WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:12.179 So I think we're very much aware, aren't we, today, of privacy, of confidentiality in certain circumstances. 00:00:13.000 --> 00:00:23.000 ! You've got a friend who is divulging to you a very personal problem or difficulty. 00:00:23.000 --> 00:00:27.000 ! What will you do with that? They say please keep this in confidence. 00:00:27.000 --> 00:00:33.000 So don't you? Sometimes even without them saying, I'm saying this in confidence, that they don't want it talked about publicly. 00:00:33.000 --> 00:00:40.000 They don't want you to go home and put it on Facebook. They don't want you to tell your family or your friends. 00:00:40.000 --> 00:00:46.000 They expect, don't they, a measure of confidentiality and secrecy. 00:00:46.000 --> 00:00:54.000 And Jesus is telling us about the Christian life and he's saying there is a place for secrecy. 00:00:54.000 --> 00:01:08.000 And now we've looked through Matthew chapter 5 and we've seen this demands of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:01:08.000 --> 00:01:16.000 The righteousness that he wants you and I as his followers and his disciples to live out. 00:01:16.000 --> 00:01:24.000 We've come through, haven't we, verses 15 to 48, and we've seen Jesus correcting the teaching of the rabbis and the religious leaders of his day. 00:01:24.000 --> 00:01:29.000 And he's shown us what the Old Testament really means and what it should have meant to them. 00:01:29.000 --> 00:01:36.000 We've seen that he places a demand that Jesus' followers will be stringent. 00:01:36.000 --> 00:01:42.000 They will follow closely his teaching. There is a stringent righteousness. 00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:46.000 It's not just that we keep the commandment on the outward level. 00:01:46.000 --> 00:01:49.000 It's not just that we've not murdered anyone this morning. 00:01:49.000 --> 00:01:55.000 But actually, the law of God goes beneath the surface and so it addresses our motives. 00:01:55.000 --> 00:01:58.000 And the feelings that give rise to that outward act. 00:01:58.000 --> 00:02:04.000 So we know, maybe we're not guilty of murder, but we know unjustified anger is a big issue. 00:02:04.000 --> 00:02:09.000 The resentment that can seize within. 00:02:09.000 --> 00:02:12.000 It's not just the outward act of adultery. 00:02:12.000 --> 00:02:15.000 It's not just about not going all the way. 00:02:15.000 --> 00:02:21.000 But what about our lusts and our desires that no one ever sees? 00:02:21.000 --> 00:02:25.000 It's not just about being a truthful witness. 00:02:25.000 --> 00:02:28.000 But I'm actually being true on the outside. 00:02:28.000 --> 00:02:33.000 And our words and our actions reflecting our yes and our no. 00:02:33.000 --> 00:02:41.000 And we realise, if you study Matthew 5 at all, that Jesus goes deep, deep, deep. 00:02:41.000 --> 00:02:45.000 And he demands a stringent righteousness. 00:02:45.000 --> 00:02:49.000 Far from loosening the Old Testament law. 00:02:49.000 --> 00:02:53.000 Far from demanding less, Jesus is rigorous with us. 00:02:53.000 --> 00:02:56.000 And he demands a stringent righteousness. 00:02:56.000 --> 00:03:01.000 But as we come into chapter 6, we see Jesus demanding a secret righteousness. 00:03:01.000 --> 00:03:05.000 One that doesn't seek to display itself. 00:03:05.000 --> 00:03:09.000 One that doesn't win points from people. 00:03:09.000 --> 00:03:16.000 He says, for my followers, there must be an element of secrecy about the Christian life. 00:03:16.000 --> 00:03:18.000 That's what he's talking about in the passage. 00:03:18.000 --> 00:03:20.000 The main point is really, really clear. 00:03:20.000 --> 00:03:21.000 It's in verse 1. 00:03:21.000 --> 00:03:31.000 In verse 1, he says, beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them. 00:03:31.000 --> 00:03:33.000 That's the main point. 00:03:33.000 --> 00:03:37.000 And then he gives you three illustrations of that situation. 00:03:37.000 --> 00:03:41.000 He says in verse 2, so when you give to the needy. 00:03:41.000 --> 00:03:44.000 And then in verse 5, and when you pray. 00:03:44.000 --> 00:03:48.000 And in verse 16, when you fast. 00:03:48.000 --> 00:03:55.000 Now those of you who have been here for the last number of weeks will think, isn't Jesus contradicting himself in verse 1? 00:03:55.000 --> 00:03:59.000 Look back to chapter 5 and verse 16. 00:03:59.000 --> 00:04:04.000 Where Jesus said, in the same way, let your light shine before others. 00:04:04.000 --> 00:04:11.000 So that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. 00:04:11.000 --> 00:04:13.000 He said that, didn't he? 00:04:13.000 --> 00:04:17.000 He said, do your good works in front of others. 00:04:17.000 --> 00:04:19.000 But that doesn't contradict this. 00:04:19.000 --> 00:04:31.000 You'll notice in chapter 6 and verse 1, he says, be careful of doing your righteousness, practicing your righteousness before other people. 00:04:31.000 --> 00:04:34.000 There's nothing wrong with doing it before other people. 00:04:34.000 --> 00:04:38.000 There's nothing wrong with living out a public Christian life. 00:04:38.000 --> 00:04:47.000 There's nothing wrong with men and women, your colleagues, your neighbours, your families, seeing your good works in order that they give praise to your Father in heaven. 00:04:47.000 --> 00:04:51.000 That's what Jesus said in chapter 5, verse 16. 00:04:51.000 --> 00:04:57.000 Let them see how you live and show that that points to someone greater, to a Father in heaven. 00:04:57.000 --> 00:05:03.000 But here in chapter 6, verse 1, he's telling us that you don't need to be overcome by pride. 00:05:03.000 --> 00:05:11.000 Don't do your righteous acts before other people in order to be seen by them. 00:05:11.000 --> 00:05:17.000 And impress them with how righteous you seem to be. 00:05:17.000 --> 00:05:21.000 So Jesus here is getting on our pride, isn't he? 00:05:21.000 --> 00:05:23.000 And so here's our concern, four things. 