– Matthew 6.1-6, 16-18 –

The Sermon on the Mount 9: Practicing Your Righteousness

Introduction

Having told the disciples that their righteousness must exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees (5.20), Jesus showed them how the covenant community was not righteous, but was filled with murder and adultery, grudges and vengeance (5.21-48). Now, Jesus takes up the practice of righteousness in general.

Lesson

Practicing righteousness. Vs 1 literally says, “Take heed that you do not practice your righteousness before men, to be seen by them.” Jesus is talking about how we practice covenant faithfulness (which is what righteousness means in the Bible) across the board.

Unto the Lord. For our righteousness to exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees (5.20), our acts must be motivated by faith in God and a desire to serve Him and those who bear His image, not by a secret desire to serve ourselves and our glory among men.

Inner and outer religion. Jesus does not pit inner piety against outward religion. Jesus does not say, “Be careful not to practice righteousness before men,” but, “Be careful not to practice righteousness before men to be seen by them and to receive glory from them (1, 2, 5).”

Rewards. Jesus does not promote a “pure” religion, free of desire of reward. He promotes true religion fueled by desire for God’s approval and blessing. God’s approval sometimes leads to man’s approval, but the order of approval is critical.

Hypocrites. Jesus focuses on our motives and tells us not to be hypocrites. The Greek word hupokrites comes from ancient Greek theater and literally means one who answers the chorus. A hypocrite is one who acts with one eye on the chorus. The Pharisees began as a renewal movement with a desire to live out the faith through practical holiness and good works. By Jesus’ day, their outworkings of faith were no longer rendered unto the Lord, but unto the “chorus” with a desire for recognition and glory.

Three examples of hypocrites. (1) The man who announces his alms giving with a trumpet fanfare. (2) The man who makes long prayers in public. (3) The man who fasts with a suffering face. In each case the supposed reason is noble, but the real reason is to gain attention and glory from the covenant community.

Serving God and not playing to the chorus. Jesus’ word to all three hypocrites (and to us) is forget about yourself and forget about who is watching. Serve God sincerely from the heart, and take steps if necessary to remove the temptation to play to the chorus, remembering that the “heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jer 17.9.)

What are our temptations to play to the chorus? Our temptations won’t necessarily be the same as those of the first century. Our temptations will be the things we least expect. Our temptations will be the good things we do. Our temptations will be those things most valued and promoted in our circles as indicators of mature faith. Our temptations will be those things regarding which we would be most defensive if we received a warning or rebuke.