WEBVTT 00:00:03.680 --> 00:00:09.039 Jesus gathered his disciples and walked to a high spot as a crowd swelled the students. 00:00:09.279 --> 00:00:16.480 Curious onlookers and possible enemies wanting to hear this religious leader who seemed different. 00:00:16.879 --> 00:00:21.760 Could it be the Messiah they have been waiting for to save them from their enemies? 00:00:22.079 --> 00:00:26.000 Could the old kingdoms of this world be passing away? 00:00:26.239 --> 00:00:30.320 Was this Jesus finally ushering in the kingdom of God? 00:00:30.800 --> 00:00:39.600 And then he spoke a verbal attack on unrighteousness and self-righteousness, an assault on I'ma get me and mine. 00:00:39.920 --> 00:00:42.159 And it was a message for the broken. 00:00:42.399 --> 00:00:48.960 Blessed are the poor spirit, the spiritually bankrupt, those who recognize desperate need for God. 00:00:49.280 --> 00:00:55.600 And starting with this deep truth, he dispensed world-changing, life-rearranging understanding. 00:00:55.840 --> 00:00:59.359 Love your enemies, be generous to everyone. 00:00:59.600 --> 00:01:00.320 Come on. 00:01:00.560 --> 00:01:01.119 For real? 00:01:01.439 --> 00:01:03.679 You will never be good enough by working harder. 00:01:03.840 --> 00:01:04.799 Pray this way. 00:01:04.959 --> 00:01:06.400 You are the light of the world. 00:01:06.560 --> 00:01:08.079 Do not worry about your life. 00:01:08.239 --> 00:01:09.760 Be realistic, Jesus. 00:01:10.000 --> 00:01:12.719 Ask, seek, knock, stop performing. 00:01:12.879 --> 00:01:13.200 Enter the thing. 00:01:13.519 --> 00:01:14.560 Enter through the narrow gate. 00:01:14.799 --> 00:01:15.200 Fill your own. 00:01:18.480 --> 00:01:29.680 Today, many likers of Jesus listen to these words and they say, He probably didn't mean that, but if we truly assume Jesus meant what he said, a better kingdom would shine brighter in a darker world. 00:01:29.840 --> 00:01:34.560 Together we can look to the Savior on the mountaintop and soak in the teachings of life. 00:01:34.799 --> 00:01:42.000 Join us for uncommon sense, joyfully living out the challenges of Jesus' sermon on the mount. 00:01:43.040 --> 00:01:46.799 It's good to be with you today for this one service on a Sunday. 00:01:47.040 --> 00:01:48.640 It's nice to see everybody at once. 00:01:48.719 --> 00:01:49.359 I love it. 00:01:49.840 --> 00:01:51.359 Here's today's reminder. 00:01:51.760 --> 00:01:56.959 We have a saying here in our church, and it's a crying church, ain't a dying church. 00:01:57.120 --> 00:02:01.280 And so when we hear kids screaming, that means one thing. 00:02:01.439 --> 00:02:03.359 It means that our church is alive. 00:02:03.599 --> 00:02:08.159 It means that one day when we're gone, these kids will be here leading the church. 00:02:08.240 --> 00:02:13.039 And so one of the things that we're we always want to say is we want kids to have a great experience here. 00:02:13.280 --> 00:02:20.000 And we, you know, some they're not always going to remember every Bible lesson that they hear, but they are going to remember how we treated them. 00:02:20.240 --> 00:02:26.479 And so when you hear a kid crying, um, they're not crying to ruin your worship experience, they're crying because they're kids. 00:02:26.639 --> 00:02:29.599 And Jesus uh welcomed children, and so we do too. 00:02:29.680 --> 00:02:33.120 So when we hear kids, it's a beautiful sound that we love. 00:02:33.360 --> 00:02:37.439 Also, when you hear kids, remember to pray for those parents, okay? 00:02:37.680 --> 00:02:44.639 Um, because parents show up and they're their minds divided, they're trying their best, but they they're thinking about so many things. 00:02:44.800 --> 00:02:48.479 So when you see a parent, bless them, pray over them, encourage them. 00:02:48.639 --> 00:02:53.439 And uh, you know, one day their kid will be able to go and and and and figure it out. 00:02:53.599 --> 00:03:02.400 So uh I know for my kids, I had one of my children that it was one year that it took before they they finally were like, okay, thank you for bringing your kid. 00:03:02.560 --> 00:03:05.360 But before that, it was like, oh, hey, it's you again. 00:03:05.680 --> 00:03:09.439 So uh sorry, all that is to say we're gonna be today in Matthew 6. 00:03:09.520 --> 00:03:11.599 Um, we're gonna be in Matthew 6 today. 00:03:11.759 --> 00:03:16.159 And if you don't have a good Bible, we have nice Bibles on that side and that side. 00:03:16.240 --> 00:03:19.439 And if you don't have a nice Bible, we would love to give you a Bible. 00:03:19.599 --> 00:03:23.759 We have study Bibles that we could give you if you don't have one at home. 00:03:23.919 --> 00:03:25.919 Uh, we also have them in multiple languages. 00:03:26.080 --> 00:03:39.439 Uh tenemos biblias bilingues, disponibles, acostada, del salon, bonju, muensat sim kanta, nueba vec mwen isila, nueguen bib creo i si e puno gratis, no som son o creo. 00:03:39.840 --> 00:03:41.599 Now, we are also gonna be trying something. 00:03:41.680 --> 00:03:43.120 I don't know, are we ready for this? 00:03:43.280 --> 00:03:43.759 I don't know. 00:03:44.000 --> 00:03:45.840 There's an app that we're gonna start using. 00:03:45.919 --> 00:03:46.879 We're gonna try it out. 00:03:47.039 --> 00:03:47.520 Are we ready? 00:03:47.680 --> 00:03:49.599 I guess not, but we're gonna be in the future. 