Shining Your Light Through Sincerity and Authenticity
Summary
### Summary
Welcome, everyone. It's a joy to gather and worship the King. Today, we have several announcements. Our community groups will meet this evening for fellowship and Bible study. Seniors, don't forget the Silver Friends gathering tomorrow at 11:30 AM for fellowship and games. This Saturday, we have our Gospel Blitz at 9:30 AM to distribute flyers and invite people to church. Also, our Adult Summer Sunday School is starting soon, featuring classes on 1st and 2nd Peter and the Sequoia Discipleship material. Please sign up if you haven't already.
Let's turn our Bibles to Matthew chapter 6. Our theme for the year 2024 is "Shine Your Light," and today, we will focus on how we can shine our light through sincerity. Sincerity means being free from pretense, deceit, or hypocrisy. It's about being real, the same in private as we are in public. Jesus addresses this in Matthew 6, emphasizing that our actions should be for God's eyes, not for the approval of others.
Jesus condemns vain repetitions in prayer. We are not to say words over and over again without meaning. Instead, our prayers should be a genuine conversation with God, acknowledging His greatness and asking for His will to be done. We should pray for our needs, for forgiveness, and for protection from evil. Prayer is a privilege, a conversation with the God of the universe, and it should be sincere and heartfelt.
Jesus also addresses the issue of hypocrisy in our religious practices. He warns against doing good deeds, like giving to charity, just to be seen by others. Our acts of mercy should be done in secret, for God's approval, not for human praise. The same goes for our prayers and fasting. We should not make a show of our spirituality to impress others. Instead, we should focus on our relationship with God, doing everything for His glory.
In Matthew 6, Jesus uses the word "hypocrites" multiple times to describe those who do religious acts to be seen by others. He contrasts this with the sincere believer who does everything for God's eyes alone. Jesus emphasizes that our Father, who sees in secret, will reward us openly. This sincerity should extend to all areas of our lives, including our charity, prayers, and fasting.
Jesus gives us a model for prayer, often referred to as the Lord's Prayer. This model includes worshiping God, asking for His kingdom to come, praying for our daily needs, seeking forgiveness, and asking for protection from evil. This prayer is not meant to be repeated mindlessly but to guide us in our conversations with God.
Finally, Jesus addresses the issue of fasting. He warns against fasting to be seen by others, emphasizing that it should be a private act between us and God. Fasting is a tool to focus on God, to declare our dependence on Him, and to remind us to pray. It's not about impressing others but about seeking God's heart.
In conclusion, we shine our light through our sincerity. We live for an audience of one—God. Our world is full of hypocrisy, but genuine sincerity stands out. When we are the same in private as we are in public, people notice the difference. Let's live for God, not for the approval of others, and let our sincerity shine brightly in this world.
### Key Takeaways
1. Sincerity in Worship and Fellowship: Our worship and fellowship should be genuine, not just a public display. We gather to worship God and to draw closer to Him, not to impress others. This sincerity in our worship and fellowship is what truly honors God and impacts our community. [12:02]
2. Genuine Prayer: Prayer is a heartfelt conversation with God, not a ritualistic repetition of words. Jesus teaches us to pray sincerely, acknowledging God's greatness, seeking His will, and presenting our needs and confessions to Him. This genuine approach to prayer strengthens our relationship with God and aligns our hearts with His. [57:37]
3. Authentic Charity: Our acts of charity should be done in secret, for God's approval, not for human praise. Jesus warns against doing good deeds to be seen by others. True charity flows from a heart that loves God and seeks to serve others out of that love, not for recognition. [45:14]
4. Sincere Fasting: Fasting should be a private act of devotion, not a public display of piety. Jesus emphasizes that fasting is about seeking God's heart and demonstrating our dependence on Him. It's a tool to focus on God and remind us to pray, not to impress others. [01:06:32]
5. Living for God's Approval: Our entire spiritual life, including our charity, prayers, and fasting, should be done for God's eyes alone. We live for an audience of one, and this sincerity sets us apart in a world full of hypocrisy. When we are the same in private as we are in public, our light shines brightly, and people notice the difference. [01:07:50]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[11:05] - Announcements
