Welcome: 

It’s a blessing to gather this morning as we continue our journey through the Sermon on the Mount. Today we will begin a section of Jesus’ teachings which focuses on the importance of having the right motivation, not just right actions. While the Law of God can change our outward behaviors, what Jesus calls us to is a righteousness of the heart that seeks to glorify God. However, as we strive to live faithfully, pride can creep in, turning even good deeds into a performance. Today, we’ll examine our hearts and be reminded to live for the praise of heaven, rather than the praise of men.  

As we do each week, we also want to pray for another church in Goochland County. I believe it is important to pray for our sister churches, as we pray for our own church. My hope is that doing so keeps us more Kingdom minded, and that together we are stronger than when we are apart. Today, we lift up the Church of the Vietnamese Martyrs and Rev. Anthony Tien Minh Dinh, asking God to bless their ministry and strengthen their congregation. Let us pray.  

Opening Prayer:  

Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble hearts, grateful for the gift of Your Word and the privilege of gathering as Your people. Lord, search our hearts and remove any desire for human praise. May our worship, our giving, our prayers, and our service be done with pure motives, seeking only to honor You.

Father, we lift up our church family here at Dover. Strengthen us in faith and unity, and help us to live as true disciples of Christ. We also pray for the Church of the Vietnamese Martyrs and Rev. Anthony Tien Minh Dinh. Bless their ministry, encourage their leaders, and use them to bring the hope of the gospel to their community.

As we open Your Word today, speak to us through Your Spirit. Convict us where we need conviction, encourage us where we need encouragement, and transform us to reflect the heart of Christ. May all we do today and in the days ahead bring glory to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Scripture Reading: 

Matthew 6:1-4, 16-18 (ESV):

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 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. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you… And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

Introduction:

Whether we realize it or not, much of the world thrives on recognition. From childhood, we are taught that applause and approval defines success. We long for approval. We all want the admiration of our peers, the respect of our colleagues, the praise of our community. We want to be seen, valued, and affirmed.  

Surveys show that about 30% of millennials (my generation), when given the choice between being famous with an average income or being rich but anonymous, would choose fame. That means three out of ten people in my generation place recognition and influence above wealth in their list of priorities.  This trend is even stronger among Gen Z and Gen Alpha, who have grown up in a world shaped by social media. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have made fame more accessible than ever, and an increasing number of teens and preteens look to “influencers” as role models. 

However,  before this starts to sound like I’m picking on the younger generations, let’s be honest, every generation desires admiration and validation, even if it manifests in different ways.  For many older adults, the desire for recognition may not take the form of chasing fame, but it often appears in a longing to know their hard work mattered and that their contributions are appreciated. As younger generations step into leadership, many older individuals feel overlooked or undervalued, as if their experience and wisdom are being pushed aside.  

This desire for validation also plays out in family dynamics. I know many parents and grandparents who, more than anything, simply want their children and grandchildren to recognize their sacrifices and hard work. At the core of it all, the need to be seen, heard, and valued is deeply human. No matter our stage of life, we all want to know that our lives have meaning and that we have made a lasting impact.  

I don’t believe it is inherently wrong to seek validation, acceptance, or approval from others. We all want to feel appreciated. It is painful to work hard, to sacrifice, to struggle only to feel ignored, overlooked, or dismissed. To feel that way is just a part of being a human being. And yet, Jesus reminds us that human approval is fleeting. The opinions of others, whether praise or criticism, are like a vapor. They are here one moment and gone the next.  

Seeking approval is not always wrong, but there is One whose approval matters far more than any other. Our problem is that we have misplaced priorities of whose approval we desire.  The Father, who sees what is done in secret, rewards in ways that surpass anything this world can offer. His affirmation is not temporary but eternal. This truth compels us to ask: Are we living to be seen, or are we living to glorify God? Would we be ok with doing good, even if no one ever saw it? Would we stay faithful if no one ever thanked us or gave us praise? While I do not think the praise of men is inherently a bad thing, like many good things, it can easily become a tool for the enemy if we allow it to become a higher priority than it should be in our lives. 

The Danger of Seeking Human Approval

Jesus begins this section with a clear warning: “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 6:1, ESV). With these words, Jesus exposes a subtle but deadly temptation in the human heart, the desire to be noticed, admired, and praised. Even acts of righteousness, if performed with the wrong motives, become meaningless in the eyes of God. True righteousness flows from a heart devoted to God, while false righteousness is a performance meant to impress others and elevate one’s reputation.  

The Pharisees of Jesus’ time exemplified this self-glorifying righteousness. They loved to be seen in the act of religious devotion, but Jesus condemned them as hypocrites. The word “hypocrite” originally referred to stage actors, those who put on masks to play a role. The Pharisees were not seeking God’s approval; they were seeking the applause of men. And tragically, the fleeting recognition of people was the only reward they received. They had exchanged eternal treasure for temporary praise.  

