Matthew chapter six offers a profound section of the Gospel of Matthew, richly packed with Jesus’ teachings on how to live a righteous life before God.
Within these verses, the focus is directed toward the inner spiritual life—emphasizing the importance of sincerity in giving alms, practicing piety, prayer, fasting, and the way we should view material possessions.
The teachings pivot around the central theme of authentic faith lived out away from the public eye, contrasting with the hypocritical practices of the religious elite of the time.
Related: For more, check out our Preaching Outline On Matthew Chapter Five here.
The chapter is particularly insightful for those composing outlines for preaching, as the structure of Jesus’ sermon provides a natural outline for exposition and application.
It navigates through the intricacies of human behavior in relation to spiritual disciplines, and the tension between accumulating worldly wealth and investing in eternal treasures.
Moreover, Christ’s familiar instruction to seek the kingdom of God first serves as an antidote to anxiety and worry, guiding believers toward a life of trust in divine providence.
Key Takeaways
- Matthew chapter six challenges believers to genuine spirituality as opposed to outward religious show.
- The chapter addresses key disciplines such as giving, praying, and fasting, with an emphasis on the secrecy and sincerity.
- Jesus presents an alternative to worldly anxiety by prioritizing the pursuit of God’s kingdom and righteousness.
Related: For more, check out our Preaching Outline On Matthew Chapter Four here.
The Context of Matthew Chapter Six
Matthew Chapter Six forms a critical component of the Sermon on the Mount, expanding on Christ’s teachings with practical guidance on religious practice and morality.
| Section | Verses | Key Points |
|---|---|---|
| Giving to the Needy | 1-4 | – Give without seeking attention. |
| – The Father who sees in secret will reward. | ||
| Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer | 5-15 | – Pray privately, not for show. |
| – Jesus provides a model prayer. | ||
| – Emphasis on forgiveness in prayer. | ||
| Fasting | 16-18 | – Fast sincerely, not for others to see. |
| – God rewards genuine fasting. | ||
| Treasures in Heaven | 19-24 | – Store up treasures in heaven, not on earth. |
| – The eye is the lamp of the body. | ||
| – You cannot serve both God and money. | ||
| Do Not Worry | 25-34 | – Do not worry about life’s basic needs; God provides. |
| – Seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness. | ||
| – Each day has enough trouble; do not worry about tomorrow. |
Setting of the Sermon on the Mount
When examining Matthew 6:1, it’s important to understand that this chapter unfolds as part of the larger Sermon on the Mount.
The setting is one where Jesus addresses a multitude from a mountainside, reflecting a unique moment in the New Testament where extensive teachings are directly imparted to the people.
Analysis of Themes
The themes in Matthew Chapter Six weave through the intricacies of genuine piety versus hypocritical religiosity.
It identifies key aspects of religious life—including almsgiving, prayer, and fasting—and contrasts the public display of righteousness with more sincere, humble approaches.
Relevance to the New Testament
The instructions provided in this chapter go beyond the audience of the day to inform broader Christian behavior and ethics within the Gospel context.
This chapter holds its relevance as it provides the foundational attitudes and behaviors expected from disciples, establishing a link between Jesus’s teachings and the lived experiences of believers.
Related: For more, check out our Preaching Outline On Matthew Chapter Three here.
The Act of Giving in Secrecy
In Matthew Chapter Six, the focus is on the virtue of humility in charitable deeds, emphasizing secret giving that seeks reward from God rather than human accolades.
Charitable Deeds
The act of giving to the poor is viewed through the lens of sincerity and humility in Matthew 6:1-4. Charitable deeds are to be done discreetly:
- Giving in secret: The donor should not announce their charity.
- Privacy of the gift: Only the giver and the recipient should be aware.
The intended reward from God for charitable acts is to be kept in mind, rather than any immediate recognition or praise from others.
Rejecting Hypocrisy
The text contrasts the righteousness of genuine giving with the behavior of hypocrites who perform acts of charity publicly to gain approval. Here’s what is advised:
- Hypocrites seek attention: They make a show of their giving to be seen.
- True righteousness: It involves conducting charity without fanfare or desire for public recognition.
Ultimately, the reassurance of Matthew 6:1-4 is that God, who sees what is done in secret, will reward such heartfelt acts of giving.
Related: For more, check out our Preaching Outline On Matthew Chapter Two here.
Prayer and Piety
Matthew Chapter Six encapsulates crucial teachings on prayer and piety, challenging believers to pursue a relationship with God that is authentic and free from hypocrisy.
The Lord’s Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer, given by Jesus to His disciples, serves as a paramount example of communing with the Heavenly Father.
It encompasses petitions for daily sustenance (“give us this day our daily bread”), forgiveness, and spiritual guidance. This template for prayer encapsulates a comprehensive approach to faith and reliance on God.
Prayer in Solitude
Matthew 6:6 emphasizes the importance of privacy in prayer, contrasting the Pharisees’ public piety.
It suggests that one should find seclusion to pray, ensuring that the act of prayer is a genuine conversation with God rather than a performance for others.
Genuine Faith
The chapter criticizes acts of piety that are performed for human praise. True faith is highlighted as an inward quality that is not tarnished by outward show.
This critique of the Pharisees underscores a call for honesty and integrity in spiritual practices.
Related: For more, check out our Preaching Outline On Matthew Chapter One here.
Fasting and Spiritual Disciplines
Matthew Chapter Six highlights the importance of sincere spiritual disciplines, such as fasting, which should be practiced with humility and not for outward show.
True fasting goes beyond abstaining from food; it’s an act of enhancing one’s personal relationship with God and fostering spiritual growth away from public admiration.
