How to Stop Being a Hypocrite | Rich Nathan

Upside Down Kingdom Series Rich Nathan • July 16, 2023 We cannot be faithful followers of Jesus Christ simply by doing a bunch of religious things. Unlike every other ancient religion, the God of the Bible demands that if we want to be one of His people, if we want to take Him seriously, we have to practice justice and love to the people around us while recognizing the motives in our hearts when we do these things. Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6 & 16-18 6 “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. 2 “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. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 5 “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. 6 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.