True Worship: Matt. 6:1-18

Series: The Good Life: Learning to Live in a Complicated World

Preached at Growing Faith Church, Liberty, NC

May 3, 2026

1. Acts of True Worship Seek to Glorify God, Not Self (v. 1, 2, 5, 16)

2. Acts of True Worship Desire a Delayed Response (vv. 2, 4-6, 16-18)

3. Acts of True Worship Originate in Secret Worship (vv. 3-4, 6, 17-18)

4. Acts of True Worship Flow from a Right Relationship with God (vv. 7-15)

Jesus warns against religious hypocrisy in Matthew 6, where he describes hypocrites as actors wearing masks to appear more spiritual than they truly are. He gives three examples: giving to be seen, praying for attention, and fasting for show. The solution is to worship in secret, focusing on God's approval rather than human recognition. True worship seeks to glorify God, desires eternal rewards over immediate praise, and flows from authentic relationship with Him. When our private worship life is genuine, our public expressions of faith will naturally be authentic rather than performative.