Matthew 7:13-29 There are four main religions in the world, followed by ¾ of the world’s population, but there are over 10,000 other smaller ones. And then there are so many other paths among the 37% in our country who say they are of ‘no religion’. With so many options to choose from, it can all feel rather bewildering. But Jesus makes things refreshingly simple – there are just two ways.
Matthew 7:1-12 In a crowd of people you can spot the Muslim woman by her hijab, and the Buddhist monk by his saffron robe, but you can’t spot the Christian. Because the Christian is to stand out not be distinctive dress but distinctive living. That is the challenging message of the Sermon on the Mount. This next bit looks at our distinctive relationships.
What are Demons? What do they do? In understanding these matters we are better equipped to stand firm against them.
What are angels? What do they do? If we don’t have a theology that allows for them, then we will find ourselves falling into false teaching about them, but the biblical evidence is clear: they do exist, and have significance.
Matthew 6:25-34 Have you felt anxious in the past two weeks? If so, you are not alone. Nearly 75% of the population say they have. Anxiety is pandemic. What is the antidote? That is what Jesus teaches his disciples in this next part of the Sermon on the Mount.
Matthew 6:19-24 Would you say you are materialistic? The society in which we live is preoccupied with money and stuff – getting more money, having the latest version of everything, pursuing a higher standard of living, being more comfortable. Materialism is the majority religion. But it cannot be ours, if we are disciples of Jesus.
Matthew 6:1-18 Whose approval are we living for? If we live for the approval and praise of others, it will damage our health – physically, emotionally, but also spiritually. As disciples we are to live for the audience of one – for our Father in heaven.
Matthew 11:25-30 People look for rest in different places, but Jesus invites us to true, deep, eternal rest for our souls by coming to him and learning from him.
Matthew 18:1–6 Our gospel belief has to impact our practice as a church, particularly when it comes to caring for the vulnerable, having a healthy culture, and supporting victims and survivors.
Matthew 5:17-48 What does walking with God actually look like? Some give the impression that obeying God’s Law is just Old Testament religion, and that the life of discipleship today is very different. But Jesus doesn’t see it that way. Obedience still matters.