Scripture References: Matthew 6:1-8, 16-18; Matthew 5:14-16; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 3:18-25
Sermon Notes:
Intro: We're in our "Holy Habits" series, learning spiritual disciplines. We're shifting from trying to act like Jesus in moments to training like Him by adopting His lifestyle. Disciplines are practices Jesus modeled that create space to connect with God's power and presence for transformation. Today: the discipline of secrecy, from Matthew 6.
Key Points:
- Training vs. Trying: Trying to be like Jesus often fails; training through disciplines builds the capacity. Disciplines aren't works for salvation but ways to be with Jesus, become like Him, and do what He did. They often change us indirectly (e.g., fasting builds self-control applicable elsewhere).
- What is Secrecy? (Matt 6:1-8, 16-18): Abstaining from causing your good deeds and qualities to be known. Jesus contrasts this healthy hiddenness with concealing sin. We often get it backward: hiding sin and broadcasting righteousness.
- Motive Matters (Matt 5:14-16 vs. Matt 6): How do we reconcile "let your light shine" with "practice righteousness in secret"? The motive. Are your actions spotlighting God or yourself? Secrecy purifies motive.
- Jesus' Example: Jesus modeled secrecy: obscure birth/early life, first miracle mostly hidden, told healed people not to tell, withdrew from crowds, didn't reveal everything He knew. He entrusted His public impact to the Father.
- Warning Against Hypocrisy (Matt 6): Jesus warns against performing religious acts (giving, praying, fasting) like actors ("hypocrites") wearing masks to gain human applause. They seek the wrong reward and miss God's.
- Practicing Secrecy:
- Cultivates Intimacy: Creates "inside jokes" with God, deepening your relationship.
- Reinforces Right Thinking: Requires keeping God (an attentive, rewarding Father) always in view, enabling obedience even when unseen (Col 3).
- Promotes Giving, Not Grasping: Frees us to give generously like Christ, who didn't grasp His divine rights (Phil 2).
- Frees from Slavery: Liberates from bondage to human opinion and the need for applause.
- Audience of One: Secrecy trains us to perform for an audience of One – God. Trust Him with your legitimate need for significance, approval, and applause, which human sources can never truly satisfy.
Conclusion: The discipline of secrecy is about cultivating a hidden life focused on God's approval alone. By intentionally doing good deeds without seeking human recognition, we purify our motives, deepen intimacy with God, find freedom from the exhausting pursuit of human applause, and trust Him for our true worth.
Call to Action:
- Examine your motives: When you give, pray, or serve, are you seeking God's attention or human recognition?
- Practice secrecy: Intentionally do acts of righteousness (prayer, giving, fasting, serving) without letting others know.
- Cultivate your secret life with God. Enjoy His presence and approval.
- Trust God with your deep need for significance. Build your life for His applause alone.
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