The King’s Principles: True Righteousness
Matthew 6:1-15
Opening Question: Do a quick word association. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you
hear the world hypocrite?
True definition of a hypocrite: The Greek Word originally meant “an actor who wears a mask.” A
hypocrite is not a person who falls short of his high ideals, or who occasionally sins, because all of us
experience these failures. A hypocrite deliberately uses religion to cover up his sins and promote his own
gains.
Read Matthew 6:1-15
After reading verses 1-15 as a group, go back individually and make a list of things that Jesus warns
against.
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Public religiousness done to receive human praise rather than glorify God
Hypocrisy
“Babbling prayers”—using long winded, flowery words that are more “showy” than sincere
Lack of forgiveness in our life
Now Contrast: what principles does Jesus affirm?
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Giving that is sincere and known only by God
Prayer that is sincere, direct, and simple
Prayer that is Kingdom focused, not “me focused” (noticed that the Lord’s Prayer is all in the 3rd
person plural and that the focus is on God and his will being done here on earth.)
Forgiveness (vs 12, then repeated in 14-15)
Putting it all together
The focus of Matthew chapter 6 is Jesus teaching about true righteousness. Based on what we have
already talked about so far, come up with your own sentence or two that summarizes Jesus’ teaching on
true righteousness
Example answers: Those with false righteousness practice their religion for the applause of men, not for the reward of God.
But true righteousness must come from within.
True righteousness is a condition of the heart, not simply external actions. Selfless giving, a private prayer life, and a quickness
to forgive others are all hallmarks of the righteousness Jesus calls us to seek.
Personal reflection: Earlier we said that a hypocrite deliberately uses religion to cover up their sins and
promote their own gains. What religious masks are you currently wearing that keep you from
experiencing a realness with God and other people?
Application: Beginning to take off our masks before God and others.
Let’s get practical. To some degree, we all wear masks that keep us from being fully known before
God and other people. Let’s take a look at the Lord’s Prayer as a way for us to begin to take off some
of the masks and experience true life and true worship as God intended. Take a few minutes to
process the ideas below on your own, and then come together as a group to share your personal
application.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Read through the Lord’s Prayer again. Jesus did not give this prayer to us to be memorized and
recited a given number of times. In fact, He gave this prayer to keep us from using vain repetitions and
to free us to truly worship him. Jesus did not say, “Pray in these words.” He said, “Pray after this
manner”; that is, “Use this prayer as a pattern, not as a memorized script.” Ironically, when many of us
say the Lord’s Prayer today, they remain only religious words, not true worship.
Let’s now take a look at the Lord’s Prayer. Here are just a few principles about this prayer to consider:
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We begin with Our Father in Heaven. The original wording for “Our Father is literally “daddy.”
Tonight, some of us need to be reminded that our Heavenly father is daddy and that we can be
absolutely real and unguarded before him. He delights in hearing his children cry out to him.
“Daddy, I need you!” One way to take off your mask is to identify areas that you are hiding from
God and unable to trust him as Daddy.”
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This prayer begins with God’s interest, not ours. (Your name, your kingdom, your will) Some of
us have such an inward focus, that we forgot to ask God for his perspective and for his will to be
done, not our own selfish desire. Ask God for help in accomplishing his will on earth. Take off
the mask of selfishness and self-focus and pray that His will would be accomplished. Pray that it
would be His Kingdom rule, not our own that would be seen more and more here on earth.
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Some of us live in a world of unforgiveness. There are people in our life who we have not been
able to forgive. A hardened heart that cannot forgive cannot truly worship God. Is there
anybody in your life right now that you need to forgive or ask for forgiveness?
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Lastly, some of us are guilty of praying in ways that seek to earn the respect of man, and not
God. In Christian gatherings, we might proud aloud for longer periods of time using words and
phrases that sound good among Christians, but don’t really connect with the true condition of
our heart. If you can relate with this, think about how you might take off the mask of religion
and talk to God in a way that is sincere, direct, and simple.
After reflecting on these principles, choose one that currently speaks to you. What mask do you need to
take off?