Mount Pleasant Christian Church

Introduction
Alright, let’s grab our Bibles and turn together to Matthew 6, as we continue to work our way verse-by-verse through the Gospel of Matthew, in a study called, “Let’s Talk about Jesus.” We’re going to look at a lengthy passage – Matthew 6:1-18. Now that might seem odd because at first glance it looks like Jesus is talking about 3 separate things (giving - praying- fasting), and He is...He talks about all of theose things. But when you take a closer look, you find that what Jesus says about giving, praying and fasting are just illustrations for a greater point and that’s what we’re going to focus on.

The word “hypocrite” in the original language of the New Testament is the Greek word hypokrites and the basic meaning is "an actor" or "stage player". It describes someone who is a pretender.

Jesus has zero tolerance for hypocrisy. We find that reality throughout the Gospel of Matthew. But he illustrates it here in Matthew 6, related to three crucial disciplines in the Christian life that God wants all of us to embrace. But he wants us to embrace these things without fanfare and self-congratulations. I’m talking about giving, praying and fasting.

First, Jesus talks about giving.
Jesus assumes that the people who follow Him will give. This means giving is not optional. The Bible promises over and over again that when you give…when you choose to be generous…God will take care of you. He will meet your needs.

The central truth that Jesus addresses is “why” we give. This entire passage begins with Jesus saying, Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them (vs.1a). Then he says, So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets… (vs.2a) In other words, “Don’t toot your own horn.” The notice or admiration that you receive from men is all the reward you’ll get for that kind of giving.

The words “in full” (they have received their reward in full) are the Greek word apecho which is a technical term describing the completion of a commercial transaction.

Here’s the bottom line: False or hypocritical righteousness receives no spiritual or heavenly reward. When you give to impress people, you’re not really giving, you’re buying.

Look back at verses 3-4.
Jesus is using hyperbole to make the point that we are not to give simply to be seen by men…we’re not to purposely draw attention to our giving. And here’s the result Jesus says that when we give like that, God, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And this is a completely different kind of reward than what we talked about a minute ago.

I don’t believe this teaching means that you should never tell anyone what you give or who you give to. I say that because the Bible doesn’t contradict itself. Acts 2:45, Acts 4:36-37, Numbers 7, 1 Chronicles 29 all discuss details about giving.

What Jesus is focusing on in our text is the motivation for giving…why you give.

Second, Jesus talks about praying.
Jesus says that the second way hypocrisy shows up is when we pray. Jesus is concerned about his followers doing “acts of righteousness” simply to be seen by men…to impress others. And just like he did with giving, he contrasts the wrong kind of praying with the right kind of praying. The wrong kind of praying is “standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men.” Whatever reward you receive from men is all the reward there is. And I’ll repeat what I said earlier,
False or hypocritical righteousness receives no spiritual or heavenly reward.

Jesus offer alternative in v6, v7, and v8.

Jesus is not opposed to long prayers, or even public prayers. It was common for devout Jews to pray on the street corner because they would stop and pray whenever it was the appointed hour for prayer. The problem is motivation…whether you were trying to impress men or offering sincer prayer for God.

There’s a difference between what Jesus calls “babbling” (meaningless repetition), and persistent prayer. Jesus told two parables that specifically focused on being persistent in prayer.

NOTE: Jesus gives us what can best be described as a “model” prayer. We’re not going to try to go through it line-by-line because we wouldn’t be able to give it the time it deserves. I preached an entire series on this prayer several years ago. I’m sure that’s still available on C.D or online.

Third, Jesus talks about fasting.
Look back at verses 16-18.
Fasting is a powerful spiritual discipline. The thing that makes fasting different from giving and praying, is it is nowhere commanded in the New Testament. The way I have always described fasting is “Moving one thing out of your life to make more room for God.” And Jesus says, when you do this, just like with giving and with praying, doing it from a right heart.

Conclusion
Let's finish with some important truths.

1. Hypocrisy damages our relationship with God
Hypocrisy, first and foremost, is a form of deceit and God hates deceit.

2. Hypocrisy damages us.
The more we pretend to be something we’re not, the easier it is for us to do. And the more we do this, the more we begin to lose our real self.

3. Hypocrisy damages our fellowship with other Christians
Have you ever had a friend that you trusted and admired that ended up betraying your trust because they weren’t who you thought they were and they didn’t share the same commitments that you had?

4. Hypocrisy damages our witness
Author Brennan Manning once wrote, “The single most cause of atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips but walk out of the church doors and deny Him with their lifestyle. This is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”