Jesus warns against hypocritical judgment, teaching that we should examine our own faults before criticising others as we grow in humility and self-awareness. God is the only worthy judge of good and evil and so we seek his forgiveness and thank Him for redeeming us.

Jesus invites us to look beyond this world and what it can offer us, and look to His kingdom where eternal treasures lie. God is our provider - we do not need to be anxious about tomorrow for He gives us all we need for life and righteousness in Jesus.

Jesus calls His followers to seek a deep, genuine relationship with God rather than outward religious performance. Practice humility in prayer, devotion and generosity as you serve the Lord as your King in secret and in public.

Jesus came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. He came to redirect our fixation from rules and laws, to loving and knowing Him. Jesus is serious about sin - He wants us to walk the path of righteousness that leads away from darkness, towards His marvellous light.

Jesus calls us to be ‘salt’ and ‘light’ - to be people who seek Him and show the world His beauty and grace. As followers of Jesus filled with the Holy Spirit, we are to shine in a way that invites the world to want to find out who Jesus is.

Jesus promises blessing, fulfilment, and the kingdom of heaven to those who are poor in spirit, mourn, and are persecuted for His sake. Jesus invites us to walk in His light, to truly see God and to rejoice that our reward is great in heaven.

John the baptist prepares the way for Jesus. As Jesus is baptised in the river Jordan, the heaven’s open up and the Spirit of God descends like a dove and God declares “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

God’s promise to send a Saviour to redeem Israel is made clear in the genealogy of Jesus and the generations before His birth, from Abraham to Joseph. God is faithful to save His people by sending His Son - Immanuel, God with us.

A sermon in the Choose Your Own Adventure series.