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6 episodes with his sermon on the mount
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4 episodes with his sermon on the mount
4 episodes with his sermon on the mount
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3 episodes with his sermon on the mount
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Welcome to the final week of our 12-week sermon series, "Summer on the Mount: Jesus' Upside-Down Kingdom," from Grace City Church. In this powerful and reflective message, Pastor Casey Olsen takes us through Matthew 7:24–29, where Jesus closes His Sermon on the Mount with a defining challenge: Will you build your life on the rock, or on the sand?This is more than just the end of a series—it's a spiritual decision point. Jesus invites us not just to admire His words, but to align our lives with them.Subscribe to our channel for more gospel-centered teaching and visit our website to learn more about Grace City Church.---In this closing message, Pastor Casey reminds us that hearing the words of Jesus isn't enough—it's about doing them. Our lives are shaped not just by what we believe on Sunday, but by what we build on Monday.Through honest testimony, biblical insight, and practical wisdom, this sermon explores what it means to build a storm-proof life on the unshakable foundation of Christ.---In this sermon, you'll learn:- Why amazement at Jesus' teachings is not the goal—obedience is- How storms in life reveal the cracks in our spiritual foundations- What it means to anchor your life in Christ, not comfort or control- How habits like prayer, Scripture, community, and obedience build spiritual strength- That it's never too late to rebuild, even if the storms have already exposed your weakness- How a life built on Jesus becomes a source of strength and peace for others---Key Passage:Matthew 7:24-29
Killing your enemies on today's Something Good with Dr. Ron Jones. When we talk about killing our enemies in the context of Christ's teaching, what we mean is to kill them with kindness. To overcome evil with good. This is the challenge issued by Jesus in His Sermon on the Mount, when He tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Ron takes you to this hard saying of Jesus next, as he moves ahead in his series, “Kingdom Come: Lessons from the Sermon on the Mount.”
Today, we come to the eighth and final Beatitude of Christ, a teaching He gave as part of His Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapter five. “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,” He said, “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Ron unpacks this teaching today as he continues his series, “Your Happy Place: Living The Beatitudes of Jesus.”
Text: Proverbs 28:14 (ESV) 14 Blessed is the one who fears the LORD always,but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity. DO FEAR THE LORD ALWAYS The term translated into English as "fear" may refer to both an emotional feeling or respect or reverence (Prov 1:7; Lev 19:32). Both concepts are important, but this verse is more inclined to the idea of alarm or dread. Those who stubbornly ignore the dangers of sin, warnings from others or God's clear commands) set themselves up for a disaster or catastrophe (Prov 8:32–36; 22:5; 12:15; 1:23). This attitude is describing someone who "hardens his heart." It is a common phrase refereing to obstinate disobedience to the Lord (Ex 7:13; Dan 5:20; John 12:40). Some translators interpret this as an appeal to revere God. This is not an unreasonable conclusion, even if the Hebrew text itself does not mention "the LORD." For a person to be properly reverent and seek goodness, obedience to God is implied (Proverbs 2:6–9). This fear is the reason for repentance (v.13). Psalm 1 describes blessedness by loving God's Word and obeying it. This means refusing any influence from the ungodly. While the wicked receive divine judgment and are eternally separated from God, the person who reveres the Lord enjoys a productive life. Jesus in His Sermon on the Mount used a term meaning "blessed" or "happy" to describe "those who hunger and thirst for righteousness" (Mat 5:6). The choice must be clear. Should a person chose to honor the Lord and "fear" evil, he will be blessed. If someone hardens his heart against the Lord, he is going towards disastrous trouble.Listen and FOLLOW us on our podcast -------------------------Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram
What will we do with what we've learned from Jesus? --- Jesus was the greatest teacher the world has ever known, and His teachings continue to shape lives still today. Not far from His ministry base of Capernaum, a hill on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee is traditionally known as the site from which Jesus delivered His Sermon on the Mount. In this beautiful place, Jesus sat down and shared a paradigm-shifting message that became the most famous sermon in history – the greatest sermon ever preached! Sermon Notes: http://bible.com/events/49467066 Submit a Question: bit.ly/BeyondSundayQuestions
What we know of James is that he and his brothers did not believe that his half-brother and the oldest of his siblings was all that He claimed to be (John 7:5). It most likely was not until after Jesus resurrection that James finally did believe.However, based on what we read in these verses, I am curious if James was present when Jesus preached His sermon on the mount? James seems to be the sermon on the mount applied to life. I cant prove it, but I believe James 1:19-27 is the first four beatitudes applied to life. Think about the first four beatitudes (Matt. 5:3-6): Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Permit me to share some of my initial takeaways from James 1:19-27 and then share how the first four beatitudes fit into these verses. Each of us live with a nature that we wish we did not have to contend with. For some, it is lust. For others, it is anger. If it is not lust or anger, it is something else. When it came to lust and anger, Jesus told us in His Sermon on the Mount to take radical action to fight against such sins that come from within (see Matt. 5:21-30). The apostle John wrote of our struggle with sin: If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-9). It would really be great if we didnt have to wrestle and contend with our sin though! Gods Word promises us that our fight with sin can be won with the Word of God. In fact, the battle with sin is first won or lost in the mind; listen to 2 Corinthains 10:3-5, For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage battle according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. James states, ridding yourselves of all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls (James 1:21). You cannot win against your sin apart from the Word of God. To believe the Bible to be the Word of God is good, but you cannot progress and grow in your relationship with God if you do not act upon His Word as it is contained in the Bible. The only way to move forward in your faith as a Christian is to hear the Word of God and then act upon the Word of God by doing what it tells you to do. In the case of James 1:26-27, you have not really heard the Word of God if it has not affected your speech (v. 26). You have not really heard the Word of God is you are not looking for ways to love others. It is not enough to believe what the Bible says about the damage your words can do, the only way you will be able to start addressing the problem of your tongue is to, in the words of James, bridle his tongue (v. 26). What God Has Said is More Important Than Your Feelings (vv. 19-21) We live in a world filled with people who are slow to hear, quick to speak, and at the flip of a switch... explode with anger. We easily respond to the wounding of our pride with anger. Ecclesiastes 7:9 says of angry people: Do not be eager in your spirit to be angry, for anger resides in the heart of fools. If Ecclesiastes is true, and I believe that it is, then we live in a nation of fools. There is a righteous anger that ought to be felt and at times expressed, when necessary, but the kind of anger we see all around us has more to do with feeling triggered, hurt feelings, and whatever entitlements we think belong to us. We will look at James 4:14 later in this sermon series, but for now, we are told: Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit. Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. For you are just a vapor that appears for a little while, and then vanishes away. What is uncomfortable about the epistle of James is that it forces us to consider the simple reality that all of us are here one moment and then we are gone. You may have 76 years like Ozzy Ozborne or 71 years like Hulk Hogan, or... you may only have until tomorrow! The question James wants us to ask and that he answers is this: What are you chasing after and why? Why are you so slow to listen? Why are you so quick to speak? Why are you quick to get angry? This is why Jesus started his sermon on the mount with the first step towards the life you were born to experience: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:3). To be poor in spirit is to recognize just how far short you fall from being right before the only One who mattersnamely God. To be poor in spirit is to recognize that you cannot help yourself. To be poor in spirit is to be fully aware that you need a righteousness that you cannot generate. If you are genuinely poor in spirit, you will mourn over the sin that offended a holy God, alienated you from Him, and is the reason for the mess that is your life. There is no coming to God unless you see your sin for what it really is, and if you see it for what it is, then you will come to him with the very keen awareness that your only hope is outside of yourself. If you really do mourn over your sin while aware that you need God to do the saving, then you will be meek. The choice of the NASB to translate praus to gentle in Matthew 5:5 was a poor discission by the translators. Every other major version of the Bible translates this world meek or humble. To be see yourself for what you really are, and if you see yourself for what you really are, you will not be too impressed with yourself. So, James states in verses 21, Therefore, ridding yourselves of all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility [prautēs] receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. The word James uses in verse 21 for humility comes from the same root that Jesus used in His third beatitude! If you received the word, you received the gospel. If you received the gospel, you have been born again and the power that raised Jesus from the grave, is the same power that now resides in you in the person of the Holy Spirit who indwells and seals you (see Eph. 1:13-14; 3:20-21). How do I address the filthiness and wickedness that remains in me? Be quick to hear what the Word of God says about it, keep your mouth shut by accepting it, and instead of responding in anger, respond in humility. Who cares about your feelings, what you ought to really care about is what has God said and why does it matter? What God Wants to Do in Your Life is Greater than What You Know (vv. 22-25) If I understand the Christian life and how it is that God brings change in our lives, it seems to me that for God to accomplish what He needs to in my life, He must wound my ego by exposing my thoughts and the intentions of my heart. James exhorts us in verse 22, But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves. The author of Hebrews said of the Word of God: For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb. 4:12). What James states in verse 19 is primarily how it is that God uses His word in the lives of His people to live and finish well. Why does God want this for your life? Well, again, in verse 18, God used His word (the gospel) so that we can become born again, so that we would be a kind of a first fruits among His creatures (v. 18). Here is the thing about first fruits: The Israelites were commanded to give God the first fruits of their crops which was the best of their crops. If you are a Christian, you are Gods first fruits, which means you are of great value to Him, and what He wants for you is to thrive as His child! If you are a Christian, then it is true that you, at one time, arrived at the cross of Christ as one who was poor in spirit, one who mourned over your sin, and one who died to the any notion that you were able to save yourself by laying down your pride to embrace the cross of Christ as the only hope of your salvation and redemption. So what has changed since then? Not a thing! The evidence that the gospel has germinated and taken root in your life is that you are still poor in spirit, that you still mourn over your sin, and that you are still aware that it is only by the grace of God that you have been saved, are saved, and will be saved. In the mind of James, and every other person who contributed to the Bible, those who are poor in spirit, those who mourn over their sins, and those who let go of their pride come to Christ, it is not enough to only hear the word of God! Why? Because when a person is born again, something happened that happens to all people who are alive: you are now hungry and thirsty. But hungry and thirsty for what? Hungry and thirsty for the righteousness of God. After the first, second, and third beatitude, Jesus said, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied (Matt. 5:6). When you are hungry and when you are thirsty for the word of God, it is not enough to just listen to the word of God. This is the point of verses 23-25, For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. God uses His word to form and shape His people through the power of His Holy Spirit. To listen to His word intently will mean that you must let Gods word challenge your assumptions about who He is, how you live your life, and the world you live in. This is why we must be both slow to speak and slow to anger. What does that mean? Well, if you do not like what Gods word says because of what you would like Gods word to say, you must yield your life, heart, and soul to it. When the word of God confronts you, when it challenges your assumptions, and when it calls you to action, your best course of action is to yield to it knowing that God wants to accomplish His good will in and through your life for your joy and His glory. This is how you address, ...all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness in your life; this is what it means to be a doer of the word, and not just a hearer who deceives his/herself. This will not happen in your life if you are passive about His word. God Wants to Change Your Heart for Your Joy and the Good of the World (vv. 26-27) Think for a moment about your life. Are you satisfied and happy with what comes out of your mouth? Are you content with the way things are now? What kind of mark do you want to leave in this world when you are gone? What are you doing now, Christian? What is your religion really worth? How much of the world has left or is leaving its mark on you? If you think that verses 26-27 are only about what comes out of your mouth or to what extent you help those in need, then you have completely missed the point! James is taking something Jesus said and is showing us what that looks like in day-to-day life; here is what Jesus said: But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person (Matt. 15:18). Against the backdrop of Matthew 15:18, think carefully about what James is addressing in verses 26-27, If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this persons religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. So, how are you doing Christian? What does your speech and how you treat others really say about your faith in Jesus? When Jesus said what He said in Matthew 15:18, He said of the Pharisees of His day: You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me... (Matthew 15:7-8). If James was with us during our worship service today, I think he would ask what the Holy Spirit may be asking you right now, and that question is this: How is your heart? Conclusion Listen to me now, the epistle of James is written to those who identify as Christians. James considered those to whom he wrote his letter as brothers and sisters. What this means is that as a Christian, it is possible to have an unbridled tongue and to ignore orphans and widows for a season in your life as a Christian. The reason why James warns us of the dangers of being slow to listen, quick to speak, and easily angered is because those dangers exist for the one who has been born again. As a Christian, it is possible to be carried away and enticed by your own lust resulting in your own sin (v. 14). It is possible that although you are a Christian, that you have entered a season where your heart has grown far from God because you have been carried away by a desire to sin. If that is you, then Joel 2:12-13 is for you, Yet even now, declares the Lord, Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping, and mourning; and tear your heart and not merely your garments. Now return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in mercy and relenting of catastrophe. An outward expression of repentance in the Bible involved the tearing of ones garment. God is not interested in what you do on the outside as much as what you are doing about the inside. To tear your heart is to allow the word of God to speak into your heart, and if there is anything there that needs to be addressed, to address it. It is to take the mirror of Gods word before your heart and to do something about what is seen in the mirror. Dear Christian, what is the mirror of Gods word telling you this morning? What are you willing to do to address what the mirror of Gods word is showing you? It is not enough to only hear Gods word; you must do something about what it is exposing, because God is for your joy more than you can ever know. The first step is to repent by bringing whatever it is that you see before God and to commit to turning from that sin. The next step is to assess how it is that you got where you are, and to change the pattern of your life to line your heart up more with the things that please the God who saved you. Instead of standing and staring at the things that displease the Lord, turn from your sins to His Son.
What we know of James is that he and his brothers did not believe that his half-brother and the oldest of his siblings was all that He claimed to be (John 7:5). It most likely was not until after Jesus resurrection that James finally did believe.However, based on what we read in these verses, I am curious if James was present when Jesus preached His sermon on the mount? James seems to be the sermon on the mount applied to life. I cant prove it, but I believe James 1:19-27 is the first four beatitudes applied to life. Think about the first four beatitudes (Matt. 5:3-6): Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Permit me to share some of my initial takeaways from James 1:19-27 and then share how the first four beatitudes fit into these verses. Each of us live with a nature that we wish we did not have to contend with. For some, it is lust. For others, it is anger. If it is not lust or anger, it is something else. When it came to lust and anger, Jesus told us in His Sermon on the Mount to take radical action to fight against such sins that come from within (see Matt. 5:21-30). The apostle John wrote of our struggle with sin: If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-9). It would really be great if we didnt have to wrestle and contend with our sin though! Gods Word promises us that our fight with sin can be won with the Word of God. In fact, the battle with sin is first won or lost in the mind; listen to 2 Corinthains 10:3-5, For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage battle according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. James states, ridding yourselves of all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls (James 1:21). You cannot win against your sin apart from the Word of God. To believe the Bible to be the Word of God is good, but you cannot progress and grow in your relationship with God if you do not act upon His Word as it is contained in the Bible. The only way to move forward in your faith as a Christian is to hear the Word of God and then act upon the Word of God by doing what it tells you to do. In the case of James 1:26-27, you have not really heard the Word of God if it has not affected your speech (v. 26). You have not really heard the Word of God is you are not looking for ways to love others. It is not enough to believe what the Bible says about the damage your words can do, the only way you will be able to start addressing the problem of your tongue is to, in the words of James, bridle his tongue (v. 26). What God Has Said is More Important Than Your Feelings (vv. 19-21) We live in a world filled with people who are slow to hear, quick to speak, and at the flip of a switch... explode with anger. We easily respond to the wounding of our pride with anger. Ecclesiastes 7:9 says of angry people: Do not be eager in your spirit to be angry, for anger resides in the heart of fools. If Ecclesiastes is true, and I believe that it is, then we live in a nation of fools. There is a righteous anger that ought to be felt and at times expressed, when necessary, but the kind of anger we see all around us has more to do with feeling triggered, hurt feelings, and whatever entitlements we think belong to us. We will look at James 4:14 later in this sermon series, but for now, we are told: Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit. Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. For you are just a vapor that appears for a little while, and then vanishes away. What is uncomfortable about the epistle of James is that it forces us to consider the simple reality that all of us are here one moment and then we are gone. You may have 76 years like Ozzy Ozborne or 71 years like Hulk Hogan, or... you may only have until tomorrow! The question James wants us to ask and that he answers is this: What are you chasing after and why? Why are you so slow to listen? Why are you so quick to speak? Why are you quick to get angry? This is why Jesus started his sermon on the mount with the first step towards the life you were born to experience: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:3). To be poor in spirit is to recognize just how far short you fall from being right before the only One who mattersnamely God. To be poor in spirit is to recognize that you cannot help yourself. To be poor in spirit is to be fully aware that you need a righteousness that you cannot generate. If you are genuinely poor in spirit, you will mourn over the sin that offended a holy God, alienated you from Him, and is the reason for the mess that is your life. There is no coming to God unless you see your sin for what it really is, and if you see it for what it is, then you will come to him with the very keen awareness that your only hope is outside of yourself. If you really do mourn over your sin while aware that you need God to do the saving, then you will be meek. The choice of the NASB to translate praus to gentle in Matthew 5:5 was a poor discission by the translators. Every other major version of the Bible translates this world meek or humble. To be see yourself for what you really are, and if you see yourself for what you really are, you will not be too impressed with yourself. So, James states in verses 21, Therefore, ridding yourselves of all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility [prautēs] receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. The word James uses in verse 21 for humility comes from the same root that Jesus used in His third beatitude! If you received the word, you received the gospel. If you received the gospel, you have been born again and the power that raised Jesus from the grave, is the same power that now resides in you in the person of the Holy Spirit who indwells and seals you (see Eph. 1:13-14; 3:20-21). How do I address the filthiness and wickedness that remains in me? Be quick to hear what the Word of God says about it, keep your mouth shut by accepting it, and instead of responding in anger, respond in humility. Who cares about your feelings, what you ought to really care about is what has God said and why does it matter? What God Wants to Do in Your Life is Greater than What You Know (vv. 22-25) If I understand the Christian life and how it is that God brings change in our lives, it seems to me that for God to accomplish what He needs to in my life, He must wound my ego by exposing my thoughts and the intentions of my heart. James exhorts us in verse 22, But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves. The author of Hebrews said of the Word of God: For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb. 4:12). What James states in verse 19 is primarily how it is that God uses His word in the lives of His people to live and finish well. Why does God want this for your life? Well, again, in verse 18, God used His word (the gospel) so that we can become born again, so that we would be a kind of a first fruits among His creatures (v. 18). Here is the thing about first fruits: The Israelites were commanded to give God the first fruits of their crops which was the best of their crops. If you are a Christian, you are Gods first fruits, which means you are of great value to Him, and what He wants for you is to thrive as His child! If you are a Christian, then it is true that you, at one time, arrived at the cross of Christ as one who was poor in spirit, one who mourned over your sin, and one who died to the any notion that you were able to save yourself by laying down your pride to embrace the cross of Christ as the only hope of your salvation and redemption. So what has changed since then? Not a thing! The evidence that the gospel has germinated and taken root in your life is that you are still poor in spirit, that you still mourn over your sin, and that you are still aware that it is only by the grace of God that you have been saved, are saved, and will be saved. In the mind of James, and every other person who contributed to the Bible, those who are poor in spirit, those who mourn over their sins, and those who let go of their pride come to Christ, it is not enough to only hear the word of God! Why? Because when a person is born again, something happened that happens to all people who are alive: you are now hungry and thirsty. But hungry and thirsty for what? Hungry and thirsty for the righteousness of God. After the first, second, and third beatitude, Jesus said, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied (Matt. 5:6). When you are hungry and when you are thirsty for the word of God, it is not enough to just listen to the word of God. This is the point of verses 23-25, For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. God uses His word to form and shape His people through the power of His Holy Spirit. To listen to His word intently will mean that you must let Gods word challenge your assumptions about who He is, how you live your life, and the world you live in. This is why we must be both slow to speak and slow to anger. What does that mean? Well, if you do not like what Gods word says because of what you would like Gods word to say, you must yield your life, heart, and soul to it. When the word of God confronts you, when it challenges your assumptions, and when it calls you to action, your best course of action is to yield to it knowing that God wants to accomplish His good will in and through your life for your joy and His glory. This is how you address, ...all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness in your life; this is what it means to be a doer of the word, and not just a hearer who deceives his/herself. This will not happen in your life if you are passive about His word. God Wants to Change Your Heart for Your Joy and the Good of the World (vv. 26-27) Think for a moment about your life. Are you satisfied and happy with what comes out of your mouth? Are you content with the way things are now? What kind of mark do you want to leave in this world when you are gone? What are you doing now, Christian? What is your religion really worth? How much of the world has left or is leaving its mark on you? If you think that verses 26-27 are only about what comes out of your mouth or to what extent you help those in need, then you have completely missed the point! James is taking something Jesus said and is showing us what that looks like in day-to-day life; here is what Jesus said: But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person (Matt. 15:18). Against the backdrop of Matthew 15:18, think carefully about what James is addressing in verses 26-27, If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this persons religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. So, how are you doing Christian? What does your speech and how you treat others really say about your faith in Jesus? When Jesus said what He said in Matthew 15:18, He said of the Pharisees of His day: You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me... (Matthew 15:7-8). If James was with us during our worship service today, I think he would ask what the Holy Spirit may be asking you right now, and that question is this: How is your heart? Conclusion Listen to me now, the epistle of James is written to those who identify as Christians. James considered those to whom he wrote his letter as brothers and sisters. What this means is that as a Christian, it is possible to have an unbridled tongue and to ignore orphans and widows for a season in your life as a Christian. The reason why James warns us of the dangers of being slow to listen, quick to speak, and easily angered is because those dangers exist for the one who has been born again. As a Christian, it is possible to be carried away and enticed by your own lust resulting in your own sin (v. 14). It is possible that although you are a Christian, that you have entered a season where your heart has grown far from God because you have been carried away by a desire to sin. If that is you, then Joel 2:12-13 is for you, Yet even now, declares the Lord, Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping, and mourning; and tear your heart and not merely your garments. Now return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in mercy and relenting of catastrophe. An outward expression of repentance in the Bible involved the tearing of ones garment. God is not interested in what you do on the outside as much as what you are doing about the inside. To tear your heart is to allow the word of God to speak into your heart, and if there is anything there that needs to be addressed, to address it. It is to take the mirror of Gods word before your heart and to do something about what is seen in the mirror. Dear Christian, what is the mirror of Gods word telling you this morning? What are you willing to do to address what the mirror of Gods word is showing you? It is not enough to only hear Gods word; you must do something about what it is exposing, because God is for your joy more than you can ever know. The first step is to repent by bringing whatever it is that you see before God and to commit to turning from that sin. The next step is to assess how it is that you got where you are, and to change the pattern of your life to line your heart up more with the things that please the God who saved you. Instead of standing and staring at the things that displease the Lord, turn from your sins to His Son.
