Sermons on Matthew 6:17:

Motive Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 7, 2021

Motive has a lot to do with the spirit of the law? Let’s look at motive in three areas highlighted by Jesus.

Motive has a lot to do with the spirit of the law? Let’s look at motive in three areas highlighted by Jesus. 1. Motive in Giving to the Poor Christians are to help the poor, but with what motive? This is a complementary passage to Jesus’ instructions to let our light (of good works) shine. We ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Surest Path To Great Reward In 2023 Series

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Dec 27, 2022

Jesus reveals the surest path to God's greatest rewards. So, Jesus begins talking about the importance of right motives in serving, in giving, in praying and in fasting. Seek first the kingdom of God and His Righteousness...

Sermon: The Surest Path To Great Reward Text: Matthew 5:20; 6:1-8; 16-18, 33 Matthew 5:20 “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven! Matthew 6:1-6 “Watch out! Don’t do ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:20, Matthew 6:1-8, Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 6:33, 1 Kings 3:9-13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

Getting Life Right: Righteousness Has Its Rewards Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on May 18, 2020

The rewards of serving God are a righteous life with him. God rewards prayer, giving, and seeking him (fasting). Seeking rewards without seeking God misses God's best.

Getting Life Right: RIGHTEOUSNESS HAS ITS REWARDS—Matthew 6:1-8, 16-18 ***In a commercial for a credit card, a young man and woman are sitting at a table in a restaurant. The man is handing his credit card to the server, who looks soberly at the young lady, saying, “You know, he’s using you. He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-8, Matthew 6:16-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Disciplined Living Sermon I: Comes Naturally To Mature Believers Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Jun 3, 2020

In times of anti-Christian sentiment in our society, let us ask God to grant us the strength to exercise Christian disciplines to do the right things for the right reasons.

DISCIPLINED LIVING COMES NATURALLY TO MATURE BELIEVERS Long ago the psalmist said poetically what you and I have learned as the years have gone by: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18

Think Fast!

Contributed by Perry Greene on Aug 24, 2020

Fasting is a rewarding discipline in that it brings us closer to the "face" of God.

1. FASTING TOGETHER: THE MINNESOTA GRASSHOPPER SWARM In Minnesota, during the summer of 1876, there was a swarm of grasshoppers destroying the crops. There was a fear that the grasshoppers would return, so Governor John S. Pillsbury proclaimed a day of prayer and fasting on April 26, 1877, urging ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Habits Of Pruning, Part 2: Fasting (Matthew 6:16-18) Series

Contributed by James Jackson on Feb 13, 2021

Fasting is probably the least understood of the spiritual disciplines. But it has the potential to be one of the most rewarding.

[I am very grateful to SermonCentral contributor Jim Luthy for his sermon "To Fast or Not to Fast." His opening illustration and structure formed the backbone of this sermon.] Good morning. Please open your Bibles to Matthew 6. How many of you are tea drinkers? I know we are in the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18, Jeremiah 14:10-11, Isaiah 58:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

Fasting

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 30, 2025

Fasting is a spiritual discipline for inward communion with God.

A. INTRODUCTION: MATTHEW 6:16-18 “When you fast, don’t make it obvious to others, as the hypocrites who try to look mournful or disheveled like they didn’t comb their hair, or wash their face. Don’t try to get people to admire you for fasting. That is the only reward you will get. But when you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

Matthew 6:1-18

Contributed by Steven W. Satterfield on Aug 19, 2025

NASB footnotes from biblegateway.com

The Disciple’s Motives – Secret Life with God Focus: Giving, praying (including the Lord’s Prayer), fasting—all “in secret” Why this section: Counters the medal-chasing mindset by anchoring worship in the Father’s unseen reward. Builds private spiritual fitness essential for public resilience. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18

Denomination: Vineyard

Fasting

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Oct 20, 2025

Fasting is a spiritual discipline for inward communion with God.

