Sermons

Dear Friends,

This Sunday we will continue to go back to the mountain and learn what Jesus taught about what really following him looks like.

We also have a Lords Supper and a Baptism. The message this week is titled “GROWING UP PRETENDING “. We all do grow up pretending in many ways and Jesus calls us to freedom from this. I really ask you to pray and come listen to the message and go to a small group.  Jesus calls us to live honestly and humbly.  Sunday, we will learn how to do that in some very practical ways.

Living like this will change everything in your life and will radically change your relationships.

Blessings,
Joe

Mat 6:1  “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.

Mat 6:2  “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

Mat 6:3  “But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

Mat 6:4  so that your giving will be in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

Mat 6:5  “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

Mat 6:6  “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

Mat 6:7  “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.

Mat 6:8  “So do not be like them; for your, Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

• In what areas of your life do you sense the threat of religious performance or a lack of genuine
  commitment?

Mat 6:1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.

• On a scale of 1 to 10, how much concern do you feel about what others think of you or your family?
• How can this push us into hypocrisy?
• Describe an experience where you or someone else was pressured to overstate their spiritual life.
• How does hypocrisy lead to a double life and how does that affect those closest to you?
• Why is hypocrisy so contagious and how can we help each other avoid it?

Mat 6:2 “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

Mat 6:3 “But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

Mat 6:4 so that your giving will be in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

• Give to the poor is expected. How can we do it to where it is spontaneous and not self-promoting?

Mat 6:5 “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

Mat 6:6 “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

Mat 6:7 “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.

Mat 6:8 “So do not be like them; for your, Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

• Praying for and with others is expected and essential. how can you pray in a humble honest way without making it a performance or a formula?