Sermons By Antioch Community Church in Beverly, MA (Boston Area)

The Sermon on the Mount: How To Pray (Jon Ketcham)

·36 min·3 clips

Jesus warns against praying like hypocrites who seek attention, then reveals a secret way to pray.

The episode is a sermon by Jon Ketcham at Antioch Community Church, part of a series on the Sermon on the Mount. It begins with a reading of Matthew 6:5-15, where Jesus instructs on prayer, warning against hypocrisy and empty phrases. Ketcham introduces the topic by referencing a personal anecdote about attempting to make a bouche de Noël in eighth grade, using it as a metaphor for the importance of following Jesus' directions on righteousness. He outlines the structure of Matthew chapters 5-6, showing how the Lord's Prayer fits into Jesus' broader teaching on righteousness, charity, treasure, lifestyle, service, attitudes, judgment, petitions, fairness, fruit-bearing, obedience, and life-building. The speaker then delves into the Lord's Prayer, starting with Jesus' critique of the Pharisees and hypocrites who pray to be seen, connecting it to the Old Testament story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal to illustrate the futility of using many words or actions to manipulate God. Ketcham explains that the Lord's Prayer can be used as a fixed prayer or a framework, with seven petitions. He analyzes each petition: honoring God's name, asking for his kingdom (defined as righteousness, joy, and peace), desiring his will, requesting daily bread, seeking forgiveness, avoiding temptation, and deliverance from evil. A significant portion focuses on forgiveness, with Ketcham highlighting Jesus' repetition of this theme and referencing parables like the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18. He stresses that forgiveness from God should lead to forgiving others, and holding onto hurts harms oneself. The sermon concludes with a pastoral call to reflect on forgiveness during worship songs, encouraging listeners to let go of past hurts and experience freedom. The tone is educational and narrative, blending scriptural exegesis with personal stories and practical application.

As heard by us

A reflective church-room reading of the Lord's Prayer, centered on God's rule, shalom, and the work of forgiveness.

The Lord's Prayer is framed as a question of purpose, moving from Jesus' warning about public display and empty repetition into the prayer's concern for God's honor, God's kingdom, daily bread, and forgiveness.

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Why you'd press play

You get a fresh reason to return to the Lord's Prayer when familiar words have started to feel automatic, especially where forgiveness asks more than recitation.

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