Podcasts about his sermon on the mount

Jesus enters Jerusalem as a humble king, riding on a donkey in fulfillment of Zechariah's prophecy, as crowds shout "Hosanna!" He immediately goes to the temple and cleanses it by force. He turns over the tables and cracks a whip while driving out the moneychangers and declaring, "My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you make it a den of robbers." The next day, He curses a barren fig tree, a living parable of the judgment to come upon a fruitless Israel that has rejected its King.  The Rev. Dr. Curtis Deterding, senior pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, Fort Myers, FL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 21:1-22.  To learn more about Zion Lutheran, visit zionfm.org. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

For the third time, Jesus explicitly tells His disciples He will be betrayed, condemned, mocked, flogged, and crucified, but raised on the third day. Immediately after he reminds his disciples of this, the mother of James and John asks for her sons to sit at His right and left in the kingdom. Jesus uses this "theology of glory" moment to teach the true "theology of the cross": greatness is not in being served, but in serving, for "the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."  The Rev. John Lukomski, pastor emeritus, and co-host of Wrestling with the Basics, KFUO Radio, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 20:17-34.  The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Why do we resent grace? In the Parable of the Vineyard Workers, a landowner pays workers hired at the eleventh hour the same wage as those who toiled all day. Seeing this as an "injustice" reveals our own works-righteous hearts. But make no mistake: Jesus' parable is not about fair wages; it's about the radical, unmerited generosity of God. The Gospel is not a reward for our labor but a free gift, demonstrating Jesus' teaching: "the last will be first, and the first last."  The Rev. Brian Davies, pastor of Lord of Glory Lutheran Church, Grayslake, IL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 20:1-16.  To learn more about Lord of Glory, visit lordofglory.org. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

The Blessed Life | Blessed | Part 3 Jesus — the Creator and the Definer of reality introduces us to the upside down kingdom of the Father in His sermon on the mount in Matthew 5:3-10What culture could call incredulous, Jesus calls true: “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”

What is the nature of saving faith? Jesus first holds up a child as the model, declaring that the kingdom belongs to those who come with humble, dependent trust. Then, a rich young ruler asks, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" He believes he has kept all the commandments, but Jesus exposes his true idol, and the man walks away in sorrow. This leads to the "camel and the eye of a needle" analogy, a word of pure Law that crushes the disciples and makes them ask, "Who then can be saved?" The Rev. Doug Griebenaw, pastor and mission advocate at KFUO Radio, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 19:13-30. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

“Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause?” This question from the Pharisees was a trap, designed to force Jesus into a divisive rabbinic debate in a politically dangerous territory. Jesus' powerful answer remains relevant in our own culture, which is rife with no-fault divorce and the legal redefinition of marriage itself. Jesus radically affirms marriage as a divine union of a man and a woman into "one flesh". He explains that human sin and "hardness of the heart" are the true causes for divorce.  The Rev. Roger Mullet, pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Buffalo, WY, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 19:1-12.  To learn more about Prince of Peace Lutheran, visit princeofpeacebuffalo.org. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep reveals the Father's passionate heart to pursue even one straying believer. This love and grace motivate Jesus' command on how to "gain your brother" when sin divides. When Peter asks about the limits of this forgiveness, the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant provides a stark contrast: God's infinite debt-canceling grace, in light of Christ's atonement, versus the petty and calculating unforgiveness of man.  The Rev. Peter Burfeind, pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Union City, MI and Agnus Dei Lutheran Church in Marshall, MI, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 18:(11), 12-35.  To learn more about Our Savior and Agnus Dei, visit facebook.com/oursaviorunioncity and agnusdeimarshall.com. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

The disciples ask Jesus, "Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?" They were looking to hear about their own future power and status. Instead, Jesus shatters their expectations by placing a child in their midst and says that those who are great in God's Kingdom are those with a humble, child-like dependence and trust in Him. He then issues a terrifying warning: it would be better to be drowned with a millstone than to cause one of these "little ones" to stumble. This passage reveals that true status in the kingdom is found in humility, and God will fiercely judge those who harm His faithful.  The Rev. Warren Woerth, pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Arnold, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 18:1-20.  To learn more about Good Shepherd Lutheran, visit goodshepherdarnold.org. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

