MATTHEW 6.1-6

Matt 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 2 Therefore when (not if) thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, (the motive of the hypocrite) that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. 5 ¶ And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, (again, the motive of the hypocrite) that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

In our passages this morning we are going to be looking at 2 aspects of the Christian life. (1) The sacred act of giving and (2) the sacred privilege of prayer. (He will also go on to teach about fasting a bit further in this chapter.)

Beloved, by using the word when and not if, Jesus is telling us here that giving, praying and fasting are spiritual acts of worship that are to be engaged in by all of His children. A born again, regenerated person will be a person who gives financially, prays fervently, and fasts.

Please take careful note of the razor sharp words of Jesus. Although they are not mentioned specifically in these verses, Jesus is using the term hypocrite to refer to the religious group known as the Pharisees. In other words, Jesus is using people who have the reputation of being religious as an example of “how not to give or pray”.

Although there are references to hypocrisy (1 Pet 2.1; 1 Tim 4.2; James 3.17) and hypocritical actions (as when Paul rebuked Peter for his hypocritical behavior in Galatians 2.11-14), I find it interesting that the only Person to use the word hypocrites in the New Testament is The Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and e very single time He uses them He is referring to people professing to be religious.   

What does the word hypocrite mean?

• Gr. Hupocrites- An actor under an assumed character (stage-player), i.e. (figuratively) a dissembler. One who puts on a mask and feigns himself to be what he is not; a dissembler in religion. Strong’s Concordance
• The word itself originated from the Greek theatre where actors would put on a mask to typify particular characters they were portraying. They would put on a happy face to play the role of someone who was happy, or they would put on a sad faceto play the role of someone who was sad. So basically, hypocrisy is acting like you are someone that you really aren’t.
• A born again Christian who is struggling with a particular sin, but broken about it and is seeking help and accountability to get victory over it is not a hypocrite.  
• A hypocrite is a person who is claiming to follow Jesus Christ who goes through the motions of being a Christian in public, but privately is insincere in heart, deceiving themselves and others into thinking they are better than others, and others are less than they are...it's all about self and pride. Humility vs. Pride ~ that is the difference.

·      A hypocrite is a pretender, one who pretends to be serious about a relationship with Jesus when he secretely knows that he is just making masked faces to impress or fool people.

·      AS we saw last week in Romans 4, David and Abraham were not perfect men, but they were pretenders and they were not hypocrites no matter what others said about them.

·      As I mentioned a moment ago, the apostle Peter displayed hypocrisy in Gal 2.11-14 by preaching that it was not necessary for a Gentile to live like a Jew but separating himself from the Gentile believers when the Jews came into the region of Galatia. By doing so he misrepresented Jesus Christ and the gospel.

·      However, in all of these cases, they men were broken and sorrowful with contrite hearts. They owned their sin and asked for forgiveness. They were not hypocrites. They did practice what they preached…they owned their sin…they confessed their sin…their repented of their sin.

·      Do Christians sin? 1 John 1:10 states, “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us." 1 John 1:9 states to Christians, that "If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." So, Christians DO sin? Yes, because we are flesh! But we do not practice sinning. So, a hypocrite is not a person who always does the right thing and never says a cross word.

·      Are there hypocrites in the church? Yes. Are there hypocrites in KF? I pray no, but my experience tells me yes. A hypocrite is a person that has one set of values at church but another set of values when he or she has the remote control in their hand OR another set of values when they are surfing the radio for something to listen to OR another set of values when they are looking for a movie to go see.

Think of it beloved, in spite of years of rigorous “devotion” to the precepts of their “denomination” a Pharisee never truly gave, prayed or fasted in the sight of God, because their hearts were not right in the sight of God. You know the Scripture

• 1Sa 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his  countenance, or on the height of his stature (Jesses oldest son Eliab); because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

7 times in Matthew 23, Jesus refers to the scribes and Pharisees as hypocrites. In fact, Jesus told them to their face that they were a fulfillment of bible prophecy:

• Mt 15:7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
• 2 characteristics of hypocrisy are identified here by Jesus. (1) They talk holy, but they do not walk holy. (2) Instead of teaching obedience to the Word of God, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men. 

