Sermons on Matthew 6:1-4
The various sermons below on Matthew 6:1-4 share a common emphasis on the internal motivations behind acts of giving, underscoring the importance of sincerity and the heart's role in these actions. They collectively highlight that giving should be a private act between the individual and God, rather than a public display for human approval. This is often illustrated through the analogy of performing for an "audience of one," meaning that one's actions should be directed towards pleasing God alone. The sermons also explore the Greek terms related to giving and hypocrisy, emphasizing the need for authenticity in religious practices. A recurring theme is the integration of belief and action, or orthodoxy and orthopraxy, suggesting that true Christian living involves a seamless blend of faith and deeds. Additionally, the sermons stress that giving should be a natural, unconscious habit driven by an internal nature rather than external pressure, reflecting a genuine relationship with God.
In contrast, the sermons diverge in their thematic focus and the nuances they bring to the interpretation of the passage. Some sermons emphasize the concept of social righteousness, viewing giving as a reflection of one's relationship with God and others, while others focus on the tension between seeking human approval and living for God's glory. One sermon highlights the countercultural nature of Jesus' teachings, suggesting that the Sermon on the Mount provides a blueprint for living as ambassadors of God's kingdom. Another sermon introduces the idea that giving is a reflection of God's character, encouraging believers to emulate divine generosity and mercy. These differences in focus provide a rich tapestry of insights, offering various angles from which to understand the passage and its implications for Christian living.
Matthew 6:1-4 Interpretation:
Generosity: A Heartfelt Expression of Faith (Corinth Baptist Church) interprets Matthew 6:1-4 by emphasizing the heart's role in giving. The sermon highlights that giving is not merely a financial transaction but a reflection of one's righteousness and relationship with God. The Greek phrase for "charitable deeds" is explored, noting its various translations such as "alms," "charity," and "benevolence," all rooted in the concept of righteousness. The sermon stresses that giving should be a private act between the individual and God, not for public recognition.
Living for God's Approval: Genuine Righteousness Unveiled (Highlands Church) interprets Matthew 6:1-4 by emphasizing the importance of motivation in giving. The sermon uses the analogy of playing to an "audience of one," meaning that our actions should be directed towards pleasing God rather than seeking human approval. The sermon also highlights the Greek term for hypocrite, which means "mask wearer," to illustrate the importance of authenticity in our religious practices.
Giving from a Pure Heart: Motivations Matter (Walnut Creek Baptist Church) interprets Matthew 6:1-4 by emphasizing the importance of internal motivations over external actions. The sermon uses the analogy of playing for an "audience of one," meaning that one's actions should be directed towards pleasing God rather than seeking human approval. The sermon also highlights the Greek term for "hypocrite," which refers to an actor wearing a mask, to illustrate the danger of performing righteous acts for show.
Living for God's Glory, Not Man's Approval (Shades Mountain Baptist Church) interprets Matthew 6:1-4 by focusing on the tension between seeking human approval and living for God's glory. The sermon uses the Greek word "theoma," meaning theater, to describe the temptation to perform righteous acts for the applause of others. It emphasizes that true Christian living involves doing good works for God's glory, not for personal recognition.
Living Faith: Actions That Glorify God (Grand Central Church of Christ) interprets Matthew 6:1-4 by discussing the integration of belief and action, or orthodoxy and orthopraxy. The sermon highlights the importance of giving in secret and contrasts it with the public display of righteousness for personal glory. It uses the analogy of not letting the left hand know what the right hand is doing to emphasize the need for genuine, selfless giving.
Giving with the Right Motives: A Heart of Generosity (River of Life Church Virginia) interprets Matthew 6:1-4 by emphasizing the importance of the heart's motive in giving. The sermon highlights that Jesus expects giving to be a natural part of a Christian's life, not as a command but as a duty. The Greek term for charitable giving is explored, indicating a deed of mercy or pity, especially towards the poor. This interpretation stresses that giving should be an unconscious habit, driven by an internal nature rather than external pressure.
Anchoring Our Trust in Christ Amidst Uncertainty (TC3.Church) interprets Matthew 6:1-4 by emphasizing the absolute nature of Jesus' warning against practicing righteousness for the sake of being seen by others. The sermon highlights that Jesus' words are absolute, meaning that anyone who does good deeds to be seen by others will lose their reward from God, regardless of the deed's goodness. This interpretation stresses the importance of internal motivation over external recognition, suggesting that the true value of actions lies in their intention rather than their visibility.
Matthew 6:1-4 Theological Themes:
Generosity: A Heartfelt Expression of Faith (Corinth Baptist Church) presents the theme that giving is an expression of righteousness, not just a financial act. The sermon discusses three types of biblical righteousness: legal, moral, and social. It emphasizes that giving falls under social righteousness, which involves right actions before others as a reflection of one's relationship with God. This perspective adds a new dimension to understanding giving as part of a holistic approach to living out one's faith.
