Big Idea
You don’t need better habits; you need a transformed heart with Jesus at the center.
Sermon Synopsis
As we step into 2025, Pastor Ken challenges us to evaluate the motivations behind our spiritual practices. Drawing from Matthew 6, he explains that habits like prayer, fasting, and giving, though good, can become hollow routines if not rooted in a transformed heart. Instead of simply adding Jesus to our lives as a checklist item, Pastor Ken emphasizes making Him the center of everything—our habits, relationships, and daily lives. With Jesus at the core, our actions align with His kingdom purposes, leading to lasting transformation.
Main Passage
Matthew 6:25–34
Small Group Questions:
START TALKING
Share one highlight from your start to 2025. How do you feel about your year so far?
Have you ever made a New Year’s resolution that stuck? What helped—or hindered—your success?
START THINKING
In Matthew 6, Jesus speaks about not worrying. How do you think worry affects your ability to trust God?
How does the idea of making Jesus the center (instead of just putting Him first) change how you think about your daily habits?
Why does making Jesus the center of your life matter? How could it change the way you approach challenges, relationships, and decisions?
START SHARING
Reflect on a time when your faith felt like a “to-do list” instead of a relationship with Jesus. What was missing?
What areas of your life might you be keeping separate from Jesus? How would it look to invite Him into those spaces?
START PRAYING
Pray for hearts that seek Jesus as the center of all things.
Lift up the worries and burdens within the group, asking for trust in God’s provision.
Pray for clarity and courage as the group embarks on this journey to align every aspect of life with God’s kingdom.
START DOING
Participate in the Church-Wide Fast: Commit to fasting and praying next week, focusing on God’s presence and guidance.
Anchor Daily Habits in Jesus: Choose one habit—prayer, Scripture reading, or worship—and ask God to be at the center of it, not just another checkbox.
Invite Someone to Launch Sunday: Think of someone in your life who could benefit from a fresh start with Jesus, and invite them to attend.
DIG DEEPER (Optional)
For those who want to explore more:
Read Ephesians 1:17-19. How does this prayer reflect the kind of relationship God desires with us?
Study John 15:1-11 and reflect on what it means to remain in Jesus as the vine.
Write down a few worries or concerns. Spend time each day this week surrendering them to God and seeking His kingdom first.
Transcript:
Happy New Year, everyone! All right, it doesn't sound too happy. That's all right, that's all right. Go ahead and tell a neighbor, "Happy New Year." Go ahead and say that a little bit more boldly. There we go. I know that's good. I know there are times where it's the start of a year, start of a new year and everything, and some of you, even on the fifth day of January, are hoping for another restart.
We are praying for everyone right now, and it is going to be a Happy New Year in 2025. Even if 2025 hasn't started fresh, even starting now, we are praying for an incredible year for you as well. Just as Katelynn mentioned, we have what we call our Launch Sunday coming up on January 26, which is exciting. We're excited about that. Show me that you're excited about that. That's good. Okay, that's good. We are excited about that.
It just means that our church is growing, and more importantly, it means that it's going to be a great, great opportunity for those who love to sleep in to sleep in a little bit, get some rest, come in, and worship together at 10:30 and again at 9:00. That can't happen without you all being a part of it, whether it's inviting or even serving. I know our children's ministry and even our safety/security team always need more people as well. So if you're interested in doing that, just let us know. We would love for you to do that.
We are in a series right now preparing our hearts for that. One of the things we're going to ask you to do, something we haven't done at least for a while now, and I'm not sure if we've done this before in the history of our church, is a church-wide fast next week. I just want to prepare you for that. We'll be talking about what that looks like this next week. We're going to be fasting from that Sunday, and we're going to break the fast together on Tuesday for Whole Partner Night with some communion. Then, we're going to dig into our potluck together.
We're not going to break the fast with some fried chicken or anything like that. We're going to keep it spiritual, break it with communion, and then we'll go into that time together. Okay?
We are in a good series right now. If you have your Bibles with you, open up to Matthew 6. Matthew 6. This passage here is from what is called the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 6, I think, is often misinterpreted because it talks a lot about not praying in front of other people, not fasting in front of other people, not giving in front of people. How do we interpret that? Even with that, at the end of Matthew 6, it says something interesting.
Even with this society at that time, still that religious society, there was still worry in their lives. I kind of want to share the end of that passage as we dive deeper into this. We're going to be kind of stopping here for the next few weeks. Matthew 6, and we're going to actually be in verse 25. So maybe another page over. If you're there, say, "Amen." If you're not, say, "Oh no." Okay, that's good. Look at that. Everyone's on board today. You're just reading from the screen. That's cheating.
It says this: "Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you, by worrying, add a single hour to your life? Why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon, in all his splendor, was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
This is the Word of God. Let's pray.
Lord God, we just pray that these words absolutely come alive. As we dive into a little bit about Your Sermon on the Mount, God, we just pray that it can be life-changing. This new year, the start of 2025, cannot be done without You as Lord. God, I just pray that these words are able to help transform people. Will You soften hearts and open ears? Lord, just allow us to really understand and know that You are here, that Your presence is here. Lord God, we just pray that these words are powerful, that these words are from You. God, we just pray that we are changed by Your Word and by Your Spirit. Lord, Heavenly Father, allow this to be an amazing time together as we worship You. In Jesus' name, everybody says, "Amen." Well, again, Happy New Year. Just curious, every year I like to do a quick survey. How many people actually made New Year’s resolutions and wrote them down? How many? Raise your hands. Like three people? That’s worse than the statistics. That’s great. Statistically, it actually says that 50% of people in America avoid New Year’s resolutions because we’re probably going to fail at them, right? Anybody here kind of feel the same way?
It sounds like we’re all quitters now. We don’t even try. Let’s set the bar really low—no resolutions here. So 98% of you are failures, it seems like, right?
In fact, there’s actually a day called Quitters’ Day. It’s January 10th, the day when most New Year’s resolutions are abandoned. It seems like no one wants to raise their hands—only a couple of you—unless you just don’t want to participate and want me to feel alone. Are you alive here? Raise your hands. Okay, that’s good.
So you’re stating that you don’t want to make New Year’s resolutions, and it’s probably because we’ve all been there. We all say, “This is the year. It’s 2025. New habits, new me, new year.” It seems like we’ve done this over and over again. “I’m going to eat right, I’m going to exercise, I’m going to sign up for the gym.” Then two weeks go by, and you’re like, “I’m done. This is enough. I’m done.”
If New Year’s were like a week, I’d say New Year’s is like a Monday. You’re motivated, thinking, “I’m going to eat well, do well, and be well.” But by Thursday, you’re parked in front of Chick-fil-A, negotiating with yourself.
“Listen, Chick-fil-A is God’s chicken, right? It’s chicken, so it can’t be bad. It’s God’s chicken—it’s like manna from heaven.” A little expensive, though. Inflation has taken manna from free to $12 for a meal. But then you think, “I’ll get the diet lemonade—I’m on a diet.” And you can’t skip out on the waffle fries. Anybody here love waffle fries? Waffle fries are delicious.
Here’s the kicker: you negotiate, saying, “This isn’t that bad. I didn’t get the super-size large; I got the medium.” When they ask, “Do you want to upgrade to a large?” you say, “No, I’m on a diet.” Potatoes are a vegetable, right? Amen.
That’s what I’m doing. I’m trying to convince myself. Waffle fries are manna from heaven. They’re delicious, incredible, and they’re a vegetable, so they should be healthy.
But the reason our habits fall apart isn’t because of the waffle fries. It’s not about that. There’s actually a deeper hunger behind why we fall out of our habits. We all crave something more.
When we set New Year’s resolutions, it’s not just about losing a few pounds. It’s about comfort, control, or approval. We chase things that never satisfy us. The fries are funny, but what about the things we chase that aren’t so funny? The things we think will help us live a better, more fulfilled life, but in the end, they don’t.
The problem isn’t the waffle fries. It’s the deeper cravings inside of us. Maybe you don’t just crave comfort food; maybe you value the comfort it brings. Maybe you don’t just want the perfect body; you want to feel worthy. That’s what you’re really valuing. Maybe you don’t want a promotion; you’re chasing significance.