00:05:23.000 --> 00:05:27.000 Jesus would point out to us the balance that you must keep. 00:05:27.000 --> 00:05:32.000 Jesus would point out to us the balance that we must keep. 00:05:32.000 --> 00:05:46.000 So as you look at the examples that Jesus gives in verse 2, verse 5, and verse 16, they have to do with giving to the needy, and prayer, and fasting. 00:05:46.000 --> 00:06:02.000 And you might say, if there's such a danger of hypocrisy, if the danger of showing off, this danger of showmanship is here, and it's so prevalent in these acts of righteousness and devotion, well I'll just back off from them. 00:06:02.000 --> 00:06:07.000 I won't do them. I'll solve them that way. 00:06:07.000 --> 00:06:10.000 And that is not what Jesus is saying. 00:06:10.000 --> 00:06:15.000 That could be our reaction, but Jesus doesn't want us to go off balance. 00:06:15.000 --> 00:06:21.000 It would be like us saying, wouldn't it, I know that there are some people who really overeat. 00:06:21.000 --> 00:06:23.000 And they are gluttons. 00:06:23.000 --> 00:06:25.000 And therefore I won't eat. 00:06:25.000 --> 00:06:27.000 When you get over that quickly. 00:06:27.000 --> 00:06:31.000 And dishes seem to get broken. 00:06:31.000 --> 00:06:34.000 Far more often when you're washing dishes. 00:06:34.000 --> 00:06:37.000 And therefore I just will give up washing dishes. 00:06:37.000 --> 00:06:40.000 And again, you'd get over that quickly, wouldn't you? 00:06:40.000 --> 00:06:46.000 It's really important that you see that the abuse of an activity does not mean that it's improper. 00:06:46.000 --> 00:06:53.000 The abuse, or the fact that something can be abused, an activity can be abused, does not mean that it's improper. 00:06:53.000 --> 00:06:58.000 It just means that it needs to be used and done in a proper way. 00:06:58.000 --> 00:07:01.000 So we can't use this as a cop-out. 00:07:01.000 --> 00:07:04.000 Or something like this for our own selfishness. 00:07:04.000 --> 00:07:08.000 So I don't need to give to the needy, or I don't need to pray, or I don't need to fast. 00:07:08.000 --> 00:07:10.000 That is not what Jesus is saying. 00:07:10.000 --> 00:07:13.000 He's saying there's a balance that you keep. 00:07:13.000 --> 00:07:16.000 And Jesus assumes, doesn't he, that you will do these things. 00:07:16.000 --> 00:07:21.000 In verse 2, he says, when you give to the needy. 00:07:21.000 --> 00:07:25.000 In verse 5 he says, when you pray. 00:07:25.000 --> 00:07:30.000 And then in verse 16 he says, when you fast. 00:07:30.000 --> 00:07:37.000 Jesus is not saying, if you give to the needy, if you pray, and if you fast. 00:07:37.000 --> 00:07:38.000 He's saying when. 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:40.000 When you do it. 00:07:40.000 --> 00:07:47.000 Jesus assumes that if you are a disciple of his, you will give to the needy. 00:07:47.000 --> 00:07:50.000 You will be generous. 00:07:50.000 --> 00:07:54.000 And if you are his disciples, you will engage in prayer. 00:07:54.000 --> 00:07:57.000 And if you are his disciple, you will fast. 00:07:57.000 --> 00:07:58.000 He assumes as much. 00:07:58.000 --> 00:08:01.000 And so there's a balance that you must keep. 00:08:01.000 --> 00:08:06.000 And so often, as is the case, is that in the Christian life, you need this tension. 00:08:06.000 --> 00:08:08.000 And this balance. 00:08:08.000 --> 00:08:15.000 That the Holy Spirit will enable you to keep in the way that you live your life. 00:08:15.000 --> 00:08:18.000 Now secondly, Jesus shows us the scrutiny we must face. 00:08:18.000 --> 00:08:21.000 The scrutiny we must face. 00:08:21.000 --> 00:08:23.000 Look at verse 1. 00:08:23.000 --> 00:08:30.000 Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them. 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:33.000 Why does he say that? 00:08:33.000 --> 00:08:36.000 Why does he say that? 00:08:36.000 --> 00:08:43.000 Well, he would only say that if he knew that you and I will have this tendency to win. 00:08:43.000 --> 00:08:46.000 To try to win favor from people. 00:08:46.000 --> 00:08:53.000 And if we have this tendency that we want to impress people with doing these acts of piety. 00:08:53.000 --> 00:09:01.000 Whether it's my praying or my fasting or my giving or really any other act of Christian devotion. 00:09:01.000 --> 00:09:07.000 He knows that in his followers hearts is a tendency to impress men and women. 00:09:07.000 --> 00:09:12.000 And therefore to win their favor and to try and gain points from them. 00:09:12.000 --> 00:09:17.000 And make them think, wow, he's really spiritual isn't he? 00:09:17.000 --> 00:09:19.000 Or she's really spiritual. 00:09:19.000 --> 00:09:22.000 He seems to know you and I. 00:09:22.000 --> 00:09:27.000 Don't do those things before others in order to be seen by them. 00:09:27.000 --> 00:09:31.000 And Jesus is still on the point, isn't he, of chapter 5. 00:09:31.000 --> 00:09:33.000 He still wants a deep righteousness. 00:09:33.000 --> 00:09:35.000 Like he wanted there. 00:09:35.000 --> 00:09:39.000 He's not just concerned with what we do, but he's concerned with why we do it. 00:09:39.000 --> 00:09:45.000 And when I turn that question upon my Christian acts. 00:09:45.000 --> 00:09:48.000 It opens up a whole new angle for me. 00:09:48.000 --> 00:09:51.000 Jesus is so thorough, isn't he? 00:09:51.000 --> 00:09:53.000 So for instance in verses 2 and 3. 00:09:53.000 --> 00:10:00.000 When you give to the needy, you don't blow a trumpet like the hypocrites do in the synagogues. 00:10:00.000 --> 00:10:02.000 And in the streets. 00:10:02.000 --> 00:10:03.000 And in the streets. 00:10:03.000 --> 00:10:06.000 We're not really sure what that meant. 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:11.000 Some people think that the kind of shape of the offering box in the temple was the shape of a trumpet. 00:10:11.000 --> 00:10:14.000 I don't know whether he meant this literally or not. 00:10:14.000 --> 00:10:15.000 We don't know. 00:10:15.000 --> 00:10:21.000 Jesus may have been using, isn't it, that figurative expression which says we don't blow our own trumpet. 