God loves you and wants you to know Him. That's a really big deal. --- Jesus was the greatest teacher the world has ever known, and His teachings continue to shape lives still today. Not far from His ministry base of Capernaum, a hill on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee is traditionally known as the site from which Jesus delivered His Sermon on the Mount. In this beautiful place, Jesus sat down and shared a paradigm-shifting message that became the most famous sermon in history – the greatest sermon ever preached! Sermon Notes: http://bible.com/events/49463929 Submit a Question: bit.ly/BeyondSundayQuestions
One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43) Two criminals hung beside Jesus that day on calvary. Both were guilty, both were dying, and both had a front-row seat to the suffering and strength of the Son of God. One mocked Him, joining the crowd in scorn. But the other – broken, repentant, and fully aware of his guilt – responded with humility and faith. This second criminal didn’t defend himself. He didn’t ask to be spared from death. He didn't attempt to bargain with God. He simply acknowledged and confessed the truth: “We are receiving the due reward for our deeds.” And then, turning to Jesus, he made a request that humbly echo through this crucifixion account forever: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Remember Me That word remember carries deep meaning. It's more than just recalling a name or face. In Scripture, to “remember” implies acting with intentionality. When God says in Isaiah that He will remember our sins no more, it means He chooses not to act on them (Isaiah 43:25). And here, the criminal wasn't just asking Jesus to think of him – he was asking for mercy. For a place in Jesus' coming kingdom. For grace. For redemption. And Jesus, bleeding and dying, answered with the most astonishing assurance: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Here's the thing - this criminal would still die that day. His body would suffer the consequence of his sin according to human justice. But his soul was redeemed in an instant. No religious rituals, no time for good works; just a heart of faith and a cry for mercy. And Jesus paid it all. The Poor in Spirit As Jesus said in His sermon on the mount, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). This dying criminal was the very picture of spiritual poverty. He had nothing to offer, no way to make up for his crimes – and he knew it. And yet, to him the kingdom of heaven was given. Commentator D.A. Carson puts it this way: “The kingdom of heaven is not given on the basis of race, earned merits, the military zeal and prowess of Zealots, or the wealth of a Zacchaeus. It is given to the poor, the despised publicans, the prostitutes, those who are so ‘poor' they know they can offer nothing and do not try. They cry for mercy and they alone are heard.” And Charles Spurgeon wrote, “The poor in spirit are lifted from the dunghill, and set, not among hired servants in the field, but among princes in the kingdom.” This moment on the cross shatters every performance-based idea of salvation. You don't have to clean yourself up to come to Jesus. You just have to come - in humility, in faith, asking to be remembered. And He will answer with the full assurance of paradise. Rest for Your Soul This truth goes beyond our ultimate salvation - You don't have to clean yourself up to come to Jesus - you just have to come. How often do we claim our salvation and identity in Christ to not come to Jesus when we're weak and weary. Yet of His disciples, Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29) When was the last time you found rest for your soul, my friend? We don't need to have it all together – just because we're in Christ doesn't mean we will have it all together. It only causes strife if we deceive ourselves and others into thinking we do. It's ok to be broken – but don't stay there and wallow in it. Humbly come to Jesus seeking His mercy and grace in faith, and simply receive it and find rest for your soul.
“Judge not” is more nuanced than we might think. What is Jesus telling us? --- Jesus was the greatest teacher the world has ever known, and His teachings continue to shape lives still today. Not far from His ministry base of Capernaum, a hill on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee is traditionally known as the site from which Jesus delivered His Sermon on the Mount. In this beautiful place, Jesus sat down and shared a paradigm-shifting message that became the most famous sermon in history – the greatest sermon ever preached! Sermon Notes: http://bible.com/events/49460662 Submit a Question: bit.ly/BeyondSundayQuestions
What have you devoted your life to getting? What does Jesus have to say about that? --- Jesus was the greatest teacher the world has ever known, and His teachings continue to shape lives still today. Not far from His ministry base of Capernaum, a hill on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee is traditionally known as the site from which Jesus delivered His Sermon on the Mount. In this beautiful place, Jesus sat down and shared a paradigm-shifting message that became the most famous sermon in history – the greatest sermon ever preached! Sermon Notes: http://bible.com/events/49457597 Submit a Question: bit.ly/BeyondSundayQuestions
In Matthew 5:1-12, Jesus opens His Sermon on the Mount with a series of surprising, upside-down declarations we now call the Beatitudes. He pronounces blessing not on the powerful or popular, but on the poor in spirit, the meek, the merciful, and those who mourn. This passage reveals the heart of God’s Kingdom — a place where humility is honored, mercy is rewarded, and persecution comes with promise. It reminds us that true blessing isn’t found in earthly success, but in a life aligned with God’s values. These words still challenge and comfort us today, inviting us to live differently in a world desperate for hope. Visit us online at: RenewalChurch.net
Jesus Explained that His Followers Would Both Pray and Fast, and Prayer and Fasting Are Matters of Heart Between His Followers and God MESSAGE SUMMARY: There are times when you need clarity, understanding, knowledge and insights from God about the specific issues that you are facing. In your personal relationship with God, the Lord will speak to you; but sometimes it takes both your listening and fasting to hear Him. Jesus, in Matthew 6:18, was speaking to the Apostles as well as those gathered for His “Sermon on the Mount” where he explained that praying and fasting are matters of the heart between Jesus Followers and God. Jesus assumes that his followers will fast: "that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Lay Up Treasures in Heaven.”. Also, when Joel received a Word when the land was to be destroyed, he called a fast (i.e. Joel 1:14): “Consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD.”. Some things you are facing in your life must be dealt with by both prayer and fasting. Fasting releases a spiritual power – in your weakness, God is made strong in your life. Daniel's prayer, from Daniel 9:3-5, provides a context for asking direction from God: “Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, ‘O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules.'". TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, you know how difficult it is for me to be in silence before you. At times it feels almost impossible, given the demands, distractions, and noise all around me. I invite you to lead me to a quiet, silent place before you — to a place where I can hear you as Elijah did. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 123). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, because I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Self-Centeredness. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit's fruit of Love. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22f). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Joel 1:13-16; Matthew 6:16-18; Daniel 9:3-7; Psalms138:1-8. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Wake Up America!”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
Where Happiness is Found When it comes to happiness, Jesus said we would find it in places we least expect. His Sermon on the Mount says we'll find happiness when we mourn, when we're meek, when we hunger and thirst for the things of God, and when we live as peacemakers. A lot of these things mean giving up something valuable. We find happiness in the unexpected. We find happiness when we give our lives away to the purposes of God. We find happiness as we spend time with, love and serve those who are in greatest need. Jesus said, if you want to find your life, you should give it away. That's how Jesus lived, and that's how we should live as well. ginghamsburg.org/planyourvisit
How do we pray the way Jesus taught us to pray? --- Jesus was the greatest teacher the world has ever known, and His teachings continue to shape lives still today. Not far from His ministry base of Capernaum, a hill on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee is traditionally known as the site from which Jesus delivered His Sermon on the Mount. In this beautiful place, Jesus sat down and shared a paradigm-shifting message that became the most famous sermon in history – the greatest sermon ever preached! Sermon Notes: http://bible.com/events/49451873 Submit a Question: bit.ly/BeyondSundayQuestions
In the middle of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus brings his hearers to a watershed moment. He starts to connect the heart to the wallet with the intention of helping His hearers understand the importance of giving and helping those in need. --- Jesus was the greatest teacher the world has ever known, and His teachings continue to shape lives still today. Not far from His ministry base of Capernaum, a hill on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee is traditionally known as the site from which Jesus delivered His Sermon on the Mount. In this beautiful place, Jesus sat down and shared a paradigm-shifting message that became the most famous sermon in history – the greatest sermon ever preached! Sermon Notes: http://bible.com/events/49450865 Submit a Question: bit.ly/BeyondSundayQuestions
Today we're invited to know God's will for our lives through Jesus' closing words in His sermon on the mount.
