Having our hearts transformed by Jesus involves more than just NOT doing wrong. As we discover in Matthew 6:1-34, it also includes doing the right things for the right reasons: namely, to grow closer to God.

As Jesus preaches in Matthew 5:17-48, we discover that everything we do, say, and even think affects our relationship with God. That is why Jesus aims for nothing less than the total transformation of our hearts.

As soon as Jesus starts speaking in Matthew 5:1-16, we discover just how different God's kingdom is from the world. Hearing that leaves us with some questions to ask and choices to make.

When Jesus spoke, it wasn't like other religious teachers. As we discover in Matthew 7:28-29, His authority leaves us astonished.

Lots of us have heard what Jesus preached in the Sermon on the Mount; but as we discover in Matthew 7:21-27, it will only make a difference in our lives if we actually do it.

Jesus preaches that people can be recognized by our fruit: what is your life producing? As we discover in Matthew 7:15-20, the fruit of our actions reveals the true from the false.

While many religious teachers emphasize what you shouldn't do, Jesus focuses on what we should do. Yet as simple as that is, it is anything but easy, as we discover in Matthew 7:12-14.

God wants a real relationship with you. As we discover in Matthew 7:7-11, we experience true closeness to Him when we ask, seek, and knock.

Jesus teaches us to "judge not" because we really struggle with it. As we discover Matthew 7:1-6, He will show us how to first work on our own hearts so that we are truly ready to help others.

Do you worry? I do. When we hear Jesus preach "do not be anxious" in Matthew 6:25-34, we will discover He not only gives us great reasons not to worry but also practical ways to overcome our anxieties.

Following Jesus requires asking some tough questions of ourselves, as we discover in Matthew 6:19-24. What do you treasure? Where are you looking? Who - really - is your Master?

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus assumed that you would skip a meal if it meant growing closer to God: would you? In Matthew 6:16-18, we discover how the practice of fasting can lead to incredible rewards.

In His most famous sermon, Jesus teaches history's most famous prayer: "The Lord's Prayer." Instead of mindlessly repeating or arrogantly dismissing it, we will discover a much closer relationship with God when we learn to pray like this.

Lots of people pray, but sometimes we go about it all wrong. As we discover from Jesus in Matthew 6:7-8, we don't have to pray to convince God to help us: He already knows and cares.