What fills our soul? Are we looking to be awed and entertained—our interest merely piqued by the things of God? When we “clean house” and remove the baggage and the sin that so easily entangles us, or even demonic oppression that may be in our lives do we just have an empty house waiting for something to attract us? On the other hand, is there something more substantial to our relationship with God?

One of the biggest challenges human beings trying to live for God face is finding rest. God created the Sabbath for man to show him his need for rest and time to devote to God. Even in that, man strove! The most frequent complaint lodged against Jesus by the Pharisees was that He was breaking the Sabbath. In this teaching we will look at what it is to find our rest in Christ alone, what the Sabbath is for a New Testament believer, and if we should still observe the Sabbath Day.

In sending His disciples out to reach people with the gospel, Jesus addresses the important issue of fear. Fear of people’s reactions, fear of safety and repercussions, and fear of relationships changing. Figuratively, we must lose our lives for His sake and perhaps be called to do so literally as well.

Two blind men begged for mercy and healing. Jesus asked a very important question, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They replied, “Yes.” Jesus then said a statement that will warrant our attention for this teaching: “According to your faith will it be done to you.”

Matthew, a tax collector, becomes a Jesus-follower. He leaves his old life behind but purposefully influences his friends and co-workers. He invited Jesus to a dinner party to meet them! He is a new wineskin with new wine poured into him. Let’s be that way too!

Salvation is freely given by grace through faith. Nothing we can ever do could earn this. However, Jesus makes it abundantly clear that living for Him, being His disciple, is very costly! Even how we go through storms must be different.

What is the foundation of your life? Jesus, in concluding the Sermon on the Mount, states, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice…builds his house on a rock” What a solid foundation that is! Many times we have the propensity to have knowledge (know what we should do) but lack the commitment to put it into action. He does not require us to be hearers only, deceiving ourselves, but be doers or put into practice what He says. Many times, we do not notice our faulty foundation until trial and hardships come our way.

How we deal with others is a vital part of being a part of the family of God! We have a fascination with judging others. We are prone to this because it feeds our sensual appetites and makes us feel better about our own situation or self. Often times our judgement of others is shared, thereby making us appear more important, better, or worthwhile. Jesus says we must focus on the problems we have instead of pointing out the flaws in others. He then implores His disciples to pray (within this context). “The Golden Rule” has much more meaning than just a single verse.

Radically following Jesus is getting the Gospel right, letting the Gospel in, and getting the gospel out!

The reality of the Gospel is not just that forgiveness of sins is ours in Christ Jesus, by His grace, through our trust in Him. But also that of resurrection life. However, what if there is no resurrection from the dead as many of the people of Corinth believed? The Apostle Paul says that our faith is then futile (present tense). Does the testimony of our present Christian walk reflect resurrection life?

Just as Jesus presupposed that His disciples would pray, He does the same here by saying, “When you fast…” Fasting is a spiritual discipline that requires not partaking of one of our primal physical needs and desires, food, for a defined amount of time. In doing so, we are saying to God, “Hearing from you in prayer and reflection on your word is more important to me than even eating.” Fasting is something that He did not want us to misunderstand.

When Jesus says, “When you give to the needy…” He presupposes that His disciples would indeed give. We are not to give to make ourselves look righteous and good. It matters not just giving to the poor, but also why we give. Our motives are what is most important to God. Our motives is what He constantly checks in us by His Spirit.