Matthew 6:5-15; Ezra 1:1-2; Nehemiah 1:5 Both men, Ezra and Nehemiah, were involved in the same great enterprise, the restoration of the people of God spiritually, morally, and physically.

Colossians 1:24-29 The Apostle Paul describes ministry as suffering for the sake of the church. Ministry involves suffering and stewardship, with strength given by God to his ministers.

Jeremiah 3:11-20; Matthew 6:7-9 In the first petition of the Lord's Prayer, Christ teaches us to desire, depend upon, and display the holiness of God's name above all else.

I Kings 18:26-39; Matthew 6:7-8 Jesus is exposing the hypocrisy of our prayer life. His solution is really secret communion with the Father.

Daniel 6:6-10; Matthew 6:5-6 Prayer is the heartbeat of the Christian life. It's the very fuel that enables and empowers the Church of Jesus Christ.

1 Samuel 16:1-7; Matthew 6:1-4 Because the Father sees and rewards the hidden intentions of His covenant people, disciples must practice piety for His glory rather than for human applause.

Colossians 1:15-20; Genesis 1:26-28 God created humanity to bear His image as royal sons. But through Christ, the true image, He restores His people to their original glory, and by doing so, He has commissioned each and every one of us to reflect His character and reign in the world in which we live. You are an image bearer of the triune God, in order that you would reflect, not just to each other, but more importantly back to God Himself, His own image.

Matthew 5:43-48 Jesus is seeking to restore love to its creational purpose and he's calling us to display the image of God, if you will, in redeemed form.

Leviticus 19:17-18, 33-34 Love is not optional. Love is covenant obedience grounded in the Lord's own character. We, as image-bearers of the triune God, and that great Creator-creature distinction, as we bear His image, this is what we must reflect to the world and back to the triune God, this love that the scriptures talk about over and over again, love for our neighbors, love for even our enemies.

Matthew 5:43-48 The sons of God are known by their likeness to their Father, who loves His enemies. In other words, because believers are covenant children, covenant children of the Father through Christ, we're called to reflect His perfect, gracious love even toward our enemies by loving, praying, and doing good to them as our Father in heaven does.

John 3:14-16 John 3:16 is a summary of the whole gospel being presented in Bible, which means it masterly summarizes the full gospel, and it gives you a glimpse of exactly what is the love of God.

Matthew 5:38-42 Do you trust God's justice enough to love your enemies? Because believers are united to Christ, the mediator of the covenant who fulfilled the law through love, we must restrain retaliation, reflect Christ's mercy, and reveal our Father's covenant heart to the world.

Matthew 10:16-17 When you speak about Jesus to lost, needy souls, you might, but most likely will, face some sort of persecution and hardship. But as you honor Jesus and his gospel before others, he shall honor you before his Father in heaven because of your kingdom service.

Matthew 5:33-37 Believers are bound by covenant to the God of truth. They must reflect His faithfulness in their words, living with integrity before God and men.

Matthew 10:16-23 When you speak about Jesus to lost, needy souls, you might, but most likely will, face some sort of persecution and hardship. But as you honor Jesus and his gospel before others, he shall honor you before his Father in heaven because of your kingdom service.