Central Idea: Jesus describes living in God’s kingdom as the wise way to live, and the church—as His body—is called to reflect His image to the world through love, obedience, and community.

1. There Are Only Two Paths (vv.13-14)

Matthew 7:13–14 NIV “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

“Jesus makes clear there are ultimately only two categories of people, despite all the gradations we might otherwise perceive. Those who hear, obey, and are saved—and those who only hear and are destroyed. In each case, eternal life and judgment are at stake.” Craig Blomberg

2. Watch Out for False Guides (vv.15-23)

Matthew 7:15–16 NIV “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

Matthew 7:17–20 NIV Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

Matthew 7:21–23 NIV “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

3. Build on the Rock (vv. 24-27)

Matthew 7:24–27 NIV “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Do you embrace kingdom values—humility, mercy, peacemaking?

Do you practice radical love, even when it costs you?

Do you trust God with your finances, your family, your future?

Or are you still white-knuckling your way through life trying to control everything?

4. Living as the Body of Christ

Colossians 1:15 NIV The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

Acts 2:42–47 NLT All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

John 13:34–35NIV “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

And we stay rooted through the spiritual rhythms that have sustained God’s people for centuries—

1. Prayer
2. Scripture
3. Worship
4. Sabbath
5. Fasting
6. Solitude
7. Witness
8. Service
9. Generosity
10. Hospitality
11. Community
12. Unity
    

Three Important Questions

First: Which path are you on?

Second: What are you building on?

Third: How are you reflecting Christ?

You are not call to make believers, but disciples. So go do that.

Freedom from Anxiety Through Kingdom Priorities

Week 5: The Way of Trust — Freedom from Anxiety Through Kingdom Priorities Matthew 6:19–34

Central Idea: Jesus calls His followers to make obedience to God their one priority and to trust that He will provide all their needs. Anxiety about possessions and provision reveals divided loyalty and lack of trust in our Father's care.

Today we are exploring one of the most practically challenging passages in the Sermon on the Mount — Jesus's call to release anxiety and reorder our lives around His kingdom. In a world that tells us to earn more, secure more, and worry about everything in between, Jesus offers a radically different way of living.

This week we'll look at why anxiety is really a spiritual issue at its root, not just a psychological one. Jesus diagnoses our worry as a symptom of divided loyalty — trying to serve both God and the security that money promises. The cure isn't a better mindset. It's a reordered heart.

As we work through Matthew 6:19–34 together, we'll be asked three honest diagnostic questions: What do you worry about most? What does your budget reveal about your priorities? And are you living like someone with a heavenly Father — or like an orphan who has to secure everything on their own? Come ready to be honest, and come ready to be free.

I. YOU CANNOT SERVE TWO MASTERS (vv. 19–24)

Treasure Reveals Heart Location (vv. 19–21)

Matthew 6:19–21 NIV

The point is: everything you try to secure on earth is ultimately insecure. Every earthly treasure has an expiration date.

The Eye as Lamp (vv. 22–23)

Matthew 6:22–23 NIV

The Impossibility of Dual Allegiance (v. 24)

Matthew 6:24 NIV

Do you own your possessions — or do they own you?

II. DO NOT BE ANXIOUS (vv. 25–32)

The Command and Its Reason (v. 25)

Matthew 6:25 NLT

Look at the Birds (v. 26)

Matthew 6:26 NIV

Anxiety Is Useless (v. 27)

Matthew 6:27 NIV

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

Consider the Lilies (vv. 28–30)

Matthew 6:28–30 NIV

What the Gentiles Seek (vv. 31–32)

Matthew 6:31–32 NIV

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

III. SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM (v. 33)

The One Priority

Matthew 6:33 NIV

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

The Promise

"And all these things will be added to you."

What Does Seeking the Kingdom Look Like?

IV. DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT TOMORROW (v. 34)

One Day at a Time

Matthew 6:34 NIV

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Anxiety Robs Us of Today

Can you trust God enough with tomorrow to actually rest today?

