REFUGE KENOSHA

How does fasting deepen your hunger for God? Today we explore Matthew 6:16-18, where Jesus teaches about fasting in secret to seek God rather than the approval of others. We will uncover how fasting reveals the state of our hearts, refocuses our desires, and revitalizes our faith—are you hungry for Him?

Today we’re diving into one of Jesus's most challenging teachings: forgiveness. In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus speaks to the critical, sometimes uncomfortable truth that forgiving others is linked to our own forgiveness. As you listen, consider this: Is there someone in your life you haven’t forgiven? And, if so, what’s holding you back from releasing that burden today?

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?

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.

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.

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 l...

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.

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 yourse...

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.

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.

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.

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.

What does the Old Testament Law have to do with Jesus? How relevant is it for Christians today? As we look at Jesus’s words in Matthew 5:17-20, we will see that whatever God reveals ultimately stands the test of time.

Influence is a word that is common in our culture. What is the Christian’s relationship tot he world in terms of influence? Today, as we look at Matthew 5:13-16, we will see that our job as believers is to influence the world in preserving God’s design and proclaiming the light of the good news of Jesus.

Today we are talking about persecution. Jesus ends His Beatitudes by saying that the happiest people are those who are mistreated because of their righteous living. What exactly does He mean by that? Today, as we study Matthew 5:10-12, we will be challenged to live a life that is marked, not by this world, but by the Kingdom of Heaven.

Peace is something that everyone wants, but few actually get. Why is there such a lack of peace among people today? Today, as we continue through the Beatitudes of Jesus (Matthew 5:9), we will see that God’s children are called to be peacemakers. We will see that this is firstly a reflection of who God is, and that this reflection works itself out through bringing wholeness to others.

Can a lack of purity in our hearts actually affect our ability to know and have fellowship with God? If other devotions find themselves mixed within my devotion to God, can it cause a spiritual vision impairment? Jesus has an answer to that. Today, as we look at the sixth Beatitude (Matthew 5:8), we will see how purity creates clarity. 

Can our inward convictions or devotion to Christ stay inward? Is there a need for an external outworking of the character of Christ in us? Today, as we look through the fifth Beatitude (Matthew 5:7), we will see how people who belong to the Kingdom of God are to be merciful, showing active goodness toward people who are in misery and distress.

Everyone wants to be fulfilled. However, where does true fulfillment come from? Where are we to aim our desires? Today, as we look at the fourth Beatitude in Matthew 5:6, we’ll see how true fulfillment is found in hungering and thirsting after the right things.

How can you overcome the American ingrained mindset, “just a little more?” How can you weather the difficult seasons that come in life? Today, we will look at the humble and gentle term “meekness,” and see how the Spirit of God can actually give you a gentle strength that completely trusts in Him throughout all seasons.

Everyone mourns. But is every tear that is shed good and right before God? Today, Refuge Elder Mark Lehmann continues through our study on the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:4). The question that will be asked is: What sort of mourning is right and acceptable before God?

We begin what is referred to as the Sermon on the Mount, which is regarded by many as Jesus’ most hard-hitting sermon. Today, we’ll look at the first saying Jesus gives: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.”

A disciple is someone who follows Jesus, is transformed by Jesus, and teaches others to do the same. Today, as we look at the start of Jesus’ public ministry in Galilee, we are going to see how King Jesus brings about transformation in the lives of those that follow Him.

Every single one of us is tempted in a variety of ways, and in the culture we live in, temptation is more accessible than it has ever been. How was Jesus tempted? What is the best weapon against it? And what can we learn from Jesus’s temptation in the wilderness, in order to help us fight the many temptations we come across?

This is the second part to of our study of the Trinity. Specifically, we will look at the concept of God as eternal Father, and what that means for us as believers. In addition, we will consider several ways that God being an eternal three-in-one God ought to shape our fundamental beliefs about creation.