Outward appearance can deceive others (1 Sam 16.7). Wrong motives can fool others. Matt 23:28 Even so ye also outwardly appear (seem to be; look) righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

Beloved, let the Word of God speak to YOUR heart this morning. Beloved, let the Word of God speak to the family at KF this morning. Listen to this warning that Jesus gave to His disciples.

• Lu 12:1 ¶ In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware (pay attention; be careful) ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
• Leaven in Scripture is a corrupting influence. Hypocrisy corrupts the work of God and misrepresents the character of God. In other words, beware of wearing the mask of religion to hide the real motives of your heart.
• Take heed of hypocrisy, for if it reign in you, it will ruin you. It is the dead fly that spoils the whole box of precious ointment. Matthew Henry

So this morning, I want to talk about 2 things. The danger of the leaven of  hypocrisy and the necessity of pure motives. The Scripture exhorts us to guard your hearts with all diligence….because the heart, or the will, is the source of all that we say and do. What are the motives that please God? (1) the love of God and (2) for the glory of God. We are clearly told that at the Judgment Seat of Christ, all of our works will be put to the test.

Beloved, God is going to reveal to us (He already knows!) what our motives were for doing what we did. 1 Cor 3.13 the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

Just like Jesus had a word for the 7 churches in Revelation, He has a word for KF today…..beware of hypocrisy…beware of wrong or false motives.

The word “beware” is a word of warning. It speaks of a danger that lies ahead, like a bridge being out of order or a road being under water.

To refuse to obey any beware sign is both foolish and dangerous. Here, Jesus is warning us you to beware of wrong or false motivation is living out our faith in Jesus Christ.

This does not mean that we are forbidden from public displays of devotion or deeds of kindness, for earlier in His teaching Jesus tells us to let out light so shine before men, but for what reason? That they might see our good works and glorify our Father Who is in heaven. There it is beloved! Jesus’ primary concern is with your motives. God looks at the heart (motive) before the hand (action)! If your motives are to hear people “ooh and ah” over your righteousness, you have your reward…but it is on earth, NOT in heaven.

• 1Peter 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
• In other words, we are to teach, preach, sing, pray, give, serve etc. motivated by a love for Jesus and for the glory of God!
• Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Doing all out of a love for Jesus and for the glory of God is what Jesus means when in reference to giving and praying He says there is verses 3 and 4:

• Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
• Let your good deeds be done without ostentation, and without seeking human praise. Let God be present, and you will have enough of an audience. He will reward you, reward you “openly”.

Beloved, Our Lord Jesus is warning us in these passages from the gospel of Matthew and the gospel of Luke that it is very possible for us at KF to do sacred things like give unto The Lord or pray for the wrong reasons or with the wrong motives. Lest you think that I am pointing a finger at any of you this morning beloved, let me make that personal…it is very possible for Raymond Viola to be doing sacred things like giving and praying for the wrong reasons or wrong motives. I can be giving financially with the wrong motives, and I can be praying with the wrong motives. If my giving or praying is motivated by anything other than a love for Christ and the glory of God, I am being a hypocrite. Let me confess before you this morning that I have been guilty of this sin in the past, and pray that God would burn into my soul the words of Jesus every time I prepare to deliver a sermon, or write a check, or pray publically or pray with another brother or sister. 

When I do the right thing with the wrong motives, I am being a hypocrite. When I am putting on a show for others to see, I am being a hypocrite. When I am talking holy and thinking ugly, I am being a hypocrite. When I am pointing a finger at someone for doing the very same things that I do or have done, I am being a hypocrite.

Jesus says “when” you give, when you pray. The word when is a key word throughout this entire passage. Jesus does not say “if” but when. He assumes that His disciples will give and pray…including YOU! This means giving and praying is not optional.

At the risk of being repetitive, the question that Jesus is addressing in this verse and in this entire passage is not when but “why.” Why do you do what you do? It is important to see that Jesus does not forbid public giving, but He doesn’t want you to “sound a trumpet.” This is a figurative phrase from which we get our expression “toot your own horn.”

