Sunday Morning at Calvary Chapel Faith Fellowship with Pastor Jim Sweigart.

Matthew 6 emphasizes the importance of authentic discipleship, focusing on genuine motives in giving, praying, and fasting. Jesus warns against performing these acts for public recognition, as the Pharisees did, highlighting that their reward would be limited to human praise. Instead, Jesus encourages private prayer, sincere giving, and humble fasting, promising rewards from God for those who prioritize their relationship with Him.

Sunday Morning at Calvary Chapel Faith Fellowship with Pastor Jim Sweigart.

The church is beginning a 21-day period of prayer and fasting, focusing on spiritual rest and a reset. This time will be dedicated to seeking God’s will, drawing closer to Him, and experiencing His power. The message emphasizes the importance of fasting, both as a biblical practice and as a way to align oneself with God’s purposes.

Sunday Morning at Calvary Chapel Faith Fellowship with Pastor Jim Sweigart.

As we approach the new year, we should reflect on God’s desires for us and our church. The Israelites’ crossing of the Jordan River, as described in Joshua 3, teaches us to seek God’s presence, follow His guidance, and honor Him. By doing so, we can experience God’s wondrous works and trust Him to overcome obstacles in our lives.

Sunday Morning at Calvary Chapel Faith Fellowship with Pastor Jim Sweigart.

Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 5:43-48 emphasize loving our enemies, a command that goes against human nature. This love is not based on human wisdom but on imitating God’s love for both good and evil, just and unjust. By loving our enemies, we demonstrate our identity as children of God and our citizenship in His kingdom.

Sunday Morning at Calvary Chapel Faith Fellowship with Pastor Jim Sweigart.

Sunday Morning at Calvary Chapel Faith Fellowship with Pastor Jim Sweigart.

Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, addresses the Pharisees’ misinterpretation of the Law of Moses, emphasizing the importance of the heart’s intentions. He highlights the sanctity of marriage, the need for honesty, and the kingdom principles of responding to personal offenses with mercy, going the extra mile, and lending willingly. These teachings, requiring a supernatural life empowered by the Holy Spirit, contrast with the Pharisees’ hypocritical and self-serving interpretations.

Sunday Morning at Calvary Chapel Faith Fellowship with Pastor Jim Sweigart.

Sunday Morning at Calvary Chapel Faith Fellowship with Pastor Jim Sweigart.

The Beatitudes, particularly the final one about persecution, emphasize the ideal characteristics of followers of Christ. Jesus uses the metaphors of salt and light to describe the influence believers should have on the world. Salt brings healing, preservation, purification, flavor, and creates thirst, while light reveals truth and makes God known.