Walnut Grove

Sermon: The King Who Rode to Die

Sermon Date: 03/22/2026
Bible Verses:
Luke 19:28-44
Speaker: Rev. Timothy "Tim" Shapley
Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new
Introduction
Palm Sunday is one of the most dramatic moments in the life of Jesus.
It is a day filled with excitement.
Crowds fill the streets.People wave palm branches.Garments are thrown onto the road.Voices shout praises to God.
For a moment it looks like Jesus is finally being recognized as King.
But the celebration hides a tragic truth.
The same city shouting “Blessed is the King!” will soon cry out “Crucify Him!”
The same crowd laying palm branches on the road will soon turn their backs.
Palm Sunday reminds us of something important:
Jesus was praised as King on Sunday but crucified on Friday.
And as Jesus enters Jerusalem, we see four powerful truths about who He is.
The Humble King
Luke 19:35 says:
“They brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it.”
Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey.
At first glance, that may not seem significant.
But kings in the ancient world normally rode war horses when entering cities.
A war horse symbolized power.
Victory.
Military dominance.
But Jesus rides a donkey.
This was not an accident.
This was prophecy being fulfilled.
In Zechariah 9:9, the prophet wrote:
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!Behold, your king is coming to you;righteous and having salvation is he,humble and mounted on a donkey.”
Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, God declared that the Messiah would enter Jerusalem this way.
Not as a conquering warrior.
But as a humble king.
Jesus did not come with an army.
He came with mercy.
He did not come with swords.
He came with salvation.
This King was different.
His kingdom was not built on force.
It was built on love and sacrifice.
The Misunderstood King
As Jesus enters the city, the crowd erupts with praise.
Luke 19:38 says:
“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
They recognize Him as a king.
But they misunderstand what kind of king He is.
The people of Israel were under Roman occupation.
They longed for freedom.
They were hoping for a Messiah who would overthrow Rome.
A political liberator.
A military hero.
Someone who would defeat their enemies and restore their nation.
But Jesus did not come to overthrow Rome.
He came to defeat something far greater.
Sin.
Death.
And the power of evil.
The crowd wanted a king who would change their political situation.
Jesus came to change their spiritual condition.
This is where many people still misunderstand Jesus today.
People often want a Savior who will:
Fix their problemsMake life comfortableBless their plans
But Jesus came for something deeper.
He came to rescue our souls.
The Determined King
What makes Palm Sunday even more powerful is this:
Jesus knew exactly what was coming.
He knew the road ahead.
He knew the betrayal was coming.
He knew the trial was coming.
He knew the cross was coming.
Yet He rides into Jerusalem anyway.
Nothing about this moment is accidental.
Jesus is not a victim of circumstances.
He is a King fulfilling His mission.
Earlier in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus said:
“The Son of Man must suffer many things… and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”
Jesus knew the destination.
Calvary.
The cross was not a surprise.
It was the purpose.
Every step that donkey took toward Jerusalem was a step closer to the cross.
And Jesus rode forward willingly.
Because love was driving Him.
Love for sinners.
Love for the lost.
Love for the world.
This King was not riding toward a throne.
He was riding toward a cross.
The Question of the Crowd
In Matthew’s account of Palm Sunday, the crowd asks an important question.
“Who is this?”
That question still echoes through history.
Who is Jesus?
Is He just a teacher?
A prophet?
A good moral example?
Or is He truly the King?
Because how you answer that question changes everything.
If Jesus is only a teacher, you can admire Him.
If Jesus is only a prophet, you can respect Him.
But if Jesus is King…
then He deserves your life.
Every person must answer this question.
Who is Jesus to you?
Is He your Savior?
Your Lord?
Your King?
Or just someone you appreciate from a distance?
Palm Sunday forces us to confront that question.
Application
There is something sobering about this moment in Scripture.
The crowd praises Jesus.
But many of them misunderstand Him.
Some of them will abandon Him.
