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Northwest Bible Church - Aug. 16, 2026 - Matthew - Alan Conner Mt. 7:13-14 Enter through the Narrow Gate Intro A. WE MUST ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM. 1. “enter” is used of “entering the kingdom of heaven” (5:20, 7:21; 18:3; 19:23-24; 23:13) or entering into life (18:8-9; 19:17). 2. The aorist imperative stresses the great importance and urgency of entering through the narrow gate. B. TWO KINDS OF GATES. 1. The symbolism of a gate. 2. “Narrow” - Not “straight”. Symbolizes conversion through faith in Christ. 3. “Wide” - symbolizes the world’s religions. C. TWO KINDS OF ROADS/WAYS. 1. Metaphor - both roads/ways here would refer to the following lifestyle of those who enter through the respective gates. 2. broad way - This is the lifestyle of the ungodly. 3. narrow way (v. 14) - the lifestyle of a disciple. D. TWO KINDS OF DESTINIES. 1. Destruction - Not annihilation, but eternal hell. 2. Life - Eternal life, abundant life, joy, heavenly fellowship with God, angels and God’s people. E. TWO KINDS OF PEOPLE 1. Many - Matt. 22:14. 2. Few - “few who find it” (v. 14). Conclusion - Choose life!

Northwest Bible Church - Aug. 9, 2026 - Matthew - Alan Conner Matthew 7:12 The Golden Rule Intro A. CONTEXT 1. Immediate context. “Therefore” - a. Imitate God in His goodness (Matthew 7:1-11). b. Imitate God in His love (5:44-18). 2. O.T. context - “this is the Law and the Prophets.” a. Inclusio - Matthew 5:17 and 7:12. b. The Golden Rule fulfills the Royal Rule of love. James 2:8; Matthew 22:36-40; Romans 13:9-10; Galatians 5:14. B. COMMAND 1. Principle: “Treat others the way you want to be treated.” 2. Requirement: die to selfish revenge. 3. Present tense - continuous action. 4. Scope - “in everything.” 5. “you” is emphatic. 6. “For this is the Law and the Prophets.” It fulfills the law of love. 7. Impossible without God’s grace. C. APPLICATION 1. Start with ourself, how do I like to be treated? 2. Consider what you don’t like? 3. Examples from the O.T. Deut. 22:1-4. 4. Live by the standard of love. 5. The origin of religious liberty. Conclusion

Northwest Bible Church - Aug. 2, 2026 - Ephesians - Mike Southerland Ephesians 2:17-22 A Much Better Covenant Through Christ Intro 1. Verses 11-16 established that Gentiles have been brought into the new covenant by the blood of Christ. 2. Verses 17-22 continue that theme by showing the peace, access, citizenship, and temple blessings believers now have in Christ. A. CHRIST CAME AND PREACHED PEACE (Ephesians 2:17). 1. Christ Himself is the One in view in this verse. 2. He preached peace to those who were far off and to those who were near. 3. Isaiah 57:19 helps explain this promise of peace to far and near. 4. The peace announced in the gospel reaches both Jew and Gentile. B. THROUGH CHRIST WE HAVE ACCESS TO THE FATHER (Ephesians 2:18). 1. Through Christ, both Jew and Gentile have access to the Father in one Spirit. 2. Under the old covenant, access was restricted, but Christ opened the way by His sacrifice. 3. The torn veil shows that believers may now come boldly to the Father. C. BELIEVERS ARE NOW FELLOW CITIZENS AND OF GOD'S HOUSEHOLD (Ephesians 2:19). 1. In Christ, we are no longer strangers and aliens. 2. We are fellow citizens with the saints. 3. Even more, we belong to God's own household as His people. D. GOD'S HOUSEHOLD IS BUILT ON A LAID FOUNDATION WITH CHRIST AS THE CORNERSTONE (Ephesians 2:20). 1. The foundation of the apostles and prophets was laid once for all. 2. The foundation is the revealed Word of God given through those offices. 3. Christ Jesus Himself is the chief cornerstone of the whole structure. E. THE CHURCH IS GROWING INTO GOD'S HOLY TEMPLE (Ephesians 2:21-22). 1. Believers are like living stones being fitted together in Christ. 2. The church is growing into a holy temple in the Lord. 3. God is building His people together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Conclusion 1. The new covenant is a much better covenant through Christ. 2. Through His sacrifice we have peace, access to the Father, and a place in God's household. 3. There is no veil for those who are in Christ; the Spirit now dwells in His people.

