This Sunday, our series continues on the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew’s gospel.  We are now continuing in chapter 6 and are studying verses 5-15.  In this passage, Jesus continues His teaching on kingdom living, and dealing with questions on life and Christian issues of that day.  Here Jesus tells these Jewish believers in His listening audience that when they begin to really live these principles of Christian living; that they might be tempted to have the wrong motives in doing these works of worship.  “Take heed,” Jesus warns in verse 1, “that you don’t do these works to be seen of men.”  The example given next in our text is prayer.  I must admit this seems odd that Jesus would address this problem here, but then again this would be something that his listeners would see often in the Pharisees.  So, while condemning their actions He would also be giving His listeners some great points about how they should be praying effectively.  This Sunday we’ll talk about 3 (first 2 points this week, last point next) principles that Jesus lays out about doing prayer to keep us from being showy with prayer.  Again, something we don’t always think of as a problem today.  So again, we ask, how do you do your acts of worship (service to God)?  Why do you do your acts of worship?  Jesus again is telling believers to take a long, hard look at their worship motives.  More on this topic of prayer Sunday morning…

See you Sunday,

Pastor Weaver