01 Podcasts
33 Matthew 6:11 The Lord’s Prayer: Daily Bread

33 Matthew 6:11 The Lord’s Prayer: Daily Bread

In Matthew 6:11 we don’t know with certainty what the word translated “daily” means. This leads to much debate and two good interpretations: one literal and one metaphorical. Both understandings have merit. Both use good methodology. Both teach something that is taught elsewhere in Scripture, and in that sense, both of them are true. In this life, we may never be certain which one Jesus meant, but we can affirm the truths both of them teach.

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31 Matthew 6:1-6; 6:16-18 Giving, Praying & Fasting

31 Matthew 6:1-6; 6:16-18 Giving, Praying & Fasting

Being religious is no guarantee that you are genuinely following God.  Whatever you define as obedience to God (being in full-time ministry, church attendance, praying, fasting, giving to the poor, adopting social justice causes), Jesus says: stop and ask yourself who are you doing it for? 

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30 Matthew 5:43-48 Love your enemies

30 Matthew 5:43-48 Love your enemies

Jesus commands us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. In one sense, loving your neighbor is a simple, practical guide to good conduct.  But it is also a truth we have to embrace and choose to follow. In that sense, it is a test of faith.

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29 Matthew 5:28-42 An Eye for an Eye

29 Matthew 5:28-42 An Eye for an Eye

Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for applying instructions for the judges of Israel to their personal behavior. They claim they can be proportionally vindictive in the name of seeking retribution and still consider themselves blameless. Jesus says the guiding principle is not “an eye for an eye” but rather “turn the other cheek.”

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28 Matthew 5:33-37 Vows & the 3rd commandment

28 Matthew 5:33-37 Vows & the 3rd commandment

Since we rarely make oaths today, there doesn’t seem to be much to learn from Matthew 5:33-37. However, Jesus is speaking to a deeper issue than telling the truth or meaning what we say. He’s dealing with violating the 3rd commandment, taking the Lord’s name in vain.

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27 Matthew 5:31-32 Divorce

27 Matthew 5:31-32 Divorce

Both Moses and Jesus recognize that we sinners are going to fail in our marriages and so they allowed divorce with some regulations. Moses did not mean divorce was a righteous option. Divorce results from the fact that the parties involved are sinners. God intended marriage to be forever but divorce is a necessary evil because of our sin.

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