The Apostle John tells us this much when he wrote in John 12:43: "Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God." 

This  is a temptation that is not unique to the religious crowd of Jesus’ day. It is easy to fall into the habit of doing good works for the sake of being seen as a good person. If we are honest, I am sure there have been at least a few Sunday’s where we showed up to church, not because we were looking forward to gathering with the saints and worship, but because we didn’t want people to wonder where we were if we didn’t make an appearance. There have probably been times when we gave to a cause or to someone in need, not because we cared, but because we were with someone at the time and we didn’t want to look cheap or selfish when someone asked for a donation. 

I’m not saying these actions, in and of themselves, are not good. What I am saying, and what Jesus is saying, is that if we do good works for human applause rather than for God’s glory, these actions lose their eternal value. Jesus is clear: those who seek recognition from others will receive that recognition, and nothing else. However, those who seek the Father’s approval, who do good works unconcerned with whether or not others are watching, will be rewarded in ways beyond what the world can offer. The Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward them openly.  

The real danger of seeking human approval is that it shifts our focus away from pleasing God and makes us dependent on the opinions of people. When righteousness becomes a performance, we no longer live for the truth but for the expectations and approval of others. We begin to measure our spiritual success by how many people notice and affirm us, rather than by our intimacy with God. We become hesitant to take bold stands for righteousness if we fear disapproval, and over time, we can even deceive ourselves into believing that outward religious activity is the same as inward devotion. It is for this reason that Paul wrote to the church in Galatia: "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10 ESV)

Jesus understood this human weakness, which is why He calls His followers to live for an audience of One, trusting that the Father’s approval is infinitely more valuable than human recognition. This does not mean that good deeds should never be seen by others. Earlier in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells His disciples, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). There is no contradiction between these two teachings. The difference lies in the motive. When we do good, is it for God’s glory or for our own?  

True righteousness is not concerned with applause. It is satisfied in doing what is right, whether or not anyone notices. It does not depend on public recognition or the approval of others. It does not shrink when ignored, nor does it seek to broadcast itself when praised. The truly righteous will continue in obedience, regardless of whether others approve or disapprove, because their primary concern is the approval of their Heavenly Father.  

Giving with a Pure Heart

Jesus understood that we would need help understanding this, so He provides a real-world example of how someone could do good works with wrong motivations: “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward” (Matthew 6:2, ESV).

In ancient Jewish culture, charitable giving, or almsgiving, was highly valued, often seen as an act of righteousness and a means of obtaining God’s favor. However, some wealthy individuals exploited this practice by turning it into a public spectacle. According to historical accounts, certain givers would have a trumpeter announce their donation in the streets, calling the poor to come and receive aid while ensuring that onlookers recognized their supposed generosity. Others made a show of giving in the synagogues, ensuring that their acts of charity were observed and admired. 

While we may not have literal trumpets announcing our generosity, there are modern equivalents. People may make their giving known through social media posts, publicized donations, or named endowments, hoping that others take note of their generosity. Even in the church, some may give with the hope of earning influence, respect, or admiration. But Jesus reminds us that true righteousness in giving does not seek validation from others. It is done out of love for God and a genuine desire to love our neighbor.

Last week, we discussed the tension between Jesus’ command to “give to all who ask” (Matthew 5:42) and the call to exercise wisdom and stewardship in our generosity. It can be difficult to discern how to give both generously and wisely, but a good heart check is to ask whether our actions are motivated by a desire to honor God and bless others, or whether there are selfish desires underlying our generosity. Last week I said it is better to err on the side of generosity and love than to stand before God on the day of judgment and give an account of why we were given much and yet gave so little. 

Throughout Scripture, generosity is presented as an act of worship, an outflow of a heart that has been transformed by God’s grace. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, Paul reminds believers, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” This kind of giving is marked by freedom and joy, given not to earn favor or gain recognition but as an expression of gratitude for all that God has provided. By contrast, giving that is done for status or self-promotion is hollow and ultimately self-serving. It turns an act of worship into a performance.

Jesus then instructs His disciples: “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. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:3-4, ESV). Now this is not a command for literal secrecy, after all, it is impossible for one hand to function without the knowledge of the other. Rather, it is an illustration emphasizing the spirit in which we should give: without self-awareness, without tallying our own goodness, and without seeking external validation. True generosity is not about keeping track of our righteousness or ensuring that others recognize our kindness. It flows naturally from a heart attuned to God’s will.

