Matthew 6:1-16

"Dear Disciple, I have a question: Why are you doing spiritual things? Are you trying to impress someone and prove you are religious? Are you trying....."

"[Jesus continued:] "Pray like this: "Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on..."

For many, the added ending is not a good thing, and it is certainly NOT a 'Jesus thing'! Phil Ware with Doug Peters help us finish our study of The Lord's Prayer and focus on how it points us to the 'coolest" Father of all.

How can we tune our hearts to the vibe of heaven? Phil Ware continues his series of thoughts on The Jesus Vibe and this time he shares how the Lord's Prayer tunes our hearts to living the life of the Jesus Vibe.

While we see glimpses of our universe's awe-inspiring beauty, variety, and magnificence, we also are witnesses of its brokenness. Phil Ware with Chad Higgins help us understand and commit to praying for God's Kingdom to come.

"[Jesus warned his disciples,] "Watch out! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in..."

Are humans that predictable? Are people really so selfish? Do we nearly always pursue some payoff or reward in every situation? Phil Ware writes out of a quiet time study of Matthew 6 and the memory of the crass motivation often behind our behaviors, even our most religious behaviors.

"When you pray, go to your room and close the door. Pray privately to your Father who is with you. Your Father sees what you do in private. He will..."

"[Jesus continued:] "When you give to someone in need, don't do as the hypocrites do — blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention..."

God is faithful to us through all the seasons of our lives. He isn't a fair-weather God. Phil Ware invites us to share in prayer in all the seasons of life and especially know we have an all-season God who longs to hear our prayers, especially prayers for a change in our world's messes.

Prayer becomes a tuning fork that helps us sing the song of God's magnificence with both holy praise as well as genuine concern for the people in our world. Phil Ware continues his series of thoughts on living as a disciple that is JesuShaped and focuses on how the Lord's Prayer tunes our hearts to living the JesuShaped life.

What are you willing to do that only God knows? The greatest is often not the one we think is most important, but the one who serves with the most selfless heart.

He's already preparing a place for you, so why not accept his invitation? Max Lucado invites us to look at the beautiful Lord's Prayer and see it as the blueprint to the Great House of God prepared for us -- not just later, but now -- as his children.

How can we do this? How can we not? Phil Ware gives his applications on the seven sayings of Jesus from the cross for today's world and Jesus' followers.

How could He Jesus so much more in his disciples than they had ever demonstrated? Phil Ware shares insight on how the resurrected Jesus forgave and empowered his his 11 disciples through his radical forgiveness.

Why is it so hard to do things quietly and without drawing attention to ourselves Tom Norvell reminds us that true piety is about quiet, anonymous, kind acts of service and generosity for others done to honor God and not ourselves.

"[As Jesus taught his disciples to pray, he emphasized this crucial truth:] "If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will..."

"[Jesus continued:] "When you pray, don't babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words..."

"[Jesus continued:] "If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father...."

"[Jesus continued:] "When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can....."

We cry out together, as Jesus' followers and family, for God's holiness to make itself known in undeniable ways in our fallen world. Phil Ware and Andy Johnson remind us how important reverencing God is when we pray.

Living My Mission Under Social Distancing Phil Ware opens the New Testament and reminds of a great way to live out our mission while under social distancing, prayer because prayer has always been a virtual way of blessing others.

I feel like I am launching my prayers upward, as if I was shooting bbs toward heaven, only to have them hit a metal ceiling and fall at my feet, mocking me with their ineffectiveness! Phil Ware provides a host of resources on prayer and how to grow our prayer lives.

How could He see so much more in them than they had ever demonstrated? Phil Ware shares insight in his LifeWORDS series on the resurrection sayings of Jesus and how Jesus forgave and empowered his failures, his disciples, by this forgiveness.

Growing in prayer, feeling a connection with the Father, and being formed to be a useful vessel for Jesus to use to bless others is a journey. Phil Ware, with the help of Chad Higgins, continues his series on Lord Teach Us to Pray focusing on learning from Jesus.

Does prayer feel like sand getting kicked in your face? Rick Brown reminds us that prayer begins simply, and in the process fo growing we all end up developing and growing in our prayer life.

"Dear Disciple, Very few people have direct access to the leader of their nation. If you urgently needed to get your leader's attention, you would be...."

What do you really know about prayer? Rubel Shelly helps us think about the mystery of prayer.

When Jesus taught on prayer in the Sermon on the Mount, he shifted from individual prayer in private to prayer shared with others Phil Ware, with the help of Grady King, reminds us that prayer is a together experience in much of experience and God calls us to share this experience together, then Grady King gives us some added insight and an exercise to help us through the next week.

What an incredible story of transformation from an atheist to a Christian missionary in primitive Papua, New Guinea, and it is the real James Nored and Phil Ware share in video and words the wonder of Jesus’ birth and how it changed the world with the Sound of Music and tie this to the New Year with New Hope prayer hour.

"Dear Disciple, As I will say in the verses below, what I am talking to you about today is a matter of urgency:I'm not just talking theory. There is....."

"[Jesus continued:] "Watch out! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.""

"Be careful not to do your "acts of righteousness" before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."

"[Jesus continued his Sermon on the Mount,] "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward..."

"If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. "

"[As Jesus taught his disciples to pray, he reminded them:] "But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.""

"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

"[Jesus taught his disciples, "When] you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done...."

"This prayer begins where all true prayer must commence, with the spirit of adoption, "Our Father." There is no acceptable prayer until we can say, "I...."

E-card of Matthew 6:13 - Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Inspirational illustration of Matthew 6:15 -- But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Inspirational illustration of Matthew 6:1 -- Be careful not to do your "acts of righteousness" before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

Inspirational illustration of Matthew 6:6 -- But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Inspirational illustration of Matthew 6:14 -- If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.

Prayer can be an incredible blessing for us as God's children. However, prayer can also feel frustrating and bewildering to many who are trying to follow Jesus. Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to glorify God as we remember that prayer is about relationship and Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit to help us know our hearts are heard.

My own lack of forgiveness toward others can shut off the flow of God's forgiveness to me. Phil Ware with Grady King give us insight on Jesus' example and command to forgive others as we pray for our own forgiveness.

Doesn't my gift count? Cathy Messecar confesses her struggle to make giving something that honors God and not herself and she talks about the Salvation Army Red Kettle Drive.

Our prayers often treat God as if he is the free Amazon delivery service for our every whim and want. Phil Ware with Andy Johnson remind us that our prayer is for the bread we need today, not the extravagance we want for ourselves.

Prayer changes something much more important than our circumstances! Phil Ware continues his series on building a culture of honor focusing this week on prayer, especially prayer as a redemptive tool of offering forgiveness and blessing to those who are our enemies and who mistreat us.

Can anything be this fresh? Forgiveness is forgetting to remember the hurts you forgave and giving others, and yourself a fresh start on life.

What do you do when you have those who offend you When someone has hurt you and you can get even, what are you going to do?

Can you really pray this every single day? Even though it is hard to pray it and truly mean, we must pray, "your will be done on earth as it is in heaven!"

"Dear Beloved, Are you ready? That's a question that could be asked about so many things that are a normal part of life — things like marriage,..."

The earth is sick. Our world is sicker. We are to bridge the gap until Jesus' return! Phil Ware along with Doug Peters help us hear the Lord's Prayer for the kingdom to dawn on earth so that the will of God can be seen on earth as it is in heaven.

How do I know God is really with me on my journey to find a home with him? Phil Ware and James Nored remind us that we can journey with God like Abraham, knowing that he goes with us until he brings us fully home.

What if we really took Jesus' words seriously? Phil Ware continues his series on moving from Church to Kingdom and focuses on obeying the words of Jesus.

Forgiveness is good for you! Forgiveness is good for you. Resentment is harmful. The choice should be easy, yet we often find ourselves keeping a record of the wrongs done against us.

Holding each other and ourselves accountable for our growth toward Jesus it often the forget piece in building a culture of honor. Phil Ware continues his series on building a culture of honor with a focus on accountability -- both holding others accountable and holding ourselves accountable for our growth in the Lord.

Prayer that the Father hears is directed to him in faith with an unselfish attitude, seeking to bless and honor God's will because of our love for the Father. Bill Sherrill reminds us about the importance of prayer and how we should pray to honor God.

God's yearning to bring life runs thematically from the beginning of our Bibles in Genesis, to its conclusion in Revelation. Phil Ware and Grady King bring us teaching and practical prayer strategies on praying for God's will to be done.

"Dear Disciple, Sometimes people romanticize what life was like in the early church. They look past the enormous cultural challenges, relationship..."

Give thanks for this? Phil Ware finishes his November series of giving thanks and focuses on our mission or call from God.

Which smartphone does God require of us? Max Lucado reminds us that we don't have to know how to use a smartphone to talk with the Creator of the universe who also happens to be our ABBA Father.

"[Jesus continued:] "And when you fast, don't make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will..."

When you look in the mirror, what do you see? Phil Ware challenges us to look beyond the cosmetic image we see in the mirror and view ourselves as God does.

Does God really know all about me? Paul Faulkner talks about God knowing all about us and still loving us immensely and how his love is better than the best dad and compensates for the worst dad.

Jesus didn't pray for unity just so Christians could sit in a happy circle, hold hands, and sing Kum Ba Yah around the campfire at church camp. Phil Ware reflects on the words of Jesus, the actions of the apostle Paul, and the example of a couple of men in his life, all focused on the theme of reconciliation.

