Hypocrisy part I

Lead In:

Last week we introduced the next chapter in The Sermon on The Mount by remembering that the righteousness required of us, exceeding that of the Pharisees, is an internal righteousness. It is the righteousness of Christ Himself. 

And because what is internal will always show up externally, we should expect to see the very same actions that Christ carried out, performed by us. It is His righteousness afterall. If we don’t, we need to be asking some big questions. If Christ gave to the poor, but you don’t, why? If He spent specific time alone in prayer, why aren't you? Did Christ fast? Yes. Do you? 

If you have the righteousness of Christ, why wouldn't the righteous actions of Christ be seen in your life? Could it be because you haven't heard such a teaching, and now you are eager to learn more? Of course, yes. Could it also be because you have heard these kinds of teachings, and rejected them? Is there an even deeper, salvation level question you need to ask?

My friends, if the Holy Spirit lives forever entwined about your very soul, then the actions you take and the life you live will prove it. Remember what we talked about last week; He doesn’t say “if” you give to charity; pray; and fast…He says “when”.

Across the span of your entire life, through every avenue of your identity and the daily actions that a person like you carries out; the righteousness of God will be shown in how you interact with others, with God, and with yourself. And when this happens, the people in your life; if indeed you have allowed other people into your life; will see what’s in your heart.

In our verses, Jesus is teaching that just like a crayon in the hand of a child who loves their parent, we are to give charity, pray, and fast…simply because we love Him, knowing He cherishes every drawing. It’s no wonder that “father” appears 16 times in this chapter.

However, because humanity is fallen, people treat the world like a stage and perform for applause and attention; seeking the favor of fallen people instead of God.

Opening: Read → Matthew 6:1-18 // Opening Prayer

A Warning:

Right in the beginning of Matthew 6, we are met with a warning in the first words of the first sentence. “Take heed”, Jesus says, to not do our charitable deeds to be seen by other people. The NASB says “take care” and even more clarity comes to us in the ESV, when it translates the word as “Beware”.

His words here are far more than something that should simply be marked and acknowledged before moving on to the next point. This is a bright, blinking warning! Shouting “pay attention! Be on guard! Devote your thoughts, train your minds, don’t forget!”

He speaks this same way in the next Chapter about false prophets; in Mt. 16 about the teaching of the Pharisees spreading like leaven through a loaf; and in Lk. 21 about the cares and pleasures of this world distracting us of the world to come. In our text this morning; He repeats the same phrase three different times, ensuring we know exactly what His warning is about: hypocrisy.

v.2 → “Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.”

v.5 → “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ”

v.16 → “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.”

Each of these warns us in regards to how we act; while simultaneously warning us about the way that other people act, because hypocrisy punches in both directions. And if we want to heed such a deep warning, we first need to lay some groundwork, then build up from there.

The way that God made us:

The first piece that will help us understand the dangers of hypocrisy, is seen in something else that Christ repeated in those verses.

When He says; in all three sections; “they have their reward”; He is telling us that hypocrites get what they set out for. In v.2 they want people to glorify them, and they have their reward. It worked. In v.5 they want people to see them praying…and they have their reward. It worked. They want other people to know they are fasting in v.16, and they have their reward…it worked.  My friends, understand that Christ is warning us about the dangers of hypocrisy…because it works!

Humans are so easy to deceive, that it will barely take any effort to make sure that everyone knows how holy and christian you really are. When you give your money to the poor, announce it in Church and in public, and other people will glorify you. When you pray, put some pretty words in there, lift your voice, droop your face, ensure you “cover all your bases” with the prayer; and you will get the reward you want of people seeing you. When it comes time to fast, rub some ashes on your forehead and act all weary; and you’ll be able to trick everyone around you into thinking that you really are a Christian! That God really does live within you! And…

your success will

be your failure.

Take this warning to heart and heeds the words of Christ. If you are living your life in all of those ways that God tells you to, not because you love Him, but because you want…or need…other people to prop up your ego; you will get exactly what you want. They will adore and respect your devotion, your holiness; ask for tips to know God better, and use you as an example of a Godly life. And your success will be your failure.

The reason that hypocrisy works, and why we must be on guard against it (in ourselves, and in others!) is because it touches upon the very manner in which we were made.

_____

We are not some manner of neutral creature, my friends, operating life based on instinct or unthinking primal urges. From the very onset of mankind, God created us in a way wholly different from every other living thing; He imbued us with His own image.

It is the image of God we were created with; the Imago Dei; that sets us apart from animals and insects, and what gives human life inherent, unchangeable, undiminishing value. It is what makes us human.

We are image-bearing creatures; our choices, actions, desires, and thoughts, reflecting Him in those ways that a creature can reflect a creator (in the positive or the negative!). God is love (1 Jn. 4:8); so we have the desire and ability to express love. Why do humans have the ability and desire to create? Because God is a creator (Col. 1:16), and we were made in His image. Why do we possess the capacity for complex thought? Because rational thought is a creaturely “shadow” of the incommunicable attribute of His omniscience. (All-knowing-ness)

And for our message this morning, because God is a God who revealed Himself to creation; it means that humanity was built with the desire and ability to do that very same thing…to reveal Him to everyone, in everything we do. To point every heart and eye upward beyond the clouds, to settle upon Him. We were created to glorify God (Is. 43:7).

But now, from The Fall forward; we exploit our image-bearing nature in opposition to its design. Instead of lifting up the name of God, we lift up our own name. Instead of glorifying Him, we glorify ourselves. Instead of revealing His truth and beauty and goodness, we gobble up the attention of anyone who can hear our voice or see our work. Instead of creating and working in such a way that He is glorified, we do it all to make ourselves glorified, and react with anger when we aren't. 

In Genesis 11:4, at the Tower of Babel, humanity said → “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” (emphasis mine)

In 1st Sam. 18:8-9, Saul was angry at David because he was being glorified, instead of himself → “Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?” [9] So Saul eyed David from that day forward.”

And closer to our text this morning, we read this about the Pharisees in Jesus’ chapter-long rebuke of them in Matt. 23:5-7 → “But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. [6] They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, [7] greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’”

Over and over again we see people doing all they can to glorify themselves, and because of the way that we are made…it works! At the very bottom of this, as I said earlier, is what happens when an image-bearing creature is broken by sin. We use everything we can; our hobbies, intellect, careers, family, personalities, and on and on and on; to live and act in ways that draw the attention of those around us, towards us, instead of God.

“Look how strong or smart or attractive I am. Do you see my cross necklace? Did you hear my prayers? Look how holy I am. Look at how wealthy or nice I am. Look at how different I am than everyone else, all of my hobbies and interests and thoughts are different.”

Me, me, me, me, me.

All of us have an innate desire to glorify something or someone. And apart from the regenerative work of God in the heart of man, that desire will always be bent towards trying to glorify ourselves. To live into the lie we believed in The Garden, and make ourselves the center of not only our own life; and we all want to be the center of someone else’s life as well.

To add some grace in here; this is understandable, right?

We all want to have a life that surpasses us. We want our kids to go further than we do. We want to create art that outlives us, to give lessons that last for generations, to stand firm against the gathering storms of a cold world, and do things that matter to those around us. We all want to leave a lasting effect on the people we love. No one wants an empty Church at their own funeral. Nevertheless, just because we have a by-nature desire to glorify something or someone, it doesn't excuse our sins when we act on it to glorify ourselves instead of God.

We will come back to this truth later on this morning; the truth that we all want to have a positive effect on the lives of those around us; but let's get back to Scripture.

Not only has God given us the above examples of mankind acting on this desire in the negative, He has given us examples of it in the positive as well.

In speaking on Christian liberty, Paul says this in 1st Cor. 10:33 - 11:1 → “...just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. [1] Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.”

Why is Paul acting in ways that please other people? Not for his own profit, but others. And he even goes on to say that if you're going to use him as a role-model, only do so if he is imitating Christ. “Don't look at me…” he says “...look at Jesus in me!”

In fact, to keep using Paul for the next two examples, we read this in 2 Cor. 12:7-10 → “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. [8] Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. [9] And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

What is Paul boasting in? His weaknesses! He is holding himself up as a broken mirror, pointing the eyes of all who see him to Christ. “If you're going to look at me, look at how weak and broken and flawed I am, and see the God who saves broken sinners just like me.”

In one last example, in Acts 14:8-18, after healing a man who was born crippled, the people who witnessed it…tried to worship Paul and Barnabas, to the extent of the priest of Zeus bringing out sacrifices! And how did Paul respond? v.15 → “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them…[18] And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.”

Did you see what the priests of Zeus did? They acted on that inborn desire to glorify something or someone, and looked at Paul and Barnabas. Why? Because we are all created beings, designed from the beginning to dedicate and devote our lives to something bigger than ourselves. Be it our family, job, hobby, or favorite Doctrine; everyone is driven to follow something, and the closer and closer someone is living like Christ tells them to live, the more and more attention that man will receive. It's as inevitable as gravity.