Some will even demand His death.
And it raises an important question for us.
Why do we praise Jesus?
Do we praise Him for who He is?
Or do we praise Him for what we hope He will do for us?
Sometimes our praise can be conditional.
We praise God when life goes well.
When prayers are answered.
When blessings come.
But when life becomes difficult…
when the road leads toward the cross…
our praise fades.
True discipleship means following Jesus not only in celebration…
but also in surrender.
Conclusion
Palm Sunday is both a celebration and a warning.
The crowd welcomed Jesus as King.
But they did not understand the kind of King He was.
They wanted a crown.
But Jesus came for a cross.
And that truth still stands today.
Jesus did not come to simply make our lives easier.
He came to save us from sin.
To restore our relationship with God.
To bring us into His kingdom.
And that kingdom was purchased with His blood.
Because the truth of Palm Sunday is this:
The crowd wanted a crown.
Jesus came for a cross.

The Weekly Show - Episode 90: Study Twelve: Trusting Your Heavenly Father

Join Tim and John as they study how to not worry.
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:
Trusting Your Heavenly Father (Matthew 6:25–34)**
Jesus has just finished teaching His disciples about earthly treasure versus heavenly treasure. Now He goes straight to the biggest symptom of misplaced treasure:
Worry.
Because if your heart clings to earthly things, your mind will be filled with earthly fears.
But Jesus wants His people to live with a confident trust in their Father— not crushed by anxiety, not driven by fear, and not controlled by the “what ifs” of life.
In this passage, Jesus gives seven powerful reasons why His followers should not worry about their lives, their food, their bodies, or their clothes.
This isn’t Jesus ignoring real-life problems. It’s Jesus teaching real-life trust.
1. The Stuff of Life
(Matthew 6:25)**
Jesus starts by telling His disciples not to worry about the basics:
food
drink
clothes
daily needs
He reminds us that life is more than stuff.
If you’re like the average person, you worry—probably a lot. But Jesus invites us to step back and see the bigger picture.
You are more than the things you own. Your life is bigger than the things you want. Your worth is not tied to your possessions.
Jesus is saying:
Stop burning mental energy chasing things that can never satisfy you.
2. More Than Many Sparrows
(Matthew 6:26)**
Jesus points to the birds—creatures with no farms, no savings accounts, and no grocery lists.
God feeds them.
Then Jesus makes the comparison crystal clear:
“You are worth more than many birds.”
If God continually provides for tiny creatures, how much more will He provide for His children?
God usually supplies our needs through ordinary means— like giving us strength, opportunity, and ability to work. But the source is always the same:
Your Father feeds you.
3. Trashing Your Time
(Matthew 6:27)**
Worry is not only unnecessary— it is useless.
Jesus asks a simple question:
“Can any of you add a single hour to your life by worrying?”
The answer is obvious: No.
In fact, worrying actually takes hours away from your life. Constant anxiety drains your strength, steals your joy, and harms your health.
Every moment you spend worrying is like tossing a piece of your life into the garbage can.
And besides— nothing you worry about can change what God has already decided.
4. Leaves and Petals vs. Royal Robes
(Matthew 6:28–30)**
Jesus then draws our attention to the lilies.
They don’t work. They don’t sew. They don’t design outfits.
Yet God dresses them with a beauty so stunning that even King Solomon in all his royal splendor never came close.
Creation’s fashion show puts human designers to shame.
So Jesus asks:
“If God clothes the lilies… won’t He clothe you?”
Flowers live one day and die the next— yet God cares for them.
You are far more valuable. You are made in His image. You are His child.
He will not forget to meet your needs.
5. Children of the King
(Matthew 6:31–32)**
Jesus now draws a contrast:
Unbelievers anxiously chase physical needs.
Believers have a Father who owns the universe.
If you belong to God, you are not an orphan fending for yourself. You are a child of the King.
You don’t have to live in panic, wondering whether you will be fed, clothed, or cared for.
Whatever food you receive, whatever clothing you wear— it all ultimately comes from the hand of your Father.
6. Omniscient Father
(Matthew 6:32)**
This reason is short but strong:
God already knows what you need.
You never surprise God. You never catch Him off guard. You never have to convince Him to care for you.
He knows. He sees. He provides.
Worry is often rooted in the fear that we are unseen, forgotten, or overlooked.
Jesus reminds us: Your Father is not like that.
 
7. One Day at a Time
(Matthew 6:34)**
Jesus ends with incredibly practical wisdom:
Don’t get crushed by tomorrow’s problems.
Don’t borrow trouble from the future.
Don’t stack today’s stress on top of tomorrow’s fears.
God promises strength for today— not for every possible scenario in your imagination.
Tomorrow will come with its own challenges, but it will also come with new grace.
Worry doesn’t just waste your time. Worry is disobedience. Worry is forgetting who your Father is.
Conclusion to Study Twelve
Jesus does not dismiss our needs. He does not make fun of our fears. He does not shame us for worrying.
Instead, He gives us seven loving reminders of why we can trust our Father completely.
He feeds the birds. He clothes the lilies. He gives life. He sustains life. He knows our needs. He cares for His children. He gives fresh strength each day.
Worry shrinks your world. God’s care expands it.
Trust your Father. He has never failed His children— and He won’t start with you.

Devotion: Faithful Servants

Sermon Date: 03/22/2026
Bible Verses:
Luke 17:1-10
Speaker: Rev. Timothy "Tim" Shapley
Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new
The disciples ask Jesus for something many of us have asked for:
“Increase our faith.”
They likely imagined faith like a muscle—something that could be bulked up with a divine spiritual protein shake. More faith, more miracles, more power.
But Jesus gives an unexpected answer.
He tells them they don’t necessarily need more faith.
They need faith that is genuine, even if it is very small.
Jesus says faith as small as a mustard seed can move a tree.
The point is not the size of faith.
The point is the object of faith.
A tiny faith placed in a powerful God can accomplish more than a massive confidence placed in ourselves.
Sometimes we think we need giant faith before we obey God.
But Jesus flips that idea.
Often obedience comes first, and faith grows as we walk with Him.
The Lesson of the Servant
Then Jesus tells a short parable.
A servant works all day in the field.
When he comes inside, the master doesn’t say, “Sit down and relax.”
Instead the servant continues serving.
At first, the story may sound harsh.
But Jesus is teaching something deeper.
Discipleship is not about seeking applause.
It is about faithful obedience.
When we serve God, we are not doing Him a favor.
We are simply living out what we were created to do.
Our culture often celebrates recognition.
But Jesus points us toward humility.
A faithful servant does not need constant praise.
A faithful servant simply says:
"I have only done what my Lord asked me to do."
Application
This passage challenges two common misunderstandings.
First, we think we need huge faith before we can obey.
Jesus says even small faith is enough when it trusts in a great God.
Second, we sometimes expect recognition for serving God.
Jesus reminds us that the greatest posture of discipleship is humble obedience.
Faith grows when we trust God in small steps.
And a servant’s heart grows when we remember who we are serving.
Closing Thought
God is not looking for perfect people.
He is looking for faithful servants.
People who trust Him with small faith.
People who obey even when no one applauds.
People who quietly live their lives for His glory.
And when we do, we can say with humility and gratitude:
“We are servants of the Lord. We have only done our duty.”

The Weekly Show - Episode 89: Study Eleven: Earthly or Heavenly Treasure

Join Tim and John as they study how to and fast and desire heavenly treasures.
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 Matthew 6:16–24
In Matthew 6, Jesus continues to peel back the layers of what true righteousness looks like. He has already shown us that following Him is not just about what we do—it’s about why we do it.
