Ugly Motives<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pastor Don Carpenter<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ugly Christmas Sweater \/ God \/ Matthew 6:1\u201318<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Main Idea: Every person is motivated to act by specific things in life. The question is, what is your motivation? Sometimes we are searching for praise from people when we should be seeking praise from God only. With healthy motives, we become people who live a healthy life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Introduction<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today we are in week three of our current sermon series. If my sweater is any indication, it is a series called Ugly Christmas Sweater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So far, we\u2019ve talked about how the Christmas season should be the most wonderful time of year. But, we also said, many of us end up with ugly thoughts, actions, and words that can hurt the people around us. Today we want to talk about ugly motives and how they can hinder our relationships and harm our witness in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A pastor shares the following story:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If I am honest, I\u2019ve had ugly motives in some of the gifts I\u2019ve given to my wife for Christmas. A few years ago, I could not figure out what to get her. I searched high and low and eventually found the perfect gift\u2026 in my opinion of course. So, I bought it and brought it home. I wrapped it perfectly and put it under the tree with a bow on top. Christmas day came and we opened each gift under the tree. It finally was time for my wife to open her gift from me. She tore the wrapping away and revealed a brand-new deep fryer for the kitchen. My wife was less than excited, to say the least. I tried to explain that with the deep fryer she could make tasty fried chicken or fried okra that I would love to eat. This revealed the issue with the gift. I bought it more for myself than for her. My motive was selfish.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each of us make decisions in our lives based on different motivations. It is important for us to pay attention to our motives because they can result in us blessing others or result in us only focusing on ourselves. The mark of a Christian is someone who is motivated by love to treat others as better than themselves. We are always tempted by our sinful nature to put ourselves first, but through the empowerment of the Spirit and the example of Jesus we can rise above our selfish motivations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During His earthly ministry, Jesus was particularly interested in people\u2019s motives and the reasons for why they did what they did. Jesus knew that people\u2019s motives were really deep-seated heart issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Matthew 6:1\u20132 KJV<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Matthew 6:5 KJV<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Matthew 6:16 KJV<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jesus is speaking to a group of people who focused too much on living out the law and looking righteous in front of others. Their passion to look spiritual was more important to them than actually having a healthy spirituality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jesus\u2019 issue was not with the actions the individuals were taking in and of themselves. Of course, giving to the needy is a good thing, and praying + fasting is a good thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jesus was interested in the motive behind the action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DOING THE RIGHT THING FOR THE WRONG REASON<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ugly motives can nullify our witness in the world. The Christmas season is full of opportunities to serve others and meet their needs. Some people see these opportunities as a way to receive praise for their generosity. So, they drop money in the bell ringer\u2019s buckets hoping the ring of the coins can be heard by all and they make sure to tell the story of how they went to help at the soup kitchen downtown in hopes that others will acknowledge how spiritual they are. Jesus says these folks have received their reward in full. They get the applause and recognition they desired from others, but that is the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems there is a greater reward we can receive by our willingness to serve others without needing all the recognition. Rather than just getting applause, someone who serves in humility develops a character that is worth far more than the praise of people. Doing the right thing for the wrong reason can cost us our ability to grow into the person God wants for us to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The very way in which Jesus came to us at Christmas gives us inspiration for living a life with the right motives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Luke 2:1\u20137 KJV<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Beth-lehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If anyone deserved praise for their actions, it surely would have been the God of the universe becoming a human in order to rescue us. But don\u2019t miss the specific way in which Jesus came. He did not come to a castle somewhere as a king or a holy temple in the middle of a city as a priest. He came in the form of a baby in a stinky manger full of farm animals. Clearly, Jesus\u2019 motives were not for recognition and praise, his motivation was love. The very reason we celebrate during Christmas is because of a divine act of humility in the birth of Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He set the example and invited us to follow His lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
JESUS IS OUR MOTIVATION<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An ugly Christmas sweater at any Christmas party is meant to do one thing. It is meant to draw attention to ourselves. When Jesus is our motivation, the deep desire within us is to draw attention to him. When we serve others, it becomes easy to say we are doing this only because Jesus first served us. When we love others around us it is easy to say we are doing this because Jesus first loved us. We take the spotlight off of us and place it on our Savior, the true hero. He is our true motive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Story: There is a powerful story of motivation from the likes of college football. Notre Dame football star George Gipp could do it all — run, pass, and punt with unparalleled skill. The 1920 season established Gipp as a football star. But on December 14, 1920, young George Gipp died of pneumonia. But, thanks to college football stories and a movie in which former president Ronald Reagan portrayed Gipp, the story of George Gipp lived on. On November 10, 1928, Notre Dame and Army were tied at halftime in a struggle for victory. Notre Dame coach Knute Rockne, himself a legend, told of being at the dying Gipp’s bedside a few years before. Rockne recalled how Gipp feebly said, “Sometimes, Rock, when the team is up against it, when things are going wrong and the breaks are beating the boys, tell them to go in there with all they’ve got and win just one for the Gipper.” They did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Notre Dame football team was motivated to honor the Gipp. It inspired them to fight and to win. As Christians, our motivation for living a life of loving service and a life focused on others is the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. His sacrifice motivates us to sacrifice for others as well. Jesus is our motivation. It is like Paul states in Colossians 3:23.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Colossians 3:23 KJV<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We are not out to impress others when we live righteous lives, we are out to honor our Lord Jesus. He is our motive and our reward for doing the right thing. No more ugly motives, this Christmas we allow Jesus to guide our words and our actions no matter how tempted we are to be self-serving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
IT\u2019S NOT A COMPETITION<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the reasons we find ourselves fighting against ugly motives is because many times we find ourselves in a competition for attention and accolades. Rivalry is a mentality of the world and has no place in the heart of a Christian–yet it can still be a core motivation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Paul speaks to this mentality in a passage that precedes what is known as the kenosis passage. It gives context to a section of scripture where Paul lifts up Jesus\u2019 humble and sacrificial life as our model to follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Philippians 2:3 KJV<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Apparently, rivalry and competition within the church is not some kind of new issue, it finds its roots all the way back in the early beginnings. Paul knew then that the desire to one-up and to be first would be the undoing of all Jesus came to build and establish. The same is true for us today. We are not in a competition with one another. Instead, we ought to cheer one another on and push each other forward out of love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I am motivated to honor Jesus first and honor those around me second, that is the only way we all win. So, let\u2019s stop living as ugly Christmas sweaters with ugly motives focused on ourselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Response:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This week I want to challenge you to be a secret servant agent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This week, I want to invite you to choose one person to do something kind for as a way of honoring Jesus and honoring them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here is the key, this needs to be done anonymously. Whatever way you choose to bless them, do not let them know it was you. Allow your motivation for service to be Jesus rather than recognition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maybe this means sending an anonymous letter of encouragement, an anonymous gift card, an anonymous gift on a doorstep or an anonymous need being met. And as you\u2019re doing it remember the words of Jesus who said, \u201cIt is more blessed to give than to receive.\u201d (Acts 20:35)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Challenge your selfish motivations with selfless acts for others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This Christmas, our reward is becoming more like the person God designed us to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Exported from Logos Bible Software, 12:23 PM December 18, 2021.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ugly Motives Pastor Don Carpenter Ugly Christmas Sweater \/ God \/ Matthew 6:1\u201318 Main Idea: Every person is motivated to act by specific things in life. The question is, what is your motivation? Sometimes we are searching for praise from people when we should be seeking praise from God only. With healthy motives, we become … Continue reading Ugly Motives<\/span>