Matthew 12:36 – I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak. THEME OF THE DAY: SPEECH AND OUR SPIRITUAL HEALTH. Self-examination is an essential discipline in the Christian life. Without it, we may easily find ourselves just drifting through life going about our days and routines with mindless repetition. That is how…
Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ
Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ
Matthew
Pastor Jim begins his examination of our Lord’s description of prayer from the Sermon on the Mount. In this message he digs into what Jesus says about the conduct and characteristics of prayer.
When it comes to the human experience, our greatest privilege and responsibility is found in today’s scripture, Matt 22:34-38. It is also called the “great and first commandment” revealed as loving God with every ounce of our being. All Christians will agree loving God is the supreme command in life. It trumps all other things. Yet, get in a crowd of Christians and discuss what it means to love God. We may hear a lot of different things.
The incarnation of the Lord Jesus is a staggering truth. As Christians we affirm that God became a man and lived among us. Without the incarnation, there is no crucifixion; without the crucifixion, there is no resurrection; and without the resurrection, there is no salvation. But it is easy to keep it wrapped up in our minds and lives only to be opened at Christmas.
Probably the hardest commandment in the Bible to obey is “pray without ceasing”. I admit the command of Jesus to “love people” may be difficult at times especially toward those who hurt us. And the command to be a witness for Christ by verbally sharing His Gospel is often met with sweaty palms and fear. But the most difficult and demanding command of God is to pray always; without ceasing.
Matthew 6:5-9 – And when you pray, … But when you pray, … And when you pray, … Pray then like this: …