First, He warned His disciples not to practice righteousness “to be seen by others.” You can give generously, pray beautifully, or serve faithfully… and still be seeking the applause of people instead of the approval of God.
Jesus applied this warning to:
giving
praying
and now fasting
Three good and godly practices— but all easily corrupted by wrong motives.
Jesus is not simply correcting behavior. He is addressing the heart behind the behavior.
From Motivation to Treasure
After teaching about the danger of spiritual showmanship, Jesus shifts His focus from motives to treasure. Because ultimately, our motives reveal what we treasure.
Why do we want attention?
Why do we crave approval?
Why do we cling to things that don’t last?
Why do we get distracted from the things of God?
It all comes down to what our hearts value most.
So Jesus confronts us with a simple but life-defining question:
What do you love more—earthly treasure or heavenly treasure?
This is not a small question. It cuts to the root of every choice we make:
how we spend our time
how we use our money
how we chase success
how we see people
how we handle possessions
how we prioritize our lives
If the heart is the steering wheel of the Christian life, treasure is the hand gripping that wheel.
Why This Matters
Jesus knows that our hearts are easily pulled toward things that fade:
money
possessions
popularity
status
comfort
attention
None of these last. None of these satisfy.
So He calls His followers to something higher, richer, and eternal— to invest their lives not in what fades, but in what lasts forever.
This section of the Sermon on the Mount will challenge us to examine where our treasure truly lies… and whether we are serving earthly masters or our heavenly Father.
1. Fasting and Faking (Matthew 6:16–18)
Jesus now turns to the third spiritual practice that people often misuse—fasting.
Fasting means giving up food for a period of time in order to focus on God, pray more intentionally, and humble your heart. Done rightly, it is an act of worship and devotion.
But in Jesus’ day, something had gone terribly wrong.
Fasting Had Become a Performance
The Pharisees fasted two days every week (Luke 18:12). That might sound incredibly spiritual… but Jesus exposes their real motive:
They weren’t hungry for God. They were hungry for attention.
So they made sure everyone noticed their “sacrifice”:
They wore gloomy expressions.
They let their hair get messy.
They looked weak and dramatic.
They made their fasting public on purpose.
Their goal wasn’t to get close to God— their goal was to get praise from people.
Why Are We Tempted to Do the Same?
Jesus understands the struggle behind this. He knows why we want attention so badly:
People feel real.
God feels invisible.
We crave affirmation we can see and hear.
This is why spiritual hypocrisy is so easy: people’s applause feels immediate, while God’s approval feels distant.
But Jesus warns that if your goal is human praise, then human praise is the only reward you will ever receive.
Real Holiness Shines Without a Spotlight
Jesus’ solution? Stop performing. Start being genuine.
He tells His followers:
wash your face
look normal
don’t draw attention to yourself
let your fasting be between you and God
In other words:
If your fasting is real, you won’t need to advertise it.
God sees what others can’t see. He knows the heart behind the practice. He rewards quiet devotion far more than public showmanship.
When Holiness Is Real
When your desire for God is genuine—not a performance—your life shines with a different kind of light. Not a spotlight you shine on yourself, but the light of God shining through you.
Your holiness becomes:
sincere
humble
joyful
invisible to others, but visible to God
And that is the kind of righteousness Jesus delights to reward.
2. Hypocrisy and Honesty
(Matthew 6:16–18)
Jesus continues His teaching by exposing the deeper issue behind spiritual showmanship: the problem of hypocrisy.
“Hypocrisy” means pretending— acting one way on the outside while being something very different on the inside.
The Pharisees had mastered this. They performed righteous deeds publicly, but their hearts were full of pride, selfishness, and self-promotion.
External Behavior Is Not Enough
Jesus never says fasting, praying, or giving are bad. Those practices are good and pleasing to God—when done with the right heart.
The problem is not the action. The problem is the motivation.
You can:
give generously
pray beautifully
fast faithfully
serve constantly
…but if you’re doing it for attention, you’ve already missed the point.
