Jesus’ sermon is pointing believers toward a way of living that prioritizes being over looking and the beatitudes over being comfortable. His perspective produces a kind of life that culminates…
Matthew 6 probes the motives of the human heart. Are its actions staged to be seen, or do they come from a genuine inner source? Jesus uses prayer, giving, and…
Prayer – what subject has more intrigue and difficulty? Jesus in Matthew 6 gives a model of prayer that a child understands and scholars can study. Before His model prayer,…
Jesus has taught there are six evils that interfere with the kingdom (anger, lust, divorce, lying, vengeance, and hatred). Now, Jesus goes inside the believer to demonstrate that good works…
In Matthew 5, Jesus makes six statements clarifying the Kingdom. In this week’s teaching, He makes the hardest of all requests; He tells His followers to love their neighbors and their…
There are many times in our lives—and we never know when they will strike—when suddenly the wind gets up and the sea becomes rough. But if we listen, through the…
Basic human nature responds to aggression by fight or flight. Neither of these responses build community or have positive results. Jesus gives a third way to respond to aggressive behavior…
Words in Scripture have power to create. Truthful words create reality and trust. Lies create ruin and broken relationships and are from the evil one himself. Jesus’ mandate for believers…
First, it was anger, then lust, and now Jesus talks about divorce. We probably wouldn’t have divorced if we had dealt with anger and lust. Divorce, however, is a reality…
Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father. Humanity has taken these good gifts; instead of enjoying them, we have abused them. Sex is one such gift that we…
Jesus begins one of the longest sections in His sermon. He looks at the Law and gives us our Creator’s intention for that law. Jesus begins with murder and dissects…
