wlsermons

TEXT: Matthew 6:1-4

We as Australians are not showy people. We well know how despicable it is to parade oneself about, looking for praise.

And yet... we do look for praise. We need affirmation, and approval.

where do we get it?

we usually look to other people.

-father.
-brothers/sisters
-mates/ friends
-pastors...?

Jesus tells us not to do our 'acts of righteousness' so as to be seen by others.

Does this mean we shouldn't do anything in public?
Does this mean religion should be a totally private thing, unseen by anyone?

No. A little earlier in this sermon on the mount, Jesus described us as his disciples as 'salt' and 'light'. Salt that is meant to be tasted; we're meant to make a difference in a bland world... and we're to be as lights on a hill, not hiding under a basket! Why are we to be salt and light? - Not to get anything for ourselves, but so that other people may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven!
So what's going on?
First Jesus says we are to be like salt and light - that what we do should be noticed by people, and then he says do good things - such as give to the needy, pray and fast -in secret!

How can we understand this?
Well, we need to check what the focus, or point of Jesus words is, in each case.

Salt and light: meat in danger of going off... - a world in danger of rotting - for the world's sake, Christians need to be out there, living under God's direction, bringing the influence of God's truth and love to the world. Again, to a world totally in the dark, when it comes to what God is really like, and what He's done for each person, we are called to bring light, and to be like light: at the very least, pointing to the light, saying something like 'Jesus is the one who turned on the light in my life... he can do the same for you!'

So the focus of that word, of being salt and light, is on the good of the world.

But in tonight's passage, there is a different focus. This focus is on what's good for you.
I began by talking about approval.
That's what this is about.
Where do we look for approval; where do we get it from.

Now Jesus' words exposed the hearts of the Jewish people who listened to him at the time. There probably were some Jews who couldn't care less about God's laws. But most would have been intimidated by people like the pharisees, and at least put up a good appearance. They looked for approval from others. We might know about this, but I'm not sure that this pressure is so great today. I believe we have pressure the other way!

Certainly there's pressure to impress people by doing the right things, being into the right music, the clothes, the sports, the entertainments, but when it comes to spirituality, or religion, the pressure is different. ->In our culture, we get points if we don't let our spirituality be seen; if we don't impress anyone!

"Keep it private" - That's how Australians like it.

So what's the problem?
The problem is that technically we might be following Jesus' words, and keeping our relationship with God hidden, but the motivation, the goal, of our behaviour may be the very thing Jesus strictly warned against.

"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before people, to be seen by them..."

The aim, & the motivation Jesus spoke against, is trying to get the approval of people around you, or to keep this approval.

We don't have persecution in our country, do we? I mean we are free to practice our religion to the hilt, aren't we? Technically, yes.
But what if we try it?
The rotting meat does not like the salt; it stings; And the light shows things up for what they are, and people may realise that they fall short, and that after all, they do need a Christ as Saviour - but anything is to be preferred to this, by many people. So very subtly, Christians are alienated, marginalised... ridiculed as people who are simply moralists, and don't care about others; or else they are Bible bashers and fundamentalists, however quietly and reasonably they affirm a faith in the trustworthiness and authority of the Scriptures... and we could go on.

We need approval.
We naturally look for encouragement and affirmation from other people.
That's not wrong. In itself.
But it becomes wrong when our hearts are caught up in what other people think of us, to the extent that we forget God.
We may have peace, and gain the approval of our neighbours by toning our faith down low. That's a reward for our actions, says the Lord. But that may be all we get.
And in the end, what does it matter, what other people think of us...? We tie ourselves up in knots, looking in the wrong place for something that the living GOD is waiting, quietly and patiently, to give us.
Jesus says, "Make what God thinks your focus. Forget others. He's your real Father. What he thinks of you counts."

So does this mean we have to impress God?
That's got to be worse than trying to impress other people!

We can put on 'fronts' with other people; make ourselves out to be what we're not. But we can't do this with God.
He knows us. He can see our hearts. He discerns our motivation,
and everything that doesn't come out of a free, and happy love for Him, is worthless.

Jesus talked about God the Father rewarding us:

v.3,4 "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."

How can this be?
We know from the Scriptures, that we can never be good enough to earn God's approval.
It says, "For all have sinned and fall short of God's glory..." and "There is no one who is righteous, no not one. All alike have sinned and turned away." -Romans 3:23, & 10-12.

But the Scriptures say more: Through the Word of 'law', we are faced with our sins and short comings, and left to ourselves, there is no hope. BUT, through the 'Gospel' there IS hope! What we are powerless to do, God did, through Jesus Christ, and He has won for us, God's approval, along with full acceptance, forgiveness, peace, cleansing, and all that we need and yearn for!
And this approval comes to all who receive what Jesus has done, as a free gift, by believing in him, and by continuing to rest our faith in Him always, for the approval we need.

So what are you going to do this Lent? You won't parade your 'acts of righteousness'; nor will you need to be afraid of what others might think, and cover up the light God has given you. You won't have the need to look to other people for ultimate acceptance and approval: why not? because through Jesus, you and I have God's approval; -and we know Him as our Father; the One Who really counts!

This Lenten season is a time to come away from seeking the approval of a world that's set against God. It's a time to once again receive assurance that the LORD God, our heavenly Father, is pleased with each of us. It's not something we have earned, or ever can earn. It's His gift, earned for us by Jesus.

So God's peace be with you, and may this Lent season be a time of enjoying God's approval. May it be a time also of appreciating what Jesus has done for you, and for me, to get us where we're meant to be: in the arms of our gracious and loving heavenly Father.

Amen.

The peace of God which is beyond all human understanding, stand guard over your hearts and minds, with the love and power of Christ Jesus. Amen. ©Rev Wayne Logan 1997