“Hide Your Holiness” Religion vs. Spirituality” – p.6 Matthew 6:1-18

Jesus’ target in the Sermon on the Mount is to expose superficial religion for what is – a phony system of spirituality meant to make self-worship seem like God-worship.Jesus’ target in the Sermon on the Mount is to expose superficial religion for what is – a phony system of spirituality meant to make self-worship seem like God-worship.

Jesus wants us to see that the roots of superficial religion are planted in the soil of self-deception and self- justification.Jesus wants us to see that the roots of superficial religion are planted in the soil of self-deception and self- justification.

Hypocrite: religious show-offs are “actors” in that they aim to impress others, but at the same time their behavior demonstrates how far they are out of touch with God’s understanding of “righteousness”.Hypocrite: religious show-offs are “actors” in that they aim to impress others, but at the same time their behavior demonstrates how far they are out of touch with God’s understanding of “righteousness”.

Matthew 6:1 (NIV) Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

Matt 6:2,5,16 (N IV) “when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do…“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites…and when you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do”

Jesus Bottom Line: Motives Matter!Motives Matter!

Giving to the needs of others is about what God considers sacred, not affirmation of self “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. – (Matthew 6:2)

Giving to the needs of others is about what God considers sacred, not affirmation of self But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. - Matthew 6:3-4

Giving to the needs of others is about what God considers sacred, not affirmation of self Jesus says we should “have such pure motives of concern for the poor that when giving, we have no self- awareness” but give to make God famous by showing regard for what He considers sacred!Jesus says we should “have such pure motives of concern for the poor that when giving, we have no self- awareness” but give to make God famous by showing regard for what He considers sacred!

Prayer is a platform for intimacy with God not the exaltation of self “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

Prayer is a platform for intimacy with God not the exaltation of self But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:5-6)

Prayer is a platform for intimacy with God not the exaltation of self And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (Matthew 6:7-8)

Prayer is a platform for intimacy with God not the exaltation of self

“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret.”“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret.”

Prayer is a platform for intimacy with God not the exaltation of self There are two important words here: secret and Father.There are two important words here: secret and Father. Jesus tells us that the essence of prayer is private communion with God.Jesus tells us that the essence of prayer is private communion with God. To speak to God as Father means a level of intimacy.To speak to God as Father means a level of intimacy.

Prayer is a platform for intimacy with God not the exaltation of self Prayer is not about manipulating God into action or about informing him about what we need.Prayer is not about manipulating God into action or about informing him about what we need. Prayer is a statement of simple dependency not the means of divine manipulation.Prayer is a statement of simple dependency not the means of divine manipulation.

Prayer is a platform for intimacy with God not the exaltation of self “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Prayer is a platform for intimacy with God not the exaltation of self Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ (Matthew 6:9-13)

Prayer is a platform for intimacy with God not the exaltation of self Notice the balance between a vertical and horizontal focusNotice the balance between a vertical and horizontal focus Notice the focus on attitude in approaching GodNotice the focus on attitude in approaching God

Prayer is a platform for intimacy with God not the exaltation of self For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (Matthew 6:14-15) For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (Matthew 6:14-15)

Prayer is a platform for intimacy with God not the exaltation of self A lack of forgiveness is a sign that you haven’t experienced the forgiveness of God.A lack of forgiveness is a sign that you haven’t experienced the forgiveness of God. Pride and God-centeredness cannot co- exist.Pride and God-centeredness cannot co- exist.

Fasting is about creating an appetite for God not for fulfilling a hunger for applause “…when you fast…” (v 16).“…when you fast…” (v 16). “they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others” (v 16)“they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others” (v 16)

Fasting is about creating an appetite for God not for fulfilling a hunger for applause Fasting is designed to remind you that more than anything you need God.Fasting is designed to remind you that more than anything you need God.

Bottom Line: We exist to make God famous!We exist to make God famous!

Application God’s glory is the ultimate aim of everything, especially religious activity.God’s glory is the ultimate aim of everything, especially religious activity.

Application Pious people need to work hard not only on what they do but why they do itPious people need to work hard not only on what they do but why they do it

Application The heart is the target of the gospel and the essence of true religionThe heart is the target of the gospel and the essence of true religion All the good things that you do are absolutely worthless and even offensive to God if they are not done for the glory of God.All the good things that you do are absolutely worthless and even offensive to God if they are not done for the glory of God.

Application God made it possible for the heart to be right with him through a relationship with Jesus Christ.God made it possible for the heart to be right with him through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Hypocrites are people who deceive others because they are disastrously self-deceived.