00:10:21.000 --> 00:10:29.000 But you don't show off your generosity so that other people notice it. 00:10:29.000 --> 00:10:34.000 In fact, Jesus goes as far to say in verse 3 that when you're giving to the needy, can you see that? 00:10:34.000 --> 00:10:39.000 Don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:42.000 That is, don't be self-conscious about it. 00:10:42.000 --> 00:10:47.000 Even if other people don't notice, it's liable isn't it? 00:10:47.000 --> 00:10:49.000 We'll want to keep our own record. 00:10:49.000 --> 00:10:51.000 That I've done this. 00:10:51.000 --> 00:10:53.000 And I've done that. 00:10:53.000 --> 00:10:55.000 And I've been generous. 00:10:55.000 --> 00:10:57.000 Don't even keep a record. 00:10:57.000 --> 00:11:00.000 Just forget about it. 00:11:00.000 --> 00:11:04.000 Don't try to chalk up points in your own estimation. 00:11:04.000 --> 00:11:05.000 Let it go. 00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:07.000 Don't even ponder it. 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:14.000 And that is sort of disappointing. 00:11:14.000 --> 00:11:18.000 What's the point in being generous? 00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:21.000 What's the point of praying? 00:11:21.000 --> 00:11:28.000 What's the point of going through the rigor of fasting if in fact no one's going to notice it? 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:34.000 What is the use of giving if all it's going to do is meet someone else's need? 00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:41.000 What's the use of praying if it's only going to involve communion with my Father? 00:11:41.000 --> 00:11:49.000 What's the use of fasting if it's only going to be a time when I receive God's special help in a different team? 00:11:49.000 --> 00:11:51.000 And no one's going to know about it. 00:11:51.000 --> 00:11:53.000 Won't it be wasted? 00:11:53.000 --> 00:11:55.000 And Jesus says no. 00:11:55.000 --> 00:11:56.000 No it won't be wasted. 00:11:56.000 --> 00:11:57.000 You don't do that. 00:11:57.000 --> 00:12:00.000 He says if you do it for those reasons. 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:02.000 If you do it for others. 00:12:02.000 --> 00:12:04.000 Well you'll be successful. 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:06.000 He says in each case doesn't he? 00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:08.000 You will have your reward. 00:12:10.000 --> 00:12:12.000 So the person who gives to be seen. 00:12:12.000 --> 00:12:14.000 They have their reward. 00:12:14.000 --> 00:12:16.000 They have their reward. 00:12:16.000 --> 00:12:23.000 That is even means they get the praise and they get the applauded of men and women. 00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:25.000 Who notice them and think of them. 00:12:25.000 --> 00:12:27.000 They are really religious aren't they? 00:12:27.000 --> 00:12:28.000 They're really full on. 00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:31.000 They're impressive in their Christian discipleship. 00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:35.000 But that is all the reward they'll get. 00:12:35.000 --> 00:12:40.000 You can do all these things and be very successful. 00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:44.000 You just have to know a few tips and a few tricks of the trade. 00:12:44.000 --> 00:12:47.000 And you can really impress the other Christians here this morning. 00:12:47.000 --> 00:12:52.000 And so Jesus places us under this scrutiny. 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:55.000 He knows us doesn't he? 00:12:55.000 --> 00:12:57.000 He knows your heart and my heart. 00:12:57.000 --> 00:13:01.000 And he says you must watch your motives. 00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:04.000 In the act of devotion. 00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:07.000 Why are you doing it? 00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:09.000 To be seen by men? 00:13:09.000 --> 00:13:13.000 And so he probes us deeper. 00:13:13.000 --> 00:13:17.000 And he exposes us to ourselves. 00:13:17.000 --> 00:13:19.000 So in the second world war in France. 00:13:19.000 --> 00:13:21.000 Food began to be short. 00:13:21.000 --> 00:13:24.000 And it began to take an effect on some of the population. 00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:28.000 And so for instance when somebody broke a bone. 00:13:28.000 --> 00:13:30.000 It wouldn't mend properly. 00:13:30.000 --> 00:13:32.000 Because of the lack in their diet. 00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:35.000 Or if somebody received a gash on their arm. 00:13:35.000 --> 00:13:36.000 A big cut. 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:39.000 It would take months to heal. 00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:42.000 Teeth would become discolored. 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:44.000 And they would grow crooked. 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:46.000 And in the end they would fall out. 00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:50.000 And one of the things the Nazis did when they captured someone. 00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:53.000 Is they sometimes would yank open their mouths. 00:13:53.000 --> 00:13:55.000 And look in. 00:13:55.000 --> 00:13:59.000 Because if their teeth were white and sound. 00:13:59.000 --> 00:14:01.000 They knew that they'd come in from outside the country. 00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:03.000 And they were likely a spy. 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:07.000 Because you don't just go by outward appearance. 00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:09.000 You probe a little deeper. 00:14:09.000 --> 00:14:13.000 And you see signs of what is really the case. 00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:16.000 And Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:18.000 He keeps probing you doesn't he? 00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:22.000 He says of all your Christian acts. 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:23.000 And the things that you do. 00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:25.000 He says why are you doing them? 00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:29.000 Don't do them to be seen by men. 00:14:29.000 --> 00:14:33.000 It's in a different context. 