Is Kingdom Living Revelant in a Modern World?

Sunday, March 27, 2022         Matthew 6:1-4

Hypocrisy is the Enemy of Kingdom Living

“The demand for genuine perfection loses itself in the lesser goal of external piety; the goal of pleasing the Father is traded for its pygmy cousin, the goal of pleasing men. It almost seems as if the greater the demand for holiness, the greater the opportunity for hypocrisy.” DA Carson

1. Beware of Religious Hypocrisy (v.1)

Hypocrite – Greek word means “an actor” one who assumes a role; plays a part that is truth about his life.

The Bible is full of hypocrites and God gets very angry with them:

Amos 5:21-24 (ESV) - "I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look upon them. Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”

 Mark 7:6 (ESV) – “And he said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, 'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me…”

v.1 – “Beware” – a state of high alert; be on guard

“…of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them…”

Righteousness - rightness of character before God and rightness of actions before men. In this sense righteousness is the opposite of hamartia (sin), which is defined as missing of the mark set by God.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

We lose the approval of God when we seek the applause of men.

The choice we have in life is very simple: Are we going to please God or try and please men?

1. Giving to the Poor (v.2-4)

“But Jesus does not draw a dichotomy between ‘outward’ and ‘inward.’ The truly righteous man shows his righteousness in righteous deeds.” S. Ferguson

v.2 – “…when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you…”

v.3 – “…don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing…”

v.4b – “…and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

Your Father sees:

“You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.” Psalm 139:3

“And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom must give account.” Hebrews 4:13

Your Father, not an angel or someone else, but your Father will reward you!

III.  Conclusion 

In our effort to be “perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect” let us not fall into hypocrisy!