Jesus teaches us that the Kingdom of God is different, and empowered by His Holy Spirit, its citizens live differently. --- Jesus was the greatest teacher the world has ever known, and His teachings continue to shape lives still today. Not far from His ministry base of Capernaum, a hill on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee is traditionally known as the site from which Jesus delivered His Sermon on the Mount. In this beautiful place, Jesus sat down and shared a paradigm-shifting message that became the most famous sermon in history – the greatest sermon ever preached! Sermon Notes: http://bible.com/events/49447887 Submit a Question: bit.ly/BeyondSundayQuestions
As Jesus introduces His Sermon on the Mount, He uses a series of statements to identify those welcomed into His kingdom. Sitting near the center in this listing of beatitudes, Jesus says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” How, though, does one hunger and thirst for righteousness? This study will seek out the answer by exploring the surrounding verses and understanding what Jesus expects of His kingdom citizens. A sermon given by Greg Chandler on June 8, 2024.
Jesus expects—and graciously enables—His people to do good. --- Jesus was the greatest teacher the world has ever known, and His teachings continue to shape lives still today. Not far from His ministry base of Capernaum, a hill on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee is traditionally known as the site from which Jesus delivered His Sermon on the Mount. In this beautiful place, Jesus sat down and shared a paradigm-shifting message that became the most famous sermon in history – the greatest sermon ever preached! Sermon Notes: http://bible.com/events/49444579 Submit a Question: bit.ly/BeyondSundayQuestions
Jesus began His Sermon on the Mount not with commands, but with a promise: “Blessed are…” In week one of Summer on the Mount, we looked at how the Beatitudes aren't just a list of virtues—they're the characteristics of a life surrendered to the King. In a world chasing status and success, Jesus shows us the way of the kingdom: humility, mercy, purity, and peace. This kind of life may go unnoticed by the world, but it's marked by true blessing and eternal reward.
Jesus began His Sermon on the Mount not with commands, but with a promise: “Blessed are…” In week one of Summer on the Mount, we looked at how the Beatitudes aren't just a list of virtues—they're the characteristics of a life surrendered to the King. In a world chasing status and success, Jesus shows us the way of the kingdom: humility, mercy, purity, and peace. This kind of life may go unnoticed by the world, but it's marked by true blessing and eternal reward.
Send us a textWhen Jesus began His Sermon on the Mount, He flipped the world's values upside down. In just a few verses, He declared the truly blessed to be...the spiritually poorthe grievingthe humble and meekThis message from Pastor Kevin Syes explores the first three Beatitudes and how they point us to life in the Kingdom that can't be shaken.Whether you feel empty, overlooked, or overwhelmed—Jesus says you are blessed.Dive into this week's resources! Sermon Study: https://thechurchco-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/sites/3793/2025/05/June-8-2025-Sermon-Study.pdf Downloadable Booklet: https://thechurchco-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/sites/3793/2025/05/Summer-on-The-Mount-Resource-.pdf Additional Resources: https://www.crossroads140.com/summer-on-the-mount/Helpful Links:Follow us on Instagram and Facebook.Watch on Youtube.Crossroads 2024 worship Spotify playlist.Info on Crossroads Church.If you'd like to give you can do so here.
Jesus teaches us how to live a blessed life, but the choice is ultimately ours. Will we hear His teaching and obey? --- Jesus was the greatest teacher the world has ever known, and His teachings continue to shape lives still today. Not far from His ministry base of Capernaum, a hill on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee is traditionally known as the site from which Jesus delivered His Sermon on the Mount. In this beautiful place, Jesus sat down and shared a paradigm-shifting message that became the most famous sermon in history – the greatest sermon ever preached! Sermon Notes: http://bible.com/events/49441224 Submit a Question: bit.ly/BeyondSundayQuestions
The importance of a firm, stable, and secure foundation is made evident when Jesus said in the culmination of His Sermon on the Mount, the relevant question left to be answered is this: “What kind of foundation are you building your life on?” Without Christ as our foundation, we are susceptible to all the storms that life brings. With Him, we can face any storm and remain firmly rooted, coming out victorious on the other side. Are you ready to make Christ the foundation for your life today?
What is wisdom? What is righteousness? Who are the primary role-models in wisdom and righteousness in the Old Testament, and how do they point us to Christ? As we conclude our last episode in our Gospel Spice Proverbs series, Stephanie invites us to take a final look at what righteousness and wisdom truly are, and then we will gaze at the Face of Him who is our righteousness. We ponder perseverance and endurance in the faith in our struggle against lust--in whatever form. Make sure to check out the optional-but-oh-so-helpful mini e-book to go along with the series at gospelspice.com/wisdom On righteousness: Proverbs talks a lot about the righteous and the wicked, the lazy, the fool. It teaches by example—what is righteous by showing what is wicked. The moment you accept Christ, life does not become a stroll in the park. Perseverance in your faith is the hallmark of your faithfulness. Your authenticity is proven by your walk. The walk of faith is a slow transformation with lots of roadblocks and dead-ends and detours, many coming from the past – past idols trying to trip you up in guilt and shame. But you are a new creation in Christ. You are the Bride of Christ, pure and blameless and spotless and righteous—not on your own strength but HIDDEN IN HIM. If you think that conversion is a fast-pass to transformation, you are in for a deception. Faith is slow-cooked more often than it is pressure-cooked, though both happen. Righteousness is valuing God above all else. It means that ethics and morality find their source in respecting God as the ultimate worth. Righteousness is more than doing the “right” thing: righteousness is valuing God as ultimate in all things. Valuing God as ultimate in all things is the ultimate right thing, and that is what makes you righteous in His eyes. Our righteousness is exhibited when we too value and respect the worth of God without wavering and upholding it in all that we do, to the nest of our strength in Christ. In other words, We as humans are to practice righteousness towards the goal of obtaining it, knowing it is already ours in Christ. On wisdom: Solomon was the wisest king who ever lived, yet we have seen that he didn't end so well. The consequences cannot be overstated. Proverbs extols wisdom associated with a man who, by everyone's judgment, was considered wise and is so to the present day. Yet he failed to live by wisdom. The result is further affirmation of the testimony of the Law, that our hope is in One. Even so great a force as wisdom, when it is nurtured and embraced, cannot rescue us from the evil that resides in our hearts. Solomon's details and bad ending, moral of the story: even the wisest man, apart from Christ, is not wise enough. “The universal Voice of God was by the ancient Hebrews often called wisdom.” (A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God) “This habit of explaining the Voice by appeals to natural law is at the very root of modern science. In the living, breathing cosmos there is a mysterious Something, too wonderful for any mind to understand. The believing man does not claim to understand. He falls to his knees and whispers, “God.” The man of the earth kneels, too, but not to worship. He kneels to examine, to search, to find the cause and the how of things.” A.W. Tozer Folly is looking for an explanation in the dirt of the earth, under the sun. Wisdom is knowing that God will be found above the sun. And so, wisdom, the voice of God, calls and searches the one who wants to cultivate their spiritual heart. If you have ever experienced inexplicable loneliness, or otherworldly longing, or a feeling of awe and wonder, a moment of light and lightness – that