00:14:33.000 --> 00:14:37.000 But Jesus' words in John 12. 00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:39.000 Are so relevant aren't they? 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:41.000 John chapter 12 verses 42 to 43. 00:14:41.000 --> 00:14:43.000 Let me read them to you. 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:47.000 Nevertheless many of the authorities. 00:14:47.000 --> 00:14:49.000 They believed in him. 00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:51.000 But for the fear of the Pharisees. 00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:53.000 They did not confess it. 00:14:53.000 --> 00:14:55.000 So that they would not be put out of the synagogue. 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:57.000 People didn't believe in Jesus. 00:14:57.000 --> 00:14:57.000 00:14:57.000 --> 00:14:59.000 That they'd be kicked out of the synagogue. 00:14:59.000 --> 00:15:01.000 For the Pharisees. 00:15:01.000 --> 00:15:03.000 They loved the glory. 00:15:03.000 --> 00:15:05.000 That comes from man. 00:15:05.000 --> 00:15:07.000 More than the glory. 00:15:07.000 --> 00:15:09.000 That comes from God. 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:14.000 And that phrase jumps out of me. 00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:15.000 Again and again and again. 00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:20.000 And it raises the question. 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:21.000 Is it? 00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:22.000 What in the Christian life. 00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:23.000 Do I really crave? 00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:26.000 Is it too often. 00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:28.000 That I desire the praise. 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:30.000 Of men and women. 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:32.000 Rather than the praise of God. 00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:35.000 Why do you do these things? 00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:37.000 Why do you do. 00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:39.000 What you do. 00:15:39.000 --> 00:15:41.000 Is it? 00:15:41.000 --> 00:15:44.000 Scrutinately Jesus puts us in there. 00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:46.000 Thirdly Jesus shows us. 00:15:46.000 --> 00:15:48.000 The secrecy we must practice. 00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:50.000 And again you see that in verse 3. 00:15:50.000 --> 00:15:52.000 And verse 6. 00:15:52.000 --> 00:15:54.000 And verse 17. 00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:55.000 Verse 17. 00:15:55.000 --> 00:15:57.000 So for example in verse 6. 00:15:57.000 --> 00:15:58.000 But when you pray. 00:15:58.000 --> 00:16:00.000 Go into your room. 00:16:00.000 --> 00:16:02.000 And shut the door. 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:04.000 And pray to your father who is in secret. 00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:06.000 And your father who sees in secret. 00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:08.000 Will reward you. 00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:10.000 You see. 00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:11.000 Jesus tells you. 00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:13.000 There is this element of secrecy. 00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:14.000 To the Christian life. 00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:19.000 He doesn't mean that you don't ever let anyone know. 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:22.000 That you are going to pray. 00:16:23.000 --> 00:16:25.000 Or that you give. 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:26.000 Or that you fast. 00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:30.000 But I think you know what he means. 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:31.000 He means doesn't he. 00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:33.000 Don't make a point trying to display it. 00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:36.000 Which you can do very very subtly. 00:16:36.000 --> 00:16:37.000 Can't you? 00:16:38.000 --> 00:16:40.000 There is this element of secrecy. 00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:41.000 That is that. 00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:45.000 And why does he impress upon us. 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:46.000 This element of secrecy. 00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:49.000 I think because secrecy. 00:16:49.000 --> 00:16:50.000 Promotes sincerity. 00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:55.000 If someone does something privately. 00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:57.000 It's a pretty good idea. 00:16:57.000 --> 00:16:58.000 That it reveals. 00:16:59.000 --> 00:17:01.000 Who they genuinely are. 00:17:01.000 --> 00:17:04.000 Imagine you. 00:17:04.000 --> 00:17:05.000 You go out for dinner. 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:07.000 So you are married. 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:08.000 And you go out for dinner. 00:17:09.000 --> 00:17:10.000 Some of those posh. 00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:11.000 Work business dinners. 00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:12.000 00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:13.000 As a married couple. 00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:15.000 And you are attending. 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:17.000 The dinner. 00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:18.000 It's in that kind of awkward bit. 00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:19.000 When you arrive at a business thing. 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:21.000 And everyone is just standing around. 