But notice what Paul and Barnabas did. When their good and Godly actions gained them the attention of people in their life…what did they do? They redirected it upwards, to the only One worthy of all glory, honor, and praise. 

And before any amount of smugness seeps in about these primitive priests of Zeus… have you ever lifted up someone in your eyes simply because they acted Godly?

When you see someone devoted to the things of God; always in their Bible, or able to articulate the truths of Christ in ways as accurate as they are beautiful…do you build a pedestal in your heart for them to stand upon?

So what do we do, right?

If this sin punches in both directions, and we need to be warned about hypocrisy in ourselves and in others…do we simply…stop? Stop giving to charity, and seclude ourselves away from the rest of the people who do. Do we stop praying and fasting, thinking that we are erring on the side of caution? Should we simply shut out the world at large, and ignore it all while we live our lives? That seems like a fool-proof plan, right? We can’t be tempted to worship people, and we can't put on a show to trick others into thinking that we really are Godly; if we simply leave the world behind.

“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (1 Pet. 2:11&12 - emphasis mine)

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Mt. 5:14-16 - emphasis mine)

Your good works should be seen! And seen by as many people as providence has placed in your path! As many people as you can reach without having to sin to reach them!

And when the people in your life look at you; be they other Christians, strangers on the street, friends, enemies, or relatives; do as Paul: hold up the marred and scuffed mirror of your own brokenness to reflect the glory of a God who saves the broken. Cleans them up. Forgives their sin at the cost of His own blood, giving them His own righteousness in the process; and then empowers and directs them to create and perform and carry out works of such beauty and goodness, that all who see them will glorify the God of the universe.

This can be hard, I know. Seemingly impossible. But its seeming difficulty is just more evidence of the danger of hypocrisy. Let me explain.

Have you seen the heights to which other people have climbed, and the goods they have done for the Kingdom of God; and thought it was because of them…all the while claiming that you believe God is sovereign over everything?

That's hypocrisy.

So, is it going to be hard to do works of such glory and beauty that the people in your life who see them will glorify God? Yes…but only if you're using yourself as the standard it will depend on. It's too hard to do that, because you're too weak, or too stupid, right? Or maybe it's because you're too unmotivated. Or Too old or too young. You don't have those flashy giftings that other christians have and there's no way that your good works can glorify God.

So…you decide to fake it. Just get people to think you're strong, wise, smart, or holy; and maybe that will still count for something. It makes sense, right?

“You just said, Pastor, that our sin nature is pushing us in that direction anyways.”

The position that we ourselves are in before God:

The second piece of groundwork that will help us be on guard against hypocrisy, is one that works against that very kind of thought; and is seen in another repetition Christ gives us.

v.3 & 4 → “But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, [4] that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”

v.6 → “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

v.17 & 18 → “But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

Children of Christ Community; you are not simply set free criminals whose charges were brushed aside by a merciful judge, no. He didn't view your sins as anything less than cosmic crimes against Him; and demanded the death penalty for every single one. 

But the Judge that you were guilty before; clothed in golden robes of glory and honor; took off that robe as He stepped down from the bench, put it on you, then stood before the bullet that bore your name and died in your place. And were that not enough, The Judge who died in your place, rose back to life, and reserved a place in His own home…specifically for you. You are sons and daughters of The Judge you were guilty before; because He died in your place and then adopted you into His family.

He is your Father.

And where does Christ say that your Father sees? “In the secret place”.

To the deepest level of your soul; the motivation behind every motivation; and the thousands upon thousands of partial thoughts that swim between those you have managed to make whole; is where the Father who loves you sets His holy eyes.

And what does He see when He looks there? Does He see your sin and shame? Your regret and slothfulness? Does He see you stammering and failing and falling and never measuring up to the perfect standard He set?

No! 

Oh sons and daughters; you weak and wounded, sick and sore; you, broken by the sins of others enacted against you, and broken by your own sins; when boiling thunder clouds of doom gather upon your horizon, poised to pour down the wrath of heaven against you because of your sin….it already happened!

2,000 yrs ago, upon the splintered and worn wood of a Roman Cross, Jesus Christ drank dry every drop of wrath that your sins have ever, and will ever, earn you! So now, today! this morning! right now! when your Father looks into the secret places of your heart, He sees everything…yes, but everything He sees is covered by the glowing blood of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. 

“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.” (Ps. 103:11-14 - esv)

How far away is the east from the west?

So far, that they will never…and can never touch.

_____

In this final section, I want to recall something that I briefly mentioned earlier.

Yes, we all want to have a positive impact on the people that we love, and we want them to think good and Godly things about us, of course. It would be strange if we didn't! 

As a child we paint a thousand pictures for our parents, who cherish and hold on to them. A quick look into my own office here at the Church will show you this very thing. As we grow and learn more and more about the world, we want our parents to see us as strong, beautiful, smart, driven, and ambitious. We want them to “see” us.

We want our friends to think that we are reliable and trustworthy, and will be by their side through thick and thin. Husbands want their wives to see them as strong, dependable, and able to protect them from dangers both physical and spiritual; and wives want their husbands to see them as compassionate and caring, able to sooth a heart worn down by the battles he has been fighting on her behalf. And parents want their children to see them as safe and steadfast, always willing to point them in the right direction, loving them even though they sometimes don’t love themselves.

We want to be of use to those we love, to our friends and family. To make their lives better, safer; and overall, we want to be the “aroma of life” (2 Cor. 2:16) to everyone in our life.

All of this is by design!

We, as image bearers of God, have an innate desire to glorify something or someone; and when that is exercised towards anything but Jesus Christ, regardless of the motives, we are in sin. So if we want the people we love to have their lives impacted for the better by us…then point them to Jesus Christ and nowhere else. Work hard, and point up. Create works of artistic beauty that museums will fight over, and point up. Raise your kids, love your grandkids, sweat, push, fight, build, break, fall in love, get married, make babies, go to Church, sing loud, give to charity, pray, and fast; all the while using all of all of it as a mirror, pointing people to the God who saved you.

And be warned, because when the temptation to “show off” your holiness comes about, it is nothing but your doubt being made manifest. You doubt that God loves you, and reject the idea that He could ever use you. So you force yourself to act in ways contrary to what you think, and put on a mask, play the actor, and think that if other people think you're holy, that's good enough. Because the alternative is too hard; crying out in repentant anguish for the state of your soul.

Don’t lie to others as a clever way of lying to yourself. Instead…do the hard thing. 

Do the hard thing…and repent.

Then give your money to the poor, without telling a single person you did it.

Then hit your knees in prayer, when no one can see you, and pour out your heart.

Then Fast in secret, hiding it from anyone that would glorify you for doing it.

And take confidence, my friends! Because your Father sees in the secret place. He knows why you are doing it. You don’t need to be overcome with indecision and fear that every choice is hanging upon a razor’s edge of salvation or damnation. Why?

Because you hate your sin, and the thought of acting on it grips your heart with terror. 

Why do you hate your sin? Because Jesus Christ died to save you.

In other words: trust in the sanctifying power of God, more than you distrust yourself. God sees your motivation, He knows you love Him…because He died so you could! And “as a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.” Why? Because “He knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.”

So don’t live your life in all of those ways that the Bible tells you to, trying to show people how holy and christian you are, thinking it might gain you some level of glory…or else you’ll get it, and your success will be your failure.

Just be …you. The ‘you’ that God made, bruises and scars and all; never hiding behind your weaknesses, but boasting in them! Never putting on a show, but only ever working for an audience of One. My friends, you can only realize the truest expression of yourself when you are in right relationship with the God who made you. And He didn't die to save the fake ‘you’ that you present to the world. He died for the real ‘you’.

Rev. Jacob Marchitell

October 11th 2026

Notes for Sunday School:

“The Christian is to live in such a way that men looking at him, and seeing the quality of his life, will glorify God. He must always remember at the same time that he is not to do things in order that he may attract attention to himself. He must not desire to be seen of men, he is never to be selfconscious. But, clearly, this balance is a fine and delicate one; so often we tend to go to one extreme or the other. Christian people tend either to be guilty of great ostentation or else to become monks and hermits. As you look at the long story of the Christian Church throughout the centuries you will find this great conflict has been going on. They have either been ostentatious, or else they have been so afraid of self and self-glorification that they have segregated themselves from the world. But here we are called to avoid both extremes. It is a delicate life, it is a sensitive life; but if we approach it in the right way, and under the leading of the Holy Spirit, the balance can be maintained. Of course, if we just take these things as rules which we have to put into operation we shall go wrong on the one side or the other. But if we realize that what matters is the great principle, the spirit, then we shall be saved from the error on the right hand and on the left. Let us never forget this, the Christian at one and the same time is to be attracting attention to himself, and yet not attracting attention to himself.”

Martin Lloyd Jones

Studies in the Sermon on the Mount

1960