Benefits of Fasting
Fasting, when undertaken for the right reasons, serves as a powerful element of one’s spiritual life. Jesus addressed the issue of fasting with an emphasis on righteousness, warning against performing religious acts to be seen by others.
He urged believers to fast without a show of piety before men, teaching that hypocrites make their fasting obvious. Instead, He instructed that fasting should be done in a manner that does not draw attention, assuring that the Father who sees in secret will reward openly.
Inner Transformation
Fasting is intricately linked to an inner transformation. It is not just a physical discipline but a spiritual exercise that brings one closer to God, resisting temptation and purifying the heart.
In Matthew 6, the ministry of fasting is described as an intimate act between the individual and God, far removed from the streets where hypocrites sought recognition.
Through fasting, believers quietly submit to God, seeking not the admiration of others but the development of personal righteousness and spiritual strength.
Treasures in Heaven Versus Earthly Wealth
The discourse of Matthew chapter six is a compelling exhortation by Jesus on the choice between accumulating earthly wealth and pursuing spiritual riches.
This passage, particularly Matthew 6:19-34, makes a poignant contrast, urging adherence to divine priorities over materialism, and counseling against the anxieties associated with earthly possessions.
Materialism and the Kingdom of God
The Bible presents materialism as an impediment to entering the Kingdom of God. Jesus, through the Sermon on the Mount, invites believers to reassess their values, teaching that one cannot serve both God and money.
He implores his followers to lay up for themselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
The Impermanence of Worldly Goods
Worldly wealth is exposed as fleeting and vulnerable to decay and theft. Matthew 6:19-34 underscores the temporality of material gains by contrasting them with the enduring nature of spiritual wealth.
Jesus teaches that earthly treasures are not only impermanent but also fail to provide the security implied by their appeal.
Seeking Divine Priorities
Seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness is posed as the foremost priority one should pursue. This pursuit promises the addition of all necessary things, thus addressing anxiety about daily needs.
The essence of Jesus’ message in Matthew Chapter Six is about trust—trust in God’s provision over accumulating wealth, and the reassurance that prioritization of spiritual over material will yield the most profound security and reward.
Anxiety, Worry and Trust in God
Matthew Chapter Six addresses the common human experiences of anxiety and worry, guiding believers to place their trust in God.
It emphasizes the fruitlessness of worry, the importance of living in the present, and encourages reliance on divine providence.
The Futility of Worry
Jesus illustrates that worry adds no value to one’s life; in fact, it is counterproductive. He asks, “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”
This rhetorical question implies that worry is incapable of altering our circumstances or extending our lifespan.
Living in the Present
The text urges individuals to focus on today rather than being consumed by tomorrow’s potential troubles.
It points out that even the birds of the air do not sow or reap, yet they are fed by the Father, teaching that one should have faith in God’s provision for the present.
Dependence on Providence
By seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, believers are assured that their needs will be met.
This encourages a perspective of life that trusts in divine provision, where one’s energy is channelled into faith and dependence on God rather than being dissipated by anxiety and worry.
Final Exhortations and Conclusions
In Matthew Chapter Six, the teachings focus on fostering a life that honours the Kingdom of God through sincerity in acts of righteousness, steering clear of material temptations, and embodying values blessed by a divine perspective.
Serving Two Masters
One cannot serve both God and wealth. Matthew 6:24 clarifies that devotion must be single-minded; a person’s loyalty cannot be split between earthly gain and the pursuit of righteousness.
This exhortation is pivotal as it elucidates the fundamental choice one must make to live a life aligned with the Kingdom.
- Choice: God or wealth
- Reason: Undivided loyalty is essential for one’s spiritual journey
Kingdom Focused Living
Matthew entreats believers to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, a call that underscores the primacy of divine values over worldly concerns.
Reiterated through Matthew 6:33, this stresses that when one prioritizes heavenly values, earthly needs will be met by divine provision.
- Priorities: Kingdom of God > Earthly worries
- Promise: Divine provision follows the pursuit of righteousness
Frequently Asked Questions
In this section, focused on Matthew Chapter 6, readers can gain clarity on its key teachings such as themes of trust in God, the pitfalls of hypocrisy, and the importance of seeking divine righteousness.
What are the main themes discussed in Matthew Chapter 6?
Matthew Chapter 6 is rich in themes such as the value of sincerity in one’s religious practice, the necessity of putting trust in God rather than material wealth, and the encouragement to live a life free from worry by prioritizing the kingdom of God.
Can you explain Jesus’ teachings on worry and anxiety in Matthew 6:25-34?
Jesus advises against anxiety over life’s basic needs in Matthew 6:25-34, emphasizing God’s providence. He encourages to seek first God’s kingdom, assuring that earthly needs will be met as a result.
What insights can be gained from the Lord’s Prayer as outlined in Matthew 6:1-18?
The Lord’s Prayer, presented in Matthew 6:1-18, offers a blueprint for prayer emphasizing God’s holiness, the coming of His kingdom, the provision of daily needs, forgiveness, and guidance away from temptation.
How does Matthew 6:33 emphasize seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness?
Matthew 6:33 prioritizes seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness, assuring that by doing so, all necessary things for life will be provided, thus framing the pursuit of spiritual over material wealth.
What are the examples of hypocrisy in prayer and charity mentioned in Matthew 6, and what do they teach us?
Matthew 6 exposes hypocritical behaviors such as ostentatious charity and public prayer for self-glorification, teaching that true piety seeks God’s approval, not human praise.
In the context of Matthew Chapter 6, what does Jesus teach about material possessions and their significance?
Jesus instructs that material wealth is transient and can be a distraction from spiritual growth, thus emphasizing the importance of storing treasures in heaven where it endures eternally.
