TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS

GRACIOUS JESUS4. KINGDOM LIFESTYLE PART 2

True RighteousnessHow to PrayFastingPermanent WealthAverting Anxiety

PRESENTATION OVERVIEWTRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS

Matt 6:1-4ObjectivesPositionIntentionRenumerationFalse vs. True RighteousnessRecapDiscussion

TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.2 “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Matt 6

TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS - OBJECTIVESTo: Examine our hearts and service before

God Assess activities with incorrect motives Reset goals to please God Seek and achieve eternal rewards

TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESSRighteousness could be a façade. True righteousness is what remains when the mask comes off.False righteousness has the following traits: Position - Before men Intention – Honoured by men Renumeration - From menTrue rightousness on the other hand features: Position – in silence, before God Intention – Honoured by God Renumeration – From God

FALSE RIGHTEOUSNESS“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; 6:1

POSITIONFor whom, where, when, how do we portray our righteousness? Whom – The elite, crowds, rich, family, regular associates?Where – boards, committees, church, home, neighbourhood, office?When – convenient, comfortable, all the time?How – Popular, cool, trendy, accepted?

POSITION - EXALTEDFor those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Matt 23:12 Eg. Nebuchadnezzar

POSITION - EXALT ONLY GOD

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10

INTENTIONTo please men. (Acts 12:1-3, Acts 25:9)

INTENTIONFor 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. Galations 1:10

INTENTION: DISCERN DON’T JUDGE

Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God. 1 Corinthians 4:5 ESV

INTENTIONIntention flips the balance. With the right intention, the position and renumeration changes.

RightIntention

WrongIntention

TrueRighteousness

FalseRighteousness

INTENTIONIn what situation is pleasing men good with good intentions? (Eph 6:6, Romans 15:2)

RENUMERATIONApplause, publicity, control eg. Diotrephes ( 3 John 9), popularity, identity, wealth Eg. Gehazi ( 2 Kings 5:26,27)

RENUMERATIONLet us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS

4 so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Matt 6

POSITIONFor whom, where, when, how do we portray our righteousness? Whom – God, unseen and unknown people?Where – remote areas?When – outside the comfort zone, alone?How – serving others?

POSITION - HUMBLE9The brother in humble circumstances should exult in his high position. 10But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field.…James 1

POSITION - STRATEGIC"And you shall rise from your ambush and take possession of the city, for the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand.” Joshua 8:7

INTENTIONThe aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:5 ESV

For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

INTENTIONBut just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 ESV

RENUMERATIONWhatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. Colossians 3:23-24, NIV

RENUMERATIONTherefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58, NIV Contrast the reward in the two verses above

RENUMERATIONGod “will repay each person according to what they have done.”Romans 2:6 NIV

TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS - RECAPIn public, in private, where do we measure up? Do we still wear masks? False righteousness has the following traits: Position - Before men Intention – Honoured by men Renumeration - From menTrue rightousness on the other hand features: Position – in silence, before God Intention – Honoured by God Renumeration – From God

DISCUSSION1. What are good things that we can do for Christ with bad

intentions and vice versa?

2. How can we assess our true motives when “All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the LORD weighs the motives.” Proverbs 16:2

3. How can we tilt the scale and rip the masks when we are fundamentally sinful?

4. What are some checks and balances we can place in our lives to prevent wrong motives and be different?