Northwest Bible Church - July 26, 2026 - Isaiah - Daniel Deeds Isaiah 61:1-4 The Myth of an Indifferent God Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners; 2 To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, 3 To grant those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified. John 16:1 "These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling. 2 "They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. 3 "These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me. 4 "But these things I have spoken to you, so that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them. These things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you. John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:16 "A little while, and you will no longer see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me.” 17 Some of His disciples then said to one another, "What is this thing He is telling us, 'A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me'; and, 'because I go to the Father’?" 18 So they were saying, "What is this that He says, 'A little while'? We do not know what He is talking about." 19 Jesus knew that they wished to question Him, and He said to them, "Are you deliberating together about this, that I said, 'A little while, and you will not see Me, and again a little while, and you will see Me’? 20 "Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy. 21 "Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world. 22 "Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. Isaiah 40:1 "Comfort, O comfort My people," says your God. 2 "Speak kindly to Jerusalem; And call out to her, that her warfare has ended, That her iniquity has been removed, That she has received of the LORD'S hand Double for all her sins." … 9 Get yourself up on a high mountain, O Zion, bearer of good news, Lift up your voice mightily, O Jerusalem, bearer of good news; Lift it up, do not fear. Say to the cities of Judah, "Here is your God!" 10 Behold, the Lord GOD will come with might, With His arm ruling for Him. Behold, His reward is with Him And His recompense before Him. 11 Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs And carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes. 12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, And marked off the heavens by the span, And calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, And weighed the mountains in a balance And the hills in a pair of scales? 13 Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, Or as His counselor has informed Him? 14 With whom did He consult and who gave Him understanding? And who taught Him in the path of justice and taught Him knowledge And informed Him of the way of understanding? 15 Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, And are regarded as a speck of dust on the scales; Behold, He lifts up the islands like fine dust. 16 Even Lebanon is not enough to burn, Nor its beasts enough for a burnt offering. 17 All the nations are as nothing before Him, They are regarded by Him as less than nothing and meaningless. 18 To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare with Him? 19 As for the idol, a craftsman casts it, A goldsmith plates it with gold, And a silversmith fashions chains of silver. 20 He who is too impoverished for such an offering Selects a tree that does not rot; He seeks out for himself a skillful craftsman To prepare an idol that will not totter. 21 Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? 22 It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. 23 He it is who reduces rulers to nothing, Who makes the judges of the earth meaningless. 24 Scarcely have they been planted, Scarcely have they been sown, Scarcely has their stock taken root in the earth, But He merely blows on them, and they wither, And the storm carries them away like stubble. 25 "To whom then will you liken Me That I would be his equal?" says the Holy One. 26 Lift up your eyes on high And see who has created these stars, The One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, Not one of them is missing. 27 Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD, And the justice due me escapes the notice of my God"? 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. 29 He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. 30 Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, 31 Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. Hebrews 12:5 and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the LORD, nor faint when you are reproved by Him. 6 for those whom the LORD loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives." Hebrews 12:11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. 1Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. Psalm 37:1 Do not fret because of evildoers, Be not envious toward wrongdoers. 2 For they will wither quickly like the grass And fade like the green herb. 3 Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. 6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light And your judgment as the noonday. 7 Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. 8 Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing. 9 For evildoers will be cut off, But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land. 10 Yet a little while and the wicked man will be no more; And you will look carefully for his place and he will not be there. 11 But the humble will inherit the land And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity. 12 The wicked plots against the righteous And gnashes at him with his teeth. 13 The Lord laughs at him, For He sees his day is coming. 14 The wicked have drawn the sword and bent their bow To cast down the afflicted an d the needy, To slay those who are upright in conduct. 15 Their sword will enter their own heart, And their bows will be broken. … 34 Wait for the LORD and keep His way, And He will exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you will see it. 35 I have seen a wicked, violent man Spreading himself like a luxuriant tree in its native soil. 36 Then he passed away, and lo, he was no more; I sought for him, but he could not be found. Ps 94:1 O LORD, God of vengeance, God of vengeance, shine forth! 2 Rise up, O Judge of the earth, Render recompense to the proud. 3 How long shall the wicked, O LORD, How long shall the wicked exult? 4 They pour forth words, they speak arrogantly; All who do wickedness vaunt themselves. 5 They crush Your people, O LORD, And afflict Your heritage. 6 They slay the widow and the stranger And murder the orphans. 7 They have said, "The LORD does not see, Nor does the God of Jacob pay heed.” 8 Pay heed, you senseless among the people; And when will you understand, stupid ones? 9 He who planted the ear, does He not hear? He who formed the eye, does He not see? Proverbs 1:32 For the aimless wandering of the thoughtless will kill them, and the smug overconfidence of fools will destroy them; Isaiah 54:9 "For this is like the days of Noah to Me, When I swore that the waters of Noah Would not flood the earth again; So I have sworn that I will not be angry with you Nor will I rebuke you. 10 "For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, But My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, And My covenant of peace will not be shaken,” Says the LORD who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:11 "O afflicted one, storm-tossed, and not comforted, Behold, I will set your stones in antimony, And your foundations I will lay in sapp