The fries aren’t the issue—it’s the hunger inside of you. It’s not about fitness, food, or finances; it’s about your motivations and what’s driving your life. Here’s the thing about cravings: they’ll never go away until you fill them with what you were designed to run on.
It’s not carbs or sugar. You’re made for a purpose. You’re designed to run on Jesus. Anywhere else you run, you’ll end up empty. If you’re running on habits without Jesus, you won’t find peace.
Here’s what I’m trying to say: the habits you have will eventually die if you don’t have transformation in your heart. If you don’t change what you actually value, you’ll stay stuck. Here’s what I’m trying to say: the habits you have will eventually die if you don’t have transformation in your heart. If you don’t change what you actually value, you’ll stay stuck.
I want to confess something to you right now. I wanted to add something else to your to-do list for this sermon and this sermon series. In fact, we’ve done this before. It’s a new year, and what we often do is say, “Here’s a to-do list.”
I think it was last year or the year before when we said, “Here’s a reading plan. You have 365 days to read through the Bible.” Everybody was like, “Okay, what’s the link? Where’s the QR code? Print it out; make it pretty!” Everyone was hungry for it during Week 1. By Week 2, people were slowing down. By Week 3, when they hit Numbers, they were like, “This is way too hard. I’m done.”
So now, as I think about setting you up, I wanted to tell you, “Hey, let’s be a praying church, a church that authentically cares for one another and prays for one another.” That’s what God calls us to do.
But then I thought, “I’m giving you a habit without helping you understand the source.” So here’s the big idea for today: You don’t need better habits. You need a transformed heart. Write that down. That’s what we’re focusing on. You don’t need better habits. You don’t need new New Year’s resolutions. You need a transformed heart first.
When Jesus is at the center, nothing stays the same. That’s why the series is called Don’t Put Jesus First. Because if you put Jesus first, what happens is He’s at the top of your to-do list on Sunday. Then, when you check Him off, you think, “What’s next?” Jesus isn’t saying, “Put me first.” He’s saying, “Put me at the center.”
You’re not stuck because you need better habits. You’re stuck because you need a heart that’s transformed. When Jesus is at the center, nothing stays the same.
In Matthew 6, as we dive into this passage, you have to understand the society that Jesus was challenging. The society of that time is probably something we as Christians dream of today. Back in biblical times, their faith was woven into everything they did. Some of us say, “We need to bring prayer and the Bible back into schools.” That’s what they had.
Some people say, “Faith needs to be ingrained in the government.” That’s what they had. Yet they still missed Jesus. Let me share what their culture was like. From the moment a child could talk, they were taught the Torah—the first five books of the Bible. By the time they were teenagers, they could recite the Torah by heart. It wasn’t just something they read; they knew it. Every word of God was written on their hearts.
Every home had Scripture on the doorframe—not just something bought at Hobby Lobby. It was a teaching tool. Every time they walked in or out of the house, they were reminded of God’s commands and His presence. Every meal wasn’t just a time to eat. They weren’t watching football at the same time. Meals were a time to remember God’s provisions and gifts and to be thankful. Sometimes meals were reminders of what God had done in the past—His deliverance from Egypt, His faithfulness to their ancestors.
Even their work and business decisions were centered on God. Their habits, culture, traditions, and decisions were all grounded in obedience to His law. Their week revolved around the Sabbath. They counted how many steps they walked. It wasn’t just a Sunday thing—it was an entire way of life. Their rituals and routines constantly reminded them of who God was and is.
But here’s the heartbreaking part: They still missed it.
There were 615 laws to follow to live a faithful life, but they missed it. They had all these practices, reminders, and knowledge of God’s Word, yet they missed Him.
For some of you, you might be saying, “I want to read the Bible every day this year. I won’t miss a day.” But the value shouldn’t be consistency for its own sake—it should be Jesus. Don’t miss Him. Don’t miss the purpose.
Stop Adding Jesus to Your Life—Make Him the Center
Here’s the first point: Stop adding Jesus to your life. Instead, make Him the center.