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:23.000 And joking. 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:25.000 There is those little. 00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:26.000 Bits of food. 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:27.000 On plates. 00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:28.000 Being brought around. 00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:29.000 And everybody is shaking hands. 00:17:29.000 --> 00:17:30.000 And doing pleasant things. 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:33.000 And it's cold for dinner. 00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:34.000 And you are there. 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:35.000 And you go to sit down. 00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:36.000 To this great banquet. 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:37.000 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:39.000 Make a great point. 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:41.000 Of taking your wife's seat. 00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:42.000 And pulling it back. 00:17:42.000 --> 00:17:44.000 So that you help her to sit. 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:46.000 It's very chivalrous. 00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:48.799 What I want to know is. 00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:50.000 Do you do that when you are at home? 00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:53.000 Do you do that when you are at home? 00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:55.000 When you sit down for lunch. 00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:56.000 When she is having a sandwich. 00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:57.000 Let me take you to the last Easter. 00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:59.000 Do you do that? 00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:02.000 Because it's what you are at home. 00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:03.000 Really shows your character. 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:04.000 Doesn't it? 00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:07.000 What does he do that husband. 00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:08.000 When there is no one else to see? 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:10.000 What does he do when the audience isn't there? 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:11.000 Isn't there? 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:13.000 That is what will tell you. 00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:13.000 00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:16.000 He is in a certain character or not. 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:19.000 And so that is what is Jesus saying? 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:20.000 Jesus saying. 00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:21.000 It's what you do in secret. 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:23.000 When no one has got their eyes on you. 00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:28.000 That will reveal to you. 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:30.000 How genuine your acts of worship are. 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:35.000 And we have really very very subtle ways. 00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:36.000 Of violating. 00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:38.000 This kind of secrecy. 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:41.000 And sometimes we won't be aware of it. 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:43.000 Sometimes we won't catch ourselves at it. 00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:45.000 Sometimes we do catch ourselves at it. 00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:46.000 And it's horrific. 00:18:47.000 --> 00:18:48.000 So for example. 00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:51.000 You have this thing about fasting in verse 16. 00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:54.000 And following of what Jesus says. 00:18:54.000 --> 00:18:56.000 It was the practice of the Pharisees. 00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:59.000 In Jesus time to fast on a Monday or Thursday. 00:18:59.000 --> 00:19:01.000 Monday and Thursday. 00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:02.000 Also had to be market days. 00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:04.000 And that meant there would be more people in town on those days. 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:08.000 And that meant there would be more people to see. 00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:12.000 These very sad looking spiritual folks. 00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:15.000 Who were so obviously engaging in fasting. 00:19:16.000 --> 00:19:18.000 And you see that. 00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:19.000 When he gives you these instances. 00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:20.000 It's very blatant. 00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:21.000 It's very public. 00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:22.000 Isn't it? 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:24.000 And so on. 00:19:26.000 --> 00:19:28.000 And there are very very obvious examples. 00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:31.000 Some of these are chatting to me from the background. 00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:32.000 I don't know who it is. 00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:35.000 The. 00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:36.000 The. 00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:37.000 The. 00:19:37.000 --> 00:19:38.000 The. 00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:39.000 Let me try and cite some examples. 