Sermons on Mattityahu 6:2:

Helpful And Harmful Hypocrisy

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

Man is the most clever creature when it comes to figuring out how to get his own way. Hypocrisy, or pretending something that isn't so, is one of his best methods.

Every able bodied man in Russia must serve in the army, but Abe managed to remain quietly on his farm year after year. One day his neighbor asked him, "Abe, how does a strong young man like you manage to get by without being drafted for the Red Army?" "That is what I am asking ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6

Prevent Being Out Of Order

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

With the motivation of love man can turn problems into blessings and bring order out of chaos, and harmony out of discord. By cooperation men can make plans where everyone comes out a winner.

After World War II there were five army dumps in France full of machinery. It was too good to throw away, and yet not good enough to hall back to the United States. It was a major problem. The Quakers saw an opportunity for service, and so they offered the United States Army 200,000 francs for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6

The Reward Motive

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

The evil man out of God's will, and the righteous in center of God's will may both be motivated by the love of reward. It is obviously a subject then that needs to be seen from both the vicious and the virtuous side.

A 16th century German monk discovered the power of religious bribery. The children showed great reluctance in learning their prayers. Scolding and punishing them did not improve things, and so he tried offering them a reward. Tradition has it that he took thin strips of dough and twisted them ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6

The Simple Life Style

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

Each individual Christian needs to keep asking themselves, how can I simplify my life, not for the sake of simplicity, but for the sake of the kingdom of God.

I've always loved the Cinderella story, and have read it to my granddaughter, and listened to it on record many times. It is a story that fits so well in our culture. From rags to riches is the American dream come true. The poor little servant girl escapes from the wash water to live in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-8

Successful Prayer

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

If success is pleasing God, and God is not pleased with all kinds of external forms and activities, where the heart is far from him, than it follows that the only road to spiritual success is the road to inner space.

Henry Brown prayed for a way to escape. He was a slave in Richmond, Virginia, and desperately wanted to be free. He finally felt his prayer was answered when he was inspired by a unique idea. He had the plantation carpenter construct a box the same size of the largest boxes that were shipped in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-8

Success In Simplicity

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

Jesus simplified everything he touched. The Old Testament saints had ten commandments to guide them, but Jesus said you can simplify these ten, and reduce them to two. Love God with all your being, and your neighbor as yourself.

C. S. Lewis, the brilliant atheist who became one of the most famous Christians of the 20th century, said, "It is no good asking for a simple religion after all, real things are not simple." Little did he realize, when he wrote those words in his early book, Mere Christianity, just how ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-8

Unanswered Prayer Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 19, 2021

Jesus tells it like it is in the world of prayer, and in so doing He complicates things, and forces us to wrestle with the conditions for answered prayer.

The story is told of a Russian scientist who was found guilty of a crime against the state. He was sentenced to a prison in the middle of a desert. His cell mate was another scientist. He was determined to escape, and he urged his cell mate to join him, but he refused. After much planning he did ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-14

The Gospel Is Social Justice

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Jan 30, 2018

we have a biblical imperative to work for social justice

According to the New Oxford American Dictionary social justice is "justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society". Aristotle, in The Politics, said ‘justice’ ensured that individuals both fulfilled their societal roles and received what was their due ...read more

Scripture: Micah 6:6-8, Psalm 68:4-5, Matthew 6:1-2

Denomination: Episcopal

Religious Exhibitionism Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 14, 2018

Let’s explore our motives in public acts of worship.

Prelude How should we give in public? How should we pray in public? How should we fast in public? Purpose: Let’s explore our motives in public acts of worship. Plan: Let’s look Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 and Jesus’ discussion of public religious duties. Matthew 6:1-4 Public Giving Jesus said to let ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

This Is Us - Pt. 4 Extras Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Mar 22, 2017

Do we know who we are? With all of our hang-ups, challenges, gifts, warts and all, “THIS IS US!” Understanding our identity is essential for our health.

This Is US! Pt. 4 - Extras I. Introduction “When I discover who I am, I’ll be free.” That was the declaration of the Ralph Ellison who was the author of the Invisible Man. Do you know who you are? If you do not, then it isn't Jesus' fault because He climbs a mountain, sits down ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

Showboat Religion Series

Contributed by Jerry Owen on Mar 30, 2017

Jesus teaches about the proper way to give, to pray, and to fast. He condemns public displays of religious acts where the intent is to garner praise from people who are watching.

SHOWBOAT RELIGION MATTHEW 6:1-8, 16-18 A "showboat" is someone who tries to draw all the attention to himself. They want all the glory, all the praise. You see it on the football field and other places where people compete. The touchdown or big play antics are performed to draw attention. Many ...read more

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

Denomination: Baptist

What Is Lent? Series

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Apr 15, 2017

explanation of the season of Lent

WHAT IS LENT? Last Wednesday we celebrated Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of Lent. While I was eating my share of pancakes at a Shrove Tuesday dinner, someone asked me just exactly what is Lent, which started me thinking. For those of us raised in the church (particularly the Roman ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-12, Psalm 103:1-22, Matthew 6:1-21

Denomination: Episcopal

Side Effects Of Being Born Again

Contributed by Archie Norman on Jul 5, 2016

side effect of being born again

1. Being born again will cause a variety of good works in your life - vs. 1-4 2. Being born again will cause an urge to pray - vs. 5-13 3. Being born again will make it difficult to withhold forgiveness - vs. 14-15 4. Being born again may occasionally interrupt your appetite - vs. 16-18 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Keep It In Your Heart Series

Contributed by Bryan Beverly on Aug 1, 2016

This is part of a series of very brief messages that can be used in church newsletters for stewardship.

Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

The Great Pretenders Series

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Aug 10, 2016

"The Great Pretenders" sermon is part of the Sermon on the Mount series talking about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and how they were acting out the part in their giving of alms, prayer and fasting.

Sermon on the Mount “The Great Pretenders” Matthew 6:1-6 A father complained about the amount of time his family spent in front of the television set. His children watched cartoons and neglected their schoolwork. His wife preferred soap operas to doing housework. His solution was that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6

Denomination: Foursquare