Walnut Grove

Sermon: The Heart of the Father

Sermon Date: 03/15/2026
Bible Verses:
Luke 15:11-24
Speaker: Rev. Timothy "Tim" Shapley
Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new
Introduction
Luke 15 contains some of the most beautiful pictures of God’s heart in all of Scripture.
Jesus tells three stories:
A lost sheep
A lost coin
A lost son
Each story answers a question the religious leaders were asking.
Luke 15:2 tells us:
“This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
The Pharisees were offended that Jesus welcomed broken people.
So Jesus tells these stories to explain why He came.
And the most powerful story is the last one—the story we often call The Prodigal Son.
But honestly, it might be better called:
The Loving Father.
Because this story is not mainly about the son’s rebellion.
It is about the father’s heart.
And the truth Jesus is teaching is simple:
The journey to the cross begins with the Father’s love for lost people.
The Rebellion of Humanity
Jesus begins the story in Luke 15:12:
“The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’”
To modern ears this may not sound shocking.
But in that culture, this request was deeply insulting.
The son was basically saying:
"I wish you were dead. Give me my inheritance now."
This was rebellion.
It was disrespect.
It was selfishness.
And yet… this is exactly what sin looks like.
Humanity constantly tells God:
"I want your blessings… but not your authority."
We want:
God’s giftsGod’s provisionGod’s protection
But we do not want God to rule our lives.
The younger son represents all of us.
Romans 3:23 says:
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Every human heart has this rebellious streak.
We want to run life our own way.
And the father does something surprising.
He lets him go.
Because love does not force obedience.
The Misery of Sin
Jesus continues in Luke 15:13:
“Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country…”
The son believed the lie that many people believe today.
That freedom is found away from the Father.
So he leaves home.
He spends everything.
He parties.
He lives wildly.
For a moment it probably looked like he was winning.
But sin always has an expiration date.
Luke 15:14 says:
“And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country.”
Notice the order:
First the rebellion.
Then the famine.
Sin promises freedom.
But it produces emptiness.
The son ends up feeding pigs.
For a Jewish audience, this was the lowest possible point.
Pigs were unclean animals.
And Jesus says something heartbreaking.
Luke 15:16:
“He would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating.”
This is what sin does.
It takes you farther than you intended to go.
It keeps you longer than you intended to stay.
And it leaves you emptier than you ever imagined.
The son thought he was escaping the father’s authority.
But instead he found misery.
The Grace of the Father
Then the turning point happens.
Luke 15:17 says:
“But when he came to himself…”
Sin clouds our thinking.
But eventually reality sets in.
The son remembers something.
His father is good.
Even the servants in his father’s house are treated well.
So he prepares a speech.
Luke 15:18–19
“Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.”
He plans to return home as a servant.
But something incredible happens.
Luke 15:20 says:
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him…”
That means the father was watching.
Waiting.
Looking down the road.
And then Jesus says something shocking.
“And felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”
In that culture, dignified men did not run.
Running meant lifting your robes and exposing your legs.
It was considered humiliating.
But the father does not care about dignity.
He runs.
He runs toward his broken son.
And the son begins his apology speech.
But he never gets to finish it.
The father interrupts him.
Why?
Because grace always speaks louder than guilt.
The Celebration of Redemption
The father immediately calls for a celebration.
Luke 15:22–23:
“Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him… put a ring on his hand… and bring the fattened calf and kill it.”
Every item has meaning.
The robe represents honor.
The ring represents sonship.
The feast represents joy.
The father is not restoring him as a servant.
He is restoring him as a son.
Then comes one of the most powerful lines in the story.
Luke 15:24:
“For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.”
And the house fills with celebration.
Why?
Because heaven celebrates when lost people come home.
Jesus actually says earlier in Luke 15:
“There is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Every time someone turns back to God…
heaven throws a party.
Application
Many people think God is waiting for them with anger.
They imagine God standing with crossed arms saying:
"You messed up. Now deal with the consequences."
But this story tells a different truth.
God isn’t waiting to punish you.
He is waiting to restore you.
He is watching the road.
Looking for the moment you turn toward home.
And when you do…
He runs.
That is the heart of the Father.
Not distant.
Not cold.
Not unforgiving.
But compassionate.
Patient.
And full of grace.
Conclusion
This story is more than a lesson about forgiveness.
It explains why Jesus came.
Why would God send His Son to the cross?
Why would Jesus suffer and die?
Why would the Son of God endure the punishment of sin?
Because the Father refuses to give up on His children.
He loves the lost too much to leave them lost.
He loves the broken too much to leave them broken.
And that love eventually leads Jesus to Calvary.
Because the truth of the gospel is this:
The cross exists because the Father refuses to give up on His children.

