Sermons on Matthew 5:44-6:4:

Dealing Wisely With Unbelief & Opposition Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Mar 10, 2021

If we stand for Jesus, we will inevitably face the same kind of opposition that He did. How do we respond? His example gives us a clue as he faces both the unbelief of his own family, and the deadly opposition of israel's leaders.

It’s been more than 20 years ago now since I initiated a lawsuit in the name of the church against the Washoe County School District. As a few of you know, and even fewer of you probably remember, it was about the matter of Equal Access—equal access to public school facilities for churches and ...read more

Scripture: John 7:1-15, Matthew 5:44, Matthew 7:6, Matthew 10:16-18, 1 John 2:15-16, Mark 6:3, Mark 3:21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Bible Church

Turning The Other Cheek

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

The religious leaders of the world can quote their wise and holy men in ways that show they too have many of the values of the Sermon on the Mount. But they have nothing to match the teachings of Christ on the love of one's enemies.

Almost everybody agrees with the Sermon on the Mount in general, but almost nobody can agree to the specifics of the last part of chapter 5. Even Nikita Krushev, an atheist, when he was the leader of Russia, could say he agreed with the Sermon on the Mount, for even in Russia they do not consider ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

What Is Success?

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

There is really only one question by which we evaluate all of life, and all human activity: Is it pleasing to God?

Paul Aurandt in his book, Destiny tells of the life of Bartholomew Roberts, one of the great sea captains. He commanded 3 ships-The Fortune, The Good Fortune and the Royal Fortune. Back in his day the ships musicians were on call to provide music anytime of the day or night. But his musicians got ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6

Helpful And Harmful Hypocrisy

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

Man is the most clever creature when it comes to figuring out how to get his own way. Hypocrisy, or pretending something that isn't so, is one of his best methods.

Every able bodied man in Russia must serve in the army, but Abe managed to remain quietly on his farm year after year. One day his neighbor asked him, "Abe, how does a strong young man like you manage to get by without being drafted for the Red Army?" "That is what I am asking ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6

Prevent Being Out Of Order

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

With the motivation of love man can turn problems into blessings and bring order out of chaos, and harmony out of discord. By cooperation men can make plans where everyone comes out a winner.

After World War II there were five army dumps in France full of machinery. It was too good to throw away, and yet not good enough to hall back to the United States. It was a major problem. The Quakers saw an opportunity for service, and so they offered the United States Army 200,000 francs for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6

The Reward Motive

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

The evil man out of God's will, and the righteous in center of God's will may both be motivated by the love of reward. It is obviously a subject then that needs to be seen from both the vicious and the virtuous side.

A 16th century German monk discovered the power of religious bribery. The children showed great reluctance in learning their prayers. Scolding and punishing them did not improve things, and so he tried offering them a reward. Tradition has it that he took thin strips of dough and twisted them ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6

The Simple Life Style

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

Each individual Christian needs to keep asking themselves, how can I simplify my life, not for the sake of simplicity, but for the sake of the kingdom of God.

I've always loved the Cinderella story, and have read it to my granddaughter, and listened to it on record many times. It is a story that fits so well in our culture. From rags to riches is the American dream come true. The poor little servant girl escapes from the wash water to live in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-8

Successful Prayer

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

If success is pleasing God, and God is not pleased with all kinds of external forms and activities, where the heart is far from him, than it follows that the only road to spiritual success is the road to inner space.

Henry Brown prayed for a way to escape. He was a slave in Richmond, Virginia, and desperately wanted to be free. He finally felt his prayer was answered when he was inspired by a unique idea. He had the plantation carpenter construct a box the same size of the largest boxes that were shipped in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-8

Success In Simplicity

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

Jesus simplified everything he touched. The Old Testament saints had ten commandments to guide them, but Jesus said you can simplify these ten, and reduce them to two. Love God with all your being, and your neighbor as yourself.

C. S. Lewis, the brilliant atheist who became one of the most famous Christians of the 20th century, said, "It is no good asking for a simple religion after all, real things are not simple." Little did he realize, when he wrote those words in his early book, Mere Christianity, just how ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-8

Psalms 58 And 109 Series

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Mar 5, 2020

The outrage expressed in passages in these psalms are examples of times David seemed to be "fed up" with his enemies. He pours out his fury to God, not intending for his Father to act on the ills he calls for, but for God to see the passion poisoning his heart and send relief.

For Sermon Central researchers: I have posted a series of 15 sermons on the Psalms. In recent personal studies I have found the psalms to be richer and more thought-provoking than I had fully appreciated. I had too often swept swiftly through psalms without slowing down to inquire as thoroughly as ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 58:1-11, Psalm 109:1-31, Psalm 23:1-6, Psalm 23:5, Leviticus 19:18, Deuteronomy 32:35, Romans 12:19, Hebrews 10:28-30, Proverbs 24:17, Matthew 5:43-44, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Romans 6:4, 2 Samuel 1:17-27, Psalm 37:32-33  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Coming Of The King Series

Contributed by Greg Lindsey on Mar 7, 2020

A Journey Through the Larger Story of the 66 Books of the Bible

ILLUST> So hey there, good to see you and welcome to this place called DCC. What a crazy weekend it has been already! We had our backpack bash yesterday which was absolute chaos, but thousands of people were fed, thousands of kids had lots of fun and received free loaded backpacks and the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:18-23, Matthew 5:43-47, Colossians 2:13-17

An Ash Wednesday Heart

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Feb 17, 2021

If we were to summarize the advice the advice Jesus that gives to us in these verses, then we would have to conclude that Jesus wants us to remember that prayer is a matter of the heart. This sermon is about the need to rend our hearts.

AN ASH WEDNESDAY HEART Text: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 Matthew 6:1-6, 16 - 21  "Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.  (2)  "So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6, Matthew 6:16-21

Denomination: United Methodist

Lesson 3

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 14, 2011

Explaining and learning the background behind many hard to understand Bible verses.

A. INTRODUCTION: WHY PEOPLE HAVE QUESTIONS 1. Demands a response: How is a question different from other English sentences? a. Confusion. Why does the enemy ask questions? “Has God indeed said you shall not eat?” (Gen. 3:1). b. Conviction. Why does Jesus ask a question? ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:48

Denomination: Baptist

21 Days Pt 1 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jan 19, 2011

We need to have a biblical understanding of 3 spiritual disciplines giving, prayer and fasting so that we practice these disciplines and attain spiritual changes in our hearts and lives.

Series: Breath of Heaven 2011 Sermon: 21 Days For many they have started their fast. We are basing our called fast for a fresh Breath of Heaven in 2011 from the Lord. Scripture Text: Joel 1:14 14Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"That's The Way God Loves"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Feb 16, 2011

A sermon that looks at the radical love of God and challenges us to try and imitate it.

Matthew 5:38-48 “That’s the Way God Loves” By: Rev. Ken Sauer, Pastor of East Ridge United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, Tn www.eastridgeumc.com There once was a father who had to go out of town… …away from his young family for three or four days on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: United Methodist