00:03:49.680 --> 00:04:03.840 If you have friends that speak another language, we're gonna actually have an app that we're gonna put up the the QR code on the screen, and they're gonna be able to actually plug their headphones into their phone and hear a direct translation of the sermon on Sunday. 00:04:04.080 --> 00:04:05.199 So, yeah. 00:04:06.879 --> 00:04:09.199 You clap now, but we don't know if it's gonna work out. 00:04:09.280 --> 00:04:10.000 We'll see. 00:04:11.280 --> 00:04:11.840 All right. 00:04:12.000 --> 00:04:14.560 So we're gonna be in Matthew 6, 1. 00:04:14.719 --> 00:04:17.600 Uh, does anyone have a oh, this is it, yeah. 00:04:17.680 --> 00:04:20.959 So um uh I'm not gonna try to read that. 00:04:21.040 --> 00:04:21.759 Uh I don't speak. 00:04:21.920 --> 00:04:22.959 Crayol is rough, man. 00:04:23.040 --> 00:04:23.839 It's hard to say. 00:04:24.079 --> 00:04:33.199 But if uh you know someone that might need to hear the translation in their ear, we're gonna be slowly teaching them to use this, and we're hoping that it works out. 00:04:33.360 --> 00:04:40.079 We're we're partnering with an organization that has a special deal for churches um that normally works in international business. 00:04:40.240 --> 00:04:41.439 And so we're trying this out. 00:04:41.519 --> 00:04:42.319 Hopefully, it works. 00:04:42.480 --> 00:04:45.839 Our goal is to make the gospel accessible to more and more people. 00:04:46.000 --> 00:04:52.639 When you hear music sung in a different language, um, you can praise God that someone else is feeling feeling more welcome today. 00:04:52.879 --> 00:04:57.360 Um, it doesn't mean that you're not welcome because we're not singing your language, it means someone else is. 00:04:57.439 --> 00:04:58.959 So you can pray for those folks as well. 00:04:59.040 --> 00:05:00.959 So I hope you're noticing a pattern. 00:05:01.120 --> 00:05:04.720 Um, we're all about other people, and that's the way the church should be. 00:05:04.879 --> 00:05:10.639 Um, we're always about trying to bring other people in to where it's easier and easier for them to get to the feet of Jesus. 00:05:10.800 --> 00:05:12.240 All right, so Matthew 6. 00:05:12.480 --> 00:05:14.879 Does anybody have a physical Bible here today besides a phone? 00:05:15.040 --> 00:05:17.279 I know those are great, but I just love seeing these things. 00:05:17.439 --> 00:05:18.319 I just think they're beautiful. 00:05:18.480 --> 00:05:19.120 Love to see them. 00:05:19.279 --> 00:05:21.360 If you don't have one, we'd love to give you one. 00:05:22.000 --> 00:05:24.480 Now, let's move into Matthew 6. 00:05:24.720 --> 00:05:26.160 Uh, it's gonna be about giving. 00:05:26.399 --> 00:05:28.319 I don't know if you know that yet, but let's go. 00:05:28.480 --> 00:05:33.519 Um, Christmas morning is a morning that as a kid I looked forward to so much. 00:05:33.680 --> 00:05:42.480 Now, I was raised as a Baha'i, um, which is not Christian, and we fought our parents over and over again to celebrate Christmas. 00:05:42.639 --> 00:05:49.199 Uh, we we actually were raised to celebrate something called intercalary days, which is where they would give you gifts. 00:05:49.360 --> 00:05:57.519 And I remember when my parents got me like a Nerf gun that was like Ghostbusters, it was the greatest, but I was still like, man, I want to celebrate Christmas with everybody else. 00:05:57.600 --> 00:05:58.160 Can we do that? 00:05:58.240 --> 00:06:05.519 So my family switched over to Christmas, and I can tell you, like, I started celebrating Christmas probably around the age of eight. 00:06:05.759 --> 00:06:08.639 Um, I saw the other kids celebrate Christmas, it looked amazing. 00:06:08.720 --> 00:06:14.720 They would come with their new like starter jackets or whatever else got stolen from them later, and they were so excited to have them. 00:06:14.800 --> 00:06:16.959 But me, no, I didn't get to do that. 00:06:17.199 --> 00:06:25.759 Me, it was intercalary days, and when I told somebody about intercalary days and naruz, which was the uh it like Islamic New Year, they would say, What are you talking about? 00:06:25.920 --> 00:06:27.680 Well, that's what I was raised in. 00:06:28.000 --> 00:06:34.160 But when I started to celebrate Christmas, and I'm not talking about Jesus Christmas, I'm talking about gift-giving Christmas. 00:06:34.319 --> 00:06:41.279 When I started to celebrate that with my family, I can tell you the first couple years, I did not sleep. 00:06:41.839 --> 00:06:44.800 I did not sleep, and I remember wanting a game gear. 00:06:44.959 --> 00:06:48.079 I don't know if you know what this is, but it was like a Game Boy, but much better. 00:06:48.319 --> 00:06:50.720 And I wanted a game, a game gear so bad. 00:06:50.800 --> 00:06:52.319 Yes, Sega, that's right. 00:06:52.480 --> 00:07:00.160 And I just remember the one year my my family, my family is not so great with money, so they would buy stupid things that were so expensive for us at times. 00:07:00.319 --> 00:07:05.920 I got a game gear, but I can tell you the first that the week leading up to that was all I could think about. 00:07:06.000 --> 00:07:08.959 I couldn't think about anything else, just game gear, game gear. 00:07:09.040 --> 00:07:15.279 I wanted the new Lion King game, I wanted the new Aladdin game, I wanted Street Fighter, I wanted all that stuff. 