Northwest Bible Church - July 19, 2026 - Matthew - Alan Conner Matthew 7:7-11 Persevering Prayer Intro A. PRAYER PROMISE:  ASK AND RECEIVE (Matthew 7:7-8). 1. Promise (Matthew 7:7-8).   a. Command (Matthew 7:7).     b.  Statement (Matthew 7:8).   2. Perseverance - present imperative.   3. Qualifications:  John  14:14; 15:7; Mark 11:24; Ephesians 6:18; James 4:3; 1 John 3:22; 5:14-15.    B. ILLUSTRATIONS (Matthew 7:9-10). 1. Son asks father for a loaf will not get a stone.   2. Son asks father for a fish will not get a snake.   C. COMPARISON (Matthew 7:11).   1. Men are evil, God is good.   2. If evil men give good gifts to their children, how much more will our Father in  heaven.   3. Objection: but so often I don’t get what I ask for.   a. God knows what is best for us.     b. We often do not know what we really need.   Conclusion

Northwest Bible Church - July 12, 2026 - Matthew - Alan Conner Matthew 7:6 Guard the Gospel Intro A. WHAT IS THE “HOLY” AND “PEARLS”? 1. What does “what is holy” refer to?  Matthew 4:23 2. What do the “pearls” refer to?  Cf. Matthew 13:45-46 B. WHO ARE THE DOGS AND HOGS? 1. “dogs” -   2. hogs, swine, pigs -     a. Can’t refer to all Gentiles.   b. Calvin - “by dogs and swine he means here those who are so thoroughly [permeated]  with a wicked contempt of God, that they refuse to accept any remedy.”   C. CONSEQUENCES 1.  They (swine) will trample the gospel under their feet.   2. The wild undomesticated (dogs) will turn and tear you to pieces.   D. APPLICATIONS 1. Don’t think everyone is either a dog or pig.   2. Requires discernment.   3. Principle:  Share the gospel until there is opposition.  Matthew 10:14-15 4. Examples.     a. Paul’s example, Acts 13; 17; 19, 46-51; 18:6.     b. Jesus’ example, Luke 23:9   5. Be fervent in evangelism.  Luke 10:2; Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:18-20 Conclusion

Northwest Bible Church - July 5, 2026 - Matthew - Alan Conner Matthew 7:1-5 “Judge Not!” Intro A. WHAT JUDGING DOES NOT MEAN. 1. It is always wrong to pass an unfavorable judgment on the conduct or opinions of others.     1 John 4:1; Matthew 7:6; 18:15-18; Ephesians 5:11; Luke 3:19 2. It does not mean that we should abolish all civil courts.  Romans 14; 1 Peter 2:13-14  B. WHAT JUDGING DOES MEAN. 1. Judging with a fault-finding spirit.      2. “Do not judge” is a present imperative which suggests currents acts.   C. PRINCIPLES OF JUDGING OTHERS. 1. The way you judge is the way you will be judged (Matthew 7:2).     a. being judged by others.        b. being judged by God.  James 2:13; 4:11-12 2. Before you judge your brother, examine yourself (Matthew 7:3-4).   3. Hypocrisy is the problem (Matthew 7:5).     a. Puts our righteous actions on display for the praise of men (6:1, 2, 5, 16).     b. Is self-righteous, and BLIND to their own sins.  Luke 18:11; Isaiah 65:5   4. The remedy for judging as a hypocrite (Matthew 7:5).   a. Operate on yourself before you operate on someone else.       b.  Then you will be able to see clearly to help your brother.   Conclusion

Northwest Bible Church - June 28, 2026 - Matthew - Alan Conner Matthew 6:31-34 Don’t Worry - Part 2 Intro A. COMMAND REPEATED:  DON’T WORRY (Matthew 6:31). 1. Don’t worry about your food, drink or clothing.   2. An urgent appeal never to worry at all. B. REASON 4:  WORRYING IS PAGAN (Matthew 6:32a).   1. Gentiles = pagans, worshipers of idols.   2. They eagerly seek all these things.      C. REASON 5 - WORRYING NEEDS REMINDING  (Matthew 6:32b). 1. You have a heavenly Father.  2nd time (Matthew 6:26).   2. You heavenly Father knows your needs.   D. REASON 6:  WORRYING HAS WRONG PRIORITIES (Matthew 6:33). 1. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.   2. All these things will be added to you.   D. REASON 7: WORRY LIVES IN THE WRONG TIMEZONE (Matthew 6:34) 1. Don’t worry about tomorrow.   2. Tomorrow will worry about itself.   3. Each day has its own trouble (evil).   Conclusion

Northwest Bible Church - June 21 - Matthew - Alan Conner Matthew 6:25-34 Overcoming Worry Intro  WHAT IS WORRY?  One definition is that worry is a feeling of uneasiness, apprehension or distress usually about something in the future.     A. COMMAND:  DON’T WORRY (Matthew 6:25) 1. “worry” - 6 times in this paragraph.  Present imperative:  STOP WORRYING.   2. About your life, food, drink, clothes.   B. REASON #1 - WORRYING IS MINDLESS (Matthew 6:25-26).   1. Principle stated.  Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?   2. Example: #1 - look at the birds (Matthew 6:26).     a. Birds don’t sow, reap or gather into barns.     b. Our heavenly Father feeds them.     c. Are you not worthy much more than they?  The argument is a fortiori.  C. REASON 2 - WORRYING IS WORTHLESS (Matthew 6:27).   1. Mixed metaphors.  “Add a single cubit to his life?” 2. Worry will more likely shorten your life than prolong it.     D. REASON 3 - WORRYING IS FAITHLESS (Matthew 6:28-30). 1. Example #2 - look at the lilies (Matthew 6:28-30).     a. They do not toil or spin (Matthew 6:28).     b. Solomon’s clothing paled in comparison (Matthew 6:29).     c. If God clothes the “grass of the field” which ends up in the furnace, will He not much  more clothe you?     2. Worry is rooted in little faith.     Conclusion

