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Matthew 7:15-23 is the text for this sermon entitled, "Good Fruit or Bad Fruit."

This part of the sermon on the Mount warns against false prophets and prophesying. One of the greatest litmus tests for determining if someone is a false prophet is by their fruits. Since the days of the Old Testament, there have always been false prophets. Sometimes false prophets look pretty good in what they do. Notice the contrasts in this section: sheep’s clothing vs. wolves, good vs. bad, doing the Father’s will vs. doing works of lawlessness.

Curtis explores what a false prophet is, what makes a false prophet so dangerous, and are false prophets and false teachers the same thing. He also goes into detail about what a false teacher is and what kind of fruit Jesus was looking for in the sermon on the mount.

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Note (this episode is out of order to accommodate a routine request and the series number will be updated later).

Matthew 11:28-30 is the text for this sermon entitled, "Jesus, Our Helper."

What happens when a foot slips? There's no warning, so we aren't prepared for it! And usually, someone is watching. the Bible talks about a foot slipping in But afterwards, you get back up and keep going. Psalm 94:17-19. "Unless the Lord had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence. When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O Lord, held me up. In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul."

When we experience a slip in our Christian walk, we need help to catch ourselves and keep going in the right path. The word “help” occurs 58 times in Psalms! The next closest competitor is Isaiah with 17! Curtis explores several Psalms, especially Psalm 94.

In Matthew, Jesus invites us to rest in His steadying fellowship. Accepting His offer of a yoke that is easy and light means we don't walk alone and unaided.

Jesus as our Helper!
1 Come--a condition and promise
2 Take--position
3 Learn--purpose, promise, person
4 Because--yoke is easy, burden is light

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Matthew 7:7-14 is the text for this sermon entitled, "Ask-Do-Enter."

This section of the Sermon on the Mount focuses on Prayer Life, Community Life, and Kingdom Life. Following Jesus into all aspects of our life--we have the image that he is at our side. Jesus teaches more about prayer, and then He lays down a universal principle for interacting with others. He also emphasizes the difficulty of choosing the way that truly leads to Life.

In summary, in our prayer life we ask, seek and knock knowing that God draws us near and understands. In our community lIfe, we follow the Golden Rule of doing unto others what we would have them do to us, loving our neighbor as we love ourselves. And in our kingdom life, we carefully choose every day to walk the narrow way that leads to life.

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Matthew 7:1-5 is the text for this sermon entitled, "Jesus' Teaching Against Judging."

We hate to be judged.Have you ever been misjudged, or have you ever misjudged another to your chagrin or embarrassment? Remember, Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount is addressing the most important topics regarding “kingdom living” and what it means to be a disciple. It makes me wonder if Jesus himself has already been the recipient of some judging. Judging and discernment are not the same. Holding someone accountable is not the same a judging.

This lesson will answer the question, "what is the difference between discernment and judgment?" The we will explore what Jesus meant when he talked about the speck versus a log in the eye. And finally, we will see why Jesus tied the concept of hypocrisy to judgmentalism and legalism.

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Matthew 6:25-34 is the text for this sermon entitled, "Worry and Anxiety."

The verb "merimnaó" is used in the New Testament to describe a state of anxiety or worry, often in the context of being overly concerned about the necessities of life or future uncertainties. It can also imply a sense of distraction or being pulled in different directions due to concerns.

Life is more than the things we worry about. The birds do not sow grain, nor reap a harvest, and they do not
store up anything in barns. Yet, we are more important than the birds. The grass of the field is adorned in beautiful flowers. Yet we are more important than the grass.

"Oh, you of little faith" is a significant theme in Matthew, and Jesus is telling the crowd that the answer to anxiety and worry is faith--trust in God, talk to God in prayer, and choose God as your master. These things will lead to peace and victory!

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Matthew 6:19-25 is the text for this sermon entitled, "Treasures in Heaven."

Jesus taught about values using the metaphor of storing our treasures not on earth, but in heaven. “On earth” refers to the sphere on which we live and encompasses all the places where people can store physical treasures, thinking they are secure. These treasures are meant to be understood as temporary and transitory in nature--they can be consumed (moth, rust) or stolen. In contrast the phrase "in heaven" refers to intangible things such as good works, kindness, service, actions of love, everything good in life because of God that you cannot put a price tag on!

Then the metaphor changes to parts of the body: the heart and eye. When your heart is in the right place, your entire existence will be blessed with your treasures being in the right place! If our eye is sending out light, we will see spiritual truth and value spiritual treasures.

1. You cannot trust earthly treasures to be safe and secure.
2. Laying up treasures in heaven incorporates all of the intangibles of the spiritual life that honor God.
3. When your heart is in the right place, your entire existence will be blessed with your treasures being in the right place!
4. You cannot serve God and mammon/material possessions! You have to make a choice!
5. Are we being a faithful steward of our earthly treasures?

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Matthew 6:9-13 is the text for this sermon entitled, "Lord's Prayer (Pt. 4) Forgiveness."

This portion of Jesus' prayer example teaches us why forgiveness is so important and the reciprocal nature of forgiveness. Curtis reviews what forgiveness IS and what it is NOT, as well as discussing the word "trespass" by exploring the Old and New Testament meanings of the words translated as "sin." He touches on the parable of the unforgiving debtor, Jesus' forgiveness of the sins of those he healed, and how forgiveness shows up at the Last Supper.

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Matthew 6:9-13 is the text for this sermon entitled, "Lord's Prayer (Pt. 3)."

"Daily bread" defined as encompassing both physical and spiritual sustenance.
1. Physical Bread: Our daily needs for food, shelter, and safety.
2. Spiritual Bread: The Word of God and spiritual nourishment from prayer and fellowship.

Biblical examples of God’s provision, including:
1. Manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16). God provided “What is it?” as the brand!
2. Jesus feeding the 5,000 (John 6).

We must not overlook the communal aspect of "us" in the prayer.
1. The “us” provides supplies to support others in need.
2. We have local ministries and ways to get involved.