May 18, 2025 | Matthew 6:1-6,16-18 |

In today’s world, appearance often trumps authenticity. Social media thrives on applause. Our culture encourages us to project a curated image—whether through photos, achievements, or even spiritual acts, like saying we’ll pray for someone or give to some cause we say we care about. But what if the pursuit of human recognition corrupts our faith? What if God isn’t impressed by our outward acts at all, but is instead watching our hearts? Watching our motives?

That’s really been the theme of the Sermon on the Mount—Jesus shifting the focus from outward behavior to inward transformation. He’s moved the emphasis of the Law from external compliance to internal motives. And now, in Matthew 6, He turns to our spiritual practices, not to say we shouldn’t do them, but to teach us how and why we should. He challenges us to examine not just what we do, but why we do it. For in the Kingdom of God, the heart and its motives and attitudes matter most.

In Matthew 6:1-6; 16-18, Jesus warned His disciples against practicing acts of righteousness with the motive of human recognition rather than God’s.

May 11, 2025 | Matthew 5:38-48 |

Have you ever been wronged so deeply that your first instinct was to strike back? Maybe it was a harsh word, a betrayal, or someone who simply made your life miserable. The world teaches us to stand our ground, defend our rights, and get even. But in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offers us a different way—a kingdom way.

Jesus calls His followers not to live by the law of retaliation but by the law of love. Kingdom love doesn’t play by the world’s rules. It refuses revenge. It reaches across enemy lines. And it reflects the heart of God. What does love in the kingdom look like according to Jesus?

In the gospel of Matthew 5:31-37, Jesus taught His disciples that true righteousness in the kingdom of heaven required a greater love than what was taught by the religious leaders of that day. As Kingdom citizens, we can answer Christ’s call to live according to His greater love.

May 4, 2025 | Matthew 5:31-37 |

Today, we’ll be focusing on Matthew 5:31-37. We’ve titled this sermon: FAITHFULNESS IN THE KINGDOM because it addresses King Jesus’ call to be faithful in keeping the marriage covenant and in our daily communication.

In the gospel of Matthew 5:31-37, Jesus taught His disciples that true righteousness in the kingdom of heaven required a deeper faithfulness to the commitments they made than what was taught by the religious leaders of that day. As Kingdom citizens we are called to pursue faithfulness in all our commitments.