Jesus wants His followers to understand something vital:
External behavior must flow from an internal transformation.
The heart drives the hands. Motives matter more than appearances.
Pretending Gets You Nothing
Paul teaches the same truth:
“If I give all I possess to the poor… but do not have love, I gain nothing.” — 1 Corinthians 13:3
You can do incredibly impressive things—things people will celebrate— and still “gain nothing” from God if your heart is off.
Why?
Because God is not fooled by religious acting.
Pretending is wrong because:
it hides the truth about our hearts
it steals glory that belongs to God
it feeds pride instead of humility
it cares more about people’s opinions than God’s approval
It’s entirely possible to look holy while having a heart that is far from God.
Jesus Offers a Better Way: Transformation
Jesus’ answer to hypocrisy is not:
“Try harder.”
“Look more sincere.”
“Improve your performance.”
His solution is this:
Let God change you from the inside out.
When the heart is transformed:
prayer becomes genuine
giving becomes joyful
fasting becomes humble
worship becomes real
obedience becomes natural
God doesn’t want a performance. He wants authenticity.
He wants righteousness that flows from a heart shaped by His Spirit— not a religious costume worn for an audience.
Honesty Frees You
Honesty before God:
removes the pressure to pretend
frees you from needing approval
strengthens your relationship with God
helps you pursue genuine holiness
teaches you to live for God’s glory, not people’s applause
When your motivation is pure, your actions shine with real spiritual light— a light that honors God, not yourself.
3. Storing Up Treasures
(Matthew 6:19–21)
After warning His followers about doing righteous things to impress others, Jesus shifts to a broader and deeper issue: what we treasure.
Because at the end of the day, the reason we seek people’s approval or cling to possessions or worry about status is tied to one thing:
our hearts treasure the wrong things.
So Jesus says:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” — Matthew 6:19–20
Jesus is not against treasure. He’s against treasuring the wrong things.
Earthly Treasure Is Temporary
Jesus makes this extremely practical. Earthly treasures are vulnerable:
moths eat fabric
rust destroys metal
thieves steal valuables
time wears everything down
death leaves it all behind
Clothes wear out. Money disappears. Toys break. Reputation fades. Possessions get lost or ruined.
Nothing here lasts.
If you build your life on earthly treasure, you build your life on something that can vanish at any moment.
Heavenly Treasure Lasts Forever
Jesus points us toward a better investment:
God’s approval
God’s rewards
God’s presence
changed lives
acts of love
eternal impact
spiritual growth
obedience that pleases God
These are treasures that:
moths can’t touch
rust can’t ruin
thieves can’t steal
time can’t weaken
Heavenly treasure is permanent, secure, and satisfying.
Your Treasure Reveals Your Heart
Jesus ends with a powerful truth:
“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” — Matthew 6:21
This means:
Your heart follows your treasure.
Whatever you value most shapes your desires.
Your priorities expose what you really love.
Your choices reveal what matters most to you.
If you treasure:
money
popularity
status
possessions
comfort
entertainment
…your heart will settle on things that fade.
But if you treasure:
God
His kingdom
His approval
His rewards
His glory
…your heart will grow toward heaven.
You become attached to whatever you treasure. And you love what your heart believes is valuable.
The Point
Jesus calls us to stop investing our lives in things that don’t last and to start storing up treasure that will follow us into eternity.
Earthly treasure fades. Heavenly treasure endures.
And the treasure you choose reveals the direction of your heart.
4. Wages or Bonuses? (Serving Two Masters)
(Matthew 6:22–24)
After teaching about earthly and heavenly treasure, Jesus goes one step deeper. He asks a question that hits the center of our loyalty:
Who is your master?
It’s not just about what you treasure. It’s about who you’re serving while you treasure it.
Because Jesus knows something we often deny:
You can only have one master.
Grace Is Not a Paycheck
Jesus begins this section by clarifying how God rewards His people.
