Where our Affirmation Comes From

Our series from the Communications of the King look at the core teachings and practical applications from Matthew 4-7 with a large portion of this being Jesus' Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapters 5-7. This week we look at Matthew 6 Jesus’ emphasis here on the importance of a disciple's life with key elements focusing on service to others, effective prayer, fasting, forgiveness, heavenly treasure over earthly possessions, and worry or anxiety; all in the context of walking by the Spirit and rightly dividing God's Word. Jesus here parallels the exercise of each of the with the religious leaders of the day as a strong warning against legalism – a public or private list of steps to find fulfillment and doing things for personal rules for attention and affirmation of spiritual maturity.

We also had a refresher from previous portions of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount so that we understand the full context and continual flow of the Sermon on the Mount. Proper relationships with God's Word, and emotional integrity; Jesus in Matthew 6 warns against improper practices like public displays of charity, ineffective prayer, and fasting for show, and He stresses the dangers of legalism and the pursuit of human approval. We look at how seeking God's kingdom and righteousness as key to true fulfillment and provision, advocating reliance on the Holy Spirit, correct interpretation of Scripture, and trust in God's provision to manage worry and anxiety.