Undercover Operations
Matthew 6;1-7, 16-18
Part of Kingdom: The Gospel of Matthew—The Sermon on the Mount
May 23, 2022

Kingdom: The Gospel of Matthew

Undercover Operations
May 22, 2022
Chris Seidman, Lead Minister, The Branch Church


Matthew 6:1-7, 16-18 (NIV)
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others *to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, ***to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 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. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.

“Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”


Matthew 23:5 (NIV)
“Everything they do is done for people to see … .”

The Problem With This Desire Going Unchecked Is …

  • It conditions us to live for and by the opinions of others.


Galatians 1:10 (NIV)
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God?

  • It conditions us to focus our energy on the exterior that will bring the applause we seek and not address our heart.


1 Samuel 16:7b (NIV)
“… People look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

  • It conditions us to settle for the rewards of others and eventually starve on them.

Wisdom As To How To Attend To Our Hearts

  • Focus on God as our Father.

  • Adjust our aim on His Kingdom and not ours.


Matthew 6:9-10 (NIV)
“Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

  • Engage in some undercover operations when it comes to doing the right things.

  • Engage in some self-disclosure with another Jesus-follower when you are doing things for the wrong reasons.


James 5:16a (NIV)
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.

Communion

  • Which audience have you been more mindful of recently? Your Father’s or others?

  • Is there something to be done by you this week in secrecy, or anonymity, that will honor God and bless someone else?