The Sermon on the Mount continues in Matthew 6, which is entirely composed of the words of Christ. Jesus teaches that God rewards deeds motivated by sincere devotion to Him, not by approval from other people. He teaches a simple and authentic model prayer. Christ warns against stockpiling money and possessions on earth. Instead, believers…

Matthew 6:1-4 (NASB) “Take care not to practice your righteousness in the sight of people, to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. 2 “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on…

This week’s lesson focuses on the birth of Jesus and why it is so important. The Word became flesh – John 1:14

Matthew 5:48 (NIV) Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Here we see the conclusion to the true interpretation of the law: be perfect. Matthew 5:48 (NKJ) “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” If a man could live the way Jesus has told us to in…

This coming Sunday we continue our series on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). This week our focus is on Matthew 5:43-48 which continues Jesus’ teaching on love and humility. After commanding believers not to seek revenge in the face of insults, Jesus expands the idea of love to include one’s enemies. Human beings…

This week’s sermon comes from Matthew 5:38-42 as we continue our series from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). In this passage Jesus deals with the law of retribution. He is not telling his followers to be pacifists but rather he is showing the true intent God has for His people. So far as…

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. In this verse Paul exhorts his readers to give thanks in all circumstances. He adds that it is God’s will to do so. Regardless how difficult our circumstances may be, we can find reasons to thank…

This week in our series from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) we look at Jesus’ teaching on divorce (Matthew 5:31-32). Understanding the historical context is important when studying this passage of Scripture. We need to consider that during this time the Judean aristocracy, specifically Herod Antipas, was consumed with unlawful marriages. This is…

This week in our auditorium Bible Study we will begin to wrap up our study on 1 Corinthians as we begin chapter 16. 1 Corinthians 16 can be divided into four sections: verses 1-4; 5-11; 12-18; and 19-24. Over the next four Sunday’s we will look at each of these sections and we will wrap…

Matthew 5:27-30 (NIV) “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’[a] 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for…