is the Voice of God guiding your spiritual heart to find your rest in Him. On wisdom from above, in the Face of Christ Jesus: Jesus describes the wisdom that is from above in His Sermon on the Mount. Take the Beatitudes and write them in reverse – you will get the wisdom from the world: accumulate riches. Be selfish. Be on the lookout for Number One. Live for this world alone. Jesus is not offering an opinion here. Jesus never gives opinions. He gives truth. HE KNOWS. His wisdom is not from under the sun like Solomon's. His wisdom is not the result of his study of human nature or nature itself. Jesus gives truth because He is fully God. He is speaking from within the intimacy of the Trinity. His words are not opinions. They are truth. The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus' definition of wisdom that is from above. So, worship God, who is from above the sun. Worship Christ, the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature. This is taken from Hebrews 1:1-5, which tells us that God spoke wisdom through the Old Testament, in Proverbs for example, but that He went all out in Christ: "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs." ---------------Note to PARENTS--------------- We CARE about your family!! As usual, Stephanie brings in a fictitious character to illustrate our theme. This week's trait is lust. Therefore, the initial illustration, while not explicit, might not be for the youngest ears--unless you are ready to answer spicy questions about intimate relations. Stephanie's mention is brief, but an inquisitive little heart may pick up on questions worth asking! Decide for yourself when to best listen to the first 5 minutes of this episode! Make sure to check out the optional-but-oh-so-helpful mini e-book to go along with the series at gospelspice.com/wisdom MORE ABOUT OUR FICTIONAL GUESTS Over the last few weeks, we have sought to cultivate God-centered hope, faith and joy by pondering wisdom from the Book of Proverbs. We have followed fictitious characters who have role-modeled various options open to us as believers. Today, we will conclude our series by highlighting key takeaways from each one. Samantha has shown us what foolishness is, so that we could know what wisdom from above means. We have seen that embracing Wisdom will bring us knowledge and discernment. We have learned how wisdom undergirds our God-breathed process towards deeper hope, faith and joy. Brian has exemplified the danger of refusing to let God be God. We called this “spiritual adultery,” and discovered guilt that leads to repentance and restoration. We have chosen to embrace integrity and truth in order to enjoy a clear conscience. Brian has shown us that our quest is rooted in our identity. Jessica lived a life rooted in fear and anxiety. She is learning to replace them with faith and trust. With her, we have chosen to embrace faith, as it will lead to peace and serenity. She would tell us that God's love for us is where our heart finds its rest. Lauren's life moved from self-pride to genuine humility. With her, we have embraced a Christ-centered humility that leads to God-honoring gratitude. With Lauren and Jessica, we have pondered this truth: fear stems from a delated view of God; pride stems from an inflated view of self. Eve chose to move away from her self-centered lifestyle, and towards selfless love. She has discovered that true God-grounded love leads to compassion. With her, we have identified the God-given challenge of the Christian life: to nurture our craving for the One who will never disappoint. John's life was deeply rooted in self-destructive greed. Idolatry happens when we love something—anything—more than God. We are all guilty. We all rob ourselves of joy when we choose greed. Because greed robs us of joy, we choose generosity and a purpose rooted in hope, faith and joy. Finally, Lizzie indulged in a lifestyle of selfish numbing and comfortable little pleasures. She created for herself a bubble that isolated her from the real world God had been inviting her to take her place in. We pondered the importance of self-control as the means to the life of freedom that God has for us. Hope, faith and joy are the expression of this God-given, God-glorifying freedom. Through all of them, we have seen that, when we become serious about our intimacy with God, distractions, dangers and hindrances will come knocking. Our life is a spiritual battleground. Our hearts will either side with God, or with the enemy of our soul. Hope, faith and joy lie in the balance. They are the means to the great Reward of life itself: intimacy with God. Worship is the secret of a vibrant relationship with God. Worship is valuing Him as ultimate in all things. First, it means that hope, faith and joy will not grow in the soil of your life without cultivating a heart of gratitude. Also, it means that there cannot be true worship without complete surrender to God's sovereignty. That is spiritual wisdom. Surrender is not adopting a martyr's pose in submission; it is the glad agreement that God is right. Such faith is cheerful, joyful, and approving. Worship is embracing the truth that God is wise, and that we grow in hope, faith and joy under the shadow of His wings, His wisdom, His guidance. Make sure to check out the optional-but-oh-so-helpful mini e-book to go along with the series at gospelspice.com/wisdom We invite you to check out the first episode of each of our series, and decide which one you will want to start with. Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog Identity in the battle | Ephesians https://www.podcastics.com/episode/74762/link/ Centering on Christ | The Tabernacle experience https://www.podcastics.com/episode/94182/link/ Shades of Red | Against human oppression https://www.podcastics.com/episode/115017/link/ God's glory, our delight https://www.podcastics.com/episode/126051/link/ Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!
As we said last time, Jesus was not afraid to tackle the tough subjects of the day in His Sermon on the Mount. After a confronting few minutes, during which he challenged his hearers to flee the perils of sexual temptation, the awkwardness for some is not yet over. Next Jesus goes full throttle against divorce. Let's start here, though, with the reminder that we live in an imperfect world and that God is a God of forgiveness, love, and grace. He mends broken hearts and helps us in our pain, giving wisdom in difficult decisions. Having said that, for the purposes of this devotion, the Scriptures are clear that the Lord created marriage, in Genesis chapter 2 v 22 – 24, and that He hates divorce (Mal 2: 16 NASB). In the next part of His sermon, Jesus said, 31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.' 32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” Matthew 5:31-32 In Jesus' day there were two schools of thought about divorce. Rabbi Shammai taught that divorce can only be permitted for very serious offenses. Rabbi Hillel taught that a man can divorce his wife for any reason, however ridiculous. If she burnt a meal – she's out! If the husband prefers the looks of another woman, he can divorce his wife and marry the other!Jesus was probably referring to the second school of thought here in the Sermon on the Mount. Notice that He is talking to men, and He emphasises how the wife becomes the victim. This is important. Jesus is challenging every man to think about what is best for his wife. To not just think about himself.Whenever there is a relationship breakdown, whether it is just a petty argument or something as serious as seeking a divorce, the hardest thing to do is to start thinking about what is best for the other person. Perhaps there would be fewer divorces in the world if people gave the highest priority to what is best for the person they have married.Staying with the focus on men, Paul taught that husbands must love their wives as Christ has loved the church in Ephesian 5: 25. There is no condition here. It is not ‘love their wives', if the wives do their part. It is ‘love their wives as Christ loved the church'. Full Stop!I once heard somebody say that marriage is not 50-50; it is 100-100. In other words, we give to our partner without conditions attached. In Jesus's comments about divorce in the Sermon on the Mount it is easy to focus on the parts that talk about adultery and whether there are circumstances that permit divorce. I have a feeling Jesus also wants us to try looking away from self for a moment and consider what is best for the one I married.