00:07:15.680 --> 00:07:18.800 And then I got it, and that was fine. 00:07:19.040 --> 00:07:24.000 And then over time, around the age of 16, I became a believer in Jesus. 00:07:24.240 --> 00:07:32.319 And then Christmas took on a new feeling, but I still loved Christmas, and let me just say, I loved Christmas the secular holiday, okay? 00:07:32.480 --> 00:07:35.839 Not the celebration of Jesus, but the giving of gifts. 00:07:36.079 --> 00:07:39.680 And I I cannot tell you what it's like for me to give gifts now. 00:07:39.920 --> 00:07:42.879 I love to give gifts to my family when I get it right. 00:07:42.959 --> 00:07:46.639 Um, so let's say once a year, once every two years, when five years. 00:07:47.040 --> 00:07:48.000 I have this problem. 00:07:48.160 --> 00:07:55.600 If I'm gonna give somebody a gift and I know like I actually got it right, like I I struggle to keep that thing under the tree. 00:07:55.680 --> 00:07:57.199 Like I'm just like, hey, just open it now. 00:07:57.279 --> 00:07:57.839 Just come on. 00:07:58.240 --> 00:07:58.959 You just need it now. 00:07:59.120 --> 00:08:00.639 I'm so excited to give the gift. 00:08:00.720 --> 00:08:02.160 Does anybody else feel that way? 00:08:02.560 --> 00:08:05.199 You're just excited, you want that person to open that up. 00:08:05.360 --> 00:08:06.879 It feels good, doesn't it? 00:08:07.040 --> 00:08:10.480 Like maybe even you had to sacrifice to get them that gift. 00:08:10.800 --> 00:08:15.199 Maybe because you had to sacrifice for them to have that gift, it feels good. 00:08:15.680 --> 00:08:23.680 But the tough question becomes when it comes to our gift giving, when it comes to our good works, what about giving fires us up? 00:08:24.639 --> 00:08:27.839 Because it's a question we should be asking ourselves. 00:08:28.720 --> 00:08:32.080 The tough question becomes what about giving fires us up? 00:08:32.159 --> 00:08:33.919 And then we have to answer it with tough answers. 00:08:34.639 --> 00:08:36.720 Am I excited for their joy? 00:08:37.600 --> 00:08:41.440 Or am I excited because I am the source of their joy? 00:08:42.399 --> 00:08:48.159 If someone else gave them the exact same gift, would I be excited in the same way? 00:08:48.799 --> 00:08:49.600 I don't know. 00:08:50.639 --> 00:08:54.559 When we care for others, it should be out of the overflow of our love for God. 00:08:54.960 --> 00:09:06.000 But the question is, does gift giving, does generosity stem from a desire just to be loved, just to be liked, just to be seen, just to be respected? 00:09:06.399 --> 00:09:14.240 Church, when we recognize our motives are not always pure, it means we can recognize our need for God. 00:09:14.960 --> 00:09:21.120 Because our Father in heaven, he delights in rewarding righteous acts that flow out of his love. 00:09:21.759 --> 00:09:28.879 But God is uninterested in a generosity that is rooted in any kind of exploitation, any cheap ego boost. 00:09:29.120 --> 00:09:33.679 He is concerned with true justice, true mercy, and his glory alone. 00:09:33.840 --> 00:09:35.279 And that's what we're going to be talking about. 00:09:35.360 --> 00:09:38.080 So I hope you're with me in Matthew 6, 1. 00:09:38.320 --> 00:09:40.639 Let's read the word of God. 00:09:42.639 --> 00:09:49.039 Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others, to be seen by them. 00:09:49.600 --> 00:09:54.320 Otherwise, you have no reward with your Father in heaven. 00:09:54.960 --> 00:10:04.480 So, whenever you give to the poor, don't sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be applauded by people. 00:10:04.879 --> 00:10:08.879 Truly, I tell you, they have their reward. 00:10:09.679 --> 00:10:17.120 But when you give to the poor, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. 00:10:17.360 --> 00:10:21.919 And your father, who sees in secret, will reward you. 00:10:22.240 --> 00:10:23.519 Let's pray. 00:10:24.720 --> 00:10:38.000 Father, we are needy, needy people, and we are uh many of us are greedy for attention, greedy for recognition, and greedy for glory that only belongs to you. 00:10:39.679 --> 00:10:41.600 We also don't want it to be that way. 00:10:42.080 --> 00:10:53.279 And so we ask this morning that you would continue to chip away at this decomposing cadaver and replace us with people who hunger and thirst for your righteousness. 00:10:54.080 --> 00:10:58.960 We have seen the example of your son, and we have seen a better way in him. 00:10:59.600 --> 00:11:05.200 But we also understand that there will never be a better way until we truly accept you. 00:11:05.679 --> 00:11:08.159 So today we plead for your help. 00:11:08.879 --> 00:11:13.200 Make us generous for your glory alone. 00:11:13.759 --> 00:11:18.879 Restore us, teach us, empower us to be more like your Son. 00:11:19.120 --> 00:11:22.720 May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of our hearts be pleasing to you. 00:11:22.879 --> 00:11:27.360 We pray this all in Jesus' name, and all God's people said, Amen. 00:11:28.080 --> 00:11:31.759 So today I'm gonna start by badmouthing another church. 