How to Not Be a Hypocrite | Matthew 6:1-8
Series: All: All Authority, All Nations, All Allegiance
Scripture: Matthew 6:1-8; 16-18 (main) Matt 5:14-16; 48
Title: How to not be a Hypocrite (Darien Gabriel)
Heavy credit: David Platt and Douglas Sean O’Donnell (See below for bibliography)
Summary of passage: Jesus lays out the principles and rules of kingdom living.
Bottom Line: We avoid being hypocrites when we shine his light with pure motives.
Group Video Outline:
I. Principle
II. Summary questions
Discussion questions for group and personal study.
1. Regarding giving, is your motive less important, equally important, or more important than the act itself? Why?
2. How can you know when you are acting to be seen by others and when you are letting your light shine before others?
3. Does God want you to be motivated by reward in heaven?
4. Why is God himself the best reward you could want for your work?
5. Why do Christians struggle to pray? How might knowing that the desire to pray is a spiritual battle affect how you approach prayer?
6. Do you use the Bible to help you pray? How can praying the words of God to God help your prayers?
7. Do you believe God wants to listen to you? How does his relationship to you as Father affect the way you approach prayer?
8. Do you fast? Why or why not?
Why should Christians fast?
9. How can fasting increase your love for God and improve the practice of your other spiritual disciplines?
10. Of the three disciplines (giving, prayer, and fasting),
which is easiest for you to do?
Which is most difficult?
How can you use your strongest discipline to help you grow in the one you find most difficult?
Final Questions (optional or in place of above)
What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?
Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast
Outline
Intro
In the Christian’s effort to “let our light shine before others,” (Matt 5:15-16) we often give into the temptation to make it about us. We naturally desire to be relevant, spectacular and powerful (Henri Nouwen; Matthew 4:1-10). Jesus warns us to not practice our righteous deeds to be seen and praised by others; we do them so others will praise God. We do them discreetly or even secretly, if necessary.
Why do we do this? Jesus tells us that we do this because if we don’t, we’ll rob God and we’ll rob ourselves.
We’ll rob God of his glory. (And it’s our created purpose to glorify God)
We’ll rob ourselves of his reward. (Instead, we settle for inferior and fleeting reward)
It might seem contradictory to hide what you’re doing after Jesus’ earlier words. Let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matt 5:16) Jesus doesn’t want us to hide our light under a basket. (Matt 5:15)
Of course not. However, if we’re finding ourselves tempted to shine our light for the wrong reasons, then perhaps we need to do it more discreetly until we can. (Is it even shining his light if done for ourselves?) So we check our heart and motives to assess whether we’re pleasing God or not.
Jesus explains this principle using three scenarios or case studies that most Christians can relate to.
Giving to the needy
Praying
Fasting
Here we go…
Giving to the needy. (6:2-4)
Note: Not if but when you give.
Needy not necessarily the poor. You can be needy even if not poor.
Give in such a way that it doesn’t call the attention of others to you resulting in praise of you.
Rewards matter
Earthly
Heavenly (mostly this)
God sees everything. When done in secret, he’s the only one who sees
Prayer. (6:5-8)
Again, when not if.
Temptation is to be a hypocrite.
Hypocrite = pretending to be someone you’re not
Mask
Costume
These religious hypocrites were pretending to glorify God but in reality were soaking in the glory meant for God themselves.
Again, rewards matter.
Again, God sees all.
Also, don’t babble on and on.
God knows what you need before you ask.
Fasting (5:16-18)
Again, when not if.
Fasting = giving up something you need for a period of time to communicate to God you need him even more.
A neglected spiritual habit/discipline.
Rewards matter. Rewards from heaven are lost when seeking the rewards from people instead.
God sees all.
Conclusion — Summary questions:
What do I want them to know? The summary principle and warning: Don’t practice your righteous deeds (shine your light)
Why? Because to not heed the warning is to
Rob God of his glory.
Rob yourself of his rewards.
What do I want them to do? Live out your Christian life (Shine) with a heart bent towards pleasing God over yourself. This helps you minimize or avoid hypocrisy.
Why?
You fulfill your chief created purpose fro existing—glorify God.
You reap a superior reward—from God.
References/Bibliography:
“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes
“Matthew” by RC Sproul
“Sermon on the Mount” by Charles Quayle’s
“The Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Life in a Fallen World” by Sinclair Ferguson
Bible.org https://bible.org/seriespage/12-maintaining-peaceful-relationships-matthew-521-26
“CSB Christ Chronological,” Holman
“Jesus Manifesto” sermon series, by Darien Gabriel: https://youtu.be/x65i2tqFrXk
“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)
“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)
“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)
“Exalting Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount” by Daniel Akin (CCE)
Outline Bible, D Willmington
NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)
ESV Study Bible
ESV Gospel Transformation Bible (GTB)
"Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes" by Kenneth E. Bailey