00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:41.000 You will not disagree with them. 00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:42.000 You will not agree with them. 00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:43.000 Some of them. 00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:44.000 You will not agree with them. 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:45.000 Because. 00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:46.000 They're probably a little bit close to the bone. 00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:47.000 Some of you will. 00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:48.000 I've had other issues with them. 00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:50.000 And when I was at Cornhill. 00:19:50.000 --> 00:19:51.000 We took an Australian minister. 00:19:51.000 --> 00:19:52.000 I called Philip Jensen. 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:53.000 For lunch. 00:19:53.000 --> 00:19:55.000 Philip Jensen is very blunt and brash. 00:19:55.000 --> 00:19:57.000 And we had lunch. 00:19:57.000 --> 00:19:58.000 Our lunch arrived. 00:19:58.000 --> 00:19:59.000 And Philip Jensen's there. 00:19:59.000 --> 00:20:01.000 And my friend said to Philip Jensen. 00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:03.000 Would you lead us in prayer Philip? 00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:05.000 Would you say grace? 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:06.000 And Philip Jensen said. 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:08.000 Say it yourself you Pharisee. 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:09.000 It's a great moment. 00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:12.000 Publicly in a restaurant. 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:16.000 What about a 24 hour prayer chart? 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:19.000 It's a bit of all the rage isn't it? 00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:20.000 Students at the moment. 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:22.000 We're going to have a 24 hour prayer chart. 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:23.000 And now what we need to do is. 00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:25.000 And we're going to have someone praying for the whole 24 hours. 00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:28.000 And you need to sign up for a slot. 00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:30.000 15 minutes or 30 minutes. 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:31.000 Segment. 00:20:31.000 --> 00:20:35.000 And you put your name down to pray during that segment. 00:20:35.000 --> 00:20:37.000 Why? 00:20:37.000 --> 00:20:40.000 Why do you have to put it on display? 00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:44.000 They're the real prayer warriors. 00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:46.000 That take the 3.30 in the morning. 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:47.000 To the 4 o'clock slot. 00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:48.000 Aren't they? 00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:52.000 Why don't we just make it a point to pray? 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:56.000 Gets more subtle doesn't it? 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:58.000 I've got a minister friend. 00:20:58.000 --> 00:20:59.000 Who's always telling me. 00:20:59.000 --> 00:21:00.000 That while he was jogging. 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:01.000 He was praying. 00:21:01.000 --> 00:21:03.000 I don't know what I'm more impressed with. 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:05.000 Isn't that spiritual? 00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:09.000 We'd never admit it would we. 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:11.000 Do you see how subtle it can be? 00:21:13.000 --> 00:21:16.000 And so we must be very very careful. 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:18.000 I spoke at a students meeting on Wednesday. 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:20.000 It's very great. 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:22.000 Afterwards a number of people were praying afterwards. 00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:24.000 But they managed to pray for one another. 00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:27.000 In the kind of place where the seats were. 00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:29.000 Kind of very dramatically. 00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:30.000 Eyes closed. 00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:31.000 Earnestly praying. 00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:33.000 So we all had to walk around them. 00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:35.000 They had their reward. 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:36.000 They had their reward. 00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:37.000 They had their reward. 00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:38.000 They had their reward. 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:39.000 They had their reward. 00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:41.000 We can sing can't we? 00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:43.000 Well some of us do. 00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:48.000 But we can sing in a way. 00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:50.000 That shows we're very very earnest. 00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:52.000 We have the reward. 00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:57.000 We've got to be really careful haven't we? 00:21:57.000 --> 00:22:02.000 Now and we need to realize. 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:03.000 And we don't need to react. 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:05.000 We don't need to react over and against this. 