Matthew 6 addresses this. The people were adding tasks and rituals to their lives but didn’t understand what it meant to make Jesus the center. Traditions and habits without meaning are just routines. They lack the power to inspire or transform.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks to a religious audience, saying: "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." (Matthew 6:1) Jesus wasn’t condemning their actions; He was challenging their motives. They were reading the Bible, fasting, and praying, but for the wrong reasons. They weren’t doing it to draw closer to God. Instead, they valued the reputation it gave them.
Jesus says, "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."
He’s saying, “Listen, you’re reading the Bible, you’re fasting, you’re praying—but if you’re doing it for others to see, your reward isn’t from God. Your reward is your reputation.”
If we frame this correctly, we understand that Jesus is pushing back against this kind of righteousness.
In Matthew 6:2, He says, "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full."
The society at the time was so ingrained in religious practices that people were trying to outdo each other in their giving. They’d essentially say, “Look at me, I’m a giver!” Jesus is saying, “Don’t do it like that. You’re robbing the act of its meaning.”
The giving wasn’t about helping others or honoring God; it was about being honored by others. Jesus calls this out, saying they’ve already received their reward.
The same applies to prayer. In Matthew 6:5, Jesus says, "When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full."
They weren’t praying to connect with God. They loved the attention that public prayer brought them. It wasn’t about God; it was about being seen.
The Heart of the Matter
Here’s the point: God is faithful when you pray, when you give, and when you fast. But He’s not faithful to the act itself; He’s faithful when your heart is in the right place.
If you give thinking it’s a winning lottery ticket to blessings, you’ve missed the point. If you pray to look spiritual rather than to connect with God, you’re robbing prayer of its purpose.
Prayer is meant to be a sacred connection with God. Yet, for many, it’s become a performance.
I’ll admit something: My favorite prayers are from new Christians who still have trouble with cussing. They’re real and raw, and I love that. I’ve prayed with people who’ll say things like, “God, I messed up,” and then they let out a string of words they’d apologize for later. But those prayers are authentic—they’re from the heart.
Contrast that with people who want to sound spiritual but aren’t actually being spiritual. Their prayers are about performance, not connection.
Do you see the pattern here? It wasn’t their actions that Jesus was condemning—it was their motives. They were praying, fasting, and giving for the wrong reasons.
In that deeply religious society, where faith was woven into every aspect of life, they were doing it all for show. They were glorifying themselves, not God.
It’s not so different today, is it? Back then, they performed their righteousness publicly. Today, we do it on social media.
We post well-edited videos, curated photos, and filtered snapshots of our lives to give the appearance of perfection. But it’s not real.
Let’s be honest—your family isn’t that happy. Your marriage isn’t that perfect. Your skin isn’t that radiant.
It probably took 13 photos to get that one family picture. You used 10 retakes, three editing tools, one filter, and maybe even an AI touch-up.
Why? Because we value the appearance of perfection more than the reality of purpose.
We’re not that different from the religious people Jesus was addressing. They valued status over the name of Jesus. Today, we value appearances over authenticity.
Point 2: Your Identity Comes from Staying Connected to Jesus
Here’s the second point: Your identity comes from staying connected to Jesus.
Jesus is the center, so stay connected to Him. Your problem isn’t discipline—it’s dependence.
When Jesus says, "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others," He’s not condemning the practice itself. He’s addressing self-righteousness.
If you think prayer, fasting, or reading the Bible is what will save you, you’ve missed it. Salvation comes through Jesus alone.
In John 15:4, Jesus says, "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine."
A branch disconnected from the vine is powerless. It withers and dies. Some of us are trying to grow fruit off a dead branch. If you’re not connected to Jesus, nothing else will work.
The Hub and the Spokes
Let me give you a visual. Think of a bicycle wheel. A wheel has spokes that connect the rim to the hub.
The spokes exist to transfer the bumps and impact from the road to the center. If the hub isn’t there, or if even one spoke is missing, the wheel becomes wobbly and unstable.
Jesus is the hub. The spokes—prayer, Scripture, and community—connect us to Him. When the outside world pushes against us, these disciplines take that pressure and center it in Jesus.
But if you’re building your habits from the outside in, instead of from the center out, you’ll find yourself unsteady.
Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This isn’t about behavior modification; it’s about heart transformation.
Point 3: When Jesus Is at the Center, Everything Aligns
Here’s the final point: When Jesus is at the center, everything aligns.
At the end of Matthew 6, Jesus says, "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
He’s saying, “Stop doing things for the wrong reasons. Seek the kingdom. Let Jesus be at the center of everything you do.”
A few months ago, we talked about being “Kingdom-Minded.” It’s the first promise of our “4Hope” values: Him-Minded, Invite, Invest, Impact.
Before anything else, we must understand that Jesus belongs at the center. When He’s at the center, everything else falls into place.
If Jesus is at the center of your life, your marriage becomes more than compromise—it becomes a covenant. Your work becomes about integrity and generosity, not just deals. Raising your kids becomes about shaping their hearts for Jesus, not just making them good kids.
Don’t put Jesus first—put Him at the center. Let Jesus Be at the Center
So, we have to stop putting Jesus first as if He’s just a checkbox on a to-do list. He belongs in every aspect of our lives. Jesus is not asking for a segment of your time—He’s asking for all of you.
Here’s the final thought: When Jesus is at the center, everything aligns. When He’s at the center of your habits, your relationships, your work, and your worship, everything flows from that.
In Matthew 6, Jesus is pointing out how people were fasting, praying, and giving for the wrong reasons. They were doing these things out of obligation or to look good in front of others. Even though they were following the laws and traditions, their hearts were far from God.
That’s why Jesus says, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”He’s saying, “Stop worrying about what you’ll eat, drink, or wear. Stop worrying about how others perceive you. Focus on Me, and I will take care of everything else.”
How Do We Live This Out?
A few months ago, we introduced the 4Hope promises:
Hope-Minded – Focus on the kingdom and make Jesus the center of your life.
Invite – Bring others into the community of faith.
Invest – Give generously of your time, resources, and talents.
Impact – Live out your faith in a way that makes a difference in the world.
The reason Hope-Minded is first is because everything flows from that. You can’t truly invite, invest, or impact others if Jesus isn’t at the center of your life.
For some of you, praying or reading Scripture feels like a chore. But when you remember what Jesus did for you—the love, grace, and sacrifice He gave—it changes your perspective. It’s no longer a chore to connect with God through prayer or His Word. Instead, it’s a privilege to draw closer to the Creator who longs for a relationship with you.
When Jesus is at the center, prayer becomes less about asking for things and more about aligning your heart with His will. Reading Scripture becomes less about checking a box and more about discovering the heart of God. Worship becomes less about routine and more about true connection.
Why Does This Matter?
Let’s not forget what Jesus has done for us. He left His throne, came to earth, and died on the cross for our sins. His sacrifice was the ultimate act of love. And because of that, we can respond by making Him the center of our lives—not just on Sundays, but in everything we do.
Think about the areas of your life where Jesus might not currently be at the center. Is it your work? Your family? Your finances? Your time? Ask yourself, “What would it look like if Jesus were truly at the center of this part of my life?”
When Jesus is the center, your values change. Your habits flow from those transformed values. And ultimately, your life becomes a reflection of His kingdom.
Let’s Pray
Lord, we know that You call us to seek You first. Not just as part of a checklist, but in everything we do. God, we confess that sometimes we’ve allowed our routines, traditions, and even our good deeds to become about ourselves rather than You.
Transform our hearts, God. Renew our minds. Help us to put You at the center of our lives—not just on Sundays, but in our marriages, our families, our workplaces, and our communities.
God, we lift up our worries to You. We lay them at the foot of the cross. Whether it’s stress, relationships, or finances, we know that You care for us and are faithful. Help us to trust You in all things.
Let this year, 2025, be a year where we don’t just build new habits but build our lives on You as the foundation. We want to glorify You in everything we do, inside and outside these walls.
We love You, Lord. Thank You for Your grace, mercy, and love. We pray this in Jesus’ name. And everyone said, “Amen.”
*This transcript has been prepared to enhance readability and accessibility. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, some errors or discrepancies may remain. For the most precise representation, please refer to the original video.
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