The Weekly Show - Episode 88: Study Ten: Praying the Way Jesus Taught

Join Tim and John as they study how to and pray the way Jesus taught.
Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-beginning and https://uppbeat.io/t/pecan-pie/halloween-time
Transition Song: https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/
Introduction
(Matthew 6:9–15)
After warning His disciples not to pray like hypocrites who perform for people or like Gentiles who babble to impress their gods, Jesus does something incredibly helpful— He teaches us how to pray.
Matthew 6:9–15 contains one of the most famous passages in the entire Bible: the Lord’s Prayer. But it’s not just a prayer to memorize— it’s a pattern, a framework, a guide that shows us what matters most when talking to God.
Jesus wants His followers to pray with:
sincerity
simplicity
confidence
humility
and a heart that trusts the Father
The Lord’s Prayer teaches us:
who God is
what we should desire most
what we should ask for
and how we should relate to others
This prayer is short, simple, and powerful— so simple a child can pray it, yet so deep that believers never outgrow it.
In Study 10, we will break down the prayer Jesus gave and see what it teaches us about:
God’s character
God’s kingdom
Our daily needs
Our need for forgiveness
Our need to forgive others
God’s protection from sin and evil
Jesus didn’t just command us to pray— He showed us how to pray, and He invites us into the same intimate relationship He enjoys with His Father.
1. Our Father in Heaven
(Approaching God as His Children)**
Jesus begins the Lord’s Prayer with two simple but life-changing words:
“Our Father…” — Matthew 6:9
Before we ask for anything, before we confess anything, before we bring any request to God, Jesus wants us to remember who we’re talking to.
God Is Our Father
Calling God “Father” is not something people naturally assumed in the Old Testament. But Jesus teaches His followers that through faith in Him, they are adopted into God’s family.
This means:
prayer is not a speech
prayer is not a ceremony
prayer is not a performance
prayer is a conversation with your Father
A Father who loves you, cares for you, knows you, and wants you to come to Him.
You don’t have to impress Him. You don’t have to convince Him. You don’t have to fear approaching Him.
You are His child. He invites you in.
Our Father—not just “My” Father
Jesus teaches us to say “our Father,” not “my Father.” This reminds us that:
we’re part of God’s family
we’re not meant to follow Jesus alone
we pray not just for ourselves, but for others too
Even in prayer, Jesus pulls us away from selfishness and into community.
**Who Is This Father?
“The One in Heaven”**
God is not just a loving Father— He is a powerful, sovereign Father.
“In heaven” reminds us that:
He rules over everything
He is above every problem
He is greater than every fear
He is strong enough to answer any prayer
He sees what we cannot see
His wisdom is perfect
So we approach God with confidence and reverence.
He is both near and mighty. He is tender and strong. He is Father and King.
Prayer Begins with Relationship
Jesus wants His followers to pray out of:
trust
love
closeness
assurance
confidence in God’s care
Before we ask for anything, Jesus teaches us to rest in this truth:
“God is my Father, and He loves me.”
That changes everything about how we pray.
2. Hallowed Be Your Name
(Honoring God First)**
After teaching us to approach God as our Father, Jesus immediately shows us the first and highest priority in prayer:
“Hallowed be Your name.” — Matthew 6:9
“Hallowed” is not a word we use every day, but it simply means “to make holy, to honor, to treat as sacred.”
Jesus is teaching us that before we ask God for anything— we worship Him.
Prayer Begins with Praise
“Hallowed be Your name” means:
Let Your name be honored.
Let Your character be treasured.
Let Your reputation be lifted high.
Let people see how great You are.
Jesus wants us to start prayer by focusing on who God is, not on what we need.
When we begin with God:
our worries shrink
our faith grows
our hearts soften
our motives get cleaned up
our priorities fall into place
That’s why Jesus places worship first.
God’s Name Represents His Character
In Scripture, a person’s “name” stands for who they are. So when Jesus tells us to pray, “Hallowed be Your name,” He means:
“Father, be honored for who You are.”
We are praying:
May Your love be honored.
May Your holiness be honored.
May Your mercy be honored.
May Your justice be honored.
May Your power be honored.
May Your faithfulness be honored.
We want God's name to be treated as the greatest name in the world.
This Prayer Changes Our Hearts
When you pray, “Hallowed be Your name,” you are also asking God to help you honor Him:
in your thoughts
in your words
in your actions
in your choices
in your friendships
in your goals
This prayer shapes your priorities. It puts God first. It pushes self out of the spotlight. It reminds you that life is not about you— it’s about God and His glory.
A Daily Realignment
Every day, we drift. We get distracted. We forget God’s greatness. We worry. We get frustrated. We focus on ourselves.
“Hallowed be Your name” is a daily realignment. It resets our hearts by saying:
“Father, I want Your name honored more than anything else today.”
This is where real prayer begins— not with our needs, but with God’s glory.
3. Your Kingdom Come
(Desiring God’s Rule Above Our Own)**
After honoring God’s name, Jesus teaches us to pray for the next big priority:
“Your kingdom come.” — Matthew 6:10
This is not a small request— it is a bold, world-shaping prayer.
What Is God’s Kingdom?
In the Bible, God’s kingdom is:
His rule
His authority
His reign over all things
His will being done on earth as it is in heaven
When you pray, “Your kingdom come,” you are asking God to take charge— in your life, in your community, and in the whole world.
A Prayer That Puts God First
This prayer is the opposite of selfishness. We naturally want our kingdom to come:
our plans
our comfort
our influence
our success
our desires
But Jesus teaches us to say:
“Father, let Your rule come before mine. Let Your plans come before my plans.”
It’s a prayer of surrender.
Praying for God’s Kingdom in Three Ways
When we pray, “Your kingdom come,” we are asking God to work in three major ways:
1. In the World — Bring Your Rule to Earth
We long for the day when Jesus returns and fully establishes His kingdom on earth.
This prayer says:
end evil
defeat sin
fix what is broken
bring justice
bring peace
bring Your perfect reign
It’s a prayer for Jesus to come again.
2. In the Church — Spread the Gospel
God’s kingdom grows as the gospel spreads. So this prayer also means:
save people
transform hearts
grow Your church
strengthen believers
send workers into the harvest
We want God’s kingdom to expand everywhere the good news goes.
3. In My Life — Rule My Heart Today
This is the most personal part.
You’re asking God to:
rule your choices
rule your desires
rule your thoughts
rule your relationships
rule your priorities
You’re praying:
“Make me loyal to Your kingdom, not mine. Change me so I obey You joyfully.”
A Prayer of Hope and Surrender
“Your kingdom come” is both:
a hope (Jesus will return and make all things new), and
a surrender (God, be the King of my heart today)
It’s a prayer that re-centers our lives on what matters most— God’s rule, God’s glory, God’s mission.
4. Your Will Be Done
(Choosing God’s Way Over Our Own)**
Jesus continues the Lord’s Prayer with another heart-shaping request:
“Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” — Matthew 6:10
This is one of the most difficult prayers to pray honestly, because it confronts the biggest struggle of the human heart:
We naturally want our will to be done.
But Jesus teaches us to pray for something far better— to want what God wants.
What Does It Mean to Pray for God’s Will?
In heaven, God’s will is done:
immediately
joyfully
completely
perfectly
There is no hesitation. No arguing. No half-obedience. No reluctance.
Jesus teaches us to ask God to make that same kind of obedience happen here— starting in us.
Praying “Your will be done” means:
“God, help me to obey You joyfully.”
“Help me want what You want.”
“Give me a heart that follows Your way, not mine.”
It’s a prayer of surrender, trust, and obedience.
Trusting God’s Will More Than Our Own
We often think we know what’s best:
what will make us happy
what will fix our problems
what our future should look like
how situations should work out
But God sees the whole picture.
“Your will be done” is saying:
“Father, You know better than I do. I trust Your wisdom more than my desires.”
This prayer keeps us from clinging too tightly to our own plans.
Praying This Changes Our Hearts
When you pray “Your will be done,” you are asking God to change your:
attitude
desires
priorities
habits
reactions
dreams
It is a prayer that shapes the way you:
make decisions
respond to difficulties
relate to others
handle disappointment
seek guidance
You’re asking God to align your heart with His.
God’s Will Leads to God’s Best
God’s will is always:
wiser than our ideas
better than our plans
kinder than our expectations
more loving than our desires
stronger than our fears
Even when life is confusing, God’s will is good.
Praying this continually reminds us:
“I am not in charge—God is.” “And that is the best possible news.”
The Point
“Your will be done” is a prayer of surrender that invites God to:
rule our hearts
shape our decisions
direct our lives
and help us obey Him joyfully
It’s a prayer that makes our hearts look more like Jesus— who prayed these very words in the Garden of Gethsemane.
5. Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread
(Trusting God for Our Everyday Needs)**
After praying for God’s name, God’s kingdom, and God’s will, Jesus teaches us to bring our needs to our Father:
“Give us this day our daily bread.” — Matthew 6:11
This short request reminds us that God cares about ordinary, everyday life— food, clothing, strength, money, health, and everything we depend on.
Daily Bread Means Daily Dependence
When Jesus taught this prayer, bread was the basic food of life. “Daily bread” simply means:
the things you need today
the strength for today
the resources for today
the help for today
Not tomorrow’s supply. Not next year’s abundance. Just what is needed right now.
