Take Up: Secrecy
Matthew 6:1-6
4.3.2022

Series Intro
“Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me.” Matthew 16:24

What does Jesus mean when He asks us to “take up our cross”? Today, let’s look at how Jesus wants us to “take up” secrecy. At first, it sounds like exactly the opposite of what we were talking about last weekend: confession. How we shouldn’t keep secrets and how we should tell the truth, even about our sins. But when it comes to our successes and victories, those are often better kept secret.

How can we practice our faith and be faithful?

1. We need to be Focused ...

2 “So when you give to the needy ... What is your motive? Are you focused on the person you are caring for? Are you focused on serving God by serving another human? Or are you focused on yourself? It is ease to get this wrong.

5 And when you pray ... Rabbinic saying: “He who prays within his house surrounds it with a wall that is stronger than iron.”

16 “When you fast ... When we fast, we run the same risks. Are we focused on God or not something else. Jesus is telling us, “Stay focused.”

2. The problem with being “Simul” ...
We are all Simul justus et peccator.