Many of us feel the weight of these teachings.  Loving your enemies? Controlling anger? Being truthful even when it costs you? Forgiving the unforgivable? These are perfect principles—yet impossible to apply perfectly because of our human weakness.  There is nothing wrong with Jesus’ teaching; the struggle comes from our frailty.

How Are You Playing the Game of Life?

You are playing the game whether you realise it or not.

You already have values and rules you live by — consciously or subconsciously.

These shape your desires, choices, priorities, and worldview.

Jesus asked a simple but piercing question: “Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” (Matthew 6:27). Worry cannot change outcomes—like traffic jam: lots of noise, movement, and frustration, but no progress. That is what worry does: it exhausts but achieves nothing.

Paul was speaking to Jews who still clung tightly to the Law even after the death and resurrection of Christ, still waiting for a Messiah who had already come.  Paul had to repeatedly bring this up because they would not let go of Moses’ Law.  This passage lays the foundation for why Jesus replaced Moses’ Law with the Sermon on the Mount — not to abolish truth, but to restore its essence in Himself.

A basic yet profound truth: authority is necessary in every aspect of life.  Thayer defines authority as “the power of rule or government.” Without authority, schools fall apart, workplaces collapse, traffic descends into chaos, business becomes unproductive — and there will be chaos in religion.  

The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) is one of Jesus’ most challenging teachings — counter-intuitive, counter-cultural, and completely opposite to the logic of the world. Society tells us: “Look out for yourself.” Jesus says: “Deny yourself.” The world teaches: “Love those who love you.” Jesus commands: “Love your enemies.” The world says: “Stand your ground.” Jesus says: “Turn the other cheek.” These are not suggestions but the very essence of Christian living — a call to be light in darkness.

The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapters 5 to 7 is one of the greatest teachings ever given by Jesus.  It spans 111 verses, of which 97 verses of Jesus preaching recorded, showing the depth and completeness of His instruction.  While the Gospel of Luke also records a similar teaching — often called the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:27–49) — the emphasis in Matthew is different.  

The story itself is simple and easily understood, yet it carries layers of spiritual depth.

God performs what man cannot do, but He expects man to do what he can.  Jesus raised the girl to life (a miracle beyond human ability), but feeding her was within the parents’ responsibility/ability. This principle runs throughout Scripture.

Jesus, in Matthew chapter 7, calls His followers to make a choice: which gate will you enter, whose voice will you follow, and what foundation will you build upon.  The Sermon on the Mount does not end with admiration or agreement; Jesus demands a response.  There are only two paths — one leading to life, and another ending in destruction.

Many stop at the first phrase, “Judge not, that you be not judged” (vs. 1), concluding that Christians must never judge at all.   But Jesus did not give a full stop there.  The whole passage must be read together. 

The Golden Rule is golden because it reflects the very heart of God.  It is the gold standard of love, compassion, and sacrifice.  It demands more than passive kindness—it compels action, compassion, and sacrifice without limit.

Many know John 3:16 and rejoice that God is love, but a loving Father both cares and corrects.  Joel’s message faces this head-on: the Day of the Lord is a day of judgment as well as salvation. 

The question is personal: What treasures are you holding on to? Earthly treasures glitter for a while, but they always fade. Heavenly treasures may look humble in the eyes of the world, but they shine forever.

Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

There is a change. There should be a change. Transformation means we no longer conform to the ways of the world but adopt a renewed mindset, one shaped by Christ.

Outward “show religion” may earn temporary applause from men but carries no eternal reward. The lesson is simple yet piercing: what matters is not what looks convincing to others, but what is sincere before God.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6).

True prayer is not judged by outward presentation — eloquent words, posture, or length — but by the content of the speech and the heart behind it. God looks deeper, at sincerity, humility, and truth.

Jesus calls us to a kind of love that goes beyond what feels natural. Loving those who love us is easy, but true Christian love shines when we love those who dislike us, oppose us, or even hurt us.

In this message, we look at four areas of Jesus' life that were visible to all: His conduct, His teaching, His miracles, and His cross.