[12:02] - Opening Prayer
[38:32] - Introduction to Matthew 6
[39:02] - Shine Your Light Through Sincerity
[44:32] - Hypocrisy vs. Sincerity
[45:14] - Sincere Charity
[51:23] - Sincere Prayer
[57:37] - Model for Prayer
[01:03:00] - Sincere Fasting
[01:07:50] - Living for God's Approval
[01:10:20] - Closing Prayer
[01:12:12] - Final Announcements
[01:22:12] - Farewell to Pastor Mike and Miss Betty
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Matthew 6:1-18
### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus say about the way we should give to charity in Matthew 6:1-4? How should our giving be different from the hypocrites? [45:14]
2. According to Matthew 6:5-8, what are the characteristics of sincere prayer as taught by Jesus? [51:23]
3. In Matthew 6:16-18, how does Jesus instruct us to fast, and what is the reason behind these instructions? [01:03:38]
4. How many times does Jesus use the word "hypocrites" in Matthew 6, and what behaviors does He associate with hypocrisy? [43:44]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize the importance of doing charitable acts in secret? How does this align with the concept of sincerity? [45:14]
2. What does Jesus mean when He says, "your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly"? How does this promise affect our motivation for spiritual practices? [43:08]
3. How can the model of the Lord's Prayer guide us in our personal prayer life? What elements of this prayer are essential for sincere communication with God? [57:59]
4. Why is fasting considered a private act of devotion, and how does this practice help us focus on God? [01:03:38]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own acts of charity. Do you find yourself seeking recognition from others? How can you shift your focus to seek God's approval instead? [45:14]
2. Think about your prayer life. Do you often use repetitive phrases without meaning? How can you make your prayers more heartfelt and sincere? [51:23]
3. Have you ever fasted? If so, was it for spiritual reasons or to be seen by others? How can you ensure that your fasting is a genuine act of devotion to God? [01:03:38]
4. Jesus teaches us to live for an audience of one—God. Are there areas in your life where you are more concerned about what others think than what God thinks? How can you change this mindset? [44:32]
5. Consider the way you present yourself in public versus in private. Are you consistent in your behavior and faith? What steps can you take to ensure that you are the same person in both settings? [01:07:50]
6. How can you incorporate the elements of the Lord's Prayer into your daily prayer routine to make it more meaningful and aligned with God's will? [57:59]
7. In what ways can you demonstrate sincerity in your spiritual practices this week? Identify one specific action you can take to live more authentically for God. [01:07:50]
Devotional
Day 1: Genuine Worship and Fellowship
Our worship and fellowship should be genuine, not just a public display. We gather to worship God and to draw closer to Him, not to impress others. This sincerity in our worship and fellowship is what truly honors God and impacts our community. When we come together, it should be with hearts that are open and honest before God, seeking to glorify Him and build each other up in love. This kind of genuine worship and fellowship creates a strong, authentic community that reflects God's love to the world.
Jesus emphasized the importance of sincerity in our religious practices, warning against hypocrisy. He taught that our actions should be for God's eyes, not for the approval of others. This means that our worship and fellowship should be the same in private as they are in public. When we gather, let us do so with pure hearts, seeking to honor God and encourage one another in our faith journey. [12:02]
Matthew 6:1-2 (ESV): "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. 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."
Reflection: How can you ensure that your worship and fellowship are genuine and not just for show? What steps can you take to cultivate sincerity in your relationship with God and others?
Day 2: Genuine Prayer
Prayer is a heartfelt conversation with God, not a ritualistic repetition of words. Jesus teaches us to pray sincerely, acknowledging God's greatness, seeking His will, and presenting our needs and confessions to Him. This genuine approach to prayer strengthens our relationship with God and aligns our hearts with His. When we pray, it should be with a sincere heart, truly seeking to connect with God and align our desires with His will.
Jesus condemns vain repetitions in prayer, emphasizing that our prayers should be meaningful and sincere. He provides a model for prayer, often referred to as the Lord's Prayer, which includes worshiping God, asking for His kingdom to come, praying for our daily needs, seeking forgiveness, and asking for protection from evil. This model guides us in our conversations with God, helping us to pray in a way that is genuine and heartfelt. [57:37]
Matthew 6:7-8 (ESV): "And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."
Reflection: How can you make your prayer life more genuine and heartfelt? What specific steps can you take to ensure that your prayers are a true conversation with God?
Day 3: Authentic Charity
Our acts of charity should be done in secret, for God's approval, not for human praise. Jesus warns against doing good deeds to be seen by others. True charity flows from a heart that loves God and seeks to serve others out of that love, not for recognition. When we give to those in need, it should be with a sincere desire to help and bless them, not to gain praise or admiration from others.
Jesus uses the word "hypocrites" to describe those who do good deeds to be seen by others. He contrasts this with the sincere believer who does everything for God's eyes alone. Our acts of mercy should be done in secret, for God's approval, not for human praise. This kind of authentic charity reflects God's love and brings glory to Him. [45:14]
Matthew 6:3-4 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: How can you ensure that your acts of charity are done with a sincere heart and not for recognition? What specific actions can you take to practice authentic charity in your daily life?
Day 4: Sincere Fasting
Fasting should be a private act of devotion, not a public display of piety. Jesus emphasizes that fasting is about seeking God's heart and demonstrating our dependence on Him. It's a tool to focus on God and remind us to pray, not to impress others. When we fast, it should be with a sincere desire to draw closer to God and seek His guidance and strength.
Jesus warns against fasting to be seen by others, emphasizing that it should be a private act between us and God. Fasting is a way to declare our dependence on God and to focus our hearts and minds on Him. It is not about impressing others with our spirituality but about seeking a deeper connection with God. [01:06:32]
Matthew 6:16-18 (ESV): "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. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 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."
Reflection: How can you make your fasting a sincere act of devotion to God? What specific steps can you take to ensure that your fasting is focused on seeking God's heart and not on impressing others?
Day 5: Living for God's Approval
Our entire spiritual life, including our charity, prayers, and fasting, should be done for God's eyes alone. We live for an audience of one, and this sincerity sets us apart in a world full of hypocrisy. When we are the same in private as we are in public, our light shines brightly, and people notice the difference. Living for God's approval means seeking to please Him in all that we do, rather than seeking the praise and recognition of others.
Jesus emphasizes that our Father, who sees in secret, will reward us openly. This sincerity should extend to all areas of our lives, including our charity, prayers, and fasting. When we live for God's approval, we reflect His light and love to the world, making a genuine impact on those around us. [01:07:50]
Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV): "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Reflection: How can you ensure that you are living for God's approval and not for the praise of others? What specific actions can you take to align your heart and life with God's will and seek to please Him in all that you do?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We live for an audience of one, and that's different than the world around us. Our world lives for the likes of social media. Our world lives for the approval and recognition of others. But Jesus states that we should do our charity, our prayers, our fasting, our spiritual life in secret. Not to be seen by others, but to be seen by our God. We don't post it on social media. I'm fasting today. Oh, I prayed for two hours today. Oh man, I had a great time studying my Bible for the last six hours. We don't do that to get the attention of other people. Our heart is focused on God. We do it for Him." [01:08:05]
2. "By living for God, not to be seen by others, but living for God because we truly and genuinely love our God and we want to be just like Him. May we shine our light this year through our sincerity. Be the same person that in private that you are in public. Don't fight in the car on the way to church and then walk into church and be like, oh, brother, it's so good to see you. Everything's great. Just don't fight in the car beforehand, okay? Do it right. Live a godly life and you'll make a difference in this world because our world sees hypocrisy everywhere they look. And genuineness, sincerity stands out. And they go, there's something different about them. Jesus does make a difference." [01:10:20]
