Sermon Tone Analysis

Last Week

We talked about some very specific behaviors that were effecting the spiritual practicum of the Jewish People

The Jewish leaders had been applying God’s Word in a very:

Distorted

Skewed

Warped

Selfishly Driven manner

The Leaders of Israel had taken the law, and created their own interpretation

Put it into book form and called it the Talmud

In this book they would layout in detail all the intricacies of the law

According to their understanding of God

Not according to God himself.

Jesus, in his genius, begins re-educating the disciples and the crowd about the validity of the law, and the way it must be interpreted.

This Week

Jesus is not only re-educating us on the practicum of our spiritual beliefs and our spiritual journey

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He will be pointing out somethings that should make us self aware of our motives

What should we be thinking about as we study this section of scripture?

Why do we do charitable deeds?

Why do we fast?

Why do we pray?

What about stuff?

Where should our heart reside in our practice of our faith?

Read

“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them.

Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men.

Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

Jesus is continuing to expose the heart of every spiritual behavior under the sun

Like we said last week

The reason why Jesus is speaking against certain things, is because these things were actually present

They were very much a part of the spiritual ethos of the day

What Jesus was trying to do is bring awareness of these poor behaviors

The crowd, the disciples, the community

Where very active in participating in charitable deeds

They saw the poor and wanted to do something about it.

They saw a need and jumped at the opportunity to serve God in meeting practical needs

In fact, looking at different manuscripts

We see that this verse was also said in this way

“Take heed that you do not PRACTICE YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS”

What this is telling us is that Charitable Deeds were very much a part of the culture.

Generosity was a thing that flourished and actually fueled the spreading of the Gospel in the book of Acts

How people practiced their righteousness was through Charitable giving both of time and resources

Like any good thing, it can be distorted and be rendered idolatrous when our motives are rooted in selfishness instead of self-lessness

Jesus counteracts this tendency by exposing the root of this issue

Jesus knew that the reason why many were practicing their righteousness publically was because they wanted to draw attention to action instead of the motive.

It wasn’t about meeting a need

It was about status

It was about receiving the praise of men

It was a practice that yearned for mans attention

That begged for an earthly reward instead of a heavenly focus.

Jesus warns them,

If this is your motive

Just know that you have stripped yourself from the reward that comes from the Father.

Jesus goes on to give the crowd very practical advice

When . . .

referring to something that should be happening amongst Jesus People

You . . .

a very personal and direct command.

Do a Charitable Deed . . .

Actively serving and giving to the mission of God

Do not sound a trumpet before you . . .

Do not grab the attention of others before you do so

Here is the kicker

As the Hypocrites do both in Church and in the Streets . . .

Jesus, in this verse is bringing to light a couple things

There are hypocrites in Church 1.0

The Church 2.0 should not be like the Hypocrites

Jesus knew there had to be a distinction between the church that existed and the Church that would be His bride.

One of the main differences between the two would be the motives and the reasoning behind their actions

Those looking for the glory of men

Those looking for an earthly applause

Those in search of a standing ovation

Would have their fill here on earth

But for the Real Church

When we do a Charitable Deed

When we Practice our righteousness here on this earth

Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing

Do it in such a way that even your own members have no clue why you do what you do

Do it in secret

That the Father who sees in Secret

That the Father who knows your heart and your motives

Would reward you publically in the way that He chooses.

Church, there is a very real difference between where people were at and what Jesus desired of them

Those who knew better had become Hypocritical

Those who had no clue needed a real example to model their life after

Jesus, in this sermon is seeking to correct the Hypocrites and give hope to the hopeless.

5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites.

For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men.

Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do.

For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

8 “Therefore do not be like them.

For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 9 In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

10 Your kingdom come.

Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.