00:11:31.919 --> 00:11:35.919 Um it's a good way to start a service, but I I'm just I'm not gonna mention them by name. 00:11:36.000 --> 00:11:38.879 Honestly, I don't even remember their name, so I'm really glad about that. 00:11:39.039 --> 00:11:56.480 Um, but there was a time when I was on Instagram, and and I don't know what happens, but somehow you get in this this uh this thing where you see the same ads over and over and over again, doesn't matter uh who you are or why, how many times you say not relevant, not relevant, it comes back and it comes back again. 00:11:56.559 --> 00:12:00.320 And this one church, man, they were advertising to me like constantly. 00:12:00.399 --> 00:12:03.440 They're like, You like Jesus, you must need a church. 00:12:03.840 --> 00:12:06.399 And there were several things that bothered me about the way they advertised. 00:12:06.639 --> 00:12:12.720 First off, they were just advertising what it felt like was to get more Christians, which I'm like, man, why are we trying to just get more Christians in here? 00:12:12.799 --> 00:12:21.120 Like, I'm not trying to grow with more Christians, I'm trying to help you as Christians, if you're a Christian, to serve others, but we're not just trying to grow here from Christians. 00:12:21.360 --> 00:12:32.080 But the other thing that I noticed is that all the people in all of their Instagram, as I got creepier and creepier and just peeped the whole Instagram, was that they were all beautiful. 00:12:32.559 --> 00:12:36.320 Their outfits were all so up to date. 00:12:36.559 --> 00:12:38.960 Um, I just learned like what the shirts are called. 00:12:39.120 --> 00:12:41.600 I didn't know that guys were wearing shirts called crops. 00:12:41.840 --> 00:12:44.960 Um, back in the day, we called those crop tops for ladies. 00:12:45.039 --> 00:12:47.679 Um, but apparently that's a thing guys wear now, which I didn't know. 00:12:47.759 --> 00:12:48.240 That's new to me. 00:12:48.320 --> 00:12:49.360 I just learned this week. 00:12:49.519 --> 00:12:56.000 But they were all wearing the coolest outfits, the coolest hats, the freshest shoes. 00:12:58.080 --> 00:13:17.440 And then I noticed that the only people they showed that weren't like that were the people who were being served, the people who were getting bags of food in the photos, the people who were being given things in the photos, the people who were receiving the things from the generosity of the well-dressed people. 00:13:17.600 --> 00:13:22.480 And I just gotta tell you, man, I know I have sin in my heart, but that just made me angry. 00:13:22.799 --> 00:13:31.200 It made me angry because because God's church is made up of everyone, and if you are poor, you belong here just as much as anyone. 00:13:31.360 --> 00:13:33.840 If you are rich, you belong here just as much as anyone. 00:13:33.919 --> 00:13:36.559 And I'm sorry, sometimes I may not treat you as well. 00:13:36.720 --> 00:13:44.879 I'm working on that, but I will just tell you when we give to be seen, we're just like that Instagram page. 00:13:45.120 --> 00:13:47.440 I don't want us to be a brand. 00:13:48.080 --> 00:13:56.639 I don't want to sell Jesus like he's a product to be sold, and while I love our church, God has been challenging me personally lately. 00:13:57.120 --> 00:14:03.039 What are ways we can better tell people about Jesus and tell people less about city life church? 00:14:03.440 --> 00:14:05.440 That's something I've been challenged with. 00:14:05.759 --> 00:14:10.240 What are more ways we can tell people about Jesus and fewer ways we can tell people about city life? 00:14:10.320 --> 00:14:21.360 And I don't know all the answers, but I do know that when we seek our comfort, when we seek our applause, when we seek likes, those things we can be assured are short term. 00:14:21.840 --> 00:14:32.639 But when we seek God's kingdom first, he will be glorified, and we get to participate in something that is so much grander than me, than you, or City Life Church. 00:14:32.879 --> 00:14:38.080 And so today I'm gonna bring you two ways Jesus teaches about giving. 00:14:38.320 --> 00:14:41.200 Two ways Jesus teaches about giving. 00:14:41.360 --> 00:14:50.159 And my first way is this reputations fade quickly, righteousness for God's glory shines forever. 00:14:50.480 --> 00:14:57.279 Reputations fade quickly, but righteousness for God's glory shines forever. 00:14:57.440 --> 00:15:03.519 Verse one be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others, to be seen by them. 00:15:03.840 --> 00:15:07.679 Otherwise, you have no reward with your father in heaven. 00:15:10.240 --> 00:15:11.919 So we're seeing, watch out. 00:15:12.080 --> 00:15:20.080 If you do good things to be seen by humans, your father in heaven will see what it really is selfishness. 00:15:20.320 --> 00:15:25.679 And God is not impressed by generosity rooted in exploitation or cheap ego boosts. 00:15:25.919 --> 00:15:28.480 Now, this was actually the beginning of a new section for Jesus. 00:15:28.559 --> 00:15:30.399 We've been going through the Sermon on the Mount. 00:15:30.720 --> 00:15:35.440 This section is about motive, and the other section was also about motive. 00:15:35.519 --> 00:15:38.639 But this is motive versus outward appearances. 00:15:38.879 --> 00:15:48.480 Now, surely you have heard the saying if a tree falls in the forest and no one is around, does it make a sound? 00:15:48.559 --> 00:15:52.399 It's that idea that if no one is there to see it, how do we know it really happened, right? 