Living for God's Approval: Genuine Righteousness Unveiled (Highlands Church) presents the theme of living for God's approval rather than human praise. The sermon emphasizes that true righteousness is not about outward appearances but about the intent and motivation behind our actions. It warns against the danger of seeking human approval and highlights the importance of having a pure heart in giving, praying, and fasting.
Giving from a Pure Heart: Motivations Matter (Walnut Creek Baptist Church) presents the theme of living for an "audience of one," which is God, rather than seeking human approval. This theme is distinct in its focus on the internal motivations behind actions and the idea that true righteousness is about pleasing God alone.
Living for God's Glory, Not Man's Approval (Shades Mountain Baptist Church) introduces the theme of the constant tension between living for God's glory and seeking human approval. It emphasizes that the Christian life is about letting one's light shine for God's glory, not for personal applause.
Living Faith: Actions That Glorify God (Grand Central Church of Christ) discusses the theme of orthodoxy and orthopraxy, highlighting that true faith involves both belief and action. The sermon emphasizes that actions should be motivated by God's glory rather than personal recognition.
Giving with the Right Motives: A Heart of Generosity (River of Life Church Virginia) presents the theme that giving is a reflection of God's character. The sermon suggests that just as God is generous and merciful, Christians are called to emulate these attributes through their giving. It also introduces the idea that giving is not just a command but a responsibility, rooted in the believer's relationship with God and others.
Anchoring Our Trust in Christ Amidst Uncertainty (TC3.Church) presents a theme of the countercultural nature of Jesus' teachings, particularly the call to give with motivations that please God rather than seeking validation from others. This theme is expanded by suggesting that the Sermon on the Mount provides a blueprint for living as ambassadors of God's kingdom in a world not yet fully transformed by God. The sermon also introduces the idea that the Sermon on the Mount is not about earning God's favor but about living out a transformed life through grace.
Matthew 6:1-4 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Generosity: A Heartfelt Expression of Faith (Corinth Baptist Church) provides historical context by explaining the cultural practice of giving alms in biblical times. The sermon notes that almsgiving was a common practice in Jewish culture, often done publicly to gain social recognition. This context helps to understand Jesus' admonition against public displays of giving for the sake of praise.
Living for God's Approval: Genuine Righteousness Unveiled (Highlands Church) provides historical context by explaining the practice of giving alms in the temple courtyard, where gifts for the poor were placed in a large chest called the "trumpet." The sermon explains how this practice evolved over time, with Pharisees using small trumpets to draw attention to their giving, which Jesus condemns as hypocritical.
Giving from a Pure Heart: Motivations Matter (Walnut Creek Baptist Church) provides historical context about the practice of almsgiving in the synagogues and streets, explaining how Pharisees would blow trumpets to announce their giving. This practice is contrasted with the original intent of discreet giving in the temple's "chamber of the secret."
Living for God's Glory, Not Man's Approval (Shades Mountain Baptist Church) explains the cultural practice of using trumpets to announce charitable acts, highlighting the hypocrisy of seeking public recognition for acts of righteousness.
Living Faith: Actions That Glorify God (Grand Central Church of Christ) discusses the cultural expectation of giving to the needy in ancient times, noting that it was a common practice without a welfare safety net. The sermon emphasizes the importance of giving for God's glory rather than personal honor.
Giving with the Right Motives: A Heart of Generosity (River of Life Church Virginia) provides historical context by explaining that in Jesus' time, there were no welfare systems, and the poor depended on the generosity of others. The sermon references Deuteronomy 15:11, which commands the Israelites to be open-handed towards the poor, highlighting that this was a societal norm and religious duty in Biblical times.
Anchoring Our Trust in Christ Amidst Uncertainty (TC3.Church) provides historical context by explaining that the term "hypocrite" originally referred to Greek actors who wore masks to play various roles. This insight is used to illustrate how people can perform good deeds for the wrong reasons, akin to wearing a mask to gain approval from others rather than acting out of genuine faith.
Matthew 6:1-4 Cross-References in the Bible:
Generosity: A Heartfelt Expression of Faith (Corinth Baptist Church) references 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 to explain legal righteousness, where Christ's sacrifice imputes righteousness to believers. This cross-reference supports the sermon’s interpretation that righteousness is a gift from God, and giving is an expression of that righteousness.
Living for God's Approval: Genuine Righteousness Unveiled (Highlands Church) references Matthew 7, where Jesus warns that many will claim to have done works in His name but will be rejected for practicing lawlessness. This cross-reference is used to emphasize the importance of motivation and intent in our actions, aligning with the message of Matthew 6:1-4 about seeking God's approval rather than human praise.
Giving from a Pure Heart: Motivations Matter (Walnut Creek Baptist Church) references Matthew 5:16, where Jesus calls believers to let their light shine before others. The sermon contrasts this with Matthew 6:1-4, explaining that the light should shine for God's glory, not for personal recognition. It also references Matthew 7 and Matthew 23 to highlight the dangers of hypocrisy and self-righteousness.
Living for God's Glory, Not Man's Approval (Shades Mountain Baptist Church) references Matthew 5:14-16 to emphasize the call to let one's light shine for God's glory. It also references 2 Timothy 4:1-4 to discuss the importance of handling the word of God with integrity and John 12:42-43 to illustrate the danger of loving human glory more than God's glory.
Living Faith: Actions That Glorify God (Grand Central Church of Christ) references Matthew 5:13-14 to emphasize the call to be salt and light in the world. The sermon also references Galatians 6 to discuss the principle of sowing and reaping and Acts 4-5 to contrast the motivations of Barnabas and Ananias and Sapphira in their giving.
Giving with the Right Motives: A Heart of Generosity (River of Life Church Virginia) references Deuteronomy 15:11 to support the idea that charitable giving is a longstanding command in the Bible. It also cites 2 Corinthians 9:5-10, where Paul encourages giving as a matter of generosity rather than obligation, reinforcing the principle of cheerful giving. Additionally, the sermon mentions Proverbs 11:25, which states that a generous person will prosper, linking the act of giving to receiving God's blessings.
Anchoring Our Trust in Christ Amidst Uncertainty (TC3.Church) references Matthew 5:1-2 to provide context for the Sermon on the Mount, explaining that Jesus' original audience was his disciples. The sermon also references Matthew 9:3-4 to illustrate Jesus' awareness of people's true motivations, as he knew the thoughts of the teachers of the law. Additionally, Matthew 7 is cited to discuss the concept of hypocrisy, where Jesus warns against focusing on others' faults while ignoring one's own.
Matthew 6:1-4 Christian References outside the Bible:
Practicing Righteousness: Aligning Hearts with God's Will (Community Church) references Dallas Willard's "Divine Conspiracy" to discuss the importance of seeking God's approval rather than human praise. Willard's insights emphasize that God rewards those who seek Him genuinely, not those who perform for others' approval.
Living for God's Approval: Genuine Righteousness Unveiled (Highlands Church) references J.B. Phillips, who translated the Bible into colloquial English. Phillips' translation of Matthew 6:1-4 is used to emphasize the importance of not seeking human admiration for our good deeds. The sermon also quotes Charles Haddon Spurgeon, who criticized the hypocrisy of seeking attention for charitable acts.
Living for God's Glory, Not Man's Approval (Shades Mountain Baptist Church) references Sinclair Ferguson, who describes the term "hypocrite" as an actor wearing a mask, highlighting the danger of performing for human approval. The sermon also quotes Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the sin of silence and the importance of speaking up for truth and justice.
Giving with the Right Motives: A Heart of Generosity (River of Life Church Virginia) references Oswald Chambers, who suggested that giving without letting the left hand know what the right hand is doing means making generosity an unconscious habit of life. This insight emphasizes the internalization of giving as a natural and habitual part of Christian living.
Anchoring Our Trust in Christ Amidst Uncertainty (TC3.Church) references Philip Yancey, who is quoted as saying that the Sermon on the Mount proves that all people stand on level ground before God, highlighting the universal need for grace. The sermon also cites Oswald Chambers, who emphasizes that Jesus came not only to teach but to transform us into what he teaches we should be, suggesting that the Sermon on the Mount reflects the life we will live when the Holy Spirit guides us.
Matthew 6:1-4 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Generosity: A Heartfelt Expression of Faith (Corinth Baptist Church) uses the analogy of a marriage relationship to illustrate the difference between transactional and intimate relationships with God. The sermon compares a transactional marriage to a relationship with God that is based solely on duty, whereas an intimate relationship involves genuine connection and giving from the heart.
Living for God's Approval: Genuine Righteousness Unveiled (Highlands Church) uses a fictional story about a young piano prodigy performing at Carnegie Hall. Despite receiving a standing ovation, the boy is concerned because his coach, the one person whose approval he seeks, is not applauding. This story illustrates the sermon's message that we should live for God's approval, not human applause.
Giving from a Pure Heart: Motivations Matter (Walnut Creek Baptist Church) uses the fictional story of a young piano prodigy who plays for an audience of one, his coach, to illustrate the importance of living for God's approval rather than human applause. The story emphasizes the idea that true motivation comes from seeking to please God alone.
Living for God's Glory, Not Man's Approval (Shades Mountain Baptist Church) uses the analogy of teaching children to drive, emphasizing the importance of being careful and aware of one's motivations. The sermon also references the concept of theater, where actors perform for applause, to illustrate the danger of living for human approval.
Giving with the Right Motives: A Heart of Generosity (River of Life Church Virginia) uses the example of the Rockefeller Building and Carnegie Hall to illustrate how public recognition can be the reward for giving when done for show. These examples highlight the contrast between earthly recognition and heavenly rewards, emphasizing the sermon’s message that true giving should be done in secret, without seeking public acclaim.
Anchoring Our Trust in Christ Amidst Uncertainty (TC3.Church) uses the analogy of a 17-year-old self seeking recognition for a sports performance to illustrate the concept of doing the right thing for the wrong reasons. The sermon also references iconic one-liners from movies like "The Sandlot" and "Dead Poets Society" to draw parallels with memorable biblical teachings, emphasizing the lasting impact of Jesus' words in the Sermon on the Mount.