Matthew 6:1-4

In Chap. 6 Jesus now insists on the importance of a deep sincerity in those who follow Him.

As our righteousness is to exceed the religious folks in avoiding heart-sins, heart-adultery, and heart-murder,

so now Jesus moves into maintaining and keeping up heart-piety.

Doing what we do from an inward, vital principle, that we may be approved of God.

And on the flip-side, we are warned about aping the applause of men, meaning, that we are warned about hypocrisy!

In our passage we are cautioned against hypocrisy in our practice of righteousness.

Take heed of it.

Our being bid to take heed of it affirms that it is sin.

1. We are in great danger of; it is a subtle sin; vain-glory insinuates itself into what we do before we are aware.

The disciples would be tempted to it by the power they had to do many wondrous works, and

their living with some that admired them and others that despised them,

both which are temptations to desire to make a fair show in the flesh.

2. It is a sin we are in great danger by.

Take heed of hypocrisy, because if it reign in you, it will ruin you.

A. The Caution (v1a) [It’s a warning]

v1 says, “Be careful”. Take heed that you’re not doing things, “in front of others to be seen by them.”

Now in chapter 5:16, we’re commanded to let our light shine, so that others may see.

The difference being in 5:16, we do those things in seeking to secure the Father’s praise!

On the other hand, the purpose of the hypocrites, referred to in 6:1 ff., is to obtain praise for themselves.

They perform their religious acts in order to attract the people’s attention, so that

people will carefully inspect and closely examine them,

while they are engaged in almsgiving, prayer, and/or fasting.

Hopefully the spectators will then say, “How devout, how remarkably pious are these scribes and Pharisees!”

—Naturally, a public display, so motivated, must be avoided.

B. The Cost (v1b) [You lose your reward] “Otherwise, you have no reward with your Father in heaven.”

B. The Cost (v1b) [You lose your reward]

So you’re rewarded in full, it’s just that your reward comes from man.

For many, it’s not in their innermost being to please and glorify God and so He will not reward you.

All the more it’s true because all that is is religious exercises except they’re frauds.

You’re putting on an act when you do things to be noticed by the church!

Under the guise of giving glory to God you’re seeking glory for yourselves, as if you could deceive the Omniscient!

In such cases (verses 1, 2, 5, and 16) the one reward, from men, cancels the other, from God.

Let’s look at #1.

The PRACTICE OF THE HYPOCRITE.

"So whenever you give to the poor, don’t sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be applauded by people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward.” ()

They did what they were obligated to do: they charitably gave!

They gave in the synagogues and on the streets, where there was the greatest gatherings of people to observe them and who would applaud them but were so ignorant as to not discern their abominable pride.

It’s not that it’s wrong to give in front of others, but note specifically in the text, hypocrites do it, “to be applauded by people.”

Now I want you to see their doom that Christ passes upon this kind of heart action.

(1.) It is a reward. “their” reward. What a poor reward.

It’s only carnal professing believers that trade of God, the Giver for His gifts.

“their” reward

They love to be preferred, honored, wealth, and they shall have their fill of them as well!

"With your hand, Lord, save me from men, from men of the world whose portion is in this life: You fill their bellies with what you have in store; their sons are satisfied, and they leave their surplus to their children. "But I will see your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be satisfied with your presence.” ()

In contrast to the wicked who enjoy their rewards in this life (v. 14),

David anticipated the reward of seeing God’s glory (likeness, ) after the resurrection (16:11; ).

The rewards of this life is the only comfort for the hypocrite! "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your comfort.” ()

It’s their good things! Do your remember the rich man who died an oped up his eyes in hell?

"“ ‘Son,’ Abraham said, ‘remember that during your life you received your good things, just as Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here, while you are in agony.” ()

o what a tragedy to receive your good things in this world only!

When you leave this earth, that reward doesn’t go with you!

(2.) It’s also a present reward. (in v 2) "...Truly I tell you, they have their reward.”

And their is no reward reserved for them in the future state.

The rewards of true believers are recieved as part of a down payment.

There is a lot more to follow in the next life!

Hypocrites have their all in this world.

This is part of what their doom shall be, that they decided it before!

For the believe, this world is our spending money!

But it is pay to the hypocrite, it’s their portion!

There’s no future reward for the hypocrite.