00:15:52.639 --> 00:15:58.159 Now, um, here's the thing in our culture, we we we believe that, don't we? 00:15:58.639 --> 00:16:03.039 Like if something funny happens but not on video, did it happen? 00:16:03.279 --> 00:16:06.080 We even have that term picture, it didn't happen, right? 00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:13.200 If you drank an incredible boba drink, but nobody saw a picture, did you really drink it? 00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:17.919 If you saw a gorgeous sunset without your phone, did it really happen? 00:16:18.080 --> 00:16:21.840 Have you guys been to the Obi Cliffs when there is a good sunset? 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:25.360 Goodness gracious, every hand is in the air, but they're not worshiping, are they? 00:16:25.519 --> 00:16:28.720 They got they got like a tablet in their hand taking a picture. 00:16:28.960 --> 00:16:30.879 That's not worship. 00:16:31.200 --> 00:16:41.840 They need someone else to see it to give we need someone else to see it to give us that feedback that we desire, that need to be fed by other likes. 00:16:42.159 --> 00:16:48.080 Guys, if you did something generous for Jesus, but nobody knew, would God still be honored? 00:16:48.639 --> 00:16:50.799 Yes, you can call back on that. 00:16:50.960 --> 00:16:52.559 The answer is yes. 00:16:52.799 --> 00:16:58.559 In the next few sermons, we're gonna look at how Jesus was speaking to the why that we do what we do. 00:16:58.799 --> 00:17:10.160 Don't give to be seen, don't fast to be seen, don't pray to be seen, especially if being seen is your motivation. 00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:16.240 Now, in baseball, and I grew up playing baseball, we had a term for this, and it was called eye wash. 00:17:16.480 --> 00:17:19.359 Has anybody else heard of the term eye wash before? 00:17:19.599 --> 00:17:22.240 Gosh dang, nobody, like not one hand has gone up. 00:17:22.400 --> 00:17:23.680 Eye wash, nobody ever. 00:17:23.920 --> 00:17:24.960 Okay, gotcha. 00:17:25.119 --> 00:17:30.400 Um, basically, it's doing something that is flashy to make it look like you're working hard. 00:17:30.640 --> 00:17:41.680 Like when a guy dives for a ball that he could have just caught, but everybody's like, Woo, look at you, you know, or when he exercises in a way that looks impressive, but it's actually unnecessarily extra. 00:17:42.000 --> 00:17:47.119 It's doing something to make the eyes comfortable that actually has no real substance. 00:17:47.359 --> 00:17:48.480 Eye wash. 00:17:49.039 --> 00:17:54.960 Now, it's that dude shouting like he's on rep 99 at the gym, but really he just wants you to know that he's lifting. 00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:56.160 That's his goal. 00:17:56.400 --> 00:17:58.240 Now, there's lots of terms for this. 00:17:58.319 --> 00:18:01.680 Some people call it fronting, some people call it virtue signaling. 00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:05.039 Um, they're all different things with different names, but it's all acting. 00:18:05.200 --> 00:18:06.000 It's all acting. 00:18:06.160 --> 00:18:11.440 Jesus called many religious people, and he does even in our text today, hypocrites. 00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:13.359 And what does a hypocrite mean? 00:18:13.599 --> 00:18:14.240 Actor. 00:18:14.480 --> 00:18:15.759 That's what that word means. 00:18:16.000 --> 00:18:16.480 Actor. 00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:18.319 You are wearing a mask. 00:18:18.480 --> 00:18:23.200 Back in the day, we used to have an ad on our website that said, you can come here and be honest. 00:18:23.359 --> 00:18:25.279 And we would say, Don't wear a mask to church. 00:18:25.359 --> 00:18:28.000 And then COVID happened, and we were like, This looks kind of weird, okay? 00:18:28.079 --> 00:18:29.440 We're not doing this on purpose. 00:18:29.680 --> 00:18:35.759 We just don't want you to act like you have to have it all together to be with us because we don't have it all together. 00:18:36.400 --> 00:18:50.000 And and here's the thing: if we're honest, while showing up no matter what is a good thing, there are days when we like to act pious, when we act godly, trying to make people think that we are better than we really are. 00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:57.200 But remember, Jesus started out his sermon on the mount by telling us we are no good, we're not good enough without him. 00:18:57.599 --> 00:18:59.839 Poor in spirit, spiritually bankrupt. 00:19:00.079 --> 00:19:03.359 He blessed those who understood our need for him. 00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:06.480 He called us spiritually bankrupt, poor in spirit. 00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:07.200 Now, uh, Dr. 00:19:07.359 --> 00:19:16.400 Tony Evans, he says, Jesus wanted his followers to be kingdom people, but he didn't want them to do kingdom activities in order to be praised by others. 00:19:16.640 --> 00:19:21.759 If you're playing for the applause of people, you have all you are going to get. 00:19:22.720 --> 00:19:25.200 See, Jesus didn't attack though the good things, did he? 00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:27.440 He didn't attack you doing good things. 