When I was a kid, I entered a pageant, danced to Men in Black in a black sequin jacket, and lost to a kid in snake skin boots. As ridiculous as that sounds, I remember one thing clearly: the judges’ applause determined everything. That never really changes, does it? All of us are living for someone’s applause. We adjust our lives to win approval from a boss, a spouse, parents, friends, even social media. The standards shift, the pressure builds, and it’s exhausting.
In Matthew 6:1 to 18, Jesus confronts this reality directly. He warns against practicing righteousness just to be seen by others. When our giving, praying, or serving is fueled by the desire to be noticed, the applause we receive is the only reward we get.
Instead, Jesus offers a better way: live for the applause that echoes forever. Serve outside the spotlight. Do good that only God sees. Pursue the greater reward, the one given by a Father who knows exactly what you need.
The applause of people fades, but God’s approval does not. So the question is simple: whose applause are you living for?
Who We Are
No matter where you’re at in life or what questions you’re carrying, you’re welcome here. At Heartland Community Church, we’re ordinary people trying to follow Jesus in the middle of real life, with all its messy moments and ordinary challenges.
Want to know more about who we are and what we believe? Click here to learn more.