Three diagnostic questions to sit with this week.

First: What do you worry about most? 

Second: What does your budget reveal?

Third: Do you live like you have a heavenly Father who provides — or like an orphan who has to secure everything yourself? 

Matthew 5:20 NLT - “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!

Jeremiah 17:9 - “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? NLT

SIX SIGNS OF A SPIRITUALLY UNHEALTHY HEART:

1. HARBORING ANGER

Matthew 5:21-26 - You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment. 22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.23 “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.25 “When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 And if that happens, you surely won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny. NLT

2. HARBORING LUST

Mark 5:27-30 – “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery’ 28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 So if your eye—even your good eye— causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

3. UNSCRIPTURAL DIVORCE

Mark 5:31-32 – “You have heard the law that says, ‘A man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a written notice of divorce.’ 32 But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.

4. PLAYING WITH THE TRUTH

Mark 5:33-37 – “You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’ 34 But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. 35 And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. 36 Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. 37 Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.

5. MAKING RETALIATION

Mark 5:38-42 – “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. 40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. 42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.

6. HATING YOUR ENEMIES

Mark 5:43-47 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.

Notes coming soon!

The Beatitudes aren't advice for getting ahead; they're an announcement that God's kingdom has arrived and operates by entirely different values.

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The Upside Down Kingdom

The Beatitudes and Kingdom Values  |  Matthew 5:1–12

Central Idea: The Beatitudes aren't advice for getting ahead; they're an announcement that God's kingdom has arrived and operates by entirely different values.

1. THIS IS AN ANNOUNCEMENT, NOT ADVICE

“Jesus is not suggesting that these are simply timeless truths about the way the world is, about human behaviour. If he was saying that, he was wrong. Mourners often go uncomforted.

The meek don't inherit the earth. Those who long for justice frequently take that longing to the grave. This is an upside-down world, or perhaps a right-way-up world; and Jesus is saying that with his work it's starting to come true.

This is an announcement, not a philosophical analysis of the world. It's about something that's starting to happen, not about a general truth of life. It is gospel: good news, not good advice.”

— N.T. Wright

It is gospel. Good news, not good advice.

Jesus says: the knowing-you-have-nothing-together is the entry point.

2. THE UPSIDE-DOWN NATURE OF THE KINGDOM

Blessed are the poor in spirit (v. 3)

Matthew 5:3 NIV

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn (v. 4)

Matthew 5:4 NIV

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek (v. 5)

Matthew 5:5 NIV

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Meekness is not to be confused with weakness: the meek are not simply submissive because they lack the resources to be anything else.

Meekness is quite compatible with great strength and ability... True meekness may be a quality of the strong, those who could assert themselves but choose not to do so.

The strong who qualify for this blessing are the strong who decline to domineer.

— Leon Morris

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (v. 6)

Matthew 5:6 NIV

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful (v. 7)

Matthew 5:7 NIV

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart (v. 8)

Matthew 5:8 NIV

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers (v. 9)

Matthew 5:9 NIV

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are the persecuted (vv. 10–12)

Matthew 5:10–12 NIV

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

3. THIS IS WHO WE ARE, NOT WHAT WE DO TO EARN FAVOR

Jesus isn't saying, "Work really hard to be meek, and then you'll be blessed." He's saying, "Here's what kingdom people look like. Here's what it looks like when someone is deeply rooted in me."

This is the Way

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

Acts 9:2 NIV

“…and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.

I. THE WAY HAS A NAME: JESUS

Jesus Claimed Exclusive Access to the Father (John 14:6)

John 14:6–7 NIV

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

Jesus Is Personal, Not Philosophical (John 14:7)

"Jesus' solution to perplexity is not a recipe; it is a relationship with him."Merrill Tenney

II. THE WAY REQUIRES CONFESSION

Proverbs 28:13 NIV

Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

We Must Acknowledge the Church's Failures

"I like your Christ; I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."Mahatma Gandhi

We Must Distinguish Jesus from Cultural Christianity

"Jesus — the Jesus we might discover if we really looked! — is larger, more disturbing, more urgent than we — than the church! — had ever imagined.

