REFUGE KENOSHA

LIFE AND PRAYER // Matthew 6:9-13

We are diving into what it means to be truly God-centered, following the pattern Jesus taught in the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). This passage challenges us to seek God’s will, not only in our words but in every part of our lives. How might our lives change if we actually aligned our desires and decisions with the priorities Jesus laid out in this prayer?

THE MASKS OF PRAYER // Matthew 6:5-8

What masks are you bringing to prayer, and how are they impacting your connection with God? This week we unpack Matthew 6:5-8, where Jesus calls us to authentic, unmasked prayer that fosters a deeper, true relationship with Him. We will explore the purpose, pitfalls, and power of genuine communication with our Heavenly Father.

BURN THE LEDGER // Matthew 6:1-4

Why do we want to be acknowledged for the good things that we do? What truly drives us to perform good deeds? Is it our heart’s true desire, or is it the desire for some ulterior purpose? Today, as we look at Matthew 6:1-4, we will see how heavenly rewards are only earned through good deeds driven by a heart of worship.

LOVE YOUR ENEMY // Matthew 5:43-48

In Matthew 5:43-48, Jesus calls us to a radical love—one that extends even to our enemies. This love transcends mere affection and seeks the well-being of those who oppose us. Jesus challenges us to reflect the character of our heavenly Father, who shows grace to both the righteous and the unrighteous. As followers of Christ, we are called to love and pray for those who persecute us, striving to live as true children of God.

THE POWER OF EMPTINESS // Matthew 5:38-42

Have you ever considered the power of emptiness in your spiritual walk? In Matthew 5:38-42, Jesus challenges the instinct for revenge, urging us to respond with humility instead. What if true spiritual fullness comes from emptying ourselves of pride and retaliation? As we dive into this passage, we will reflect on how Jesus calls us to be transformed from within.

WORSHIP AND SPEECH // Matthew 5:33-37

In today's message from Matthew 5:33-37, Jesus challenges us to reflect on the integrity of our speech. He calls us to let our "yes" mean yes and our "no" mean no, avoiding empty oaths and manipulative language. Are we truly people of our word, or do we dress up our speech to impress or deceive? What does it say about our hearts when we feel the need to bolster our words? As you listen, ask yourself: Does your speech reflect a heart of truth and trust in God, or are you masking deeper dishonesty?

CREATION, MARRIAGE, AND DIVORCE // Matthew 5:31-32

Divorce is such a heavy and scarring topic for many, yet Jesus Himself actually chimed on in it. And one of the challenges we face, as many did in Jesus’s day, is to focus on the technicalities and overlook the heart of God. Today, as we look at the difficult topic of divorce out of Matthew 5:31-32, we will see that when we miss God’s heart on any matter, we often miss His blessing.

FEEDING OR STARVING LUST // Matthew 5:27-30

America has become such a highly sexualized country. Statistics on premarital sex and people’s general opinions on sexual behavior are jarring, but what does Jesus have to say about sexual purity? Today, as we look at the topic of sexual immorality (Matthew 5:27-30), we will see that in our lives, we are either actively feeding or starving out lust.

THE PATH OF ANGER // Matthew 5:21-26

Anger is a massive problem and a huge burden to deal with. But what if we were to understand that Jesus holds anger to be a form of murder? Today, as we continue through what’s called The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:21-26), we will see that the spirit of anger and the spirit of worship are separate paths.

JESUS, THE LAW, AND ME (PART 2) // Matthew

Today is the second part of our talk on Jesus, the Law, and me. Today we will be looking at what the ultimate purpose of the Old Testament Law was, and how it is related to Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection.