Saved From Shallow Religion

Our text this morning will focus on a portion of the Sermon on the Mount found in Mathew chapter 6, where Jesus calls out the Pharisees for their motives in giving, praying, and fasting.

Jesus came to save us from Shallow Religion.

Watch the full Sunday service and message by Pastor Dennis Jacobson below.

SERMON TEXT

Matthew 6:1-6 (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 pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

SERMON NOTES

Giving

• • Jesus is saying the best way to be a giver is to be someone who gives in secret
  • God recognizes and sees, what we do in secret

Praying

• • How is your prayer life?
  • Share
  • Listen

Fasting

• • Letting go
  • Slowing down
  • Trusting God

Pure religion (James 1:26-27)

• • Bridle the tongue
  • Visit the orphans and widows
  • To keep unstained for the world

I challenge you to take the next few weeks to recalibrate your lives to God’s way of living and loving.

Take time for reflection, prayer, confession, and repentance.