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:07.000 Where we never tell anyone. 00:22:07.000 --> 00:22:09.000 Where we're praying for them. 00:22:09.000 --> 00:22:11.000 I think it's good. 00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:16.000 I think the apostle Paul encourages us to tell people that we are going to pray for them. 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:24.000 It is a great encouragement that another Christian cares enough about me to name my name to their father. 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:26.000 There's nothing necessarily hypocritical about that. 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:29.000 It's not done as a self kind of display. 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:32.000 But we must be careful. 00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:34.000 We must be careful. 00:22:34.000 --> 00:22:37.000 And we must watch this. 00:22:37.000 --> 00:22:40.000 Somebody said I woke up at 1.30 in the morning and I couldn't sleep. 00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:43.000 And I thought the Lord was telling me to pray. 00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:45.000 That he allowed me to wake up and pray. 00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:47.000 So I spent the time in prayer. 00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:49.000 And I prayed for my family. 00:22:49.000 --> 00:22:50.000 And say great. 00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:52.000 Why have you told me? 00:22:56.000 --> 00:22:58.000 Why tell others? 00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:02.000 Unless you have a hidden agenda. 00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:05.000 A secret agenda. 00:23:05.000 --> 00:23:08.000 For wanting other people to be impressed. 00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:13.000 And I don't say this as somebody who does a struggle with it. 00:23:17.000 --> 00:23:20.000 We may be talking about certain spiritual problems we face. 00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:23.000 And certain struggles with sin that we have. 00:23:23.000 --> 00:23:25.000 Or something like that. 00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:31.000 And again we need to be careful that in those conversations where we're even talking about our struggles. 00:23:31.000 --> 00:23:34.000 That we're not doing it in order that someone else will receive the impression. 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:37.000 Boy she's a really spiritual person. 00:23:37.000 --> 00:23:41.000 They really struggle over sin. 00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:47.000 Do you see how subtle and how sneaky this is? 00:23:47.000 --> 00:23:53.000 And sometimes we can talk about our spiritual struggles because we want to impress other people. 00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:55.000 We have to be careful. 00:23:55.000 --> 00:23:59.000 Fourthly, Jesus points us to the passion that you must have. 00:23:59.000 --> 00:24:01.000 The passion that you must have. 00:24:01.000 --> 00:24:02.000 Look at the end of verse 4. 00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:04.000 Look at the end of verse 6. 00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:07.000 And look at the end of verse 18. 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:09.000 Let's just take it from verse 6. 00:24:09.000 --> 00:24:10.000 The example of prayer. 00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:13.000 You see the problem we have with this phrase. 00:24:13.000 --> 00:24:15.000 To be seen by others. 00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:18.000 To be seen by others. 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:23.000 And that problem of wanting others to see. 00:24:23.000 --> 00:24:25.000 It is a bondage. 00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:26.000 It is a slavery. 00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:32.000 Some of us know that when we're desperately trying to impress someone. 00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:35.000 And we're wanting to win the praise or the commendation of others. 00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:37.000 We are in bondage to that. 00:24:39.000 --> 00:24:41.000 And you're doing these things to please them. 00:24:41.000 --> 00:24:42.000 And win their favour. 00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:43.000 And impressing them. 00:24:43.000 --> 00:24:49.000 And we're not actually doing it for them. 00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:50.000 That they would be impressed. 00:24:50.000 --> 00:24:53.000 It's that it makes us feel good when we have their approval. 00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:55.000 It's very selfish. 00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:58.000 But there's a bondage isn't there to this. 00:24:58.000 --> 00:25:00.000 And it's really hard to break out of. 00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:04.000 And I think that most of us, if not all of us, are very sensitive to this. 00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:08.000 And we have continuing struggles in this area. 00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:12.000 And it's a real battle isn't it? 00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:14.000 You know when you're driving along a motorway. 00:25:14.000 --> 00:25:18.000 And they've changed the lanes a little bit temporarily for roadworks. 00:25:18.000 --> 00:25:21.000 And so you've got the white lines which you normally go by. 00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:26.000 But then you've got the little dots which show you the kind of change of route that you need to go in the lane. 00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:28.000 And it takes discipline at the start isn't it? 00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:32.000 To think right, I'm not going to go down the normal route of white lines in those lanes. 