This prayer teaches us to rely on God daily, not just in emergencies.
Asking God for What We Need Is a Good Thing
Jesus wants us to bring our needs to God. We don’t have to hide them. We don’t have to pretend we can handle everything ourselves.
When we pray:
“Give us…”
we admit:
we are not self-sufficient
we depend on God
we need His provision
This is humility in action.
A Prayer That Fights Worry
Asking God for today’s bread keeps us from being consumed with worry.
We often stress over:
the future
money
decisions
problems we imagine
situations we can’t control
But Jesus focuses us on a simple truth:
God will give what you need—today. And tomorrow, He will do it again.
This prayer teaches us to trust God one day at a time.
Bread for Us—not Just Me
Notice Jesus says “Give us this day our daily bread.”
He teaches us to:
pray for others’ needs
think beyond ourselves
care for the poor
share what God provides
It’s a reminder that God blesses us not only for our sake but so we can bless others.
God Provides in Many Ways
Sometimes God gives through:
work
opportunities
generosity of others
unexpected blessings
wisdom to plan
strength to endure
All provision is ultimately from Him.
“Daily bread” doesn’t just fall from the sky— God provides through normal, everyday means.
The Point
“Give us this day our daily bread” teaches us to:
depend on God daily
trust Him with our needs
fight the pull of worry
care for others’ needs too
recognize God as the true provider
It’s a simple request that trains our hearts to rely on God— not on our own strength.
6. Forgive Us Our Debts
(Confessing Sin and Receiving God’s Grace)**
After teaching us to pray for our physical needs, Jesus teaches us to pray for our greatest spiritual need:
“And forgive us our debts…” — Matthew 6:12
In the Bible, “debts” refers to sins— the things we do, think, and desire that fall short of God’s standard.
Sin Creates a Debt We Cannot Pay
When we sin, we become debtors to God:
we owe Him obedience
we owe Him holiness
we owe Him worship
But because of sin, we fall short of all these things.
We cannot pay God back. We cannot erase our own sin. We cannot undo the wrongs we’ve done.
So Jesus teaches us to ask for forgiveness— not because we can repay our debt, but because God is gracious.
Forgiveness Is a Daily Need
This prayer reminds us that:
we sin every day
we need God’s mercy every day
we must confess honestly
we cannot hide our failures from God
Confession is not to inform God— He already knows. Confession is to humble us and cleanse us.
Forgiveness Flows From the Cross
When Jesus tells us to ask for forgiveness, He knows exactly how that forgiveness will be provided:
through His own death and resurrection.
Our debts are forgiven not because we’re good but because He is gracious.
Forgiveness Restores Relationship
Sin damages:
our fellowship with God
our peace
our joy
our spiritual clarity
our closeness with Him
Confession and forgiveness restore that fellowship. God loves to forgive His children when they come honestly.
Asking for Forgiveness Builds Humility
Praying “forgive us our debts” keeps us from:
pride
self-righteousness
hypocrisy
pretending we don’t struggle
comparing ourselves to others
It reminds us that we are sinners saved by grace— every day.
The Point
“Forgive us our debts” teaches us to:
confess sin daily
come to God honestly
rely on His mercy
remember Christ’s sacrifice
stay humble before God
Forgiveness is not earned; it is given freely by a loving Father through the finished work of Jesus Christ.
7. As We Forgive Our Debtors
(Showing to Others the Mercy God Shows to Us)**
Right after teaching us to ask God for forgiveness, Jesus adds a challenging but essential phrase:
“…as we forgive our debtors.” — Matthew 6:12
This means: “Forgive us, God, in the same way that we forgive others.”
That’s a bold prayer—one that forces us to look inside our hearts.
God’s Forgiveness and Our Forgiveness Are Connected
Jesus is not saying we earn God’s forgiveness by forgiving others. Only Jesus’ sacrifice saves us.
But He is saying:
people who have been forgiven by God should become forgiving people
an unforgiving heart does not match someone who claims to be forgiven
forgiveness from God should overflow into forgiveness toward others
Receiving mercy should produce mercy.
Why Is This So Important?
Because refusing to forgive someone:
hardens your heart
poisons your relationships
steals your peace
blocks spiritual growth
contradicts the gospel you claim to believe
Jesus even repeats the point immediately after the prayer:
“If you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your sins.” — Matthew 6:15
He’s not teaching salvation by works— He’s teaching that an unforgiving heart is incompatible with a forgiven life.
A forgiven person forgives.
Forgiving Others Is Hard… and Holy
Forgiveness doesn’t mean:
pretending the hurt didn’t happen
acting like everything is fine
ignoring sin
trusting someone instantly
excusing wrong behavior
Forgiveness means:
releasing bitterness
letting go of the desire for revenge
entrusting justice to God
praying for the other person
choosing to show mercy
refusing to let the hurt rule your heart
Forgiving others is hard— but it’s also one of the clearest signs of spiritual maturity.
Remember: God Forgave You First
When forgiving feels impossible, remember how God has forgiven you:
fully
freely
repeatedly
lovingly
undeservedly
He didn’t wait for you to deserve it. He didn’t hold your past over your head. He didn’t cancel you.
He forgave you completely through Jesus.
And His mercy becomes the strength you need to forgive others.
The Point
“As we forgive our debtors” teaches us that:
forgiven people learn to forgive
mercy received should become mercy given
forgiveness is a heart issue
bitterness has no place in the kingdom life
Forgiveness is not easy— but with God’s help, it is possible, and it brings freedom, healing, and peace.
8. Lead Us Not Into Temptation,
But Deliver Us From Evil (Asking God for Protection and Strength)**
The final request in the Lord’s Prayer deals with something every believer faces daily:
temptation and spiritual danger.
Jesus teaches us to pray:
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” — Matthew 6:13
This is a prayer for protection— protection from sin, protection from our own weaknesses, and protection from the devil’s schemes.
God Doesn’t Tempt Us
The Bible is clear:
“God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself tempts no one.” — James 1:13
So what does Jesus mean?
He is teaching us to ask God to guide our steps so that we stay far away from situations where we are likely to fall.
It’s like praying:
“Father, keep me from places where I’m weak.”
“Steer me away from harmful influences.”
“Protect me from sin’s traps.”
We’re asking God to help us avoid the paths that lead to temptation.
We Need God’s Help Daily
We are all vulnerable to sin:
anger
lust
pride
greed
bitterness
impatience
selfishness
fear
Temptation is real, powerful, and constant. Jesus knows that we cannot resist it alone, so He teaches us to ask for God’s strength.
This prayer builds humility. It reminds us:
we are not strong enough on our own
we need God’s help every day
spiritual battles are real
we must rely on God, not just ourselves
Deliver Us From Evil
The second part of the request is urgent and serious:
“Deliver us from evil.”
This refers both to:
1. The evil around us
– violence – immorality – corruption – cruelty – injustice – sinful influences
2. The Evil One
Satan himself, who seeks to:
tempt
deceive
discourage
destroy
We ask God to rescue us from the enemy’s attacks and to guard our hearts against his lies.
A Prayer of Dependence and Courage
This prayer teaches us to:
recognize our weaknesses
depend on God for strength
take sin seriously
fight spiritual battles with God’s help
stay alert to temptation
trust God to protect and deliver us
It’s honest, humble, and practical.
We don’t stand against temptation in our own power— we stand in God’s power.
The Point
“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” teaches us that:
we need God’s guidance to avoid sin
we need God’s strength to resist temptation
we need God’s protection from the evil around us
we need God’s deliverance from the Evil One
This final request brings the prayer full circle. We began by focusing on God’s character and God’s glory, and we end by admitting our need for His protection and grace.
Prayer is a daily reminder:
We depend on our Father for everything— for guidance, for forgiveness, for provision, and for protection.
Conclusion to Study 10
(Praying the Way Jesus Taught)**
In this study, Jesus has shown us how to pray—not with empty words, memorized formulas, or impressive speeches, but with a sincere heart that trusts the Father.
The Lord’s Prayer is simple enough for a child to memorize and deep enough for a lifetime of growth. It teaches us that prayer is not a performance. It is a relationship. It is talking to our Father in heaven with honesty, humility, and confidence.
We learned that true prayer begins with who God is:
Our Father — loving and close
In heaven — powerful and sovereign
Hallowed be Your name — worthy of all honor
We then prayed for God’s priorities:
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
Before we ever bring our requests, Jesus shows us to focus on God’s glory, God’s rule, and God’s plans.
Then Jesus invites us to bring our daily needs:
Give us this day our daily bread — trusting God for everyday provision
Forgive us our debts — confessing our sins and receiving grace
As we forgive our debtors — showing others the mercy we’ve received
Lead us not into temptation — asking God for protection and strength
This pattern reshapes our hearts. It redirects our desires. It teaches us dependence. It trains us to trust.
The Lord’s Prayer reminds us that:
God provides
God forgives
God restores
God leads
God delivers
God loves
And He invites us to come to Him daily.
As we move forward in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus will continue to teach us how to live for an audience of One. The next study will show us that just like giving and praying, fasting must also come from a sincere heart that seeks to please the Father rather than impress people.
Prayer is the heartbeat of a disciple, and Jesus has shown us how to let that heartbeat echo the heart of God.

