If there is one passage of Scripture even non Jesus followers have heard it is Matthew 7:1 … “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” This passage of text is often used as a trump card against Christians who call a spade a spade. But knowing Jesus, and examining what He has already spoken in His Sermon on the Mount, we know there must be more to Jesus’ words than first meets the eye.

If there is one passage of Scripture even non Jesus followers have heard it is Matthew 7:1 … “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” This passage of text is often used as a trump card against Christians who call a spade a spade. But knowing Jesus, and examining what He has already spoken in His Sermon on the Mount, we know there must be more to Jesus’ words than first meets the eye.

Worry is something that grips almost every person at some point in their life. It may be something as simple as worrying about turning off the coffee pot and turning around to double check. On the other extreme, worry may cause you to lie awake at night wandering how your son or daughter is faring as they serve in a military combat zone. Worry is a natural instinct that many deal with. However, when it comes to God’s provisions, we have been told by Jesus not to worry; we can have faith in our creator taking care of our needs.

Worry is something that grips almost every person at some point in their life. It may be something as simple as worrying about turning off the coffee pot and turning around to double check. On the other extreme, worry may cause you to lie awake at night wandering how your son or daughter is faring as they serve in a military combat zone. Worry is a natural instinct that many deal with. However, when it comes to God’s provisions, we have been told by Jesus not to worry; we can have faith in our creator taking care of our needs.

Maybe you have seen the popular Capital One credit card series of commercials with a ragtag team of Vikings paying for the American Dream with their Capital One credit card. Each commercial finishes with the question … “What’s in your wallet?” Nearly 2,000 years ago Jesus asked that same question. However, His concern was not what they were paying with; but what they were buying. Jesus made a connection between our spirit and our purchases. This morning we ask, “What’s in your wallet?”

Maybe you have seen the popular Capital One credit card series of commercials with a ragtag team of Vikings paying for the American Dream with their Capital One credit card. Each commercial finishes with the question … “What’s in your wallet?” Nearly 2,000 years ago Jesus asked that same question. However, His concern was not what they were paying with; but what they were buying. Jesus made a connection between our spirit and our purchases. This morning we ask, “What’s in your wallet?”

Jesus is calling us, His followers, to become distinctly different than the world in which we live. In our text this Sunday he is essentially asking us, “Who’s your audience? People or God?” Whether it is our prayer life in public or private or it’s the spiritual discipline of fasting, Jesus wants us to make sure we are doing so with the right audience in mind

Jesus is calling us, His followers, to become distinctly different than the world in which we live. In our text this Sunday he is essentially asking us, “Who’s your audience? People or God?” Whether it is our prayer life in public or private or it’s the spiritual discipline of fasting, Jesus wants us to make sure we are doing so with the right audience in mind

When you look at your life, do you find that it blends in with the world’s ideal life, or is it distinctly different? Jesus has challenged the status quo with His Sermon on the Mount. Jesus does not want an ordinary life for you! He wants you to be distinctly different. This week and next we will examine three areas of religious “duties” where Jesus calls us to be distinctly different: giving, prayer, and fasting.

When you look at your life, do you find that it blends in with the world’s ideal life, or is it distinctly different? Jesus has challenged the status quo with His Sermon on the Mount. Jesus does not want an ordinary life for you! He wants you to be distinctly different. This week and next we will examine three areas of religious “duties” where Jesus calls us to be distinctly different: giving, prayer, and fasting.