What can I do that really matters to the Kingdom of God? Phil Ware begins a short series on Untold Stories from the Bible and shares the story of Onesiphorus refreshing Paul while he was in prison.

What happens the other 51 weeks of the year? Phil Ware begins a 4 part November series on giving thanks just in time for the Thanksgiving season.

Jesus provided us the few simple words we need to return us to that place of righteousness in the eyes of our Father: “Forgive us our debts.” Phil Ware, with Chad Higgins, reminds us of the power of the simple words 'Forgive us our debts' and give us a daily practice to emphasize the power of these words.

How do you honor a servant who is not trying to be noticed? Phil Ware talks about a university honoring students for their acts of service and it leads him to wonder how we honor God's servants today.

Our God is the God of surprising opportunities, fresh hope, and new life. Phil Ware reminds us of John Mark's failure when he deserted the mission field and the mission team and describes how God used this mess and the grace, mercy, and love of godly men to bring great good out of potential disaster.

How clean can you get? When we forgive, it cleanses us like a spring rain.

In the Lord, we are called to complement, complete, and bless each other so that each can be what she or he is created by God and re-created in Jesus to become! Phil Ware continues his series on how God values women as seen in Scripture, this is part 2.

Can you really forgive? Forgiving others when they have truly hurt us is the hardest grace of all.

Wouldn't you have been upset? Sarah Stirman writes about a time her husband didn't quite follow through on getting their pre-school kids to Bible class and she gets angry, but the Lord challenges her to forgive!

How can I escape my past? Paul Faulkner reminds us that we need to live for the present to help others and keep our focus on the matters of the Kingdom rather than let our lives get filled with regret for the past.

Why do you do the things you do? People look at the outside; God examines the heart. Rather than trying to impress those around you, put your time and effort into doing the things that God would have you do. Don't do it to try and get something in return; make pleasing God your goal.

Hope beyond our world's brokenness! Phil Ware continues his series on the value of woman in the eyes of God and how we incorporate that value into our belief system, roles, and treatment of women in our church culutures.

before we can be ready to be fully used by the Lord in the work of the kingdom of God, we must have our bat turn moment. Phil Ware and James Nored look at what the ministry of John the Baptizer meant for people in his day and call on us to share in this move toward the kingdom of God today.

Without forgiveness, bitterness is all that’s left! Max Lucado reminds us of the importance of forgiveness or bitterness poisons our hearts and destroys our influence.

How do we combine both reverence and familiarity, respect and intimacy? Phil Ware and Doug Peters remind us what it means to pray to God as our Abba Father and then give us some pratical ways that we can experience God as Abba in our prayer life.

Why would God lead us into temptation? Doesn't God want us victorious over temptation? Phil Ware and Andy Johnson help us look at our prayer for deliverance from temptation and the evil one.

What can make a dying boy say A dying boy reminds us of the things we should celebrate

Saved every way a person can be saved Phil Ware continues his series on Out of the Box and focusing on the big Four primal fears that Jesus helps us address and he reminds us that salvation involves a from, for, and to component and shouldn't be simply elevator theology.

What's a young guy got to do? Rubel Shelly wades into the Tim Tebow issue with some good insight and a reminder to wait and see how this all turns out.

Who are you really living for? We are called to be Christ-centered, not self-centered.

Before we can be useful in living for God, we need to have our U-turn moment! Phil Ware and James Nored look at what the ministry of John the Baptizer meant for people in his day and call on us to share in this move toward the kingdom of God today.

How honest are you? Let's make sure our words are true and fair and honest, completely.

Where can you actually see and taste a little bit of heaven? Phil Ware writes about a group of young men and young women interning in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and the cultural and racial melting pot that is the church.

Why is it all about taste and aroma? Katha Winther talks about all the smells and tastes that are associated with marketing products today and reminds us that life is more than food and clothing.

Why is it so important that God be called Father? Phil Ware continues his series on the Prodigal Son called the Journey Home about the God we all need to be our Father.

How do you honor a servant who is not trying to be noticed but simply trying to do good things for others? Phil Ware talks about a university honoring students for their acts of service and it leads him to wonder how we honor God's servants today.

How do we combine both reverence and familiarity, respect and intimacy? Phil Ware and Doug Peters remind us what it means to pray to God as our Abba Father and then give us some pratical ways that we can experience God as Abba in our prayer life.

Are you really hungry for God? Fasting is a way to draw closer to God.

How can we follow in the same pattern doing the same ol' thing yet it appear on the surface as something very different? Phil Ware continues his series on the prodigal son called the journey home, this message is about how both sons wanted the same thing and both loved the father's stuff more than they loved the father.