Moving beyond image-management

Kingdom Spirituality (part one): Moving beyond image-management
Matthew 6:1-18
A study of the kingdom of the heavens

Bottom Line – We get what we really want. If we live merely by externals, we end up enslaved by externals & forfeit our hearts. The good news is that the grace-based rule of God and the quietly transforming friendship of Jesus are available to those who really want them.

Core Correction Jesus Brings to Human Spirituality
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of people, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 6:1

Core Correction Applied to Giving
“2 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. I assure you: They’ve got their reward! 3 But when you give to the poor, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Matthew 6:2-4

Core Correction Applied to Giving
Contrast with human spirituality:
– Assumes we will give
– Externally-driven giving is crazy
– Externally-driven giving is bankrupt
Picture of kingdom spirituality:
– Engages in the same type of activity
– Give because we want to & because it is consistent with who we are becoming…
We get what we really want!

Core Correction Applied to Praying
5 “Whenever you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by people. I assure you: They’ve got their reward! 6 But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 When you pray, don’t babble like the idolaters, Or since they imagine they’ll be heard for their many words. 8 Don’t be like them, because your Father knows the things you need before you ask Him. -Matt. 6:5-8

Core Correction Applied to Praying
Contrast with human spirituality:
– Assumes we will pray
– Externally-driven praying is crazy
– Externally-driven praying is bankrupt
Picture of kingdom spirituality:
– Engages in the same type of activity
– Pray because we want to & because it is consistent with who we are becoming…
We get what we really want!

Core Correction Applied to Fasting
16 “Whenever you fast, don’t be sad-faced like the hypocrites. For they make their faces unattractive so their fasting is obvious to people. I assure you: They’ve got their reward! 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head, and wash your face, 18 so that you don’t show your fasting to people but to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. -Matt. 6:16-18

Core Correction Applied to Fasting
Contrast with human spirituality:
– Assumes we will fast
– Externally-driven fasting is crazy
– Externally-driven fasting is bankrupt
Picture of kingdom spirituality:
– Engages in the same type of activity
– Fast because we want to & because it is consistent with who we are becoming…
We get what we really want!

Bottom Line – We get what we really want. If we live merely by externals, we end up enslaved by externals & forfeit our hearts. The good news is that the grace-based rule of God and the quietly transforming friendship of Jesus are available to those who really want them.