00:19:27.759 --> 00:19:33.279 Jesus attacked the why people were doing good things and who they were doing good things for. 00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:38.640 It's not, if it's not for God or from God, it's not good. 00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:40.960 Eye wash. 00:19:41.519 --> 00:19:44.240 So, what are some examples of eye wash for Christians? 00:19:44.319 --> 00:19:51.680 Um, we would say giving to the poor, posting Instagram, that's a very common one, or maybe it's like giving out in places where everybody can see you. 00:19:52.400 --> 00:20:00.720 Worshiping loudly while not forgiving the person around you, while not coming to reconciliation to the people around you. 00:20:00.960 --> 00:20:02.240 That's eyewash. 00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:09.839 Worshiping loudly while taking advantage of others, or intentionally pursuing sin without seeking true repentance, eyewash. 00:20:10.400 --> 00:20:16.559 Now, I think often in the news we get to see a lot of examples of fronting or eyewash. 00:20:16.720 --> 00:20:19.279 We get to see it with some of our right-wing religious folks. 00:20:19.440 --> 00:20:25.759 You often read about the guy who is trying to save marriage from homosexuality, but he's sleeping with like his kid's nanny. 00:20:25.839 --> 00:20:27.759 You see that stuff happen on the news all the time. 00:20:27.920 --> 00:20:31.359 Hypocrisy in religious folks, this is easy to attack. 00:20:31.519 --> 00:20:34.160 The press are always going to speak on this. 00:20:34.559 --> 00:20:41.039 But I actually think usually in this room we have more people on the left than the right. 00:20:41.200 --> 00:20:42.960 I would say politically speaking, okay? 00:20:43.119 --> 00:20:45.359 Hear me, friends, politically speaking. 00:20:45.599 --> 00:20:52.799 So I I feel like what I need to do, if I'm a true pastor to you, is I need to probably pick on our side, okay? 00:20:53.119 --> 00:21:03.200 So to my dearest bleeding heart liberal brothers and sisters in Christ, you two are spiritually corrupt and cannot earn anything outside the work of Jesus. 00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:07.200 So I'm gonna pick on us a bit with some examples. 00:21:07.279 --> 00:21:11.440 Um, sometimes we call it slactivism or clicktivism. 00:21:11.599 --> 00:21:19.759 It's where we say how mad we are about something online, like racism or something Trump did, but we aren't actually doing anything for our fellow man. 00:21:20.319 --> 00:21:28.480 We pretend we care, but our good works are limited to sharing articles, condemning people in leadership, and posting witty replies online. 00:21:28.880 --> 00:21:31.839 But that is a mist, friends, and it evaporates instantly. 00:21:32.000 --> 00:21:39.759 There's like a 99% chance you've likely helped no one in Gaza with your post, no one in Iran, and no one in poverty. 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:44.160 But there's a good chance you will feel good about yourself and you will stop there. 00:21:45.839 --> 00:21:51.920 Slactivism, it usually reaches only people who agree with you, and it's eye wash, it's acting. 00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:58.960 Clictivism usually only engages people who agree with you or people who want to argue with you that have their minds closed already. 00:21:59.200 --> 00:21:59.759 It doesn't change. 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:03.119 Change anything, but it makes you feel good. 00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:06.799 It's like eating like a whole bunch of Halloween candy in one sitting. 00:22:06.880 --> 00:22:10.240 It feels good in that moment, but there's no substance, there's no meat. 00:22:10.400 --> 00:22:14.400 To my vegetarian friends, there's no protein beans. 00:22:14.559 --> 00:22:18.000 Um, and it rots away your insides, friends. 00:22:18.319 --> 00:22:22.400 But maybe you did go do something, maybe you marched, friends. 00:22:22.559 --> 00:22:26.480 And I will contend this marching can do something, okay? 00:22:26.640 --> 00:22:33.359 Like marching pressured our mayor in 2020 to make the karate hold illegal for the San Diego police. 00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:36.079 That was a direct result of marching. 00:22:36.160 --> 00:22:45.759 And I would say some pressure behind the scenes, but but even if marching is good, friends, I still see the way people film themselves when they're marching. 00:22:46.000 --> 00:22:50.960 And I worry, I worry that we think marching is the finish line. 00:22:51.279 --> 00:22:56.079 Rather than doing the hard work behind the scenes when nobody but your father in heaven sees. 00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:59.599 But it's all dependent on the state of your heart. 00:22:59.839 --> 00:23:04.240 You can march for the rights of others for good reasons and bad reasons. 00:23:04.640 --> 00:23:22.400 Now I remember um when I got asked to go stand behind a family, um, there was a man named Alfred Alongo in Oklahoma, and he had been shot by the police, and he had had gone through a mental health episode, and he had a vape in his hand that the police said they thought was a gun, and it was disturbing to see on video. 