Show Off Christians

September 9, 2007

by Pastor Clint

Matt 6:1-4

vs 1 begins with beware= A warning of danger

The warning is this:

Don't practice righteousness to be noticed by men. Don't have a show off religion

But what is a show off religion? vs 2 gives us an example of show off religion

1. they sound a trumpet to announce their deeds. (Hey look at me, I'm being a christian)

a. Also this showing off go's on in the church as well as outside.

2. another characteristic of show off religion is that it seeks to honor men.

a. the one showing off is more interested in what people say and feel about himself than about God's reaction.

Now that we know the warning what are the dangers?

1. The first danger is that we will have no reward with God for such behavior according to vs. 1.

2. We become hypocrites by doing righteousness with the motives of being honored by men.

a. Our motive for righteousness should be to honor God and bring Him glory.

Now that we have seen the warning and understand the danger. Where is the blessing?

vs 4 says that what is done in secret, He sees and will reward. That reward will be better than anything you can ever do for yourself.

1. Those who practice show off religion only receives reward that the crowds give them and nothing more according to vs 2.

2. Those who practice righteousness with the right heart and reasons are rewarded by God.

Love Our Enemies

Loving Our Enemies

Matthew 5:43-48

by Pastor Clint

Love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Who would do such a thing? That is not even rational or good sense! We should fight our enemy and try to retaliate on who ever persecutes us. That is the way it should be according to the flesh.

Whenever we are in the defense mode, we tend to be a little one sided or fleshly.

We are always looking for the easiest way out. Often times resulting in violence or selfishness. But what if for just a moment we address the situation by who we are and not how we feel.

We Are Children of God redeemed by Jesus Christ!

*As children of God we should act in a way that proves it. James 2: 17-20

God should be our example of how to treat others.

* Matthew 5:45 says that God causes it to rain on the unrighteous and righteous and the sun to shine on the evil and the good.

With this example we should examine how we treat others. We would do good to remember that Jesus died for us while we were sinners and hostile toward Him. One may say even enemies.

We should love all people.

* It is a little selfish to only love those who love you. What makes that special? If God only loved those who loved Him we would have never been saved.

If we only love our friends we are no different than anyone else. Even sinners love their friends. The real test comes when you can love someone who seems unlovable.

We should imitate God.

Verse 48 says we should be perfect as God is perfect. Our desire in life should be like God. As we try to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us we began to grow as a Christian. Just as a child grows into an adult. We grow as Christians, from babies to spiritually mature adults. This growth is only possible through God's help and our willingness.