Seeking the Reward Matthew 6:1-6,16-18

Matthew 6:1-6,16-18 "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. 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. Matthew 6:1-6,16-18 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 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.

Matthew 6:1-6,16-18 "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.

“seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father”?? Losing my Reward? “seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father”??

Losing my Reward? “seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father”?? It’s all about Hypocrisy! “in order to be seen by them” See 5:14-16, Php 3:17

don’t “Throw out the Baby” “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people” (1)

don’t “Throw out the Baby” “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people” (1) = “Give attention to your righteousness” (cf 5:48)

don’t “Throw out the Baby” “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people” (1) = “Give attention to your righteousness” (cf 5:48) E.g. Alms-giving, Prayer and Fasting These are Good!

Doing Good for the Right Reason Do it for your Heavenly Father, and no one else. (4, 6, 18)

Kingdom Pilgrims in Progress the Context Matthew 5-7 ch 5 6 7 Kingdom Pilgrims in Progress Privilege Pitfall Though now… you will be… and you are… hypocrisy: unveiling: detecting: fear detecting:

Doing Good for the Right Reason Detecting Hypocrisy : Do I [worship] when no one will notice?

Doing Good for the Right Reason Detecting Hypocrisy : Do I [worship] when no one will notice? (1) in order to be seen by them : = to be gazed at, praised, to shine before

You will be Rewarded “your Father who sees in secret will reward you” 4, 6, 18

You will be Rewarded “your Father who sees in secret will reward you” 4, 6, 18 “Truly I tell you, they have received their reward” 2, 5, 16

You will be Rewarded but glory from man is fickle

You will be Rewarded but glory from man is fickle meaningless

You will be Rewarded but glory from man is fickle meaningless enslaving

You will be Rewarded but glory from man is fickle meaningless enslaving We’re investing in futility. And we will receive it, in full

You will be Rewarded “your Father who sees in secret will reward you” 4, 6, 18 Everything good, the promises and blessings of God. (Jas 1,5, Ps 145, Mat 25)

You will be Rewarded “your Father who sees in secret will reward you” 4, 6, 18 Everything good, the promises and blessings of God. (Jas 1,5, Ps 145, Mat 25) “This is the work of God, that you believe in [His Son] whom he has sent”

You will be Rewarded God’s Reward is… not Fickle because He is Faithful not Meaningless because He is True not Enslaving because His Love is Free