Sermon: The Call to Follow

Sermon Date: 03/08/2026
Bible Verses:
Luke 9:23-27
Speaker: Rev. Timothy "Tim" Shapley
Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new
Core Idea: Before there is resurrection power, there is surrender.
Introduction
We love the idea of resurrection.
We love the victory.We love the empty tomb.We love the power of God that raises the dead.
But Jesus makes something very clear: resurrection only comes after the cross.
You cannot have Easter without Calvary.
And long before Jesus carried His cross to Golgotha, He told His followers something shocking.
Luke 9:23:
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
This is not a marketing slogan for church growth.This is not the kind of message that fills stadiums.
But it is the truth about what it means to follow Jesus.
Before there is resurrection power…there must be surrender.
The Invitation of Jesus
Jesus begins with these words:
“If anyone would come after me…”
Notice what Jesus does not say.
He does not say:
“You must.”“You are forced.”“You have no choice.”
Instead He says:
“If anyone would…”
This is an invitation.
Christianity does not begin with a rulebook.
It begins with a call.
Jesus calls people.
“Follow me.”“Come after me.”“Walk with me.”
Faith is not primarily about religion.
It is about relationship.
The disciples were not first given theology textbooks.
They were given an invitation.
Matthew the tax collector heard Jesus say:
“Follow me.”
And Matthew got up from his table of money and walked away.
Fishermen left their nets.
Peter left his boat.
James and John left their father.
Why?
Because Jesus called them.
And here is the beautiful thing:
That invitation still stands today.
Jesus is still calling people.
Not perfect people.
Not religious experts.
Just people.
“If anyone…”
That means the invitation includes:
The brokenThe doubtingThe strugglingThe sinnerThe weary
Anyone.
Jesus is saying:
“If you want to walk with me, the door is open.”
But here is where things get serious.
Because Jesus immediately explains what following Him actually means.
The Cost of Discipleship
Jesus continues:
“Let him deny himself and take up his cross daily.”
When Jesus said this, the disciples did not think of jewelry.
They did not think of a symbol on a church wall.
The cross meant one thing.
Death.
The cross was the Roman Empire’s most brutal execution device.
It was public.
It was humiliating.
It was final.
And Jesus looks at His followers and says:
“Take up your cross.”
In other words:
Following Jesus requires sacrifice.
First, Jesus says:
“Deny yourself.”
Notice He does not say:
“Improve yourself.”
He does not say:
“Pamper yourself.”
He does not say:
“Promote yourself.”
He says:
Deny yourself.
Our world tells us the opposite message.
“Follow your heart.”
“Do what feels right.”
“Live your truth.”
But Jesus says something radically different.
To follow Him, you must surrender the throne of your life.
Because there can only be one King.
And then Jesus adds something important.
“Take up your cross daily.”
This is not a one-time moment.
This is a lifestyle.
Every day we face decisions:
Will I follow Jesus today?
Will I forgive today?
Will I serve today?
Will I obey today?
Will I trust God today?
Every day the cross is waiting.
Every day we choose whether we carry it.
Discipleship is not about convenience.
It is about commitment.
The Paradox of Life
Then Jesus says something that sounds completely backwards.
Luke 9:24:
“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”
This is the great paradox of the Kingdom of God.
The world says:
Hold on tightly to your life.
Protect it.
Build it.
Control it.
Make it all about you.
But Jesus says:
If you spend your life trying to save it…you will lose it.
But if you surrender your life to Him…
you will find it.
God’s kingdom works upside-down compared to the world.
The world says:
Gain power.
Jesus says:
Serve.
The world says:
Promote yourself.
Jesus says:
Humble yourself.
The world says:
Hold on to everything.
Jesus says:
Let go and trust me.
And then Jesus asks a powerful question.
Luke 9:25:
“For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?”
Imagine someone who gets everything.
Money.
Fame.
Success.
Influence.
Everything the world says is valuable.
But at the end of life…
their soul is empty.
Jesus says:
What good was it?
The world measures success by what you accumulate.
God measures success by who you become.
Application
So let’s make this personal.
Jesus says:
“Take up your cross.”
That leads to a very real question.
What cross am I avoiding?
Maybe the cross is:
Forgiving someone who hurt you.
Letting go of control.
Trusting God with your future.
Giving when it is uncomfortable.
Serving when it is inconvenient.
Walking away from sin.
Being faithful when it costs you something.
Sometimes the cross is simply this:
Letting Jesus be Lord.
Because many people want Jesus as Savior,but not as King.
We want forgiveness…
but we struggle with surrender.
But the truth is:
You cannot follow Jesus halfway.
Discipleship always leads to the cross.
And the amazing thing is this:
The cross is not the end.
Because on the other side of the cross…
there is resurrection.
Freedom.
Life.
Joy.
Purpose.
But first…
there must be surrender.
Conclusion
Jesus is still extending the invitation.
“If anyone would come after me…”
Anyone.
But following Him requires a choice.
Deny yourself.
Take up your cross.
Follow Him.
Because the truth is simple and unavoidable:
You cannot follow Jesus without eventually meeting the cross.
But the beautiful promise of the gospel is this:
When we surrender our lives to Christ…
we do not lose life.
We finally find it.

