“In Secret”“In Secret”

The Lord’s Prayer – Part 2 Piety in Context

The Lord’s Prayer

Matthew’s Context

Sermon on the Mount Matthew Chapters 5-7

Lord’s Prayer Matthew 6:9-13 At the center of the collection

Sermon on the Mount

Beatitudes (5:1-12) Rewards? Kingdom of heaven

Being seen (5:13-16) For the glory of God

Law and Righteousness (5:17-48) Genuine righteousness Case studies

Sermon on the Mount

Piety, perfection and righteousness (5:43-6:18) Don’t seek to be seen for your piety Rewards? (5:43-6:1) Case Studies (6:2-18)

• Charitable giving• Prayer• Fasting

Sermon on the Mount

Treasures in Heaven (6:19-24)More teachings (6:25-7:27)

Anxiety Judging Etc…

Matthew 6:1-18

Thesis statement “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.” (v. 1)

Matthew 6:1-18

Case Study Formula When you perform an act of piety… Don’t seek approval from others… Hypocrites make it a point of show… And they have received their reward; But when you perform an act of piety… Don’t be motivated by approval from others… Because your Father will see and reward.

Matthew 6:1-18

Case Study 1: Giving to the Poor “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. 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.” (vv. 2-4)

Matthew 6:1-18

Case Study 2: Prayer “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. 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.” (vv. 5-6)

Matthew 6:1-18

Case Study 2: Prayer “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.” (vv. 7-8)

Matthew 6:1-18

Case Study 3: Fasting “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.” (vv. 17-18)

Matthew 6:1-18

Thesis statement, reprise “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.” (v. 1)

“In Secret”

One key to unlocking passage meaning Take it literally? Is it symbolic?

“In Secret”

More symbolic than literal Making a show isn’t the real problem It’s the inner motivation

“In Secret” The kingdom of heaven The place where God is found

“Hidden” Parables

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field. Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!”

Matthew 13:44-46 NLT

Reward

Treasures on earthTreasures in heavenThe reward is the kingdomWhat is the kingdom?

God Himself People whom we’ve introduced to Christ More than a place or things, a community

Piety

False Piety Hypocrisy and acting out Giving

• To get something for one’s selfTrue Piety

A response to love and grace Giving

• No strings attached• No expectations of reward

Substance Over Form