2. What is the PRECEPT OF OUR LORD?

2. What is the PRECEPT of our Lord?

"But when you give to the poor, don’t 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.” ()

Rather than giving to impress people, Christ’s disciples should give in secret,

not even thinking much of it themselves, but concerned only to please the Father.

Now, our two hands almost always act in unison.

Now, our two hands almost always act in unison.

Together they often lift, carry, and catch things.

Rather than giving to impress people, Christ’s disciples should give in secret, not even thinking much of it themselves, but concerned only to please the Father.

They are together in work and in play.

They can be viewed as being thoroughly acquainted with each other.

Whatever the one does, the other knows.

Symbolically speaking then, for the left hand NOT to know what the right hand is doing means

total lack of acquaintance, utter ignorance.

And since the hands are part of the person, the expression refers to the fact that

as much as possible a person must keep his voluntary contribution a secret

not only to others but even to himself; that is,

he should forget about it, instead of saying in his heart, “What a good man, woman, boy, girl, am I!”

This hypocrite is revealed when they blow up at the gathering of God’s people and talking “about all I’ve done in the church!!”

Then they take anything and everything that they ever gave to the church!

They never forgot what they’ve done! The hypocrite is always milling it over in the back of his heart about what they do!

They should forget. This explanation receives support from 25:37–39,

where the righteous are represented as being totally unaware of their own past benevolent deeds.

"“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? "When did we see you a stranger and take you in, or without clothes and clothe you? "When did we see you sick, or in prison, and visit you?’” ()

We find here, these folks had their good works remembered to their honor, who had themselves forgotten them!

Beeke, J. R., Barrett, M. P. V., & Bilkes, G. M. (Eds.). (2014). The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible (p. 1365). Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books

(1.) That we must not let others know what we do.

3. What PROMISE TO THE TRUE. to those who are thus sincere and humble in their giving.

3. What PROMISE to those who are thus sincere and humble in their giving.

"so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” ()

We find here, that when we take the least notice of our good deeds ourselves, God takes most notice of them.

God sees the good done by us, when we do not see it.

God sees in secret! This is a terror to the hypocrite. And it’s a comfort to the godly!

"Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” ()

"... Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield; your reward will be very great.” ()

On that great and final day, this is what happens: "So don’t judge anything prematurely, before the Lord comes, who will both bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the intentions of the hearts. And then praise will come to each one from God.” ()

Open praise is promised even. You shall be confessed before God! "“Therefore, everyone who will acknowledge me before others, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. "But whoever denies me before others, I will also deny him before my Father in heaven.” ()

So what are our acts of righteousness or good deeds?

"Good Deeds" are intentional ways of conforming the external expression of our lives to the inner work of God in our hearts.

Good deeds bring together or bring agreement between the inner righteousness that God initiates when you enter the kingdom of heaven,

and the development of experiential righteousness in this life as you pursue the directive, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (5:48).

The apostle Paul advises young pastor Timothy likewise: "But have nothing to do with pointless and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness. "For the training of the body has limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” ()

I’d like to give you several reasons that God comes down so severe in His judgments against hypocrites.

[1.] Hypocrites are proud, they are vain-glorious hearts!

Everyone’s siver is brass compared to the hypocrite!

All your light is like darkness compared to them!

And no one’s duties and abilities are comparable to theirs!

The proud and vain glorious hypocrite, Jehu-like, says, "Then he said, “Come with me and see my zeal for the Lord!” ...” ()

A sincere heart loves to do much for Christ, and not to be seen by any but Christ.

Jehu’s zeal is but the shadow of zeal, as all hypocrites’ virtues are but the shadows of virtues

Hypocrites are proud and swell with the thoughts of their own goodness and worth and what “they do!”

They set themselves up above others: "The Pharisee was standing and praying like this about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I’m not like other people—greedy, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. "I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get.’” ()

Here’s what the wicked hypocrite that follows his own imagination says: "They say, ‘Keep to yourself, don’t come near me, for I am too holy for you!’ [Here God’s response] These practices are smoke in my nostrils, a fire that burns all day long. "Look, it is written in front of me: I will not keep silent, but I will repay; I will repay them fully” ()

[2.] Hypocrites cover their sin with religious activity.

Herod, a notorious hypocrite, covers his intentions of murdering Christ, with pretenses of worshipping Christ.

Those in . Enemies of Juda and Benjamin covered their intentions of pulling down the temple,

with pretenses of help [in] building the temple. They pretend to build the temple, and yet they intended to pull down the temple.

Or as Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, who covers his bloody intention of murder, with weeping. "Ishmael son of Nethaniah came out of Mizpah to meet them, weeping as he came. When he encountered them, he said, “Come to Gedaliah son of Ahikam!” "But when they came into the city, Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the men with him slaughtered them and threw them into a cistern.” ()

Hypocrites are like serpents that sting w/out hissing.

They will kiss you and then betray you but cover themselves with religious activity!

[3.] A hypocritical heart is a subtle heart, a deceitful heart. They are as Jesus describes them: "“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of the bones of the dead and every kind of impurity.” ()

[4.] Hypocrites never do good out of love to God, but out of designs of having the advantage for themselves. "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. "“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you don’t go in, and you don’t allow those entering to go in.” ()

Hypocrites don’t live with their eyes to the end of their lives and actions.

They are like Jehu (in ) he makes a great deal of stir;

he pretends to be very zealous for God;

he destroys idolaters, but not idolatry;

and all this was only that he might come to the crown.

[5.] Hypocrites also despise those that are outwardly below them.

And they’re also envious of those, that in spirit and power of holiness and godliness excel them.

"...‘God, I thank you that I’m not like other people—greedy, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. [he pleads his negative righteousness] [then he stands on his supposed goodness] "I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get.’” ()

Hypocrites are better at

showing their worth than their defects;

they are as notable at criticizing others, as they are at commending themselves;

at abasing others, as at exalting themselves;

at lessening others, as at greatening themselves.

They also envy every star that outshines theirs!

If one of you rejoices to share of how you

love and enjoy God (which we all should), and how you

commune with God in His Word (which we all should) and in

getting to share God with others (which we all should),

you will be envied and hated to death by the hypocrite! "So the chief priests and the Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and were saying, “What are we going to do since this man is doing many signs? "If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”” ()

The hypocrite is like the chameleon, that changes his colors

—now he is this, and now he is that; sometimes you shall have him an

angel at home and a devil outside, and sometimes a

devil at home and an angel outside.

It’s actually those kinds of hearts that render a hypocrites obedience as null and void! Completely unacceptable.

So what obedience is acceptable?

[1.] Obedience is to be free and cheerful. "“Come, let us settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are crimson red, they will be like wool. "If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land. "But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” ()

Even though we serve God with weakness, let it be with willingness.

I love to see my daughters go cheerfully about their daily works.

Hypocrites obey God grudgingly, and almost against their will.

They do good but not willingly! Cain brought his sacrifice, but not his heart.

We can say that what the heart does not do, is not done.

Willingness is the soul of obedience;

God sometimes accepts of willingness without the work (the thief on the cross),

but never of the work without willingness.

[2.] Obedience is to be devout and fervent.

"Do not lack diligence in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit; serve the Lord.” ()

That word fervent has to do with seething, bubbling or boiling over!

[2.] Obedience is to be devout and fervent.

So the heart is to boil over with hot affections in God’s service!

The glorious angels—who, for their burning in fervor and devotion, are called Seraphims—these God chooseth to serve him in heaven.

It’s interesting that in snails are forbidden to be eaten under the law of Moses.

Perhaps it’s rejected because it’s a dull and slothful creature.

The burning seraphims serve God and the dull and slothful creature is rejected by God!

Because obedience without fervency is like a sacrifice without fire!

[3.] Obedience is to be extensive, reaching to all of God’s commands.

"Then I would not be ashamed when I think about all your commands.” ()

There is a stamp of divine authority upon all God’s commands; and,

if I obey one precept because God commands, I must obey all.

True obedience runs through all duties of holy living, as the blood through all the veins.

[3.] Obedience is to be extensive, reaching to all of God’s commands.

A true Christian causes gospel-piety and moral living kiss each other!

This is where some discover their hypocrisy.

They will obey God in some things which are more simple but leave many known things undone.

Remember what Jesus said to the Rich Young Ruler in ? The man kept the commands and Jesus highlights for him where he’s off, with these words.

“You lack one thing”.

Herod would hear John the Baptist but wouldn’t leave his sinful adulterous relationship!

Some pray for the lost but won’t speak to the lost!

"“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin, and yet you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. These things should have been done without neglecting the others.” ()

God doesn’t accept par

[4.] Obedience is to be sincere.

[5.] Obedience is to be in and through Christ.

[6.] Obedience is to be constant!