The Weekly Show - Episode 87: Study Nine: Motives for Doing Good

Join Tim and John as they study how to give and pray.
Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-beginning and https://uppbeat.io/t/pecan-pie/halloween-time
Transition Song: https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/
Introduction to the Second Half
We have now reached the halfway point in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. So far, Jesus has shown us that God’s standard of righteousness goes far beyond what the scribes and Pharisees practiced. They focused on outward behavior—checking boxes, keeping rules, and looking religious on the outside. But Jesus keeps pushing deeper, showing that real righteousness starts in the heart.
He has already taught us that true disciples must deal with:
anger in the heart
lust in the heart
truthfulness in the heart
love in the heart
Now, in Matthew 6, Jesus makes an important shift. He moves from what His followers should do to why they do it.
These next studies continue Jesus’ teaching about the kind of transformed life God desires. In Matthew 6:1–8, Jesus examines the hidden motives behind the “good things” people do—giving, praying, helping others, and serving God.
Because here’s the truth:
Even good actions can be ruined by the wrong motive.
You can:
give generously for selfish reasons
pray publicly to impress people
help someone in order to be noticed
do religious things purely for applause
And Jesus says that if your goal is to be seen and praised by people… that’s all the reward you’ll ever get.
But God wants more for His children. He wants hearts that love Him, not hearts craving attention.
The Big Idea
The big idea of the Sermon on the Mount has not changed:
The righteousness Jesus demands is not merely external. True righteousness involves the whole person— the heart, the mind, the desires, and the motives.
In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches us to examine why we do good works:
Do we give to honor God or to be noticed?
Do we pray to talk with God or to impress listeners?
Do we serve in secret or perform for an audience?
Jesus invites us into a life where our good works flow from a heart that loves God and seeks His approval above all else.
This is righteousness from the inside out. This is kingdom living. This is the life Jesus is forming in His followers.
Welcome to Matthew 6
As we step into Matthew 6, Jesus continues to reveal what true righteousness looks like—and just like before, He focuses on the heart, not the performance.
In Jesus’ day, the scribes and Pharisees did many “righteous” things. They gave money. They prayed publicly. They fasted regularly. They looked extremely religious.
But there was a problem— they did these things so people would notice them and praise them.
Jesus exposes the truth: If your goal is to impress people, then people’s applause is the only reward you’ll ever receive. And that reward doesn’t last long.
The Big Picture in Matthew 6
In Matthew 6, Jesus explains that real, genuine righteousness seeks something far better and far higher:
A heavenly reward from the heavenly Father.
True disciples act righteously to please God, not to gain attention, not to gain popularity, not to build reputation, and not to look spiritual.
God sees what is done in secret— and He promises to reward those who seek His approval instead of the crowd’s.
Five Key Areas Jesus Addresses
In this chapter, Jesus teaches about five major areas of everyday spiritual life:
Giving – Are you generous to impress others or to honor God?
Praying – Do you pray to talk with God or to perform for people?
Fasting – Are you hungry for God or hungry for attention?
Seeking – What is your heart chasing—earthly treasure or heavenly treasure?
Worrying – Are you living in anxiety or trusting your Father’s care?
Jesus calls His followers to a better life— a life where every good deed is rooted in love for God and trust in the Father who sees what no one else sees.
Matthew 6 invites us to take a deep look inside: Why do we do the things we do? Who are we trying to please? Where is our treasure? Who do we trust?
This chapter is all about motives, priorities, and a heart fully devoted to God.
1. Giving in Secret
(Matthew 6:1–4)
Jesus begins Matthew 6 with a warning that cuts right to the heart:
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them.” — Matthew 6:1
In other words: When you give, watch out!
There’s always a temptation hiding in the shadows of good deeds— the temptation to want people to notice you, admire you, and praise you for your generosity.
The Danger Behind Good Deeds
Giving is good. Helping the poor is good. Being generous is good.
But even good actions can be ruined by the wrong motive.
Jesus knows how human hearts work:
We want recognition.
We like attention.
We enjoy being admired.
We want people to see how “spiritual” or “kind” we are.
He calls this the attitude of the hypocrites, who blew trumpets and made a scene when they gave money. They weren’t helping people out of love—they were performing for an audience.
And Jesus says something sobering:
“Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.” — Matthew 6:2
Their reward? A few seconds of applause. Some compliments. A moment of attention.
And nothing more.
Your Motivation Matters
Jesus cares about why you give just as much as that you give.
Do you give so others will be impressed?
Do you give to look generous?
Do you give to feel important?
Do you give to get something in return?
Or…
Do you give because you love God?
Do you give because you want to help someone in need?
Do you give because God has been generous to you?
Do you give because it pleases your heavenly Father?
Motives matter. God sees what others cannot. And He rewards what others will never know about.
Give Quietly, Give Secretly, Give for God
Jesus gives His disciples a new way to give:
“Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” — Matthew 6:3
This doesn’t mean you literally hide your hand from your other hand. It means:
Give in such a quiet, humble, secret way that you’re not even focused on yourself.
No showing off. No bragging. No spotlight. Just simple, joyful obedience.
The Father Who Sees in Secret
Jesus makes a beautiful promise:
“Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” — Matthew 6:4
When you give quietly, when you serve without applause, when you help someone with no audience watching, God sees it.
Not one act of secret generosity is ever wasted. Not one is ignored. Not one is forgotten.
God Himself will reward you— and His reward outweighs anything people can give.
The Point
When you give, be careful. There is a real temptation to value praise from people more than praise from God. But true disciples give because they love God, not attention.
The action matters—but the motive matters even more.
2. Morally Motivated
Jesus doesn’t say it’s wrong to want a reward. In fact, He assumes His followers do want to be rewarded. The issue isn’t whether you seek reward— it’s which reward you seek.
The hypocrites in Jesus’ day gave publicly, loudly, and proudly because they wanted something right now:
people’s applause,
admiration,
popularity,
and a reputation for being generous.
Jesus says they got exactly what they wanted— and that’s all the reward they will ever receive.
But Jesus invites His followers to desire something far better: a heavenly reward from their Father, not temporary praise from people.
How to Guard Your Motives
Jesus gives one very practical solution to help you keep your motives pure:
Keep your giving secret.
Not sneaky. Not ashamed. Just quiet and humble.
Why?
Because secret giving removes the craving for attention. It protects your heart from pride. It prevents you from performing for an audience. It forces you to give for God alone.
Try Giving Anonymously
The next time you help someone in need, consider giving in a way where:
they don’t know it was you,
no one else saw,
no one praises you,
and only God knows what you did.
You will discover something beautiful:
When no one else sees, you stop caring about being noticed. And when only God sees, you start caring about pleasing Him.
That is the heart of giving Jesus wants— a heart that gives because it loves God, not because it loves applause.
3. Not Praying the Way Gentiles Do
After teaching about giving, Jesus applies the same principle to prayer. The warning is the same:
Be careful not to do good things just to be seen by people.
Some people in Jesus’ day treated prayer like a performance. They wanted an audience. They wanted attention. They wanted to look holy.
Jesus shows His disciples a better way.
No Faking
Jesus never says it’s wrong to pray in public. Public prayer happens every Sunday in churches all over the world, and it honors God when done with a sincere heart.
But Jesus does say it’s wrong to pray publicly for the purpose of looking spiritual.
If your goal is to impress the people listening rather than talk to God, then your prayer is no longer about God at all—it’s about your image.
So when someone asks you to pray out loud:
Don’t panic.
Don’t refuse just because others are there.
And don’t try to sound impressive.
Just pray honestly, and ask God to help your heart stay focused on Him, not on the audience.
True prayer is simple: You’re talking to your Father, not performing for the crowd.
No Prattling
Jesus also warns His disciples not to pray the way the Gentiles (non-Jews) did. They believed that the more words they used, and the more often they repeated those words, the more likely their gods would hear them.
Jesus says, “Don’t pray like that.”
No babbling.
No empty phrases.
No repeating the same words just to fill space.
No long speeches to make your prayer sound “powerful.”
Your Father doesn’t need a dictionary. He needs your heart.
Prayer Is Not About Word Count
You don’t earn God’s attention by piling up lots of words. You don’t need to repeat a request twenty times for God to hear it. You don’t need to use fancy language.
God listens because He loves you— not because you talk long enough.
The Lord’s Prayer as a Guide
Jesus then gives His disciples the Lord’s Prayer, not as a prayer to mindlessly repeat, but as a pattern showing the kinds of things we should pray about:
God’s name
God’s kingdom
God’s will
our daily needs
forgiveness
protection from sin
God’s glory
It’s not about repeating the exact words over and over. It’s about praying from the heart about the things that matter most.
The Point
Jesus wants His followers to pray with sincerity, not showmanship.
No faking spirituality.
No babbling to get God’s attention.
No performing for people.
Just simple, honest, humble prayer to a Father who already knows what you need and loves to hear your voice.
Conclusion to Study Nine
In this study, Jesus reminded us that true righteousness isn’t just about doing the right things—it’s about doing them for the right reasons.
Giving and praying are both good, godly practices. But even the best actions can be spoiled if the motive behind them is wrong.
Jesus showed us:
Giving becomes empty when we give for applause rather than love.
Praying becomes hollow when we pray to impress people rather than seek God.
The scribes and Pharisees loved the spotlight. They wanted the compliments, the recognition, the reputation. And Jesus made it clear: if human praise is your goal, human praise is your only reward.
But Jesus invites His followers to something better:
Give in secret, where only God sees.
Pray with sincerity, where only God hears.
Seek heavenly rewards, not earthly applause.
Value God’s “Well done” more than people’s approval.
This is what it means to live with a pure heart and a kingdom mindset.
Our Father sees what is done in secret. He knows our motives. He rewards what others never notice.
When we give quietly and pray humbly, we grow into the kind of righteousness Jesus wants for His disciples— a righteousness that is whole, genuine, and born from a heart that loves God.
As we move to the next study, Jesus will continue to teach us how to live for God’s approval above all else— including how we fast, how we seek treasure, and how we trust our heavenly Father instead of worrying.
The journey continues, and Jesus keeps shaping our hearts from the inside out.