On the mountain, Peter, James, and John are given a glimpse of Jesus' unveiled divine glory. They see Him with Moses and Elijah, showing that the Law and the Prophets point to Christ. As the Father commands, "Listen to him," Jesus is revealed as the fulfillment and final Word. This glimpse of divinity is paired with His earthly authority as He heals a demon-possessed boy and provides the temple tax, demonstrating the Son of God is Lord over all things, spiritual and temporal.  The Rev. Brandon Metcalf, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Bethalto, IL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 17:1-27.  To learn more about Zion Lutheran, visit zionbethalto.org The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Peter makes the great confession: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus declares this truth is a divine revelation, and this confession is the rock upon which His Church is built. But when Peter rejects a suffering Messiah, Jesus' rebuke—"Get behind me, Satan!"—teaches that a theology of glory without the cross is a satanic temptation. The true Christ is the crucified Christ, and to follow Him is to take up one's own cross.  The Rev. Bryan Spang, pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in State College, PA, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 16:13-28.  To learn more about Good Shepherd Lutheran, visit goodshepherdsc.org. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Jesus shows His divine compassion again when he heals the multitudes and feeds four thousand. Despite these clear signs of Jesus being the Christ, the Pharisees demand another, revealing their hardened unbelief. Jesus promises no sign but the "sign of Jonah,” which is a prophecy of His death and resurrection. He warns His disciples against the "leaven" of the Pharisees: their false doctrine of works-righteousness that corrupts the pure Gospel.  The Rev. Dr. Matthew Tassey, pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Shawnee, OK, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 15:29-16:12.  To learn more about Redeemer Lutheran, visit redeemershawnee.org. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Jesus confronts the Pharisees' traditions, showing they use them to disobey God's commands. He teaches that true defilement comes from sin within the heart, not from external things. Immediately after, a Canaanite woman, a Gentile with no claim to God's promises, abandons any merit of her own and clings solely to Christ's mercy. Her persistent faith perfectly illustrates the Gospel: salvation comes not to the worthy, but to those who cast themselves on the grace of Christ alone.  The Rev. Jacob Hercamp, pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Noblesville, IN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 15:1-28.  To learn more about Christ Lutheran, visit clc-in.org The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

A stark contrast is drawn between two kings. Herod, a slave to his lust and fear, murders John the Baptist. The true King, Jesus, reveals His divine compassion and power. He provides for the lost sheep of Israel and the crowds that followed him in the feeding of the five thousand, a foretaste of the Heavenly Banquet to come. Jesus then demonstrates His absolute authority over creation by walking on the sea and rescuing Peter from his doubt. Jesus not only commands us to “fear not,” but provides us every reason to obey through his love and compassion.  The Rev. Derek Waffel, pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church in Huntsville, AL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 14:1-36.  To learn more about Ascension Lutheran, visit ascensionhsv.org The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure of infinite worth. Jesus' parables reveal the supreme value of Christ and His Gospel; He is the treasure who gave up everything to purchase the field (the world) for the sake of His people. When Jesus offers up this priceless treasure, he is rejected in His own hometown, a stark reminder that the saving power of the Gospel is lost where unbelief holds sway.  The Rev. Steven Theiss, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 13:44-58.  The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Jesus describes the hidden, mysterious nature of His Kingdom. It grows from the smallest of beginnings to become a refuge for all, yet the Church on earth will always be a mixed body of believers and hypocrites. Jesus makes clear that the work of separating them belongs to the angels at the end of the age, not to men. These parables comfort the Church, reminding us that the Kingdom's growth and purity are God's work, not ours.  The Rev. Dan Grimmer, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Mitchell, SD, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 13:24-43.  To learn more about Zion Lutheran, visit zionmitchell.org The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Jesus explains why the Gospel yields such different results through the Parable of the Sower. The focus is not on the quality of the soil (the human heart), but on the life-creating power of the Seed, which is the Word of God. The parable shows how this powerful Word is received or rejected in a fallen world, revealing that where faith takes root, it is the Seed of the Gospel, not the goodness of the ground, that does the saving work.  The Rev. David Boisclair, senior pastor at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Overland, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 13:1-23.  To learn more about Our Redeemer, visit ourredeemerstl.org. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

