False Forms of Righteousness
The Sermon on the Mount • Sermon • Submitted
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· 4 viewsJesus' followers must live for God's approval, not for the praise of people.
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1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
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Sarah and I are going through the process of buying a home
Last Friday we had the home inspection
Reminded me of the first home inspection that we had
The garage had all new dry wall… but when the home inspector went up into the attic space he saw the whole structure had been burned in a fire…
But the seller of the house tried to cover it up with new drywall…
there is a name for that:
Facade: an outward appearance that is maintained to conceal a less pleasant or creditable reality
This isn’t something that is just on buildings… people do this too
Like the kid who participates in misbehavior… but as soon as an adult comes in the room they become a whole new person
Or when a friend will act one way with you, but all of a sudden when a crowd is around they again are a whole new person
Or how about this: When someone always goes over the speed limit, but then there is a police behind them… what happens....
There are a number of different ways that facades are put up… but what Jesus has in mind is the kind of person who does works of righteousness in front of others with the intent of being seen by them, while they neglect to do such things in private where they will not be seen by others… Listen to how Jesus puts it
1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
Practicing your righteousness before others: he is talking about doing good works:
Remember in the weeks past, Jesus said that our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and the Pharisees…
Then he gave six examples...
anger, lust, marriage, oaths, retaliation, and loving our enemies
All these topics were Jesus’ correction of what was being taught by the scribes and the Pharisees
Now Jesus shifts to show how the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees are not true forms of righteousness
Good works that are done to receive glory from people are false forms of righteousness.
Good works that are done to receive glory from people are false forms of righteousness.
I want us to make specific notice of a word that is used three times over in each section act of righteousness that Jesus:
1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
Jesus illustrates this with three examples of the so called “righteous” works that were being preformed by the the scribes and the pharisees:
Hypocrites
V 2 - he talks about giving to the poor
V 5 - about prayer
v16 - about fasting
But the main concern isn’t the act itself that is being preformed… Like in the past three weeks.
Murder - anger
Adultry - divorce… ect.
Jesus criticism isn’t that we shouldn’t give to the poor, or that we shouldn’t pray, or that we shouldn’t fast…
Rather his criticism is in the motive behind the good works
Specifically in order to be seen by others…
1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
Matt
5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
Matt
Now three times over, Jesus has used a word to describe the people who are practicing these works of righteousness in order to be seen by others…
Hypocrites
2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
16 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.
The word hypocrites - is the word that was used was used for a theatrical actor…
The word hypocrites - is the word that was used was used for a theatrical actor…
We know that an actor is doing just that… acting
They are doing a portraying someone that they aren’t in real life.
(favorite movie LotR) Elijah Woods isn’t really a hobbit and Orlando Bloom isn’t really an elf
That is to say, the role that they are playing is not genuine… it’s a mask that they are putting on
In this passage their acts are done in an effort to impress everyone…
They are religious show-offs
They are religious actors
And in their actions and motives they demonstrate how far they are out of touch with God’s understanding of “righteousness”
False forms of righteousness will not be rewarded by God
False forms of righteousness will not be rewarded by God
V.
We see this similarly expressed in Isaiah
13 And the Lord said:
“Because this people draw near with their mouth
and honor me with their lips,
while their hearts are far from me,
and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,
It’s not only about the actions on the outside that make a person righteous so much as it is about what is happening on the inside and the motives behind these good works
28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.
Good works that are done to receive glory from people are false forms of righteousness.
Good works that are done to receive glory from people are false forms of righteousness.
5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues 7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.
False forms of righteousness will not be rewarded by God.
False forms of righteousness will not be rewarded by God.
1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
Matt 6:2
5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
Matt 5:
16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
Matt
In their aim to impress others… they demonstrate their limited perspective:
they cannot see and have no aspirations beyond the applause of their peers…
You have to see beyond what is here in front of you today:
Example: You know your GPA isn’t all that matters right?
And yet how often do you do all that you can to improve your GPA
Take it from me: my middle school GPA hasn’t mattered since I’ve left middle school
My HS GPA hasn’t held much weight since I’ve was accepted into college…
The point of studying isn’t to get a good GPA today tomorrow
rather it is important that you learn to have a good work ethic… it is important that you learn the skills that are needed for when you leave school and go into a professional life…
But let’s connect the dots… Just as your GPA today will soon mean little to nothing…
So the good works done for the applause of men will one day mean absolutely nothing
10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—
10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
False forms of righteousness will not be rewarded by God.
False forms of righteousness will not be rewarded by God.
Simply because there are false forms of righteousness does not mean you should neglect doing good works.
Simply because there are false forms of righteousness does not mean you should neglect doing good works.
For one we have already seen this back in
16 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.
The issue is not the acts of righteousness… nor is it even the place where said acts are being practiced, rather it is the motive behind the acts.
There is the temptation for there to be an overreaction to this teaching… such that would lead to us to believe that acts of righteousness can not become known without there being a loss of reward in heaven.
Listen: we can rest in the knowledge that God knows our heart and is willing to reveal and purify our hearts
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Js 1:27
Jesus prayed in private
35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
But on many occasions he prayed openly for others to hear
25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;
19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.
39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
The issue is not the acts of righteousness… nor is it even the place where said acts are being practiced, rather it is the motive behind the acts.
Matt 26:
And so what is the solution to these motives that if we are honest… they can creep into every good work that we may do… so what is the solution?
The solution isn’t to simply not do it…
rather it is to do it in secret
in regards to giving to the poor:
3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
And when praying
6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Matt 6:
and when fasting
17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Matt 6:
Simply because there are false forms of righteousness does not mean you should neglect doing good works.
Simply because there are false forms of righteousness does not mean you should neglect doing good works.
In fact, next time we meet (after thanksgiving) we will take more time to talk about prayer as we go through v 7-15
We are going to spend time learning how we are to pray…
So the point isn’t to not pray, rather to watch our motive behind praying…
behind our giving…
behind our fasting…
And our worship
and our Bible study,
and our holiness,
and our patience,
and any other fruit that the Lord is producing in our life.
We are to do such good works all the more as we have seen in 5:16
16 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.
Our aim in doing works of righteousness is to glorify God.
Our aim in doing works of righteousness is to glorify God.
Look at v 2:
2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
let us focus on that word PRAISED
The greek word is doxazō.
The root word there means glory:
(doxazō)
So they give in order to be praised - or to receive GLORY from men…
What’s the problem?
This word glory - doxazō - has already been used on the sermon on the mount:
(doxazō)
If you go back to 5:16 what does it say:
16 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 do not compete for glory because glory does not belong to us…
Our good works - that is our works of righteousness - are intended to point others to God and not to ourself
16 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.
When we do things in order to be seen by others… we rob God of glory that belongs to him and him alone…
Listen to how Paul puts it in his letter to the Corinthians
all of this is rubbish in comparison to knowing Christ
11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
What he is saying is that he does not need to be elevated to a status of one to be followed, for he wasn’t the one who died for you… he wasn’t the one who redeemed you from sin and death… Jesus did
For that reason you were baptized into Jesus’ name because Jesus is the one who has saved you… and he alone deserves the glory for the work that he has done.
So we do good works not not for our name sake, but for the name sake of God
1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory,
for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!
Have you done anything that you deserve credit for…
That you deserve the glory for?
Did you save yourself from death?
Did you come to Jesus because of your great faith?
Did you love Jesus before he died for you?
Did you make it through this week without sin?
Did you make it today without sin?
Did you put the breath into your own lungs today to sustain your life?
Do you have any reason to boast or to receive glory?
No
4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—
PHIL?