Sermon Notes

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Matthew 6:25-30 (NLT)
“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?“

Don’t let your faith be .

Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
Give us today the food we need…

Matthew 6:31-34 (NLT)
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.“

Worry is thinking about something bad that is , but acting as though it is.

What we worry about the most often reveals where we the least.

What’s your worry?

is to be our primary priority, our primary pursuit, our primary passion.

When we seek God’s kingdom, we’ll find that it’s right here, right now, right in front of us.

Will you trade your worry for ?

Extra Notes:

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What do I need to do to be a good Christian?

Jesus will often ask you to surrender the very thing you grip most tightly.

What stronghold do you need to surrender to follow Jesus?

Matthew 6:24 (NIV), Matthew 6:21 (NIV)
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money…For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.“

How do we surrender the strongholds our wealth creates?

Matthew 6:10-20 (NIV)
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.“

THINGS TO SURRENDER THE STRONGHOLD OF WEALTH

Connect Our Faith

Focus on Heaven Not on Earth

TREASURES: HEAVEN vs EARTH

Invest in what matters.

We build up treasures in heaven by investing in others.

Extra Notes:

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At the Movies
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Matthew 6:16-18 (NIV)
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.“

Fasting = intentionally denying yourself as a way to remember that God is provider, sustainer, restorer, redeemer.

So what can you fast from?

Jesus detests .

Failing while is different than faking while .

Extra Notes:

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Matthew 6:9-13 (NLT)
Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.

God is not moved by the quantity or the quality of our words.

Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.

Matthew 6:10 (NLT)
May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

The purpose of prayer is to surrender our will, not to impose it.

Help EVERYONE Find & Follow Jesus.

Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
Give us today the food we need…

We’re desperate for the wrong things. We need to be desperate for God!

God invites us to depend on him.

Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
…and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.

Matthew 5.38-42 (NLT)
“You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.“

Forgiveness is choosing to pay the debt you are owed.

Forgiveness is not:

Easy
Natural
A response to an apology
Trust
Looking the other way and pretending it didn’t happen
Forgetting
A feeling
Optional

Matthew 6:14-15 (NLT)
“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

We are not forgiven by God because we forgive others. We forgive others because we have been forgiven by God.

Ephesians 1:7 (NLT)
He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.

Matthew 6:13 (NLT)
And lead us not into temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.

PRAYER:
Our Father in heaven,
    may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth,
    as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need,
and forgive us our sins,
    as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation,
    but rescue us from the evil one.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Extra Notes:

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Matthew 6:5a (NLT)
“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them…”

Prayer Motivation
vs.

Matthew 6:5 (NLT)
“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get.”

Prayer is not about us (myself and others) it is about us (myself and God).

Matthew 6:5-6 (NLT)
“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”

Approaching Effective Prayer:
By Yourself
Your Door
Pray In

Approaching Effective Prayer:
Go Away By Yourself (where you have the right )
Close Your Door (where you are in the )
Pray In Secret (where you have the correct )

3 Things to do when praying:

Matthew 7:7-8 (NLT)
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Be Bold

Talk Twice

Prohibit Presumption

Matthew 7:9-11 (NLT)
“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.”

Extra Notes:

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BEST KEPT SECRET: That’s what we’re calling this series we’re in, as we explore three areas that Jesus drilled down on. We’ll see that according to Jesus, what matters MOST is not our religious performance in public, but our pursuit of holiness in private.

Matthew 6:1-4 (NLT)
“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.“

Hypocrites – actors who wore a mask

Matthew 6:1-4 (MSG)
“Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won’t be applauding. “When you do something for someone else, don’t call attention to yourself. You’ve seen them in action, I’m sure—‘playactors’ I call them—treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that’s all they get. When you help someone out, don’t think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.“

If you’re giving nothing, start giving something.
If you’re giving something, start giving something more.

Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT)
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.“

The right motive for giving is as an act of worship to honor God.

Make the private things more public, and the public things more private.

Rather than concern yourself with who knows about your giving, focus instead on who will be glorified by your living.

Extra Notes:

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WE APPRECIATE OUR MOMS!!
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Romans 16:1-16 (NLT)
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me. Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus. In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches. Also give my greetings to the church that meets in their home. Greet my dear friend Epenetus. He was the first person from the province of Asia to become a follower of Christ. Give my greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for your benefit. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews, who were in prison with me. They are highly respected among the apostles and became followers of Christ before I did. Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. Greet Apelles, a good man whom Christ approves. And give my greetings to the believers from the household of Aristobulus. Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet the Lord’s people from the household of Narcissus. Give my greetings to Tryphena and Tryphosa, the Lord’s workers, and to dear Persis, who has worked so hard for the Lord. Greet Rufus, whom the Lord picked out to be his very own; and also his dear mother, who has been a mother to me. Give my greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who meet with them. Give my greetings to Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and to Olympas and all the believers who meet with them. Greet each other with a sacred kiss. All the churches of Christ send you their greetings.

The names Paul mentions are more than a list.

Philippians 1:3 (NIV)
I thank my God every time I remember you.

Who would be on your “more than a list”?
1.

We don’t follow Jesus in isolation.

Invite everyone to know and be known by Jesus and become part of their list they can thank God for.

Extra Notes:

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Matthew 5:43-48 (NIV)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.“

Leviticus 19:18 (NIV)
“ ‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.‘ “

The more narrowly I define my neighbor, the easier it is to love.

My neighbor includes my enemy.

Who is my enemy?

How will I love my enemy?

Three thoughts to help you begin to love your enemy:

1) Tear down or construct a boundary.

2) It’s impossible to love with a hardened heart.

3) Be willing to sacrifice something.

Colossians 1:21-23 (NIV)
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Extra Notes:

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Leviticus 27 summed up: If you make a vow, be honest and fulfill it.

Matthew 5:33-37 (NIV)
“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.“

Our speech should always be truthful.

Matthew 5:37 (NIV)
“All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.“

Honest words and an honest life don’t need an oath to back them up.

1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)
”People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Integrity can be summed ups in four words: “Can I be trusted?”

What’s the condition of your heart?

Be honest in your speech.

Be careful what you promise.

Ecclesiastes 5:2 (NIV)
2 Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.
Ecclesiastes 5:5 (NIV)
5 It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.

A good phrase to use when you want to keep your promise, but you’re unsure what obstacles might arise and potentially keep your from it: “If the Lord wills…”

Be faithful in following through.

Psalms 145:13 (NIV)
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.

Extra Notes:

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Matthew 5:31-32 (NIV)
31-32 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”

Divorce was to offer for the victim, not to the guilty.

Matthew 19:3-9 (NIV)
3-9 Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?” Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

God’s design for marriage:
One with one in one for one .

Email: Fitz@okolonacc.org

Maybe you have heard: Your should meet your needs.

Maybe you have heard: It’s best to try you buy.

Maybe you have heard: Jesus was less concerned about we love, as long as we in love.

Matthew 19:4-5 (NIV)
4-5 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?”

Jesus means being willing to surrender everything to him.

Maybe you have heard: If you’re still , there must be something wrong with you.

Maybe you have heard: God hates divorce…and divorcees. And gays. And lesbians. And trans.

John 1:14 (NIV)
14 “…full of grace and truth.“

1 John 1:8-9 (NLT)
8-9 If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

Romans 3:23-24 (NLT)
23-24 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.

Extra Notes:

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WE APPRECIATE OUR MOMS!! Please stop by the Stone Wall in the lobby to get your free gift!

WE APPRECIATE OUR MOMS!!
Please stop by the Stone Wall in the lobby to get your free gift!