The Sermon on the Mount - a sermon preached by God Himself.Tune in this week as we continue our series through the book of Matthew as Pastor Westley goes through Matthew 5:1-6, starting our journey through Jesus preaching His Sermon on the Mount.If you would like to partner with BLVD Church and what we are doing in the community, you can make an investment of support at https://blvd.church/give

When Jesus heals a demon-possessed man, the Pharisees accuse Him of working for Satan. This is a willful rejection of the Holy Spirit's testimony about the Son. Jesus warns that this unpardonable sin is the final, hardened refusal to see God's saving work in Christ. He then reveals that His true family is not defined by blood but is created by God through faith in Him.  The Rev. John Shank, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Edwardsville, IL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 12:22-50.  To learn more about Trinity Lutheran, visit trinitylutheranministries.org. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Who has the right to define God's Law? In this explosive confrontation, Jesus makes the ultimate claim: He is Lord of the Sabbath, possessing an authority greater than the Temple itself. This isn't an argument for breaking rules, but a revelation of who He is. He is the one to whom all Scripture points, the gentle Servant who fulfills the Law perfectly for us, delivering the mercy that the Pharisees' legalism could never provide.  The Rev. Dr. Keith Haney, Assistant to the President for Missions, Human Care, and Stewardship in the Iowa West District—LCMS, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 12:1-21.  The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

This is the question Jesus poses to us today in the gospel. This query should spur us to examine ourselves, our consciences, and call a spade a spade. We need to face ourselves and check whether we are greedy and have fallen for the values of the world, that is, to be enslaved to material possessions, whether material wealth looms highest in our scale of values in life. We need to be reminded by the Lord's teachings on the Beatitudes in His Sermon on the Mount. Sooner or later, we will experience the parable He narrates in the gospel today. We need to be prepared to face Him, our Judge, and make the necessary adjustments now, before it is too late.

What happens when even the most certain faith is shaken by doubt? John the Baptizer, the forerunner of Christ who boldly proclaimed the coming of the Lamb of God, now sits in a cold prison cell. From the darkness of his dungeon, he sends his disciples to Jesus with a desperate, soul-searching question: "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" Is this John experiencing doubt? A crisis of faith? Or is this an object lesson for his own disciples? Opinions vary. In this episode, we dive into Jesus' compassionate and powerful response.  The Rev. Mark Duerr, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Monroe, MI, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 11.  To learn more about Trinity Lutheran, visit www.tlcmonroe.org. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

We all want peace with others, especially family. At Thanksgiving, we avoid certain topics. We bite our tongues during arguments. We compromise our witness, don't we? In this section, Jesus walks in and says something shocking: "I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." He doubles down, too, saying His Gospel will divide father and son, mother and daughter. What could possibly be so important, so vital to our survival, that it would demand loyalty even greater than the love we have for our own family? Jesus is drawing a line in the sand and forcing us to ask where our true allegiance lies.  The Rev. David Mumme, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Waterville, MN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 10:26-42.  To learn more about Trinity Lutheran, visit trinitywaterville.org. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Jesus commissions his twelve disciples and sends them out with power to heal and proclaim the kingdom. But this isn't a feel-good pep talk. He equips them with authority, gives them clear instructions to travel light and depend on God's provision, and then tells them exactly what to expect: rejection, persecution, family betrayal, and trials. Yet he promises the Spirit will give them words to speak and he reminds them that servants aren't greater than their master.  The Rev. Timothy Koch, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, Linn, KS, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 10:1-25.  To learn more about Zion Lutheran, visit zionlinn.org. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Jesus faces tough questions about His ministry, raises a young girl from the dead, and heals those who reach out to Him in desperate faith. But the passage culminates with something even more powerful: Jesus looking at the crowds with deep compassion and declaring that the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. We'll explore what it means to see people the way Jesus sees them, why He chose the metaphor of a harvest field, and how this ancient call to pray for laborers still echoes in our lives today.   The Rev. John Lukomski, pastor emeritus and co-host of Wrestling with the Basics on KFUO Radio, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 9:14-38.  The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

