Chris Wall • Matthew 6:5-9

Jesus defined prayer simply defined is communication with God. Communication involves both listening and talking. Prayer is a fascinating and remarkable opportunity for us. Every one of us in this room could start talking to God right now and He has the power to not only to completely understand each one of us, but His Holy Spirit miraculously leads each of us in unique ways. We need to pray not because God is somehow needy. God leads us to pray not for Him but for us. Through prayer, we come to see the Lord’s hand uniquely. We come to know the Lord’s heart specifically. We come to understand the Lord’s will directly. This morning, allow the Lord to teach you to pray.

Chris Wall • Matthew 6:14

The call to follow Christ comes with an invitation to pursue heavenly rewards. A life produces heavenly rewards when it is marked by giving, praying, fasting, serving, and growing in faith for the praise of God over man. Giving from selfless desire focused on pleasing God produces heavenly rewards you do not want to miss. At the same time, giving with a selfish desire to look spiritual in front of others produces nothing. Is your giving stretching into eternity or are you missing the blessing by giving for selfish gain, building up an ego, or working to get your name on a little plaque. Allow God to get to the heart of the matter ensuring you are on the path of giving in a way that truly counts.

Chris Wall • Matthew 5:38-48

An unparalleled life is marked by forgiveness, not retaliation. In fact, God calls us to love our enemies and do good to those who wrong you. In fact, loving our enemies is one of the ways God’s love is evident in our lives. Who are our enemies and what does it look like to love them? An enemy is someone who comes against you, curses you, uses you, and abuses you. Of course, we are not called to be “doormats” but we have a responsibility to love our enemies. Ironically, the best way to defeat an enemy is to show forgiveness. Let’s dig into this idea that we are never more like Jesus than when we are forgiving someone.

Chris Wall • Matthew 5:33-37

Chris Wall • Matthew 5:31-32

Marriage is instituted by God and provides the greatest earthly example of reconciliation. In marriage, God established the most sacred relationship known to mankind. It is this reason why the unexpected legacy of divorce needs to be exposed. Answering the call to the unparalleled life moves us to build divorce-proof marriages. This is the legacy that we must leave to our children. Jesus is not suggesting marriages should end in divorce, but God offers an unparalleled marriage awaiting every couple.

Keith Davis • Matthew 5:27-30

Jesus is preparing his disciples for the Great Commission. He's communicating to them that they must take extreme measures to protect themselves from sin and keep a Godly witness to the world.

Chris Wall • Matthew 5:20-26

When the Scripture speaks about the heart, it is describing the center of man’s being and personality. It is the source of every choice, every motivation and every activity. When it comes to challenges, the heart is often the foundation of the troubles we have with others. The heart reveals what we think and what we feel. It describes true desires or wants. It shapes decisions, choices, and beliefs. The heart describes the deep, private parts of every life. This is why Jesus connects the heart directly with peace in every relationship. Are you holding a grudge? Is there someone you need to forgive? Today is the day to experience the unparalleled response to conflict. Peace starts and continues with the heart moving you towards an unparalleled response to conflict.

Chris Wall • Matthew 5:17-20

Jesus revealed incredible truths about God’s plan for our lives and His plans for the world. As time ticks away, the unparalleled revelations of God continues to prove reveal His trustworthiness. This “heart check” moment in the sermon on the mount reveals the calling to serve the Lord from the inside out; not the outside in. Jesus is trustworthy and moves us to read, understand, memorize, and more importantly, submit to what God has revealed through His word. Today is a heart check opportunity. Let’s embrace the moment.