We have successfully managed to hide behind other questions and to avoid the huge, world-shaking challenge of Jesus's central claim and achievement.

We have reduced the kingdom of God to private piety, the victory of the cross to comfort for the conscience, and Easter itself to a happy, escapist ending after a sad, dark tale.

Piety, conscience, and ultimate happiness are important, but not nearly as important as Jesus himself."

N.T. Wright

III. THE WAY IS A LIFESTYLE, NOT JUST A BELIEF

Following Involves Imitation

Matthew 5:1–2 NIV

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.

Following Requires Community

From its very beginning, the Way was communal.

Two Questions to think about honestly this week and sit with:

Seekers:

• Would you be willing to consider that He might actually be who He claimed to be?

Followers of Jesus:

• Have you settled for Christianity without Christ? Have you inherited a religion but drifted from a relationship? Have you built your faith around the right vocabulary and the right behavior and the right tribe — but somewhere along the way, lost sight of the person you're actually supposed to be following?

Sermon notes coming soon!

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Lead Us Not Into Temptation, But Deliver Us From Evil

Matthew 6:13 NIV

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

I. TWO PETITIONS, ONE REQUEST (v. 13)Two Aspects of One Plea

"The sinner whose evil in the past has been forgiven longs to be delivered from its tyranny in the future."John Stott

Think about the flow of the Lord's Prayer:

• We've prayed for forgiveness for past sins (v. 12)

• Now we pray for deliverance from future sins (v. 13)

The Natural Flow

1. God's holiness to be respected (v. 9)

2. God's kingdom to be realized (v. 10)

3. Our daily needs to be met (v. 11)

4. Our forgiveness to be received (v. 12)

5. Our victory over temptation and evil (v. 13)

II. THE NATURE OF EVIL (v. 13b)Evil or The Evil One?

The Greek word translated as "evil" is ponēros. This word can be translated:

• “Evil” (as in evil in general)

• “The evil one” (as in Satan specifically)

The Reality of Evil

Whether or not Satan is behind all the evil in the world doesn't change the fact that there is evil in the world.

God as Our Protector

The source of protection from such evil is God, whose kingdom believers are taught to pray will be realized on earth.

III. LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION (v. 13a)

"Lead us not into temptation..."

A Theological Puzzle

Does God tempt us?

James 1:13 NIV

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;

The MeaningTrials vs. Temptation

James 1:2 NIV

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

Here's the key: Trials are not the same as temptation.

• Trials = External circumstances that test our faith (can strengthen us)

• Temptation = Enticement to sin (can destroy us)

IV. WE NEED A GUIDE (v. 13)Trusting the Guide

• We don't know the way on our own

• The journey is long and we're tempted to doubt

• We need a guide who knows the terrain

• We're asking God to be that guide

V. DELIVERANCE (v. 13b)

"...but deliver us from evil."

God as Our Deliverer

Not:

• "God, make sure I never face hard times"

• "God, give me a comfortable life with no challenges"

But:

• "God, when I face trials, deliver me"

• "God, when temptation comes, give me a way out"

• "God, when evil threatens, protect me"

The Promise of Deliverance

1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

VI. WHO DO YOU TURN TO? (Application)Two Paths

PATH 1: Turn to God

Result: The trial strengthens your faith, deepens your dependence on God, and refines your character.

PATH 2: Turn to Something Else

Result: The trial leads you into sin, distances you from God, and damages your soul.

The Critical Moment

The critical moment is that first moment of adversity—when the trial hits, when the temptation comes, when the hardship begins.

Building the Habit

This is why Jesus teaches us to pray this prayer daily.

The Complete Prayer

Matthew 6:9–13 KJV 1900

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.