Matthew 5-7 contains the longest of Jesus’ collected teachings. Within it are some of the most well-known and quoted passages not just from Jesus’ life, or the bible, but in all of religious history. Not only is it the most well-known and quoted, but it is often the most misunderstood. In the book of Matthew, Jesus’ ministry begins with him preaching the “good news (or the gospel) of the kingdom.” It is here in the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus describes what life in this kingdom is like, how those who are a part of this kingdom of heaven should and can live. Jesus challenges our fundamental assumptions of happiness, righteousness, love, anger, obedience, and so much more. By this Jesus describes a kingdom in which true happiness, true righteousness, true obedience, true love can be a reality for us, on earth “As it is in Heaven.”

This week's message covers Matthew 6:1-19. These are Jesus' most well known teachings on the essential spiritual disciplines of giving, prayer, and fasting. At the surface, Jesus is simply teaching us that people in the Kingdom of God are generous people, people in the Kingdom of God love talking with God, and people in the Kingdom of God regularly fast. However, there are 3 principles within this passage that serve as the "teaching beneath the teaching," that Jesus is assuming & anticipating your obedience, Jesus is assuming & anticipating your desire for approval, and Jesus is inviting you to find all your approval in your Heavenly Father, ultimately this teaching of Jesus tells us that God is omniscient and omnipresent, and that He rewards heart-level obedience.

We hope you’re encouraged by this podcast! If you have questions about our church or what it means to follow Jesus, we’d love to hear from you! Check out our Instagram @fellowshipya, website www.fellowshipar.com/young-adults, or send us at email at [email protected].