Jesus was not afraid to tackle the tough subjects in His Sermon on the Mount. After challenging his listeners to consider the use of their words, particularly when words might hurt or offend others, he moves to their thoughts, specifically in the area of sexual attraction. 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.' 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. Matthew 5:27-30Sexual attraction towards another is one of the most powerful forces that God has created for good (inside marriage), but it is also the most manipulated by our enemy, the devil, for evil. Everybody knows that committing adultery is morally wrong and destructive, but Jesus takes the Old Testament command a step further. He tells us that even if we look at another person (which includes pornography) and allow our imagination to desire adultery, that is no different. It is still morally wrong and destructive. Jesus died on the cross to take the penalty for our sins, providing a way that we might receive forgiveness and freedom. Then He gives us His Spirit to empower us towards living a new and clean life. But the emphasis here in the sermon is on how serious adultery is, even if it is imagined adultery. It is not something to gloss over or take lightly. Jesus' comments about cutting off parts of the body are obviously not to be taken literally (otherwise there would be a lot of people walking around with missing hands and eyes). Rather, He wants to underline how important it is that we take steps towards guarding our minds, not submitting to temptation. Paul wrote to Timothy, “Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22). Sometimes it is as simple as that – flee the temptation! Delete the webpage; switch to another channel; walk away from person who might lead you astray.I wonder, in which way does the devil tempt you in this area? Is God challenging you about what you watch on TV, or what you browse on your computer? Do you need to take control of any stray thoughts you might have about a person other than your husband or wife? What do you need to do to keep temptation away?
Who knew that poverty could bring happiness!? Join us as Pastor Rick explores Jesus' first and crucial promise of blessing from His Sermon on the Mount. NEXT STEPS: I will begin each day this week confessing my dependence on Christ and reflect on His mercy. I will memorize James 4:10.
In this message, Pastor Caleb discusses the teaching of Jesus from Matthew 5 as He begins His sermon on the mount. A deeper look at Jesus' teachings will help Christians better understand Jesus and what God wanted His people to understand through the best teacher to walk the earth. Let's examine what the Son of God had to say in the Sermon on the Mount. Send us a textSupport the showFor more information for our church visit AGCSparta.org.
John 2:18 The Jews then said to Him, “What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?” Today, we consider the reaction of the Jews to Jesus' zeal for His Father's house. Of course, they didn't understand it. It's interesting to me that His disciples remembered Psalm 69:9, but the Jews did not. “For zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.” In this verse, we see the beginning of the reproaches of God that fell on Jesus. The Jews displayed contempt for Jesus. They scorned, shamed, and taunted Him. Their reproaches of Jesus were toward God, for Jesus is God. The zeal Jesus expressed for holiness and God's house was the Father's zeal. The Jews couldn't see it because they didn't believe He was the Son of God, God in the flesh. So they demanded a sign to verify His authority. Tomorrow, we'll look at the sign Jesus was to give them. But today, let us be encouraged by this: Jesus is God in the flesh, and we not only have trusted in Him, but we have His life in us. We can expect two things. One, that as we live to love with Him, we will have a zeal for holiness and love for His people which will motivate us to drive out sin in our lives. Two, we may expect religious people who don't have the life of Christ to reproach us, even as the Jews reproached Jesus. The reproaches of those who reproach Jesus will fall on us. We should not be surprised if we are scorned, shamed, and taunted because of our zeal for holiness and love for God and His people. May we not be discouraged by their reproaches, but instead consider ourselves honored that we would be considered worthy of such reproaches. As Jesus said in His sermon on the mount. Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matt. 5:10-11). Living to love with Jesus isn't always easy or comfortable. However, there is a blessing and hope that should fill us with joy. It's the same hope Jesus had that day when He cleansed the temple. He foresaw the new house that was to be built by His Father and Himself, of which all who believe in Him until the end of their lives are living stones. So walk in love and holiness today with great hope and joy. I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of “giving it forward,” so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.
Traditional Worship | Rev. Dr. Jeff Olive | Throughout Jesus' ministry, prayer was the foundation on which He built His relationship with God. Before every miracle — from giving sight to the blind to feeding of the multitude, from raising Lazarus from the dead to facing that darkest moment in Gethsemane — He always prayed. Prayer was essential for Jesus, and when He gave His Sermon on the Mount, considered to be the greatest of all His teachings, He instructed us on how to pray by giving us the model prayer that has stood the test of time. In this sermon series, we will examine the power and depth of what has come to be known as the Lord's Prayer. As modern-day disciples, we can learn so much from these timeless words. We are delighted you have joined us for our traditional worship, and we welcome you as we explore what it means when we ask, “Teach us to pray.”
Who's writing your story? As Jesus finishes His Sermon on the Mount, the crowd is amazed—not just by His words, but by the authority with which He speaks (Matthew 7:28-29). His teaching isn't just information—it's an invitation. As we close out our Here As In Heaven series, Dow challenges us to consider who's holding the pen in our lives. Will we surrender the pages of our story to the One who speaks with unmatched authority and love?Message: Author of Your StorySeries: Here As In HeavenSpeaker: Dow TippettDate: 4-6-2025Find out how you can connect or partner with us: wcconline.org/connectFollow us on social media: @wcconlinechurch
Traditional Worship | Bishop Bob Hayes |Throughout Jesus' ministry, prayer was the foundation on which He built His relationship with God. Before every miracle — from giving sight to the blind to feeding of the multitude, from raising Lazarus from the dead to facing that darkest moment in Gethsemane — He always prayed. Prayer was essential for Jesus, and when He gave His Sermon on the Mount, considered to be the greatest of all His teachings, He instructed us on how to pray by giving us the model prayer that has stood the test of time. In this sermon series, we will examine the power and depth of what has come to be known as the Lord's Prayer. As modern-day disciples, we can learn so much from these timeless words. We are delighted you have joined us for our traditional worship, and we welcome you as we explore what it means when we ask, “Teach us to pray.”
Traditional Worship | Rev. Karen Tyler | Throughout Jesus' ministry, prayer was the foundation on which He built His relationship with God. Before every miracle — from giving sight to the blind to feeding of the multitude, from raising Lazarus from the dead to facing that darkest moment in Gethsemane — He always prayed. Prayer was essential for Jesus, and when He gave His Sermon on the Mount, considered to be the greatest of all His teachings, He instructed us on how to pray by giving us the model prayer that has stood the test of time. In this sermon series, we will examine the power and depth of what has come to be known as the Lord's Prayer. As modern-day disciples, we can learn so much from these timeless words. We are delighted you have joined us for our traditional worship, and we welcome you as we explore what it means when we ask, “Teach us to pray.”
Traditional Worship | Rev. Kimberly Constant |Throughout Jesus' ministry, prayer was the foundation on which He built His relationship with God. Before every miracle — from giving sight to the blind to feeding of the multitude, from raising Lazarus from the dead to facing that darkest moment in Gethsemane — He always prayed. Prayer was essential for Jesus, and when He gave His Sermon on the Mount, considered to be the greatest of all His teachings, He instructed us on how to pray by giving us the model prayer that has stood the test of time. In this sermon series, we will examine the power and depth of what has come to be known as the Lord's Prayer. As modern-day disciples, we can learn so much from these timeless words. We are delighted you have joined us for our traditional worship, and we welcome you as we explore what it means when we ask, “Teach us to pray.”
Traditional Worship | Dr. Ed Robb | Throughout Jesus' ministry, prayer was the foundation on which He built His relationship with God. Before every miracle — from giving sight to the blind to feeding of the multitude, from raising Lazarus from the dead to facing that darkest moment in Gethsemane — He always prayed. Prayer was essential for Jesus, and when He gave His Sermon on the Mount, considered to be the greatest of all His teachings, He instructed us on how to pray by giving us the model prayer that has stood the test of time. In this sermon series, we will examine the power and depth of what has come to be known as the Lord's Prayer. As modern-day disciples, we can learn so much from these timeless words. We are delighted you have joined us for our traditional worship, and we welcome you as we explore what it means when we ask, “Teach us to pray.”