00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:36.000 I'm going to follow the dotted lines and go that way. 00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:38.000 And it takes discipline to do it. 00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:47.000 And we, it's really hard not to go down the lines of just wanting to please others and wanting to do things in front of others. 00:25:47.000 --> 00:25:53.000 And we have to work hard not to go in them. 00:25:53.000 --> 00:26:02.000 And there's a sense in which we so love and care for what people think, even Christian people think. 00:26:02.000 --> 00:26:05.000 And wanting to win their approval. 00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:07.000 It is a bondage that holds us. 00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:11.000 And so how do we go about getting free of this? 00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:14.000 And that is by having one ruling passion. 00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:16.000 Look at verse 6. 00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:26.000 It says when you pray, you go into your room, you close the door, and you pray to your Father who is in the secret place. 00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:32.000 And your Father who sees in the secret place will reward you. 00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:36.000 You focus on the only one thing that matters. 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:38.000 Your Father. 00:26:38.000 --> 00:26:41.000 Your Father who sees in the secret place. 00:26:41.000 --> 00:26:45.000 Because he is all the audience that you need. 00:26:45.000 --> 00:26:48.000 Just the Father. 00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:52.000 Just the presence of the Father. 00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:58.000 And if your life is lived in the Father's presence, you don't need anything else. 00:26:58.000 --> 00:27:07.000 And if you have the approval of your Father in heaven, you don't need the approval of anyone else. 00:27:07.000 --> 00:27:12.000 And so it doesn't matter whether people praise you, or see you. 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:14.000 That is your ruling passion. 00:27:14.000 --> 00:27:17.000 And that will then deliver us. 00:27:19.000 --> 00:27:24.000 When I preached for the first time in Cardiff, it was a bit of a disaster really. 00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:28.000 I was only grateful that my friend had preached in the morning and he's even worse. 00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:36.000 When we left the room where we preached, my minister Andrew Bowden, I should get him to come one Sunday. 00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:43.000 He said to me, just before we left the little room where we prayed, he said, you preach to an audience of one. 00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:46.000 And that is a brilliant thing to remember, isn't it? 00:27:46.000 --> 00:27:51.000 Because, believe it or not, Sunday nights and Monday mornings, I feel all over the place. 00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:55.000 But it doesn't really matter, because I preach to an audience of one. 00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:58.000 And you live your life to an audience of one. 00:27:58.000 --> 00:28:01.000 Let me finish with this story. 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:03.000 There was a man blinded in one of the world wars. 00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:06.000 And he returned home to recover. 00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:09.000 And when he recovered, he was still blind. 00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:12.000 He was a rather accomplished musician. 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:18.000 And so he would play the piano at the hospital after he recovered. 00:28:18.000 --> 00:28:30.000 And he hoped that his playing of the piano would perhaps lift the spirits and at least alleviate the depression of some of the men around him who had been so wounded in battle. 00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:34.000 Some of whom were recovering, some of whom would not recover. 00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:39.000 And so day after day, he would go in and he would play for some length of time at the piano. 00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:43.000 And he never knew whether his playing was effective. 00:28:43.000 --> 00:28:47.000 Whether it was pleasing or whether it was helping anyone at all. 00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:54.000 He would hear people come and people go in the room, but he wouldn't know what was going on or what they were doing. 00:28:54.000 --> 00:29:06.000 And finally, one day after he'd finished playing and he took a brief rest, after he'd finished playing, he suddenly heard someone standing a few feet away clapping very loudly. 00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:15.000 He turned his sightless eyes in the direction of the sound and he said, who are you? 00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:19.000 And the robust voice said, I am your king. 00:29:19.000 --> 00:29:27.000 It was the king of England, King George, who was visiting the hospital to do what he could to cheer the wounded. 00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:31.000 And you see, that was all the approval the man needed. 00:29:31.000 --> 00:29:37.000 Because if the king was happy with what he was doing, what else did he need? 00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:40.000 What further commendation would he require? 00:29:40.000 --> 00:29:52.000 And so if you have your father in heaven, who sees in the secret place, and if you can pray to your father in the secret place, 00:29:52.000 --> 00:30:01.000 the fact that you meet with him there, and the fact that he sees all, well that is all we should need. 00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:04.000 Let's pray.