In this episode, Matthew bears witness to the many ways Jesus reveals Himself as God. Jesus calms a storm that leaves even seasoned fishermen terrified. He confronts a legion of demons in Gentile territory and is then begged to leave by the frightened locals. Returning home, Jesus heals a paralyzed man in full view of skeptical religious leaders, demonstrating His authority to forgive sins. Finally, we hear how Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, into discipleship. Jesus shares a meal with Matthew and his friends—sinners in the eyes of the religious elite—provoking questions about who truly belongs at God's table and just who this Jesus is.  The Rev. David Hinz, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sauk Rapids, MN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 8:23-9:13.  To learn more about Trinity Lutheran, visit trinitysr.org. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Jesus descends from the mountain straight into a whirlwind of miracles: a leper made clean with a touch, a Roman centurion whose faith amazes even Christ, and demons fleeing at His word. Yet when eager followers promise to follow Him anywhere, Jesus warns them that foxes have holes and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head. Power and poverty, authority and homelessness collide as Matthew shows us the mysterious nature of the Messiah's mission.  The Rev. Robert Smith, pastor emeritus in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 8:1-22.  The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Jesus warns against judging others while blind to our own sins. He teaches about the narrow gate that few will find and exposes false prophets who come as wolves in sheep's clothing. The Sermon concludes with two builders: one whose house on rock weathers the storm, another whose house on sand collapses completely. When Jesus finishes, the crowds are astonished because He teaches with authority, unlike their scribes.  The Rev. Ryan Kleimola, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Toledo, OH, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 7:1-29.  To learn more about Trinity Lutheran, visit trinitylutheran.org. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Where's your treasure? Jesus exposes our divided hearts, warning that we cannot serve both God and money. Then He turns to our anxious minds, pointing to birds who don't sow yet are fed and lilies that outshine Solomon without spinning a thread. Seek first His kingdom, Jesus promises, and everything else falls into place.  The Hon. Rev. Scot Kerns, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Easton, PA, joins guest-host Rev. Doug Griebenaw, Mission Advocate for KFUO Radio, to study Matthew 6:19-34.  To learn more about Faith Lutheran, visit faithlcms.com. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Jesus exposes the religious theater of the Pharisees who turn prayer, fasting, and charity into performances staged for human applause rather than acts of love for God and neighbor. Here Christ teaches the perfect prayer, the Our Father, and shows us that genuine righteousness flows from the heart toward God, not from a desire for public recognition. Your Father who sees in secret knows the difference between faith and show.  The Rev. Peter Burfeind, pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Union City, MI and Agnus Dei Lutheran Church in Marshall, MI, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 6:1-18.  To learn more about Our Savior and Agnus Dei Lutheran, visit facebook.com/oursaviorunioncity and agnusdeimarshall.com. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

You haven't murdered anyone? Jesus says your anger makes you guilty. Never committed adultery? Your lustful look already has. Six times Christ declares, "You have heard it said... but I say to you," crushing us with impossible standards that culminate in the command to be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.  The Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard, pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Minot, ND, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 5:21-48.  To learn more about St. Paul's Lutheran, visit anchoredminot.com. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Jesus concludes His Sermon on the Mount with a powerful illustration about two foundations - rock and sand - representing how we build our lives. A firm foundation requires both salvation through relationship with Christ and wisdom through applying God's Word. When storms inevitably come, those built on rock stand firm while those on sand collapse. True faith isn't about religious activities but genuine relationship with Jesus. We can't avoid life's storms, but we can choose our foundation, submitting to Christ's authority in every area of our lives.