Have you ever heard of the “placebo effect?” It occurs when someone experiences improvement in their condition simply because they believe they are receiving treatment, even though the treatment itself has no real benefit. This psychological phenomenon is harmless when it comes to medicine, but when it comes to faith, self-deception can have eternal consequences. Jesus warns that not everyone who calls Him “Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven. Many people claim to follow Jesus, but their relationship with Him is based on words rather than obedience. As Jesus closes His Sermon on the Mount, He delivers one of the most chilling statements in the Bible—a warning to those who think they are saved but are not.
Traditional Worship | Bishop Bob Hayes | Throughout Jesus' ministry, prayer was the foundation on which He built His relationship with God. Before every miracle — from giving sight to the blind to feeding of the multitude, from raising Lazarus from the dead to facing that darkest moment in Gethsemane — He always prayed. Prayer was essential for Jesus, and when He gave His Sermon on the Mount, considered to be the greatest of all His teachings, He instructed us on how to pray by giving us the model prayer that has stood the test of time. In this sermon series, we will examine the power and depth of what has come to be known as the Lord's Prayer. As modern-day disciples, we can learn so much from these timeless words. We are delighted you have joined us for our traditional worship, and we welcome you as we explore what it means when we ask, “Teach us to pray.”
Over the course of human history, countless sermons have been preached, but the greatest sermon of all was delivered by the greatest preacher—Jesus Christ. His Sermon on the Mount was revolutionary, challenging the cultural and religious expectations of His listeners. As Jesus nears the conclusion of His sermon, He issues a stark warning about a danger that has plagued the church from the beginning—false prophets. Unlike external threats, this danger arises from within the church. Satan attacks both from the outside through persecution and from the inside through deception. Jesus calls His followers to be on high alert, for these counterfeit prophets masquerade as true messengers of God while leading people away from the truth.
Why do so many people hate the church? Hypocrisy is a word that runs synonymous with Christianity in most places. But how did we get here? Hypocrisy means saying one thing, but doing another, and Jesus had very strong words about this in His sermon on the mount. This week, Pastor Jon shares with us how we can remedy this sickness that has taken so much of the church. "The preaching that this world needs most is sermons in shoes that are walking with Jesus Christ." - D.L. Moody
This week wraps up the section about three religious practices Jesus addresses in His Sermon on the Mount; giving, prayer, and fasting. As we enter into our [40 days of preparation](https://www.gracecomm.org/40days), how timely that we will begin learning and better understanding the practice of fasting! Prepare for this week's message by downloading the [40 days Preparation Guide](https://www.gracecomm.org/40days), revewing Matthew 5-7, and reading Matt 6:16-18.
Jesus Explained that His Followers Would Both Pray and Fast, and Prayer and Fasting Are Matters of Heart Between His Followers and God MESSAGE SUMMARY: There are times when you need clarity, understanding, knowledge and insights from God about the specific issues that you are facing. In your personal relationship with God, the Lord will speak to you; but sometimes it takes both your listening and fasting to hear Him. Jesus, in Matthew 6:18, was speaking to the Apostles as well as those gathered for His “Sermon on the Mount” where he explained that praying and fasting are matters of the heart between Jesus Followers and God. Jesus assumes that his followers will fast: "that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Lay Up Treasures in Heaven.”. Also, when Joel received a Word when the land was to be destroyed, he called a fast (i.e. Joel 1:14): “Consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD.”. Some things you are facing in your life must be dealt with by both prayer and fasting. Fasting releases a spiritual power – in your weakness, God is made strong in your life. Daniel's prayer, from Daniel 9:3-5, provides a context for asking direction from God: “Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, ‘O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules.'". TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, you know how difficult it is for me to be in silence before you. At times it feels almost impossible, given the demands, distractions, and noise all around me. I invite you to lead me to a quiet, silent place before you — to a place where I can hear you as Elijah did. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 123). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, because I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Compulsions. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit's fruit of Patience. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22f). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Joel 1:13-16; Matthew 6:16-18; Daniel 9:3-7; Psalms138:1-8. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “How God Says He Loves Us: Part 2 -- The Covenant with Abraham”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
What kind of man are you? What kind of man am I?Jesus' well-known "Beatitudes" from His Sermon on the Mount contains some of His most vital promises to us. These verses are Jesus' formula for how to have a successful life and a successful eternity "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." - Matthew 5:6 >>Watch on YouTube
Today on Bible Reading and Coffee Drinking, we're diving into Matthew 5, where Jesus begins His Sermon on the Mount with a message that still transforms lives today. We'll explore the Beatitudes, His call to be salt and light, and His deep teachings on righteous living. How can we reflect Christ's character in a world that needs His light? Grab your coffee and join me as we unpack this foundational chapter that calls us to live the kingdom life with humility, mercy, and love. Let's grow together in faith! Also, use the code "Podcast20" to get 20% off our entire store. This is a special code specifically for our podcast listeners! See all our our hoodies, t-shirts, caps and more at https://www.livingchristian.org/store.html. Check out this podcast and all previous episodes on Spotify, iTunes, YouTube and more! - https://www.livingchristian.org/podcast.html NEW DEVOTIONAL: 30 Days With The Lord, A Living Christian Devotional: https://amzn.to/4eXAO7s MY BIBLE: Every Man's Bible: New Living Translation - Find it here: https://amzn.to/3MuDAUS CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE BELOW FOR CHRISTIAN APPAREL, PRODUCTS, BLOGS, BIBLE VERSES AND MORE: Website | https://www.livingchristian.org Store | https://www.livingchristian.org/store.html Podcast | https://www.livingchristian.org/podcast.html FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/living_christian/ Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/livechristian1 Twitter | https://twitter.com/livechristian1 Pinterest | https://www.pinterest.com/living_christian/ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@livingchristian ABOUT US: Living Christian believes that our Christian faith isn't just for Sunday mornings in Church. Our faith impacts every aspect of our lives and the challenges we face every day of the week. We want to connect to people who are seeking to determine what Living Christian means in their own day-to-day lives. We are focused on providing resources and products to a community of believers. We provide daily biblical inspiration, motivation and guidance through social posts, blogs and Christian apparel and products. This work contains Music Track The 126ers - Winds of Spring that is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license. Source: https://directory.audio/free-music/pop/5092-the-126ers-winds-of-spring Author: The 126ers #christ #christian #christianity #christianblog #christianblogger #verses #bible #bibleinspiration #bibletime #jesusistheway #biblestudy #dailybible #newtestament #oldtestament #thebible #christ #jesuschrist #holybible #lukewarm #christians #christianpodcast #christmas
Last week, we studied the purpose of prayer. Tonight, we will discover how to pray! Jesus taught His followers how to pray during His Sermon on the Mount through what is known as the Lord's Prayer. Praying this word for word is powerful, but each part serves a specific purpose that can also be a […]
Last week, we studied the purpose of prayer. Tonight, we will discover how to pray! Jesus taught His followers how to pray during His Sermon on the Mount through what is known as the Lord's Prayer. Praying this word for word is powerful, but each part serves a specific purpose that can also be a […]
Jesus shows us an example of what the life of a faithful disciple is like. Jesus wants us to take all we've learned from His sermon on the mount and apply those truths to our lives. In the last verses of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is emphasizing obedience to His teaching. What is a person like who actually lives out,… The post How to Be an Excellent Disciple, Fidelity, Part 1 | How to be an Excellent Disciple appeared first on Pillar of Truth Radio.
Have you ever felt depleted in life? Have you ever been in a place where you felt like you had very little to offer in the way of resources, strength, influence, and abilities? Maybe that describes how you're entering this new year. If so, Jesus offers you tremendous encouragement at the very beginning of His ‘sermon on the mount.' This Sunday, we'll soak in this blessing of His presence for the powerless.
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” (Matthew 5:9) In this seventh (out of nine) of the Beatitudes with which Christ began His Sermon on the Mount occurs... More...
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