Excellence That Seeks the Father's Approval
Excellence That Seeks
the Father's Approval
"True Christian excellence is not measured by public recognition, but by a sincere heart that seeks the approval of the Father above all else."
Excellence Begins with Pure Motives
God doesn't grade the act — He weighs the spirit behind it. Man judges outward appearance; God looks at the heart.
Excellence Pursues Integrity in Secret Places
Private devotion fuels public faithfulness. God brings every secret deed into judgment — good or evil.
Excellence Seeks Eternal Reward, Not Temporary Praise
Earthly applause fades. Those who loved the glory of man more than the glory of God missed the Kingdom.
we make it our aim to please him."
"Did people notice what I did? How many likes? Did anyone thank me? I need recognition to feel like it mattered."
"Was the Father pleased? I served quietly, gave faithfully, and guarded my private walk. That's enough."
Sermon Title: Excellence That Seeks the Father's Approval Preacher: Tony Padgett, Brookfield Church of Christ Date Preached: March 1, 2026 YouTube Video: Watch the Full Sermon (Length: 35:19) Key Scriptures: Matthew 6:1 | Proverbs 16:2 | 1 Samuel 16:7 | Colossians 3:23–24 | Ecclesiastes 12:14 | Hebrews 4:13 | Galatians 1:10 | John 12:42–43 | 2 Corinthians 5:9
Are You Performing — or Pursuing?
How many times this week did you check how many people liked your post? How many times did you wonder whether someone noticed the good thing you did? Be honest. We live in a world that has wired us to measure our worth by visibility, applause, and the approval of others. And if we're not careful, that hunger for human recognition will creep right into our worship, our service, and our Christian walk. Tony Padgett's March 1 message at Brookfield Church of Christ lands this truth squarely: True Christian excellence is not measured by public recognition, but by a sincere heart that seeks the approval of the Father above all else.
The Question Jesus Is Really Asking
In Matthew 6:1, Jesus does not say, "Stop doing good things." He says, "Be careful not to practice your righteousness before others to be seen by them." The issue is never the act — it is always the motive. Jesus is correcting the engine, not the vehicle.
Tony put it plainly: "It's easy to confuse performance with righteousness. Social media has trained us to measure value by views, likes, and praise." The question is not, "Did people notice?" The question is, "Was the Father pleased?"
Point 1: Excellence Begins with Pure Motives
God does not grade on visibility. He grades on sincerity. Proverbs 16:2 (ESV) cuts through every excuse we make for ourselves: "All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit." We are masters at putting a holy bow on self-serving behavior. But God is not impressed by the packaging.
The classic illustration is David. When Samuel went to anoint the next king, he saw Eliab — tall, strong, impressive — and assumed, That's the one. God stopped him cold: "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7 ESV). And where was David? Tending sheep. Nobody invited him to the ceremony. Yet God had His eye on him the whole time.
Colossians 3:23–24 (ESV) brings it home: "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." The audience for your service is not the congregation — it is Christ Himself.
Point 2: Excellence Pursues Integrity in Secret Places
Tony's second point is one that convicts the comfortable: private devotion fuels public faithfulness. If you are careless when no one is watching, your public excellence is only a performance — temporary, hollow, and ultimately meaningless.
Ecclesiastes 12:14 (ESV) reminds us that nothing is truly hidden: "For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil." And Hebrews 4:13 (ESV) removes any remaining illusion: "No creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account."
Yes — God knows your heart. But as Tony made clear, we must stop using that phrase as a hall pass for careless living. God knowing your heart is not a comfort for the spiritually lazy. It is a call to pursue integrity in the unseen places: in your prayer closet, in your private Bible study, in your workplace when shortcuts are available, in your moral choices when the lights are off.
Point 3: Excellence Seeks Eternal Reward, Not Temporary Praise
The third pillar of Tony's message is the one that separates the disciple from the performer: choosing the Father's approval over the crowd's applause. Paul asked the Galatian church a question worth writing on your mirror: "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10 ESV).
John 12:42–43 tells a sobering story. Many of the religious authorities believed in Jesus — but they would not confess it, because they feared being put out of the synagogue. Why? Because "they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God." Tony's challenge: don't let what others think keep you from what God is calling you to do. The applause of people fades fast. Tony described going back to his alma mater three years after his student acting days — the same people who cheered him could not even remember his face. "Out of sight, out of mind." That is every earthly reward. But the Father's "Well done" echoes into eternity.
The action step Tony gave is simple but powerful: memorize 2 Corinthians 5:9 — "So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him." That verse is short enough to write on a notecard and long enough to restructure your entire life's motivation.
📖 Barry's Perspective
Having preached at Brookfield for 23 years, I know this congregation understands hard, faithful service. What Tony is addressing here is the quiet battle every serious Christian fights — not whether to serve, but why we serve. I have watched members of this church do extraordinary things for one another with no fanfare and no recognition. That is the heart Matthew 6:1 is calling all of us to develop. May this message give language to something God has already been building in you.
🎯 This Week's Challenge
This week, I challenge you to practice one act of silent service — something genuinely beneficial that no one else will know you did. Don't post it. Don't mention it. Just do it before God alone. Let Colossians 3:23–24 be your guide: "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." Then at the end of the week, notice how it felt to serve an audience of One.
💬 Small Group Discussion Questions
Tony said the issue in Matthew 6:1 is never the act itself — it is the motive. How do you personally distinguish between serving God sincerely and serving to be seen? What questions help you check your own motives?
Reflect on the story of David in 1 Samuel 16:7. What does it mean practically that God looks at the heart? How should this change the way we evaluate spiritual leadership in the church?
Ecclesiastes 12:14 tells us God will bring every secret deed into judgment. How does this truth — when taken seriously — change the way you approach private worship, private integrity, and the unseen choices you make?
In John 12:42–43, the authorities believed in Jesus but would not confess Him publicly out of fear. What modern equivalents exist today — situations where Christians remain silent or invisible about their faith because of social pressure?
Paul writes in Galatians 1:10 that seeking the approval of man and being a servant of Christ are incompatible. Where in your life is the tension between pleasing people and pleasing God most acute right now?
Living for the Audience of One
Excellence in the kingdom of God is not about visibility — it is about sincerity. It is not about reputation — it is about righteousness. The applause of this world fades as quickly as a gravestone crumbles to dust. But the words "Well done, good and faithful servant" will echo for eternity. Watch Tony's full sermon and let this message do its deep work in you. Then make it your aim — at home, at work, in secret — to please Him.
Visit BarrysBureau.org for more resources to help you pursue excellence in Christ.
Excellence That Seeks the Father's Approval
Matthew 6:1 • Barry Johnson • Brookfield Church of Christ
Test your understanding of this week's message on Matthew 6:1 with 7 questions. Take your time — and let it drive you back to the Word.
Sort It Out: Excellence That Seeks the Father's Approval
Matthew 6:1 • Barry Johnson • Brookfield Church of Christ