Embracing Secrecy: Finding Freedom in God's Presence

 

Summary

In our exploration of the sixth chapter of Matthew, we delve into the profound teachings of Jesus on the nature of righteousness and the dangers of seeking approval from others. Jesus challenges us to understand that the true insurmountable force in our lives is not our problems or addictions, but the presence of God and His kingdom. This presence invites us to live by the golden rule, focusing on the intrinsic goodness that surpasses the superficial righteousness of religious leaders like the scribes and Pharisees.

Jesus warns against practicing righteousness for the sake of being seen by others, as this leads to a life fueled by the need for approval. Instead, He encourages the practice of secrecy in our spiritual lives, which is particularly important for those who struggle with approval addiction. This practice helps us to avoid the trap of self-promotion and the chronic need to impress others. By doing so, we can experience the freedom that comes from knowing our identity as children of God, loved unconditionally by Him.

The concept of reward is central to this teaching. Jesus emphasizes that the rewards promised in the Gospels are not superficial or mercenary but are intrinsic and deeply connected to our spiritual growth. The reward for practicing secrecy is the freedom from the enslavement of seeking approval from others. This freedom allows us to live confidently and love others genuinely, without the burden of constantly seeking validation.

Through examples of secret generosity, we see the joy and fulfillment that come from doing good without seeking recognition. This practice of secrecy aligns with the intimate relationship we have with our Father in Heaven, who desires great freedom for us. As we embrace this teaching, we are invited to reflect on how we can incorporate acts of secret goodness into our lives, experiencing the profound joy and freedom that come from living in alignment with God's will.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Presence of God as the True Insurmountable Force: Our greatest challenge is not our addictions or problems, but recognizing and embracing the presence of God and His kingdom in our lives. This presence empowers us to live by the golden rule and focus on intrinsic goodness. [00:46]

2. The Danger of Approval Addiction: Seeking approval from others can lead to a life of self-promotion and chronic dissatisfaction. Jesus teaches us to practice secrecy in our spiritual lives to avoid this trap and find true freedom in our identity as God's children. [02:29]

3. Intrinsic Rewards of Spiritual Growth: The rewards promised in the Gospels are not superficial but are deeply connected to our spiritual growth. Practicing secrecy in our righteousness leads to the intrinsic reward of freedom from the need for approval. [06:21]

4. The Joy of Secret Generosity: Acts of secret goodness bring profound joy and fulfillment, as they align with our relationship with our Father in Heaven. This practice allows us to experience the joy of giving without seeking recognition. [09:29]

5. Living in Alignment with God's Will: Embracing the practice of secrecy and intrinsic rewards helps us live confidently and love others genuinely. This alignment with God's will leads to a life of freedom and fulfillment, free from the enslavement of seeking validation. [10:39]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:46] - The Presence of God and His Kingdom
- [01:01] - Exploring Matthew Chapter 6
- [01:31] - Practicing Righteousness in Secrecy
- [02:11] - Avoiding Approval Addiction
- [03:11] - The True Meaning of Righteousness
- [04:08] - Trapped by Approval Addiction
- [05:11] - Rewards from the Father in Heaven
- [06:08] - C.S. Lewis on Rewards
- [07:05] - Different Kinds of Rewards
- [08:08] - The Reward of Freedom
- [09:16] - The Power of Secret Generosity
- [10:09] - Embracing Secret Goodness
- [11:07] - Series on the Sermon on the Mount
- [12:01] - Community and Prayer Requests

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 6:1-4 - "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

2. Matthew 5:16 - "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

3. Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus warn against in Matthew 6:1-4 regarding the practice of righteousness? How does this relate to the concept of approval addiction mentioned in the sermon? [02:11]

2. How does the sermon explain the apparent contradiction between Matthew 5:16 and Matthew 6:1-4 about doing good deeds publicly versus in secret? [01:58]

3. What examples of secret generosity were shared in the sermon, and what impact did they have on the individuals involved? [09:29]

4. According to the sermon, what is the intrinsic reward for practicing secrecy in our spiritual lives? [08:08]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of "approval addiction" manifest in modern life, and what are some ways individuals might unknowingly seek validation from others? [04:08]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that practicing secrecy in our spiritual lives can lead to freedom? How does this align with the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 6? [08:22]

3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between intrinsic rewards and spiritual growth? Why might these rewards be more fulfilling than external validation? [08:46]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of God's rewards compared to human approval, and how does this influence one's spiritual journey? [05:11]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you sought approval from others. How did it affect your actions and feelings? What steps can you take to focus more on God's approval rather than human validation? [04:58]

2. Consider the practice of secret generosity. What is one act of kindness you can perform this week without seeking recognition? How might this change your perspective on giving? [09:16]

3. How can you incorporate the practice of secrecy in your spiritual life to combat approval addiction? What specific actions can you take to ensure your motivations align with God's will? [02:29]

