This message addresses the 'who' of prayer. We do not pray to an unknown or unknowable deity. We do not pray to an indifferent or aloof God. Rather, Christians pray to Our Father. The one who loves, creates, redeems, rescues, and renews us in Christ through his Holy Spirit. We are his  beloved children and he is our heavenly father.

This devotional commences a series exploring the Lord's Prayer. This morning we will seek to unpack the answer to the question: Why Pray? We will examine some of the challenges of prayer, as well as some of the reasons to pray. We will highlight the 'who' or prayer, as we pray to Our Father, in the Son, through the Holy Spirit: the one who loves us and is for us.

What does it mean to ask for daily bread?

Morning devotion from Matthew 15:1-28

Jesus teaches us how to avoid the pitfalls of hypocrisy by giving us the heart of an authentic life of prayer. 

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus calls his disciples to be the kind of people who develop an awareness of sin in their own hearts in order to be of greater service to others in the gospel. The practice of self-examination is grounded in gospel freedom and is done for the sake of neighbor love.

In Matthew 9:14-17, Jesus teaches that fasting, although fitting under the old covenant, is not to be an ordinary practice of new covenant believers due to their joy in the fellowship of Christ.

 In Matthew 1:18-25 Matthew narrates the angelic announcement and command to Joseph regarding the divine birth and redemptive names of Jesus.

In Matthew 3:1-17, John the Baptist comes as the last of the Old Covenant prophets, preparing for the coming judgment day by calling for repentance demonstrated through baptism. Jesus comes to be baptized as part of his submission to and fulfillment of the Law and the prophets.

Jesus in his healing of the leper exposes Jewish distortions of the law as he also fulfills the law. But more importantly, he reveals who he is and his mission to save as does what the law was powerless to do.

Jesus assures his disciples on the verge of their worldwide ministry as he is about to depart of his constant presence with his people throughout this age.

Examining Matthew 7 in the light of its immediate context, we find that Jesus is contrasting the faithful teaching he brings with the false shepherds of Israel.

How do we guard our hearts from hypocrisy in ministry?

Dr. Godfrey delivers the Fall 2014 opening convocation message, bring God's word from Matthew 1:18-2:18

Office Hours talks with Dr. S. M. Baugh about the Lord's Prayer in its first century context, and its continued use in the church and by individual Christians today. This is part one.

Jesus surprises and encourages his disciples with the proclamation that they and by extension we, are the light of the world.

The teaching of Jesus on the proper relationship of disciples to worldly possessions in light of the Kingdom of God.

Christians are sent out by Christ as stewards of the kingdom.

Peter's confession of Jesus' identity has enormous implications for Christian faith and practice.