January 26, 2013
Title: Week 14 — Pretentious Pretenders, Repetitious Rituals, and the Pater Noster
Series: The King’s Speech
We have seen that Jesus’ spirituality is other-centered and that love shows no hostility. Love does not lust; love is faithful in marriage; love is honest and truthful; love does not retaliate; and love even extends to the enemy. Chapter 5 of Matthew dealt mainly with actions and the danger of evil work. Chapter 6 deals with intentions and warns of the danger of good works. Over the next couple of weeks we will examine three matching contrasts that set out the wrong and right way to undertake three prominent religious duties–almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. These activities illustrate righteousness in a person’s three main relationships: toward others (charity), towards God (prayer), and towards oneself (fasting).
Due to circumstances beyond our control, we are unable to provide the recording for this week. However, the sermon for Week 15 will include a recap of this message.