4. Identify an area in your life where you feel enslaved by the need for approval. What practical steps can you take to experience the freedom that comes from knowing your identity as a child of God? [08:22]

5. How can you make "seeking first the kingdom of God" a priority in your daily life? What changes might you need to make to align your actions with this principle? [06:21]

6. Reflect on the joy of secret generosity shared in the sermon. How can you cultivate a heart that finds fulfillment in giving without recognition? [09:29]

7. What is one way you can remind yourself of God's unconditional love and approval, especially when you feel tempted to seek validation from others? [08:22]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing God's Presence as Our True Strength
In the sixth chapter of Matthew, Jesus teaches that the true insurmountable force in our lives is not our problems or addictions, but the presence of God and His kingdom. This presence empowers us to live by the golden rule and focus on intrinsic goodness, surpassing the superficial righteousness of religious leaders. By recognizing and embracing God's presence, we are invited to shift our focus from our struggles to the transformative power of His kingdom. This shift allows us to live with a sense of purpose and direction, grounded in the knowledge that God's presence is the ultimate source of strength and guidance. [00:46]

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally acknowledge and embrace God's presence in your daily routine today, allowing it to guide your actions and decisions?


Day 2: Freedom from Approval Addiction
Jesus warns against practicing righteousness for the sake of being seen by others, as this leads to a life fueled by the need for approval. Instead, He encourages the practice of secrecy in our spiritual lives, which is particularly important for those who struggle with approval addiction. This practice helps us to avoid the trap of self-promotion and the chronic need to impress others. By doing so, we can experience the freedom that comes from knowing our identity as children of God, loved unconditionally by Him. [02:29]

"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." (Galatians 1:10, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you seek approval from others. How can you practice secrecy in this area to find freedom in your identity as God's child?


Day 3: The Intrinsic Rewards of Spiritual Growth
The concept of reward is central to Jesus' teaching. He emphasizes that the rewards promised in the Gospels are not superficial or mercenary but are intrinsic and deeply connected to our spiritual growth. The reward for practicing secrecy is the freedom from the enslavement of seeking approval from others. This freedom allows us to live confidently and love others genuinely, without the burden of constantly seeking validation. By focusing on intrinsic rewards, we align ourselves with God's will and experience the profound joy and fulfillment that come from spiritual growth. [06:21]

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a recent act of kindness or service you performed in secret. How did it impact your sense of freedom and spiritual growth?


Day 4: The Joy of Secret Generosity
Through examples of secret generosity, we see the joy and fulfillment that come from doing good without seeking recognition. This practice of secrecy aligns with the intimate relationship we have with our Father in Heaven, who desires great freedom for us. As we embrace this teaching, we are invited to reflect on how we can incorporate acts of secret goodness into our lives, experiencing the profound joy and freedom that come from living in alignment with God's will. [09:29]

"But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a way you can practice secret generosity this week. How can this act deepen your relationship with God and bring you joy?


Day 5: Living in Alignment with God's Will
Embracing the practice of secrecy and intrinsic rewards helps us live confidently and love others genuinely. This alignment with God's will leads to a life of freedom and fulfillment, free from the enslavement of seeking validation. By focusing on God's will, we are empowered to live a life that reflects His love and grace, impacting those around us in meaningful ways. This alignment invites us to continually seek God's guidance and direction, trusting that His will is perfect and leads to true fulfillment. [10:39]

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to align with God's will? How can you take a step today to trust in His guidance and live in alignment with His purpose?

Quotes


"we're study together the greatest talk ever given by the greatest teacher who ever taught Jesus surmon them out and he says what's insurmountable is not your problem not your addiction to approval or whatever else you might be addicted to it's the presence of God and his kingdom and his friendship and his love and his power and it's here right now and that means you can make this a golden rule day and live for something else" [00:35:14]

"be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them if you do you will have no reward from your father in Heaven and then we'll go on to look at he gives three different examples around generos and around praying and around fasting but this the overall framework now this is kind of confusing sometimes to people because Jesus in the last chapter it said let your light shine before everybody don't hide it under AB Buel so that everybody can see all your good deeds and now he's saying uh be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of other people so is there a contradiction no no no no no the point that he's making here is um not that it's wrong ever to do something that other people see don't do things in order to be seen by other people so that you are living to be fueled by their approval" [01:31:56]

"so um this suggestion of the practice of secrecy is a practice that will be particularly important for those of us who wrestle with the need to improve other people and I will do this I will fight this by things like when I'm with somebody especially if I think they're important or I want them to like me I will act more agreeable than I really am I will be afraid to speak the truth as I actually see it there'll be a just a chronic thread of self-promotion going on inside me I'll be over monitoring them to look at how are they responding to what I say and to what I I do I'll be kind of hyping or spinning or shading and and lots of stuff that's much worse than that so if you wrestle with that then Jesus has given some advice for you he says don't practice your" [02:22:44]

