, Jesus teaches that the true motive behind our good deeds and prayers must be pure. He warns against performing acts of righteousness for the sake of public approval, emphasizing that God sees the heart.

Application: This passage encourages teens to evaluate why they do what they do. It urges them to seek an authentic relationship with God, rather than being swayed by the opinions of others. Understanding that God values sincerity over showmanship can help them navigate peer pressure and social media influences.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that God is concerned with the heart's motives. Authenticity in our faith and actions is more valuable than public recognition. True righteousness is done in secret, made for God’s glory rather than our own.

How this passage could point to Christ: This passage highlights Christ’s role as the ultimate source of righteousness. He embodies the perfect heart posture before God, showing that true goodness flows from a relationship with Him rather than from a desire for acclaim.

Big Idea: Motive matters in our walk with God; it's about being genuine in our faith rather than seeking validation externally.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider exploring the themes of hypocrisy versus sincerity in biblical texts. Look into commentaries on Matthew 6 in your Logos library to uncover cultural context surrounding public acts of righteousness and Jewish prayer practices. Understanding these elements could enhance your application and help connect the sermon to your audience effectively.

1. Pursue Pure Generosity

Matthew 6:1-4

You could emphasize how Jesus challenges His followers to practice their charity with honesty, away from the spotlight. The focus here is heart's sincerity over public recognition, aligning with Christ who values a relationship with God above human praise. Encourage teens to personally reflect on why they help others, aiming to do so for God's approval rather than the applause of peers. This approach can serve as a protective measure against the temptation of seeking social media affirmations, urging them to cultivate genuine generosity.

2. Pray in Private

Matthew 6:5-6

Perhaps highlight that prayer is meant to be an intimate conversation with God, not a public performance. Jesus models a prayer life that seeks a private audience with the Father, grounding it in authenticity. Encourage teens to carve out personal moments of prayer where they can express their true selves to God, devoid of concern about how others perceive them. This suggests a liberating view of prayer as freeing teens from the distraction of social validation, directing them toward spiritual depth.

3. Prioritize Personal Prayer

Matthew 6:7-8

Consider pointing out that Jesus warns against using empty phrases, advocating for meaningful communication with God. Christ exemplifies heartfelt prayer, showing that what matters is not the length, but the sincerity. Urge teens to avoid the trap of superficiality in their spiritual life by being straightforward and honest in their prayers, trusting that God already knows their needs. This encourages a shift from trying to impress to simply expressing to God, reinforcing a Christ-centered approach to prayer.