Sermon: When Fear Replaces Faith

Sermon Date: 03/01/2026
Bible Verses:
1 Kings 11-14
Speaker: Rev. Timothy "Tim" Shapley
Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new
Jeroboam’s story is one of the most tragic in Scripture.
He was chosen.He was called.He was promised blessing.
And yet his name becomes a warning repeated for generations:
“He walked in the way of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin.”
Jeroboam is not just a historical figure.
He is a case study in what happens when fear outruns faith.
Jeroboam Son of Nebat — A Man Called by God
1 Kings 11:26–40
Jeroboam did not rise to power by ambition alone.God Himself raised him up.
The prophet Ahijah tears a garment into twelve pieces and gives Jeroboam ten, symbolizing that God would give him ten tribes.
And God makes him a staggering promise:
“If you will listen to all that I command you, and walk in My ways… I will be with you and will build you a sure house.” (1 Kings 11:38)
Do you hear that?
God offers Jeroboam:
A kingdom
A dynasty
His presence
His blessing
All conditioned on one thing:
Obedience.
Jeroboam’s story begins with opportunity.
But opportunity without trust becomes disaster.
Jeroboam’s Sin — Fear of Losing Power
1 Kings 12:25–33
Once Jeroboam becomes king of the northern tribes, fear creeps in.
He thinks:
“If these people go up to Jerusalem to worship… their heart will return to Rehoboam.” (12:27)
He is afraid of losing influence.
So he devises a plan.
He sets up golden calves in Bethel and Dan and says:
“Behold your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.”
The echo of Exodus 32 is unmistakable.
Jeroboam knew God.He had God’s promise.But fear of losing control outweighed trust in God’s word.
Notice something critical:
He did not reject worship.He restructured it.
He created:
Alternative locations
Alternative priests
Alternative festivals
Alternative symbols
It looked religious.It felt practical.It was politically brilliant.
But it was rebellion.
✦ Jeroboam’s sin was not atheism. It was convenience.
He chose security over submission.
The Prophet and the Warning — 1 Kings 13
God does not stay silent.
He sends a prophet to denounce Jeroboam’s altar.
The prophet obeys God at first—but then listens to a lying “prophet” and disobeys the Lord’s direct command.
He is judged immediately.
Why include this strange chapter?
Because it reinforces the theme:
God’s word is not flexible.
Not for kings.Not for prophets.Not for anyone.
Jeroboam witnessed judgment firsthand.
He saw God’s power.He experienced God’s warning.
And still—
“After this thing Jeroboam did not turn from his evil way.” (13:33)
Warning without repentance hardens the heart.
Jeroboam’s Judgment — 1 Kings 14:1–19
Jeroboam’s son becomes sick.
He sends his wife in disguise to the prophet Ahijah.
But you cannot disguise yourself from God.
Ahijah pronounces judgment:
Jeroboam’s house will be cut off.
His dynasty will not last.
Disaster will come.
Why?
“You have done evil above all who were before you… and have cast Me behind your back.” (14:9)
That phrase is devastating.
Jeroboam did not merely ignore God.He put Him behind him.
He ruled.He planned.He worshiped politically.He governed strategically.
But God was behind him—not before him.
Fear led to compromise.Compromise led to idolatry.Idolatry led to judgment.
Jeroboam’s Evil Legacy — A Sin That Outlived Him
The most chilling part of Jeroboam’s story is this:
He dies.
But his sin doesn’t.
Over and over again in 1 Kings we read:
“He walked in the way of Jeroboam…”(1 Kings 15:34; 16:8–14; 16:15–22; 16:23–28)
King after king repeats the pattern.
Jeroboam didn’t just sin personally.He institutionalized sin.
He created a system of worship that shaped generations.
And eventually, that idolatry leads to Israel’s exile.
Jeroboam’s name becomes shorthand for rebellion.
That is legacy.
Not the one he wanted.But the one he built.
What Jeroboam Teaches Us
Jeroboam’s story warns us about five dangers:
Calling does not guarantee faithfulness.
God may choose you.You must still obey Him.
Fear is often the root of compromise.
Jeroboam feared losing control.Faith trusts God with outcomes.
Religious appearance can hide rebellion.
You can look spiritual and still be idolatrous.
Ignored warnings lead to hardened hearts.
Repeated grace does not eliminate consequences.
Sin shapes generations.
Your private compromise can become public legacy.
The Greater King
Jeroboam feared losing a throne.
Jesus surrendered one.
Jeroboam built calves to secure power.
Jesus carried a cross to secure redemption.
Jeroboam altered worship for convenience.
Jesus purified worship through sacrifice.
Where Jeroboam grasped, Christ obeyed.Where Jeroboam feared, Christ trusted.Where Jeroboam caused Israel to sin,Christ saves sinners.
Conclusion: What Will Your Legacy Be?
Jeroboam began with promise.He ended with warning.
He was offered a sure house.He chose a false altar.
The question for us is not:
“Do we have influence?”
The question is:
“Will we trust God enough to obey Him when fear whispers otherwise?”
Because compromise rarely begins with rebellion.It begins with anxiety.
And anxiety, if not surrendered, becomes idolatry.