00:23:22.559 --> 00:23:39.599 And I remember I stood behind the family as they talked, and I heard people who loved this family and spoke for them and advocated for them, and then I heard some people that were there for other reasons, and I can I will never get it out of my head when someone started getting up there and just got so political. 00:23:39.759 --> 00:23:47.119 And at this moment, when he started talking about the Keystone oil pipeline that was going through the country, I was like, What are we doing, man? 00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:49.599 Why are we talking about all these political things? 00:23:49.839 --> 00:23:52.880 Do you even care about this family that's weeping right now? 00:23:53.119 --> 00:23:57.759 It was eyewash, not everyone, but let me just say it was gross. 00:23:58.160 --> 00:24:10.640 Now, if we need more examples of performative giving, um, who are better examples than actual hypocrites, actors, celebrities, politicians, they love to just give me the perfect example. 00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:14.160 Now, I gotta tell you to be really careful with this next section, okay? 00:24:14.400 --> 00:24:18.400 Because if we see this in them and not in ourselves, we miss the point, okay? 00:24:18.720 --> 00:24:23.519 But I do think sometimes they give us a really um, what's the right way to put this? 00:24:23.680 --> 00:24:27.759 A um very obvious way to see it, okay? 00:24:27.920 --> 00:24:32.640 So um, I just want to first off, just I'm gonna talk to you about something called the Met Gala. 00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:34.559 Does anyone know what the Met Gala is? 00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:36.240 Okay, I do see some hands there. 00:24:36.400 --> 00:24:40.319 Um, can we show some of the outfits from the Met Gala real fast? 00:24:40.720 --> 00:24:43.279 Okay, so we got that one, marshmallow, okay. 00:24:43.359 --> 00:24:45.359 That one, the fluffy coat. 00:24:45.680 --> 00:24:49.119 Um, he's got his head next to him for reasons. 00:24:49.440 --> 00:24:55.839 Uh I don't uh uh that's the that's the witch from uh uh Lion the Witch in the Wardrobe, probably. 00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:57.039 What else? 00:24:57.359 --> 00:25:00.000 That I mean that's like Bell times 10. 00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:00.880 What else? 00:25:02.400 --> 00:25:05.200 Uh that's I mean, these are all cool, aren't they? 00:25:05.279 --> 00:25:06.160 Some of them are at least. 00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:10.640 That that's the last one that I thought, you know, just the most ridiculous. 00:25:10.880 --> 00:25:14.160 Um that's a cat uh for reasons. 00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:18.640 Um I'll probably have to have you switch those off now because I'm like, that is too distracting. 00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:22.079 Um, but these are some of the outfits from the Met Gala. 00:25:22.480 --> 00:25:24.000 Uh is it Gala, Gala? 00:25:24.240 --> 00:25:24.799 Doesn't matter. 00:25:24.960 --> 00:25:32.480 Now, in in 2022, there was a famous uh politician, and she wore a dress to the Met Gala that said tax the rich. 00:25:32.720 --> 00:25:38.400 Now, let me just say, she paid$990 to rent that gown for one night. 00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:42.640 And um, it was designed by apparently very famous fashion designer. 00:25:42.720 --> 00:25:44.799 I'm not gonna get it right, Brother Vellies. 00:25:44.960 --> 00:25:45.680 Did I say that right? 00:25:45.839 --> 00:25:46.319 Anyone know? 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:46.960 I don't know. 00:25:47.119 --> 00:25:48.400 They're famous, I guess. 00:25:48.640 --> 00:26:02.720 But the thing is, is there was an independent committee that actually ruled that um that outfit cost a whole lot more than she paid for it, and she had to pay an extra three thousand dollars for that costume by law as a politician. 00:26:02.960 --> 00:26:08.640 Also, someone wore a five million dollar dress that was once worn by Marilyn Monroe. 00:26:08.880 --> 00:26:13.039 People have worn dresses and jewelry, and I need you just to hear what I'm saying. 00:26:13.359 --> 00:26:20.000 One person at a time, hundreds of millions of dollars of jewelry at this at this event. 00:26:21.440 --> 00:26:26.079 Tickets can cost upwards of$140,000 per person. 00:26:26.559 --> 00:26:32.799 This is all to raise money for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and let me just say this art is a good cause. 00:26:32.960 --> 00:26:36.079 I like art, art is nice, you know, and stuff. 00:26:36.240 --> 00:26:38.240 Um, but we have to be honest here. 00:26:38.480 --> 00:26:39.680 We have to be honest. 00:26:39.920 --> 00:26:43.599 Why do celebrities and politicians alike go to these gay lifts? 00:26:44.079 --> 00:26:55.200 Why eyewashed to be seen, and and this that is the only thing that they will get, they will get seen, and it may be part of their job, but let me just say it's still gross. 