3. "Sincerity is such a rare characteristic trait to find in our society that when it is found, it makes an impact. When people see that we are the same in private as the persona that we have in public, it really stands out to other people. Jesus preached here in Matthew chapter number six that we can shine our light through our sincerity. Three different times, Jesus states, the father which sees in secret shall reward the openly." [42:26]
4. "We don't do it so others will talk about how great we are. We don't even do it to get rewarded by God. Though it says in verse number four that he will reward us. We don't treat it like an investment. Oh, I'm gonna give. I'm gonna do so. So I will be blessed by God. We give because we're like our God. And our God is a giving God. He's a merciful God. He gives to others. Anything that we do, whether it's giving our time, our money, or anything else, should be done not to receive praise from other people." [49:24]
5. "Prayer is a privilege. It's a conversation. That between us and the God of this universe. We don't pray for the benefit of other people. We don't pray to be seen of others. Rather, we pray to talk with our God. It's an amazing privilege that we as Christians have to have. We have been invited to enter into the very throne room of grace with boldness. We don't have to ask for permission. God's already invited us through what Jesus Christ has done." [01:01:08]
### Quotes for Members
1. "In verse number five, he mentions the phrase seen of men. And in verse number 16, he uses the phrase that they may appear unto men. It's clear that within this passage, Jesus Christ is talking about sincerity and hypocrisy. On one side, you have a group of people who did what they did in order to be seen by others. Then on the other side, you have Jesus Christ who's encouraging us to do what we do, not to be seen by other people, but to be seen by God. We should do what we do for God's eyes, for him to see, not for the eyes of others. We should be who we are for the eyes of God, not to impress." [44:32]
2. "Who you are at home is who you really are. Are you the same person in private that you are in public? I'll tell you one of the worst things that any parent can do for their children is to live a life of hypocrisy. Their kids come to church. They hear their Sunday school teacher teaching about how you should live as a Christian. They hear the pastor get up and preach from the word of God about how Jesus Christ expects us to live. And your kids are hearing this about what Jesus Christ expects and what God expects from us and how Jesus makes us different. And then they go home and they see mom and dad not living that type of life. They see mom and dad not being as they heard in Sunday school as they heard from the preaching of the word of God. And what our kids walk away from thinking is Jesus doesn't really make a difference in their life. That's just all talk. That's just all something that's said. Yeah, mom and dad, they sing in church. Yeah, mom and dad, they put a smile on their face and they talk about Jesus at church. But they never talk about Jesus at home. They never make a difference in our community. They act just like everyone else. And that hurts our kids more than anything else. We shine our light through our sincerity by not being hypocrites." [01:09:14]
3. "Jesus states that our prayer shouldn't be repetitious in verse eight. But when you pray, use not vain repetitions as the heathen do, for they think that they shall be hurt. For they're much speaking. Prayer is not just a matter of saying the Shema or the Amida. Prayer is not a matter of just repeating some words. The pagans who worship false idols do this. They just repeat things. When God's people pray, we're talking with the living God. He's a person. He's relatable. He talks with us. He communicates with us. He's our father. And we can have a conversation with us. And so Jesus tells us, he gives us, he gives us a model for how we are to pray." [57:37]
4. "We don't fast to get the attention of men. We fast to get the attention of God and to demonstrate to God just how desperate we are about this situation. We're sincere. We don't care what anyone else thinks. We don't care what anyone else says about us. Our attention is on our God. See, we shine our light. We shine our light through our sincerity. When we don't do things for the eyes of other people, but instead we do them for the eyes of God, that's different. When we're the same." [01:07:17]
5. "How many of us meet with God on a daily basis? Really meet with him. Now we know when we pray, we've had a communication, we've had a conversation with our God. Jesus states that if we want to shine our light to the world, we must be a people who pray. Not someone that merely says words, but someone who meets with our God. Someone who has a relationship with God and therefore has no problem having a conversation with God because he's our Father. The final area of sincerity that Jesus addresses is that of fasting." [01:03:00]
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