The Way

Followers of Christ are called to love those around them (their neighbors) as much as they love themselves. What does this type of love look like? As John writes, he describes Christian love by giving us three basic characteristics of love. Understanding John’s definition of Christian love motivates us to love in a way that glorifies God and improves our world.

As we begin to process all that we have heard Jesus tell us in the Sermon on the Mount, we realize how overwhelming it all is. To live up to this standard is something that we can’t even begin to accomplish. The task is impossible. As Jesus begins His sermon’s conclusion, He tells us clearly where we need to start by summarizing three things that our good Father does for us as we face this impossible task.

Matthew 7:1 is one of the most well-known verses in the Bible. We hear it quoted by believers and nonbelievers alike? In Matthew 7, Jesus shifts our attention toward our interactions with others. Jesus does not tell us to never judge, but He does caution us against wrong judgment. As we learn to be discerning judges, Jesus gives us four dangers to avoid.

One thing we can be certain of is uncertainty in this world. We react to this uncertainty in many different ways. While we should be concerned about things and prepare for the future, we should

Followers of Christ face a constant battle—a battle of completeness. We are tempted to sin by giving some of our time, energy, and devotion to things other than God. In our next section of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus challenges us to have integrity in three specific areas of our lives, and as we become wholly His, we find rewards that we can never lose.

Society doesn't care much about the word “religion” today. Even Christians shy away from religion. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus shows us that salvation produces a genuine religion that cannot be counterfeited—a practical religion that has shoes instead of an intellectual religion. This morning our focus is on verses 16-18, but we will be summarizing religion in shoes by the numbers as we overview verses 1-18.

In our next section of Matthew 6, Jesus turns His attention to prayer. How should our prayer time look and sound? Is there a secret