Furthermore, Jesus assures His followers that the Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward those who give with pure hearts. This reward is not necessarily material or financial, nor is it a transactional system where we give in order to receive. Rather, it is the assurance that no act of love and generosity goes unnoticed by God. The reward of secret giving is the joy of obedience, the deepening of our relationship with the Father, and the formation of a generous, Christ-like heart. When we give for God's glory rather than human praise, we store up treasure in heaven, rewards that are eternal rather than temporary.

Fasting with the Right Motive  

After addressing the topic of giving, Jesus turns to another vital spiritual practice that was often corrupted by impure motives: fasting. In biblical times and today, fasting remains a means of expressing worship, repentance, and dependence on God. At its core, fasting is not simply going without food but cultivating a deeper hunger for God, one that surpasses physical cravings. It is a discipline that fosters humility, helps believers seek God’s guidance, and expresses sorrow over sin. Each time hunger arises, it serves as a reminder to turn to God in prayer.  

Throughout Scripture, fasting was often associated with grief, repentance, and urgent prayer. Moses fasted before receiving the law. Esther called Israel to fast for deliverance. The early church fasted as they sought God’s direction. These examples reveal that fasting was never meant to be an empty ritual but a sincere response of a heart earnestly seeking God. While fasting traditionally involves food, believers today may also fast from other things such as social media, entertainment, or other distractions in order to recalibrate their hearts toward Him. The key is not what is given up, but what is gained: a greater awareness of God’s presence and dependence on Him.  

Though fasting has deep biblical roots, it has become rare in modern Christianity. In an age of comfort and self-indulgence, voluntary self-denial seems foreign. Yet Jesus assumed His followers would fast, saying, “When you fast...” rather than “if” you fast. His concern was not whether fasting would continue but how it would be practiced. His warning was directed at those who fasted for human recognition rather than to seek God. Hypocrites made a public display of their suffering, ensuring others noticed their devotion. But Jesus called for a different standard, one of sincerity, humility, and secrecy before the Father.  

The problem in Jesus’ day was not the absence of fasting but its misuse. In our day, the issue is often neglect. Yet fasting is as relevant now as ever. It is a way to express our longing for God, our need for His presence, and our dependence on His strength. But even more, Christian fasting must be understood through the lens of the gospel.  

The Old Testament often connected fasting with mourning over sin, but Jesus ushered in a new reality. When asked why His disciples did not fast, He replied, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away, and then they will fast” (Matthew 9:15). His coming brought joy, yet His disciples would fast again after His ascension, not out of ritual obligation but as an expression of longing for His return.  

More than that, Jesus fulfills what fasting represents. He is the true bread of life, the one who satisfies our deepest hunger. On the cross, He accomplished what no amount of fasting or self-denial could. He secured our redemption. Christian fasting, then, is not about earning God's favor but responding to His grace. It is an act of worship that deepens our dependence on Christ, awakens our affections for Him, and reminds us that our true satisfaction is found in Him alone.  

Jesus promised that those who fast in secret will be rewarded by the Father (Matthew 6:18). But what is this reward? It is not the admiration of others, nor is it a guarantee of specific blessings. The reward is God Himself. It is greater intimacy with Him, spiritual strength, clarity of heart and mind, and freedom from worldly attachments. Fasting trains our hearts to hunger for what is eternal rather than what is fleeting.  

Ultimately, fasting is a declaration that God is more necessary than food, more satisfying than pleasure, and more fulfilling than anything this world can offer. When done with a sincere heart, it becomes an act of worship that does not seek attention or applause but the quiet, unseen reward of a deeper walk with the Father. May we, as followers of Christ, embrace this forgotten discipline not to prove our spirituality but to cultivate a greater hunger for the One who alone can satisfy.

Conclusion

As we draw this time of worship to a close, I want to reiterate that the call of Christ is clear: we are to live not for the fleeting approval of men, but for the eternal reward of knowing and being known by the Father. The world tempts us to seek recognition, to measure our worth by applause, to find our identity in what others think of us. But Jesus offers us something far greater, Himself. He not only calls us to a life of sincere devotion; He fulfills it for us. On the cross, He took our hypocrisy, our self-seeking motives, our desperate need for validation, and bore the judgment we deserved. In exchange, He clothes us in His perfect righteousness, freeing us to live for the only One who truly matters.  

So how do we respond? We lay down our need to be seen, to be praised, to be admired, and we fix our eyes on Christ. We give, not to be noticed, but because we have already received everything in Him. We pray, not to impress, but to draw near to the God who loves us. We fast, not for show, but to hunger for more of Him. And as we live for the audience of One, may our light shine, not for our own glory, but so that the world may see and glorify our Father in heaven.  

Let us rest in the truth that our worth is not found in the approval of others, but in the finished work of Christ. He is enough. So go, live for Him, and let your life be a testimony to the grace of the One who sees in secret and rewards in eternity. Amen.