Matthew 6:1-6

Intro: Welcome my Friends

BIBLE TEXT: Matthew 6:1-6 ““Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

Sermon Title: Do Not Bost

Joke: As Christmas was approaching quickly, a young man started thinking about what he could give his father, who lived far away. He wanted to get him something special—something that would manifest how much he valued him. He looked around and found something he thought would be unique, special, and unusual. It was an exotic parakeet. It was so unique that it could speak five different languages and it could sing “The Yellow Rose of Texas” standing on one leg. It was a most unusual bird.

He thought to himself that his father would surely think a bird like this was extra special. In addition, it cost ten thousand dollars. This guy thought for sure that this most unique bird would show his father how much he loved him. He purchased the bird and had it shipped to his father. He couldn’t wait to hear his dad’s response to this most phenomenal gift.

He called his father on Christmas Day. He said, “Dad, did you get my gift?” His father said, “I certainly did, son.” The man said, “Well, Dad, how did you like it?” His dad replied, “Oh, it was delicious!”

His dad obviously missed the point. He didn’t understand the nature of the gift and because he didn’t understand the nature of the gift, he treated it in a way other than how it was to be utilized.

Unfortunately, many Christians miss the point of the gift of giving.

Title Points: God Pleaser vs Man Pleaser

Outline 1

Bible Text : Matthew 6:1-2 ““Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.”

One Teaching Idea: (1 Sentence or Less)

V.1 Dont do good just to be admired.

God rewards good deeds for His glory.

V.2 Jesus follower had different motive when giving than hypocrites.

Hypocrite = ACTOR

Some one who wore a mask to pretend to be someone than he wasnt.

BLOWING TRUMPETS = Its a picture of people calling attention to himself.....This is all the reward they will ever get

Cross Reference: Deuteronomy 15:10-11 “You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the Lord your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand. For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.’”

1st Point: Be humble when giving

One Application:

Let our consistent work for the Lord speak for itself. Let others speak of you highly.

Personal Story: I remember growing up my tennis coach had instilled in me to play tennis and do my best.

But you are not a tennis broadcaster that needs to talk about your attributes.

Outline 2

Bible Text: Matthew 6:3-4 “But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”

One Teaching Idea: (1 Sentence or Less)

The phrase “don’t tell your left hand what your right hand is doing” teaches that motives for giving to God and to others must be pure.

It is easy to give with mixed motives, to do something for someone if it will benefit us in return

Cross Reference: Jeremiah 17:10 “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.”

2nd Point: God Knows

One Application:

Jesus advised, however, that giving must be done in secret. Jesus’ words do not forbid record keeping, receipting, or reporting procedures used in good stewardship. But he condemned practices to impress others.

Personal Story: Growing up all of my family uncles and cousins would always try to impress people with what material things that they have.

They would definately tell you when they gave money to someone.

Outline 3

Bible Text : Matthew 6:5-6 ““And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

One Teaching Idea: (1 Sentence or Less)

6:5 When they prayed publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone could see them, they were not praying at all

Jesus taught that we find the essence of prayer not in public but in private communication with God. For these hypocrites, people’s praise is all the reward they will ever get.

6:6 If they really wanted to fellowship with God, Jesus suggested this: “When you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly.

Cross Reference: 2 Kings 4:33 “He went in therefore, shut the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the Lord.”

3rd Point: Pray In Silent

One Application:

Private prayer enables believers to pour out their hearts to God, express their true feelings, and listen in the quietness for God’s answer

Personal Story: I love watching War Room the Movie. That movie was a big influence to having people start up their own prayer closets