A. INTRODUCTION: MATTHEW 6:16-18 “When you fast, don’t make it obvious to others, as the hypocrites who try to look mournful or disheveled like they didn’t comb their hair, or wash their face. Don’t try to get people to admire you for fasting. That is the only reward you will get. But when you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

Go! And Live For An Audience Of One: The Secret Life Of A True Disciple - Matthew 6:1-18 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Oct 28, 2025

In the Christian life, there is only one audience that matters—our Heavenly Father. In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches us to live for the Audience of One. He warns us not to perform righteousness before others but to pursue a life that pleases God alone.

Go! And Live for an Audience of One: The Secret Life of a True Disciple - Matthew 6:1-18 Introduction: Living for the Audience of One There’s an old story about a young violinist who practised day and night for years. One evening, he gave a recital in a packed concert hall. When he finished, the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18, 1 Samuel 16:7, Galatians 1:10, 2 Corinthians 9:7, Proverbs 19:17, Psalm 34:18, Philippians 4:6, James 5:16, Joel 2:12, Acts 13:2, Romans 8:15, John 4:23, Romans 10:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Religious Play-Acting

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 9, 2025

Jesus frees us from religion’s stage—calling us from performance to presence, from spotlight to sunlight, to live unmasked before the Father.

Religious Play-Acting The Sermon on the Mount opens with blessing and ends with a choice: sand or rock, appearance or obedience. Between those two poles, Matthew 6 sits like a quiet heart—Jesus’ exposition of motive. Here the Lord shifts from what disciples do to why they do it. He moves from ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18, Luke 18:9-14, Isaiah 29:13, Matthew 23:27, John 4:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Fasting For A Spiritual Breakthrough

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Nov 25, 2025

Fasting is a biblical way to quiet our hearts, humble our souls, and make room to hear God’s voice—bringing revelation, deliverance, protection, repentance, and spiritual strength to those who hunger and thirst for Him.

Fasting for a Breakthrough “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” Psalms 42:1-2 There are moments in our walk with Christ when we become desperate—truly desperate—to hear the voice ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18, Ezra 8:21-23

Denomination: Baptist

Types Of Fasts In The Bible

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jun 15, 2025

In the Old and New Testaments, we see different types of fasts that brought about supernatural results. Each fast had a distinct purpose and pattern, but all had one common factor: they were directed toward God and done with sincerity of heart.

TYPES OF FASTS IN THE BIBLE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Matthew 6:16-18 Supporting Texts: Isaiah 58:6-9, Esther 4:16, Daniel 10:2-3, Joel 2:12, Acts 13:1-3 INTRODUCTION: Fasting is one of the most powerful spiritual disciplines in the Bible. It is a God-ordained means of humbling ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Keys To Effective Prayer And Fasting

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jun 15, 2025

Prayer and fasting are two of the most powerful spiritual weapons God has given to His children. When combined, they have the potential to break yokes, release divine direction, provoke deliverance, and bring spiritual renewal.

KEYS TO EFFECTIVE PRAYER AND FASTING By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Matthew 6:16-18 Supporting Texts: Isaiah 58:6-11, Joel 2:12-13, James 5:16, Acts 13:2-3, Mark 9:29 INTRODUCTION: Prayer and fasting are two of the most powerful spiritual weapons God has given to His children. When combined, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18, Isaiah 58:6-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Rewards Of Consistent Fasting

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jun 15, 2025

Fasting is not a one-time emergency button; it is a spiritual discipline that opens the doors to divine rewards when done consistently and with the right motives.

THE REWARDS OF CONSISTENT FASTING By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Matthew 6:17-18 Supporting Texts: Isaiah 58:6-12, Joel 2:12-28, Luke 4:1-14, Acts 13:2-3, Daniel 10:2-12 INTRODUCTION: Fasting is not a one-time emergency button; it is a spiritual discipline that opens the doors to divine ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:17-18

Denomination: Assembly Of God