Northwest Bible Church - June 14, 2026 - Psalms - Daniel Noren Psalm 16:1-11 True Joy and Refuge Intro Where do you flee when life is hard? Where is your refuge, security, and joy? A. FLEE TO AND REJOICE IN GOD, THE SOURCE OF JOY (Psalm 16:1-4). 1. David is surrounded by enemies yet takes refuge in God. 2. We also face death, suffering, worry, sin, and uncertainty. 3. False refuges and idols of the heart promise security but multiply sorrows. 4. Even good gifts can become idols when they replace God. 5. God alone is the firm foundation and the source of all good. 6. Joy in God also produces delight in God’s people. B. DISCOVER AND REJOICE IN GOD AS YOUR INHERITANCE (Psalm 16:5-7). 1. The Lord is our chosen portion and our cup. 2. Like the Levites, our true inheritance is ultimately God Himself. 3. We are not promised an easy life, but we are promised Him. 4. “I have God and I have enough.” 5. God gives counsel through His word and grows our joy in Him. C. REST AND REJOICE IN GOD FOREVER (Psalm 16:8-11). 1. Fix your gaze on the Lord and you will not be shaken. Hebrews 12:2. 2. Our security is not in circumstances but in God’s presence and promises. 3. Psalm 16 points beyond David to the true and better David, Jesus Christ. 4. Acts 2:23-33 shows Psalm 16 fulfilled in Christ’s resurrection. 5. In Christ there is fullness of joy, lasting hope, and eternal security. Conclusion Flee to God, discover God as your inheritance, and rest in Him forever. In Jesus Christ there is true joy, real refuge, and pleasures forevermore.

Northwest Bible Church - June 7, 2026 - Titus - Joe Hinton Titus 2:11-14 Grace Appeared Intro Titus, Crete, Purpose of the letter A. FOR THE GRACE OF GOD HAS APPEARED (Titus 2:11). 1. “For” - what proceeds is the cause of what precedes. 2. Grace has appeared. a. The gospel - Titus 1:3. b. Christ - John 1:14, 17-18; 2 Timothy 1:9-10. Grace is a person. c. The work of grace - regeneration, salvation, justification, sanctification. B. TRAINING US (Titus 2:12). 1. Training - disciplined instruction, like a child. 2. Negative and positive training. 3. Renounce - completely disown and reject. 4. Live godly lives. 5. “the goodness and loving kindness” of God’s grace. C. WAITING FOR OUR BLESSED HOPE (Titus 2:13). 1. Not passive - 1 Peter 1:13; Hebrews 12:1; 2 Peter 3:11-12. 2. Our blessed hope. a. Christ Himself. b. The fulfillment of all God’s promises. c. His glory. D. REDEEMED (Titus 2:14). 1. Matthew 20:28. 2. To pay for the liberation of a captive. 3. Redeemed from what? E. ZEALOUS FOR GOOD WORKS. 1. Ephesians 2:10. 2. What makes a good work good? 3. Practical application.

Northwest Bible Church - May 31, 2026 - Matthew - Alan Conner Matthew 6:22-24 Good eye, bad eye Intro A.  THE EYE IS THE LAMP OF THE BODY (Matthew 6:22a). 1. The physical meaning, the eye enables to body to perceive light.     2. The figurative meaning, the eye represents the heart.  Matthew 5:28; Hebrews 12:2.   B.  A CLEAR EYE FILLS THE BODY WITH LIGHT (Matthew 6:22b). 1. “If your eye is clear” (healthy, sound) - literally means “single.”   2. “your whole body will be full of light” -   3. Illustration of the heart.  TWO ideas.     a. the heart is clear/single when it is devoted to God.   b. the  clear/single heart is GENEROUS (James 1:5).   C.  A BAD EYE FILLS THE BODY WITH DARKNESS (Matthew 6:23). 1. “If your eye is bad” - Literally “evil.”   2. “your whole body will be full of darkness” -   3. Illustration of the heart - the evil eye/heart is greedy, stingy, covetous.   4. “If the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness.”  Deception. D. APPLICATION: YOU CAN’T SERVE TWO MASTERS (Matthew 6:24). 1. Your heart can have only one ultimate master.   2. Your responses is to love one and hate the other. Conclusion   1. Exposes our failures 2. Shows us our need for grace. 3. Challenges us to make a choice between God and mammon.