"righteousness now we've looked at this idea of righteousness is that basic thing that makes you a good person or not and that with when religion goes bad and it does inside all of us then what often happens is we turn it into something that we do so that we will look good in front of other people and this happened with the scribes and the Pharisees all the time so that their heart was off one of the real important words we'll be looking at as we go through this chapter is the word hypocrite and it means something quite different than you and I often think about but uh I will try to use my devotional activities my spiritual life in order to look good in front of you rather than to be living with a different kind of heart now this is very" [03:11:44]

"important um the our vulnerability to living to impress other people goes beyond religion and in our day it's not just practicing our righteousness to be seen by other people there's all kinds of ways that we get trapped by approval addiction um how successful am I I want you to know how educated am I how smart am I how attractive am I how talented and gifted am I how athletic hey I got a burning on this hole did anybody here notice uh and we can do all of those kind of things in order to be seen by other people and and then you get a kind of reward people will applaud you but what happens is you get increasingly IND addicted and uh that little burst of gratification that comes from uh experiencing approval from another person never lasts never endures cannot sustain a life" [04:08:00]

"and Jesus comment on this is now if you want to do that if you want to try to live to impress other people and to gain approval you can but if you do that um you will have no reward from your father in Heaven now these are real important words in the sermon of the mouth Father in Heaven is a phrase that Jesus uses in particular here over and over and over and it it reminds us um both of the intimate affection we can have he's like my father but then also uh his Transcendent power and goodness he is in heaven in the heavens All Around Me U I knew there was somebody in the heavens didn't know to be my father wanted to have a father didn't know he was in the" [05:11:56]

"heavens and then he gives a reward now people sometimes get concerned about uh if I'm living for a reward isn't that kind of superficial so I want to share this from CS Lewis's wonderful wonderful essay the way of Glory he writes if there lurks in most modern Minds the notion that to desire our own good earnestly hope for the enjoyment of it is a bad thing I submit this notion is crept in from Kant and the stoics and is no part of Christian faith indeed if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the Staggering nature of the rewards promised in the gospels mistos is a word for reward that is used I think it's 10 times by Matthew primarily in this of the M it's over and over and over again it would seem our Lord finds our desires not too strong but too weak we are half-hearted creatures fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite Joy is offered us like an ignorant child wants to go on making mud pies in the slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at Sea we are far too easily" [06:08:00]

"pleased and then this this this is critical for what we're looking at Matthew 6 we must not be troubled by unbelievers when they say This Promise of reward makes the Christian Life a mercenary Affair there are different kinds of rewards there is the reward which has no natural connection with the things you do to earn it it's quite foreign to the desires that ought to accompany those things money is not the natural reward of love that's why we call a man mercenary if he marries a woman for the sake of her money but marriage is the proper reward for a real lover and he is not mercenary for Desiring it or for example when it comes to learning uh uh the the extrinsic reward for learning might be a great a high GPA I compress other people with it the intrinsic reward is that I gain knowledge that I had the joy of Discovery and growth so the Bible uses uses lots of imagery for rewards um but there are always intrinsic rewards there are always things that are naturally tied now what's the reward for practicing" [07:05:00]

"secrecy and the reward is freedom I get to be a little bit freed from having to live under this stupid enslaving addiction what do you think of me do you like me and to be free of that because I know that my identity is the child of God and God loves me and God loves me no matter what you think me oh that's Freedom that's the reward that God gives now if I'm doing something in front of other people and trying to impress them then I get them to do this and that's it I used to think that what that meant was God had a little gold star and if I get other people to be impressed and he not going to give me that gold start no no no no no it is the intrinsic reward that comes along with spiritual growth and obedience and that is the goodness of freedom to be free to be able to be confident and relaxed and to be able to love other people cuz I'm no longer living under the slavery of what do you thinking me I want that I really want that you want that too I know you" [08:08:00]

"do so we're going to explore this more but for today just think about where can you keep something a secret I was reading about a man back in the 1930s uh under a pseudonym I think it was beero who put an ad in the Canton newspaper and tons of people wrote in who needed financial help and so anonymously he wrote checks nobody ever knew who it was couple years ago his grandson went through an attic and found a suitcase with all these letters written to Beaver though it was his grandfather nobody ever knew as long as he Liv just the joy of secret generosity read about a single mom didn't drive she had to uh walk two little kids a mile to the grocery store she take them in a little red wagon she came home one day there's just a box of groceries in her yard she didn't find out for years it was a bank teller that knew a little bit about her life that just uh did secret good for her I could tell you about things that I have done that are secret good but then I would lose my reward so I will not do that but you might just think today what's one thing good thing that you could do good thing that you have accomplished that instead of telling somebody else so that I get that little burst of gratification in there something instead of getting the wow uh I'm able to keep it a secret and realize I have a father in Heaven and he loves me and he wants great freedom for me he wants great freedom for you so this is the beginning of the power of secrecy in a life of Freedom make it a golden rule" [09:16:00]

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Transcript
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