00:26:55.440 --> 00:26:56.480 And you know what? 00:26:56.960 --> 00:26:58.400 Pastors can do this too. 00:26:59.839 --> 00:27:06.079 Right here, and friends, the same over-the-top desire to be seen is in all of us, isn't it? 00:27:06.319 --> 00:27:12.000 If you are coming to a church service for your business contacts, don't expect a blessing beyond that. 00:27:12.160 --> 00:27:16.880 If you are giving to the poor so someone will see you've already received your reward. 00:27:17.039 --> 00:27:24.880 But the answer is not to stop being generous, it's not to stop being consistent in church and doing good deeds even when you're not feeling it. 00:27:25.039 --> 00:27:30.559 It's also not to start giving to random people and aiding their addictions on the street. 00:27:30.640 --> 00:27:31.200 No, no, no. 00:27:31.279 --> 00:27:35.359 We need to seek God's heart in our generosity for all we do. 00:27:35.599 --> 00:27:42.559 We need to understand our sinful need for approval, and we need to go to the one whose only approval matters. 00:27:42.880 --> 00:27:49.200 See, God is not interested in generosity when it's rooted in exploitation or cheap egos, ego boosts. 00:27:49.359 --> 00:27:50.079 He's not. 00:27:50.559 --> 00:27:53.200 But this all comes down to our relationship with God. 00:27:53.359 --> 00:27:58.240 In 1 Samuel 16, the prophet reminds us humans do not see what the Lord sees. 00:27:58.400 --> 00:28:02.400 For humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart. 00:28:03.119 --> 00:28:08.559 Also, for some of you in the room, others are often noticed for doing good things instead of you. 00:28:09.279 --> 00:28:14.400 You don't get noticed for the things you do, but you see other people get noticed, and this eats you up. 00:28:14.799 --> 00:28:16.400 This is also a problem. 00:28:17.119 --> 00:28:19.680 This is jealousy, and this is not from the Lord. 00:28:20.000 --> 00:28:30.880 God will settle accounts in the end, but just because someone else is getting credit for your generosity, just because nobody acknowledges your services and giftings, it doesn't mean that God doesn't see. 00:28:31.119 --> 00:28:32.799 He sees you, friend. 00:28:33.359 --> 00:28:36.640 Your church leaders, us, we may fail to recognize your gifts. 00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:38.400 I promise you, it's not on purpose. 00:28:38.640 --> 00:28:42.079 But just because nobody acknowledges it doesn't mean God doesn't see. 00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:45.200 Sometimes it may be just that you are doing it right. 00:28:45.839 --> 00:28:51.920 But it still may hurt you to never get recognized while less worthy people are being recognized constantly. 00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:56.720 And let me just say, I'm sorry if we are missing you for a leadership position. 00:28:57.039 --> 00:29:05.440 It's not on purpose, but your Father in heaven sees and he rewards generously, and your generosity will be known and is known by him because he cares. 00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:08.799 And this brings us to our second way Jesus teaches about giving. 00:29:08.960 --> 00:29:14.480 It is a quiet gift without need for acknowledgement, shouts the glory of God. 00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:16.079 I'll say it again. 00:29:16.720 --> 00:29:23.279 A quiet gift without need for acknowledgement shouts the glory of God. 00:29:23.759 --> 00:29:31.759 So then he says, So whenever you give to the poor, in verse 2, I would just like to point out Jesus is not saying if. 00:29:33.440 --> 00:29:38.480 Hear me, Jesus is not saying if this is not something that we can voluntarily choose not to do. 00:29:38.720 --> 00:29:39.519 He says, when. 00:29:41.200 --> 00:29:43.920 This is an expectation for Jesus' followers. 00:29:44.079 --> 00:29:49.200 And I will say, some of you who live on the streets in here, you are called to be generous to the poor too. 00:29:49.440 --> 00:29:50.880 I will tell you, you are. 00:29:51.119 --> 00:29:57.839 And I recognize giving to someone on the street with a sign will make you feel good, friends, but studies show this is rarely what's going to help. 00:29:58.079 --> 00:30:01.359 And it's rarely done in secret, too, let's be honest. 00:30:01.599 --> 00:30:04.960 When someone asks you for change, it's mostly to help them get drunk or high. 00:30:05.039 --> 00:30:13.039 But when you bring shoes, when you bring food and jackets and supplies to this pantry over here, more, it's so much more than money for beer. 00:30:13.279 --> 00:30:21.440 So verse 2 continues So, whenever you give to the poor, don't sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets to be applauded by people. 00:30:21.599 --> 00:30:23.759 Truly I tell you, they have the reward. 00:30:24.079 --> 00:30:39.839 Now, there is no biblical evidence that people were literally sounding off trumpets to announce their giving to the world, but there are writings from the time that tell us about something called the thirteen shofar chests, where you would give your offerings to the poor. 00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:40.880 Now, what's a shofar? 00:30:41.039 --> 00:30:42.480 Does anyone know what a shofar is? 00:30:43.519 --> 00:30:44.160 Say it. 00:30:45.279 --> 00:30:46.480 It's a ram's horn, right? 00:30:46.559 --> 00:30:52.480 So so what would happen is um it was often used in battle, and you would have somebody with a shofar, and it was often used for worship. 00:30:52.559 --> 00:30:54.720