He is not saying:
you earn heaven
you deserve blessings
you can work hard enough to force God’s hand
That’s not how God operates.
A paycheck is something you earn— a reward for your own performance.
Grace is something God gives— not because you performed well, but because He is generous.
Jesus wants us to understand:
God is never unfair.
God never shortchanges His children.
God often gives more than we deserve, not less.
Heavenly reward isn’t a paycheck; it’s the overflow of a Father’s kindness.
You Can’t Have Two Owners
Jesus then uses imagery His audience understood:
“No one can serve two masters.” — Matthew 6:24
In Jesus’ day, “masters” didn’t mean employers. It meant slave owners—absolute authority.
A slave could not divide loyalty. He belonged entirely to one master or the other.
Jesus explains that spiritually, every human being has two possible masters:
God, who gives eternal treasure
Earthly treasure, which fades away
You will cling to one and push the other aside.
There is no neutral ground. No shared ownership. No split allegiance.
The Danger of Earthly Masters
If earthly treasure becomes your master:
it will control your decisions
it will shape your desires
it will occupy your thoughts
it will drain your joy
it will blind you spiritually
it will leave you empty in the end
Jesus describes this using the image of the eye:
a healthy eye = clear focus, generous heart, heavenly priorities
a bad eye = clouded vision, greed, distraction, misplaced priorities
When your eye—the “lamp of the body”—is focused on the wrong thing, your whole life becomes filled with darkness.
When you chase earthly treasure, your heart shrinks and your life dims.
The Beauty of Serving God
But when God is your master:
your heart expands
your priorities align
your vision clears
your desires become eternal
your life fills with spiritual light
your treasure becomes secure
your joy becomes unshakeable
When God is your master, you don’t lose anything important— you gain everything that matters.
Where Your Desire Lives, Your Life Follows
Jesus ends with a sobering truth:
“You cannot serve God and money.”
Not “should not.” Not “it’s difficult.” Cannot.
Why?
Because your heart is only big enough for one ultimate loyalty.
If your desires are full of things that don’t last, there’s no room left for the things that do.
But if your heart treasures God, He satisfies you with rewards nothing on earth can match.
There is no greater reward than God Himself.
“I am your shield; your exceedingly great reward.” — Genesis 15:1
Conclusion to Study Eleven
(Earthly or Heavenly Treasure – Matthew 6:16–24)**
In this section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus has taken us deep into the motives of the heart. He has shown us that true righteousness is not about being impressive—it is about being transformed.
He taught us:
Don’t fast to be noticed.
Don’t give to be admired.
Don’t pray to be praised.
Instead, pursue a quiet, sincere devotion that seeks God’s approval, not man’s.
Then Jesus widened the lens from individual actions to the bigger issue behind them all: treasure.
Everything we do ultimately flows from what we value most.
If our treasure is earthly:
our hearts will chase things that fade
we will live for the approval of people
we will cling to possessions that cannot last
our vision will grow dim and distracted
worldly desires will begin to rule us
But if our treasure is heavenly:
our hearts will grow toward God
our motives will be purified
our vision will be clear and filled with light
our obedience will come from love
our lives will reflect the priorities of eternity
Jesus made it unmistakably clear:
You cannot serve two masters. You will love one and push the other aside.
Earthly treasure demands your loyalty but gives nothing lasting in return. Heavenly treasure requires your heart but fills you with rewards that never fade.
And above all treasures, God Himself offers the greatest reward:
“I am your exceedingly great reward.” — Genesis 15:1
This study calls us to examine our hearts honestly: Are we living for what fades or for what lasts? For the praise of people or the pleasure of God? For earthly wealth or heavenly reward?
The next section of Jesus’ sermon (Matthew 6:25–34) will show us how this treasure issue deeply affects another part of life: worry.
If we learn to trust our heavenly Father— if He becomes our true treasure— we will discover a peace that earthly treasures can never give.

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.