Jesus sits on a mountainside and turns the world upside down: the poor are blessed, the meek inherit the earth, and persecution becomes cause for rejoicing. Christ calls His followers salt and light, then makes a shocking claim: He hasn't come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it, and unless our righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees, we'll never see the kingdom.  The Rev. Lance O'Donnell, pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Oconomowoc, WI, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 5:1-20.  To learn more about St. Paul's, visit splco.org. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

After forty days of fasting in the wilderness, Jesus faces three temptations from Satan and responds with Scripture alone. Following John's arrest, Jesus moves to Capernaum in Galilee to begin His public ministry, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy about light dawning in darkness. He calls four fishermen to follow Him and begins teaching in synagogues, preaching the kingdom, and healing throughout the region. Matthew 4 shows Christ succeeding where Israel failed and launching the mission that would transform the world.  The Rev. Roger Mullet, pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Buffalo, WY, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 4.  To learn more about Prince of Peace, visit princeofpeacebuffalo.org. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

A thunderous voice cries out from the Judean wilderness, calling an entire nation to turn back to God. John the Baptizer, the last of the rugged Old Testament prophets, confronts the corrupt religious leaders and urges repentance. Jesus appears and, despite being our sinless Savior, wades into a pool of our sins and submits to John's baptism to fulfill all righteousness. Join us as we witness the incredible moment when the heavens open and the Holy Trinity is revealed at the Jordan River.  The Rev. Matthew Kusch, pastor of King of Glory Lutheran Church in Elgin, IL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 3.  To learn more about King of Glory, visit kogelgin.org. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Matthew continues his witness of the Nativity of Jesus, but he doesn't give us a greeting card scene. Instead, he gives us political paranoia, mass murder, and a family fleeing in the night to save their child from assassination. There's Herod, so terrified of losing power that he orders the execution of every male child under two in Bethlehem. There are these mysterious magi from the east, following God's star, but do they really believe? And, sadly, the resulting martyrdom of the Holy Innocents. This isn't the sanitized version you'll find on Christmas cards. This is Matthew telling us that from the very beginning, the arrival of Jesus split the world into those who worshiped and those who wanted him gone.  The Rev. Joshua Heimbuck, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Ashland, OR, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 2.  To learn more about Grace Lutheran, visit gracelutheranashland.org. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount and gives us the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Jesus is the greatest Teacher, and His Sermon on the Mount lays the foundation for true discipleship. The Beatitudes remind us that God blesses the poor, the mourning, the meek, and even the persecuted. He calls us not only to outward obedience but to inward transformation. The post The Teacher Jesus appeared first on Ottawa Church of Christ.

“You must not murder.” (Exodus 20:13 NLT) In some translations of the Bible, this verse reads, “Thou shalt not kill.” And that leaves it open to a wide range of interpretations. The commandment obviously forbids the taking of another human life for no justifiable reason. Some people try to stretch that to include any kind of killing. They say all war is wrong. All use of force is wrong. Even the killing of an animal is wrong. But that’s not what this verse is saying. The best translation is, “Thou shall not murder.” Numbers 35 plainly states the difference that God establishes between killing and murder. All murder, of course, is killing, but all killing is not necessarily murder. There are times when death is permissible, though not desirable. We can debate the nuances of the commandment all we like. But the words of Jesus in His Sermon on the Mount bring it home to us in a very real way. Look at what He said in Matthew 5:21–22: “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell” (NLT). “If you are even angry with someone”? That’s a pretty wide net. Many people, in the depths of their hearts, have anger and hatred to such a degree that their true desire is for someone to be dead. And that brings me to this question: Do you feel that way about anyone right now? You might say, “Well, actually, I do. But, Greg, you don’t know what this person did to me. You don’t know. It’s unforgivable.” The problem with that justification is that if you say anything is unforgivable, then we are all in deep trouble. As believers, we put a lot of hope in the fact that every sin is forgivable. And we do so justly. God poured His wrath on Jesus as punishment for every sin that has ever been committed so that we can be forgiven of every wrong that we have ever done. You may be unmoved by that argument. You may say, “No, my hatred is justified. The person deserves to die.” And that may be true in your estimation. But let me add this. In Deuteronomy 32:35, God says, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay” (NIV). It is not for us to hate. Our vengeance is flawed; it brings no lasting satisfaction or closure. God’s judgment is perfect. He offers a better alternative to holding on to our hate. In Ephesians 4:31–32, the apostle Paul wrote, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you” (NLT). Reflection question: Who do you need to forgive instead of hating any longer? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.”  

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

“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

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

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.