When you seek to impress people by the way that you worship or by the way that you pray or by the way that you preach or by the way that you give financially, you are not really giving but buying, and the oohs and aaahs and praise and all that you receive from man is your reward. That’s it!

You get what you paid for. [Take out a receipt.] This receipt shows that I made a purchase at Wegmans and received some “food” (if you can call it that). I paid for my food. I received it in full and consumed it. End of story.

This is equally true when I do whatever I do for God with the wrong motives. This is certainly what I do when I seek to impress people instead of God. This is certainly what I do as  pastor/teacher if I seek to please man more than please my God. I am paid in full with no hope of any future reward.

In the realm of giving, Jesus is going to talk about laying up for ourselves treasures in heaven. Any time we give with a motive of loving God and for His glory, I am making a deposit in glory. This is exactly what Paul had in mind when he wrote,

• Phil 4:15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. 16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. 17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
• False teachers will seek to “motivate” you to give to God like He is a business partner. They teach that if you give to God, than He will give back to you in this life…a bigger house, a better car, a raise on the job…..if so, when you get thathouse, car, raise etc. because that was your motive for giving to God, you have received your reward. Enjoy it! It is all going to burn beloved.
• The key is: why do you give? Do you give to please God or get from God or to impress people? When it comes to giving, make sure you do the right thing in the right way.

Motives, motives, motives. The attitude of the heart is the heart of the matter beloved IN ALL THINGS!

• Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
• Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
• In other words, before the Lord examines our ‘good deeds and random acts of love and kindness,’ He first searches our hearts and minds in order to examine our motive behind those deeds and acts. If the motive isn’t right, we can expect no reward from Him.
• Why do we do the sacred things that we do as Christians? Is it for Him or for ourselves? Do we give our time, talent, and treasure out to others so that we can feel good about ourselves? Do we do these things in order to impress others or because we feel pressured and obligated to do them even though our heart really isn’t in the giving?
• We need to consider these issues, brothers and sisters, because our motive and attitude matters to God. If the motive or attitude is wrong, then the deed has been performed in vain, and it will be as if we never carried it out in the first place.
• Rev 2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
• This church was doing a lot of good things, but they were doing them mechanically. They were no longer motivated by a love for Jesus Christ and for other people. The word of Jesus? Repent, go back to your first love.

Bishop J.C. Ryle wrote these words:

• God takes no account of the quantity of money that we give or the quantity of words that we use in prayer. The one thing at which His all-seeing eye looks is the nature of our motives, and the state of our hearts. Our Father seeth in secret. God does not regard the quantity of our service, but the quality. His favor is not to be bought. 1 Sam 2.3 says by Him, actions (motives) are weighed.

1Co 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

We must constantly be telling our naturally proud and self seeking selves that whatever we do, we are to do them our of a love for Jesus and for His glory and honor. This is the only motive that will be rewarded by God in Heaven. Beloved, why do you serve in any area of ministry? Why do you give financially?

The Lord is looking for people who will be faithful. Faithful to Him and faithful to His calling. We Americans view success in terms of numbers and state of the art facilities.

Beloved, it is very easy to become a success driven people instead of a Christ loving, God glorifying, Spirit led people. The supreme motive for doing what ever we do is the love for God and to see Him glorified. The American church has too many celebrities in it and not enough genuine servants. Those who abandon the simple role of servant in order to become celebrities before men have received their reward.

We are high on academics and low on compassion and agape. We are great at being critical, and horrible at being involved. The average American church, and I am not excluding KF has become me driven, self driven, need driven instead of Christ and others driven.

May every single event, prayer meeting, outreach, missions or bible study group in our church be rooted in the love of Christ and for the glory of God!

When I hear more about this church or this preacher or that program than The Lord Jesus Christ and the glory of God it grieves my soul beloved.

Even the unsaved are held accountable for giving lgory to God.

• Acts 12:21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. 22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. 23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
• Da 5:22 And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; 23 But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:24 Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written. 25 And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. 26 This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. 27 TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.28 PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. 29 Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. 30 ¶ In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.
• Ps 115:1 Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.

My deepest prayer for each and every one of you that call KF their home and for this church body that I love is that we would follow the example of our Lord Jesus Who said:

• John 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.