Sermons on Mattityahu 6:2:

What Is Success?

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

There is really only one question by which we evaluate all of life, and all human activity: Is it pleasing to God?

Paul Aurandt in his book, Destiny tells of the life of Bartholomew Roberts, one of the great sea captains. He commanded 3 ships-The Fortune, The Good Fortune and the Royal Fortune. Back in his day the ships musicians were on call to provide music anytime of the day or night. But his musicians got ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6

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

New Wine, Skinny Jeans Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Apr 8, 2021

How does the gospel relate to our lives, our religions, and our methods?

Introduction I want to open this morning with a challenge for you. No matter who you are, your position or title; no matter what kind of degree you hold, or how long you’ve been coming to church. No matter how much or how little you read your Bible, no matter if you think I’m right or I’m wrong; ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:33-39, Matthew 6:2-6, Matthew 6:16-18, Acts 19:1-7, 1 Corinthians 3:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Brethren

When To Be Seen; When Not To Be Seen Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jun 19, 2019

Do we let our good deeds shine out or do we do them in secret? Is Jesus talking out of both sides of His mouth here?

Wednesday of 11th Week in Course 2019 A priest I know preached recently on this passage from St. Matthew’s Gospel and pointed out that this part of the Sermon on the Mount appears to contradict the earlier passage that tells us not to hide the good that we do under a basket. So do we let our good ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:11, Matthew 6:1-18

Denomination: Catholic

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

Give Money Lesson 1 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 15, 2019

Ten positive relationships with God.

A. INTRODUCTION: MATTHEW 6:1-4 1. What is most imperative? (Three lessons from Matthew 6). • “When you give” (Matt. 6:2-3) – Relationship to others. • “When you pray” (Matt. 6:5-6) – Relationship to God. • “When you fast” (Matt. 6:16-17) – Relationship to things. 2. How do we do the imperative? ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Ash Wednesday: Year C

Contributed by Fr. Rian Adams on Mar 5, 2019

The Rev. Rian Adams. This sermon is for Ash Wednesday, Year C

Ash Wednesday The Rev. Rian Adams At one time Advent was hands down my favorite season of the church year. The happiness, the joy of anticipation, the hope of a star, the birth of a child… it all added a hopeful newness to my soul. However, over time our culture has ruined Christmas with the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6

Denomination: Episcopal

The True Meaning Of A Lenten Sacrifice

Contributed by Ryan Ferwerda on Mar 9, 2019

Most people attempt to give something up for Lent. But is what we give up for Lent beneficial to us or to God?

This past Wednesday, the collective whole of the Christendom observed Ash Wednesday. A day in the church year when we are reminded of our mortality, but more importantly, reminded of our reliance on God, both for life in this world and for life in the next. This day is the mark of the beginning of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-17, Matthew 6:1-6, Matthew 6:16-21, Joel 2:1-2, Joel 2:12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20-21, 2 Corinthians 6:1-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran