Sermon on the Mount: Practicing Righteousness with Giving & Fasting

This sermon delves into the biblical concept of practicing righteousness through giving and fasting, using Matthew 5:21-48 and Matthew 6:1-18 as its foundation. The sermon analyzes the apparent contradiction between Jesus' calls for both inward and outward righteousness, ultimately arguing that motivation is paramount. Pastor Maggie contrasts the traditional understanding of righteousness, rooted in outward actions like giving to the needy and fasting, with the hypocritical righteousness condemned by Jesus, which uses these practices for public praise and self-promotion.  True righteousness, the sermon poses, stems from a pure heart and seeks to deflect praise and glory onto God, finding its reward in His approval rather than human accolades. The sermon concludes with introspective questions designed to encourage personal reflection on the motivations behind spiritual disciplines and the importance of aligning one's heart with God's will.