The Weekly Show - Episode 86: Study Eight: Loving Your Enemies

Join Tim and John as they study how to love your enemies.
Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-beginning and https://uppbeat.io/t/pecan-pie/halloween-time
Transition Song: https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/
Introduction
Jesus has been steadily raising the standard for what true righteousness looks like. He has taught us:
how to control anger,
how to guard purity,
how to speak truthfully,
and how to respond wisely instead of seeking revenge.
Now Jesus brings us to one of the most stunning, most challenging teachings in the entire Sermon on the Mount:
loving your enemies.
This command is so countercultural that it turns the world’s values upside down—and shows exactly what makes followers of Jesus different.
The World Says:
“Love people who love you.” “Be kind to people who are kind to you.” “Help your friends, ignore your enemies.” “Treat people the way they treat you.”
But Jesus calls His disciples to something far greater, far deeper, and far more beautiful.
Jesus Says:
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” — Matthew 5:44
This teaching doesn’t come from human strength or human wisdom. It comes from the heart of God Himself. Jesus wants His followers to love the way He loves:
generously
sacrificially
unconditionally
consistently
even when the other person doesn’t deserve it
Why? Because this is the kind of love that changes the world.
A New Kind of Righteousness
Jesus isn’t asking His disciples to be “nice people.” He is calling them to be children of their Father in heaven— people whose love reflects God’s love.
God loves the unlovely. God forgives the guilty. God shows kindness to the undeserving. God sent His Son to save sinners—not friends.
When we love our enemies, we display God’s character more clearly than almost any other act.
A Test of the Heart
Loving enemies is not easy. That’s why it reveals the true condition of our hearts.
Anyone can love:
friends
family
people who treat them well
But only someone transformed by Jesus can love:
people who hurt them
people who insult them
people who oppose them
people who don’t return the love
This kind of love cannot be faked—it must come from the Holy Spirit working in us.
A Light That Shines Brightest
Enemy-love is one of the clearest signs of the kingdom of God. It’s what makes Christians stand out. It’s what shows the world that Jesus is real. It’s what pushes back the darkness.
In Study Eight, you will learn what Jesus means by loving your enemies, why He commands it, and how the Holy Spirit helps us live out this radical, life-changing, world-changing kind of love.
Jesus is leading us deeper into the heart of God— and the heart of God loves even its enemies.
1. The Old Way of Love (Love Your Neighbor, Hate Your Enemy)
Jesus begins this section by quoting what people had heard all their lives:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’” — Matthew 5:43
The first part—“Love your neighbor”—is in the Bible. God taught His people from the very beginning to love those around them with kindness, fairness, and compassion.
But the second part—“hate your enemy”—is not in Scripture. It was a twisted, human-made addition.
Hating Enemies Comes Naturally
Human nature doesn’t drift toward love. It drifts toward hatred, revenge, and cruelty.
When someone hurts us, the natural response is to hurt them back.
When someone excludes us, the instinct is to exclude them.
When someone insults us, we want to insult them in return.
People of every age struggle with hatred— but kids and teens are especially known for how cruel they can be to each other:
name-calling
gossip
mocking
ignoring
shaming
excluding
celebrating when someone they dislike gets hurt
It’s heartbreaking, but it’s true: “Hate your enemy” is the default setting of a sinful heart.
Jesus Doesn’t Pretend We Don’t Have Enemies
Jesus never says:
“You don’t have enemies.”
“Everyone will like you.”
“No one will ever hurt you.”
He knows the real world. He knows your life. He knows what people are capable of.
But instead of telling you to pretend, Jesus tells you how to respond.
Ask for God’s Grace to Love
Loving enemies is not natural. It is not easy. It is not automatic.
That’s why Jesus calls us to something supernatural: Ask God for the grace to love the person you would normally hate.
You cannot do this on your own. You need God’s help. And He promises to give it.
What Does That Love Look Like? Three Commands
Jesus shows us three practical ways to love our enemies— three things you can do, even when your feelings don’t match.
1. Bless
Speak kindly to them. Speak kindly about them. Refuse to use your words as weapons.
2. Do Good
Find ways to show kindness in action— even small things that reflect God’s heart.
hold a door
offer help
refuse gossip
show respect
choose kindness even when it feels undeserved
3. Pray
This is the deepest form of enemy-love.
Pray for:
their heart
their life
their relationship with God
their healing
God’s blessing on them
Praying for someone softens your heart and invites God to work in theirs.
The Point
The “old way of love” is predictable: love those who love you, hate those who hate you.
Jesus calls His followers to something better— a new way of love that reflects the heart of God.
2. God Loves All His Creation (He Sends Rain on the Just and the Unjust)
After telling His followers to love their enemies, Jesus gives a powerful reason why:
“…so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. For He makes His sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.” — Matthew 5:45
In other words, Jesus says:
“Love your enemies because that’s exactly how your Father loves.”
God Shows Kindness to Everyone
Every person on earth—good or bad, kind or cruel, loving or hateful— lives every day under the generous gifts of God.
The sun rises on people who love God and on people who ignore Him.
Rain waters the fields of the righteous and the fields of the wicked.
Food grows for the grateful and for the ungrateful.
Air, beauty, and life are given to everyone whether they honor God or reject Him.
God doesn’t wait for people to behave before He blesses them. He gives grace freely.
God’s Love Isn’t Based on People’s Performance
People usually love others because they deserve it. God loves because it is His nature to love.
He blesses:
the kind and the unkind
the thankful and the thankless
the fair and the unfair
the humble and the proud
the friendly and the hostile
God’s love is not earned. It’s given.
And Jesus is saying:
“If you are God’s child, your love should look like your Father’s.”
This Is What Makes Christians Different
Jesus says it plainly:
“If you love only those who love you, what reward do you have?” — Matthew 5:46
Anyone can love people who are nice to them. There’s nothing special about that.
But loving people who:
hurt you
insult you
treat you unfairly
make fun of you
ignore you
oppose you
—that’s different. That’s supernatural. That’s kingdom love.
God’s Love Is the Model for Our Love
God doesn’t treat people the way they treat Him. He treats them with mercy, patience, and kindness.
And He calls His children to do the same.
When you show kindness to someone who doesn’t deserve it, your life starts to look a little like God’s.
When you pray for someone who mistreats you, your heart begins to reflect the heart of your Father.
When you forgive someone who hurt you, you shine with the grace He has shown you.
A Simple Truth
God loves all His creation.
If we belong to Him, our love should look like His— wide, patient, undeserved, and willing to bless the very people who don’t bless us back.
That kind of love isn’t weak. It’s powerful. It’s world-changing. It’s evidence that God is alive in your heart.
3. Loving Those Who Don’t Love You (What Makes You Different?)
Jesus now presses His point even deeper by asking a simple but challenging question:
“If you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?” — Matthew 5:46
In other words:
“If you only love people who love you back, how are you any different from the world?”
Anyone Can Love Their Friends
Loving people who treat you well is easy. Everyone does that:
friends love friends
families love their own
teammates get along with teammates
groups care for people in their group
Even people who don’t follow Jesus show kindness to those who are kind to them.
There’s nothing special about returning love for love. It comes naturally.
Jesus Calls Us to Love Beyond Our Circle
Followers of Jesus are supposed to stand out— not because we are louder or more talented, but because we love differently.
Jesus asks:
Do you love people who annoy you?
Do you love people who hurt your feelings?
Do you love people who make fun of you?
Do you love people who disagree with you?
Do you love people who don’t treat you the way you treat them?
This is where real Christian love shines.
The Test of Christlike Love
Jesus says that loving those who already love you does not prove anything. But loving those who don’t love you shows:
a changed heart
a transformed mind
the power of the Holy Spirit
the character of God growing in your life
Anyone can return kindness. Only a disciple can initiate kindness.
Anyone can treat a friend with respect. Only a disciple can treat an enemy with grace.
Anyone can respond with anger. Only a disciple can respond with prayer.
Loving Enemies Shows You Belong to Jesus
The world expects you to fight back. Jesus calls you to forgive.
The world expects you to gossip in return. Jesus calls you to bless.
The world expects you to ignore the people who ignore you. Jesus calls you to pray for them.
When you love people who don’t love you, you show:
you are God’s child
you trust God to handle justice
you are living for heaven, not this world
you want others to see Jesus in you
There’s nothing ordinary about that kind of love. It’s supernatural, surprising, and unmistakably Christlike.
4. Be Perfect? (What Jesus Really Meant)
Jesus ends this powerful teaching with one of the most famous—and most misunderstood—statements in the entire Sermon on the Mount:
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” — Matthew 5:48
At first glance, that sounds impossible. And if Jesus meant “never make a mistake,” it would be impossible.
But that’s not what He means.
“Perfect” Means Whole, Complete, and Mature
The word Jesus uses for “perfect” means:
complete
mature
whole-hearted
growing toward God’s character
It describes someone whose love is not divided or shallow, but genuine, consistent, and full.
Jesus is saying:
“Love others with the same kind of complete, whole-hearted love that God shows.”
Not half-hearted, not selective, not only when it’s comfortable, but real and full—like the Father’s love.
Loving Enemies Is a Mark of Spiritual Maturity
Anyone can:
love their friends,
be kind to nice people,
show grace to those who show grace back.
But loving enemies? Blessing those who hurt you? Praying for those who wrong you?
That takes spiritual maturity.
When you love like that, you are becoming more like Jesus.
God’s Love Is the Standard
God loves:
faithfully
constantly
generously
without favoritism
without bitterness
even when humans rebel against Him
His love is complete. Whole. Perfect.
And Jesus invites His followers to imitate their Father—to grow into that kind of love more and more.
It’s About Direction, Not Perfection
Jesus is not demanding flawlessness. He is calling His disciples to pursue whole-hearted love:
not fake
not divided
not shallow
not limited
The goal is to let God’s love fill your heart so completely that it overflows into how you treat everyone— friends and enemies alike.
Growing in Love Takes Time
Just like a plant grows from a seed into a full tree, Christian love grows over time.
As the Holy Spirit works in you:
your heart softens
your reactions change
your patience deepens
your compassion widens
your desire for revenge fades
your resemblance to Jesus becomes clearer
Jesus ends with a high calling— but He also gives the power to live it out.
The Point
“Be perfect” doesn’t mean “never mess up.” It means:
“Be whole-hearted in your love. Let God shape your heart until it looks like His.”
That is the kind of love the world desperately needs.
Conclusion to Study Eight
In this study, Jesus took us to the highest and hardest commands in the Sermon on the Mount—commands that reveal just how different His kingdom truly is. Loving enemies and praying for those who mistreat us isn’t natural. It isn’t easy. And it certainly isn’t something we can do on our own strength.
But it is the kind of love that reflects the heart of our Father.
We learned that the world’s old pattern— love your friends, hate your enemies— comes naturally to fallen people. But Jesus calls His followers to a new and better pattern.
Bless those who hurt you.
Do good to those who wrong you.
Pray for those who oppose you.
This is not pretend love. It’s not “be nice on the outside but hate on the inside.” It is real, heart-level, God-shaped love that only the Holy Spirit can produce.
We saw that God Himself is the model. He sends sunshine and rain to everyone— the just and the unjust— because His love is generous and His mercy is wide.
When we love those who don’t love us, when we forgive those who fail us, when we respond to hatred with grace, we look like our Father. We show that we belong to Him.
Jesus ended this section with a call to be “perfect”— not flawless, but whole-hearted. He wants our love to be genuine, complete, and growing— a love that mirrors the heart of God.
This kind of love is powerful. It softens enemies. It surprises the world. It transforms families. It heals wounds. It strengthens churches. It shines with the light of Jesus.
And the good news is this: Jesus never commands us to do something without giving us the power to obey. Through His Spirit, He teaches us to love beyond what we thought possible.
As we move into the next study, Jesus will continue to show us what real, heart-level righteousness looks like—this time focusing on giving, prayer, and living for God’s approval instead of people’s applause.
The journey continues. And with each step, Jesus forms us more and more into people who love like He loves.