Northwest Bible Church - May 24, 2026 - Matthew - Alan Conner Matthew 6:19-21 Treasures in Heaven Intro A. WHAT CHRIST IS NOT TEACHING. 1. Christ does not teach a ban on possessions or private property.     2. Christ does not teach it is wrong to save for the future.    B. WHAT CHRIST IS TEACHING (Matthew 6:19-21). 1. Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth.     2. Treasures on earth are inferior and temporary (Matthew 6:19).     a. moths can destroy it -   b. rust can destroy it -  c. thieves break in and steal -  d. We are not durable.   Job 1:21; 1 Timothy 6:7 e. The key is our attitude toward our possessions,  f. Examples of sinfully storing up treasures on earth. 3. Treasures in heaven are superior and eternal (Matthew 6:20 4. Your heart will be devoted to what you treasure (Matthew 6:21).      C. HOW TO STORE UP TREASURES IN HEAVEN. 1. Use our earthly treasures to help others.  1 Timothy 6:18-19; Luke 12:33 2. Godly living.     Matthew 6:4, 6, 18; 1 Corinthians 3:14; Matthew 10:42; 1 Timothy 4:8 3. Persecution.  Heb. 11:24-26; Matthew 5:11-12 D. CHOOSE THE RIGHT TREASURE. 1. Our hearts are one with our treasure.   2. Examine hearts regularly.       3. Make effort to store up heavenly treasures.       Conclusion

Northwest Bible Church - May 17, 2026 - Matthew - Alan Conner Matthew 6:16-18 Fasting Intro A. DEFINITION OF FASTING.   1. A Christian’s voluntary abstinence from food for spiritual purposes.   2.  A broader use.     B. PRACTICE OF FASTING 1. OT practice a. Mandatory for the Day of Atonement. b. Voluntary fasting for other occasions. 2. NT practice.   a. Christ fasted for 40 days, Matthew 4:2.      b. Pharisees.  Luke 18:12 ‘I fast twice a week;  c. Apostles and others.   Acts 13:2-3; 14:23. C. PURPOSE OF FASTING 1. To humble the flesh in order to humble the soul. Psalms 35:13; Isaiah 58:6; Joel 2:12-13 2. To seek God for a blessing.   Isaiah 58:4 3. To intensify our prayers.   Psalms 42:1-2 D. ABUSES OF FASTING (Matthew 6:16). 1. Fasting as a hypocrite.   Matthew 6:16 2. Merit in physical abuse.   Colossians 2:20-23 3. Secularizing danger.      E. PROPER FASTING (Matthew 6:17-18). 1. Don’t advertise it.    2. God will reward you.

Northwest Bible Church - May 10, 2026 - Matthew - Alan Conner Matthew 6:13 Lead us not into temptation Intro  A.  DO NOT LEAD US INTO TEMPTATION. The nature of this temptation. a. Not “temptation” as an enticement to sin.  James 1:13   b. “Temptation” can refer to testing.  Genesis 22:1-2; Deuteronomy 8:2, 26 Temptations expose our inner character. B. BUT DELIVER US FROM THE EVIL ONE. Satan is probably in view.     “Deliver” - to rescue someone from a fate he cannot escape on his own.   Jesus is the perfect example of overcoming all temptations.   Matthew 4:1-11 Means of grace to overcome Satan’s temptations. a. armor of God.  Ephesians 6:10-18 b. the sword of the Spirit.    1 John 2:14; Psalms 119:9-11 C. DOXOLOGY   Almost certainly a later addition.    Adopt it as your own personal words of praise to God.   D. LESSONS We are weaker than we think.     God is our Keeper.   1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Peter 2:9 Conclusion