Sermon on the Mount (part 2) – A Call for Biblical Integrity and Authenticity (Matthew 6)

Scripture reading – Matthew 6

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* Please note that words and phrases in brackets are the author’s amplification.

Our study of the Sermon on the Mount continues today with our Bible study from Matthew 6. Considered as Christ’s inaugural address to His followers, the “Sermon on the Mount” declares the character of citizens in His kingdom. The Sermon on the Mount embodies some of the greatest truths known to man.

Matthew 6

A Call to Spiritual Authenticity (Matthew 6:1-18)

In Matthew 6, Christ focused on the spiritual character of those who follow Him. He challenged them to consider their motives in three spiritual disciplines: Giving (Matthew 6:1-4), Prayer (Matthew 6:5-15), andFasting (Matthew 6:16-18). Jesus essentially urged His disciples and followers: don’t be a hypocrite!

Be Sincere in Your Giving (Matthew 6:1-4)

Those seeking self-recognition abound in every walk of life. Jesus, therefore, exhorted His followers, “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 6:1).

Christ challenged His audience not to crave the admiration of men (Matthew 6:1a) nor covet their affirmation(“that they may have glory of men,” Matthew 6:2). It is the nature of the arrogant to desire to be noticed. However, when they fail to receive acclaim, they may withdraw from serving, giving, and ministering to others. They tend to become critical. Instead of helping, they may choose to harm or injure.

“Alms” were charitable gifts to support the poor and needy. Christ observed that some men had turned their “alms” into a form of public showmanship. He urged the people to give in secret and said, “When thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly” (Matthew 6:3-4).

Be Sincere in Your Prayers (Matthew 6:5-15)

Prayer is a private matter; however, in the first century, Jesus recognized the potential of praying to be seen, thus it became a breeding ground for hypocrites. Rather than pray in private as an act of sincere worship, hypocrites had turned prayer into a display of pride and false piety. Jesus admonished the people, “When thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward” (Matthew 6:5).

Christ taught His followers to take time to pray in private and humbly enter into the LORD’s presence: “When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly” (Matthew 6:6).

What a great truth! God the Father hears and answers private prayers!

The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)

After instructing His followers on how not to pray, Christ proceeded to tell them how to pray (Matthew 6:9-13). Known as “The Lord’s Prayer,” Jesus taught His disciples a pattern and model for prayer.

“The Lord’s Prayer” contains all the elements of worship:

Adoration: “Our Father which art in heaven” (Matthew 6:9b)

Devotion – “…Hallowed be thy name.” (Matthew 6:9c)

Consecration – “Thy kingdom come…” (Matthew 6:10a)

Submission – “…Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10b).

Expectation – “Give us this day our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11)

Confession – “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12)

Petition – “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil…” (Matthew 6:13a)

Exaltation – “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” (Matthew 6:13b)

 

Where is Your Treasure? (Matthew 6:19-21)

We all possess things we treasure, yet our society is obsessed with money, material wealth, and pleasure. Some have suggested that money is the theme of sixteen of the thirty-eight parables Jesus taught His followers. It has been observed that the New Testament devotes five times as many verses to money as to prayer and faith.

God blesses the wise use and stewardship of money (Proverbs 3:9-10); however, money and riches can be a trouble and curse to a man’s soul (Proverbs 15:16). Paul warned, “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:9-10).

I conclude today’s Bible study with Christ’s exhortation to set your affections on eternal things, knowing, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21).

Where is your treasure?

Copyright © 2026 – Travis D. Smith 

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