Devotion: Serving the Lord with Gladness

Sermon Date: 02/22/2026
Bible Verses:
Psalm 100
Speaker: Rev. Timothy "Tim" Shapley
Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new
Psalm 100
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!Serve the Lord with gladness!Come into His presence with singing!”
Today we gather to celebrate something beautiful.
Not just years.Not just talent.Not just ministry.
We celebrate faithfulness.
Psalm 100 is not a complicated psalm.It is simple, joyful, and direct.
Make a joyful noise.Serve the Lord with gladness.Come before Him with singing.
And when we think about Silvia’s life of service, it feels like we are watching this psalm lived out in real time.
“Serve the Lord with Gladness”
Silvia did not serve reluctantly.
She sang.She played.She showed up.She gave herself to the work of the Church.
And Psalm 100 reminds us that true service is not about applause. It is about gladness.
Not perfection.Not platform.Not spotlight.
Gladness.
Over the years, through singing, through playing the piano, through denominational service, through Women’s Missions—she has not just filled roles. She has filled rooms with worship.
Service in the Kingdom is not about how loud you are.It is about how faithful you are.
And faithfulness over decades speaks louder than a thousand notes.
“Come into His Presence with Singing”
There is something powerful about music in the Church.
Music teaches.Music comforts.Music unites.Music carries theology into the heart.
Psalm 100 reminds us that singing is not decoration—it is devotion.
Every time Silvia played.Every time she sang.Every time she led others into worship—
She was helping the Church step into the presence of God.
Not drawing attention to herself.But pointing upward.
And that is sacred work.
Some preach with words.Some teach with lessons.Some serve behind the scenes.
But those who sing and play in the house of God are doing something eternal:They are helping hearts open.
“Know that the Lord, He is God”
The psalm continues:
“Know that the Lord, He is God!It is He who made us, and we are His.”
Years of service in a denomination and in Women’s Missions are not small things.
They represent:
Loyalty
Commitment
Submission
Belief
Silvia’s life says something steady:The Lord is God—and He is worth serving.
Not just in moments.Not just in seasons.But across decades.
That kind of consistency is rare.
And Scripture tells us why it matters:
“For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever,and His faithfulness to all generations.” (Psalm 100:5)
God’s faithfulness stretches across generations—and He uses faithful servants to bridge them.
Through music.Through leadership.Through quiet obedience.
The Beauty of Long Obedience
We often celebrate big moments.
But heaven celebrates endurance.
A lifetime of worship.A lifetime of showing up.A lifetime of serving.
Not because it was easy.Not because it was glamorous.But because it honored the Lord.
Psalm 100 ends with gratitude.
“Enter His gates with thanksgiving…”
And today, we enter with thanksgiving for a life poured out in service.
Silvia’s legacy is not just notes played or songs sung.It is seeds planted.Hearts encouraged.Women strengthened.A denomination blessed.
And most importantly—A Savior honored.
Closing Reflection
Psalm 100 reminds us:The joy is not in the noise.The joy is in the Lord.
And when someone serves with gladness for years, it tells us something powerful:
God’s grace sustains what love begins.
So today we say thank you.But more than that—we say praise be to God.
Because every gift,every song,every act of service—
Was ultimately for Him.
And one day, the One she sang about,played for,served faithfully—
Will say the words that matter most:
“Well done.”
 

The Weekly Show - Episode 85: Study Seven: Keeping Your Word (Oaths)

Join Tim and John as they study keeping your word.
Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-beginning and https://uppbeat.io/t/pecan-pie/halloween-time
Transition Song: https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/
Introduction
Up to this point in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus has been showing His followers that true righteousness is not just about avoiding bad actions—it’s about having a changed heart. A person can look good on the outside while still being dishonest, bitter, or vengeful on the inside. Jesus wants His disciples to live differently.
Now Jesus turns to two areas that touch daily life in very practical ways:
Telling the truth
Responding to unfair treatment
These issues happen everywhere— in families, friendships, schools, workplaces, and churches. What Jesus teaches here affects how we speak, how we react, and how we treat people when situations aren’t fair.
In this section, Jesus explains that His followers must be known as people whose words can be trusted and whose responses show wisdom, not revenge.
When we speak, people should be able to believe us without us stamping on extra promises.
When we are hurt or wronged, we should not strike back out of anger, but respond with the patience and grace of Christ.
Jesus is forming a people who are:
dependable
truthful
gentle
wise
slow to get even
quick to forgive
This is the kind of righteousness that shines in a dark world— a righteousness that comes from the inside out.
In Study Seven, we will learn how to apply Jesus’ teaching about oaths, honesty, and the temptation to “get even,” and how to live as people who reflect God’s truth and mercy in everything we say and do.
1. If You Say So
Jesus begins this section by addressing how His followers speak—specifically, how they handle promises, commitments, and the truth. In His day, people often tried to make their statements sound more convincing by adding an oath.
An oath was a way of making a promise sound more official or believable. People would swear by things they considered sacred or powerful, such as:
God
heaven
the earth
the temple
or even their own heads
Why did they do this?
Because their regular words didn’t mean much. People had learned not to trust each other’s everyday promises. So to make their statements sound stronger, they added something “holy” or impressive to back it up.
Jesus steps into this confusion and teaches something radically simple:
“Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ be ‘No.’” — Matthew 5:37
In other words:
God’s people should be so truthful that they don’t need to “prove” anything with extra promises.
A simple yes should mean yes. A simple no should mean no. No fancy oaths. No dramatic promises. No “I swear to God!” No “I promise, I promise!”
Just honest words backed by honest character.
Christian Character Makes Christian Words Trustworthy
Jesus expects His followers to be known for:
honesty
integrity
reliability
truthfulness
consistency
People shouldn’t have to guess whether we’re telling the truth. Christians shouldn’t have different levels of honesty depending on who’s listening. We shouldn’t need to swear oaths to convince anyone.
Our regular, everyday speech should be trustworthy because we are trustworthy.
A disciple’s word should be as dependable as a signed contract— not because we talk fancy, but because we live in a way that honors God with every word we speak.
2. An Eye for an Eye
After teaching about honesty and integrity, Jesus turns to another everyday issue: how to respond when someone wrongs you.
Many people in Jesus’ day used the phrase:
“An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.”
They quoted it as if the Bible encouraged personal revenge. But that was never what God intended.
What “An Eye for an Eye” Really Meant
The original command, found in the Old Testament, was meant for Jewish courtrooms, not personal arguments. It was a legal guideline to protect people from unfair punishment.
It meant:
the punishment should match the crime
the penalty should never go beyond what was done
justice should be controlled, not emotional
In other words:
It was a limit, not a license.
It stopped angry people from going too far.
People Misused This Principle
Over time, people twisted the phrase into a justification for payback:
“You hit me, so I’ll hit you.”
“You insulted me, so I’ll insult you.”
“You hurt me, so I’ll hurt you back.”
This is not what God intended. And it is not how Jesus wants His followers to act.
Jesus Calls Us to Wisdom, Not Revenge
Instead of encouraging retaliation, Jesus teaches His disciples to respond with wisdom, patience, and mercy.
He is not saying Christians must let people abuse them. He is not saying we can’t defend ourselves in dangerous situations.
He is saying:
Don’t let anger control your reaction.
Don’t repay evil with evil.
Don’t seek personal revenge.
Don’t treat people the way they treated you.
Don’t let bitterness become your guide.
Jesus wants His people to respond with the kind of love that surprises the world.
Responding Wisely Honors God
Jesus is training His followers to be different:
Instead of escalating conflict, we calm it.
Instead of striking back, we think first.
Instead of demanding payback, we choose patience.
Instead of revenge, we seek peace.
It takes wisdom, not weakness, to respond this way. Anyone can lash out. Only someone with a transformed heart can respond like Jesus.
The Point
Jesus teaches that:
Honesty matters (your “yes” and “no”).
Anger matters (don’t repay evil for evil).
The heart matters most of all.
His disciples shine brightest when they respond to unfairness with grace— when they choose the wisdom of God over the instinct of revenge.
Conclusion to Study Seven
In this study, Jesus showed us two important ways His followers should stand out in everyday life: by being truthful and by responding to others with wisdom instead of revenge.
First, Jesus taught that His people should speak with such honesty and integrity that their words never need extra proof. A simple “yes” or “no” should carry the full weight of truth. Our character should make us trustworthy, because our lives reflect the God who never lies.
Then Jesus addressed the natural human desire to get even when someone hurts us. The principle “an eye for an eye” was never meant to justify payback—it was meant to limit punishment in courts. Jesus calls His followers to go further: to reject revenge, to respond with patience, and to show the kind of grace that comes from a changed heart.
Together, these teachings show that disciples of Jesus are not shaped by deception or retaliation, but by truthfulness and gentleness. Our words should build trust, and our reactions should bring peace.
Jesus continues to raise the standard—not to burden us, but to free us. He wants to form people who display God’s character in their daily lives: people who keep their word and respond wisely even when life isn’t fair.
As we move to the next study, Jesus will take us even deeper into what real, heart-level righteousness looks like—this time showing us how to love not just our neighbors, but even our enemies.