Podcasts about Sermon on the Mount

The things we’re eager to buy, we’re eager to buy them because they’ll make us happy, right? Like a new car! Oh yeah! If that really satisfied us, everyone would still be driving the first new car they ever bought. But people only keep their new car about 8 years, on average. Okay, so let’s decode this mystery. How can we find real happiness? Well, today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie brings us a message on happiness. Jesus addressed the subject in the Sermon on the Mount. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The things we’re eager to buy, we’re eager to buy them because they’ll make us happy, right? Like a new car! Oh yeah! If that really satisfied us, everyone would still be driving the first new car they ever bought. But people only keep their new car about 8 years, on average. Okay, so let’s decode this mystery. How can we find real happiness? Well, today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie brings us a message on happiness. Jesus addressed the subject in the Sermon on the Mount. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Full Text of Readings Friday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 447 The Saint of the day is Saint Joseph of Cupertino Saint Joseph of Cupertino's Story Saint Joseph of Cupertino is most famous for levitating at prayer. Already as a child, Joseph showed a fondness for prayer. After a short career with the Capuchins, he joined the Conventual Franciscans. Following a brief assignment caring for the friary mule, Joseph began his studies for the priesthood. Though studies were very difficult for him, Joseph gained a great deal of knowledge from prayer. He was ordained in 1628. Saint Joseph of Cupertino's tendency to levitate during prayer was sometimes a cross; some people came to see this much as they might have gone to a circus sideshow. Joseph's gift led him to be humble, patient, and obedient, even though at times he was greatly tempted and felt forsaken by God. He fasted and wore iron chains for much of his life. The friars transferred Joseph several times for his own good and for the good of the rest of the community. He was reported to and investigated by the Inquisition; the examiners exonerated him. Saint Joseph of Cupertino was canonized in 1767. In the investigation preceding the canonization, 70 incidents of levitation are recorded. Reflection While levitation is an extraordinary sign of holiness, Saint Joseph of Cupertino is also remembered for the ordinary signs he showed. He prayed even in times of inner darkness, and he lived out the Sermon on the Mount. He used his “unique possession”–his free will–to praise God and to serve God's creation.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Fr. Mike reads the Sermon on the Mount and explains how Jesus' teachings powerfully fulfill the old testament law, and identify the broken human heart as the source of our sinful actions. We learn that Jesus himself is the remedy to our sins, and that the secret to holiness is living in the perfect will of God. Today's readings are Matthew 5-7, and Proverbs 18:21-24. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Together, with Fr. Mike, we examine the New Law or the Law of the Gospel. Fr. Mike emphasizes that the New Law “fulfills, refines, surpasses, and leads the Old Law to its perfection.” He also explains how the New Law of Christ that is expressed through the Sermon on the Mount is perfected by the grace of the Holy Spirit and works through charity and the Sacraments. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 1965-1969. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Welcome to a special scripture-focused bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, where pastor Matt Whitman helps us explore the book of Matthew, spanning its genealogy, the Sermon on the Mount, and Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. By examining Jesus’ ministry and life as a fulfilled prophecy, the episode reveals the foundations of Christianity and the hope found in realizing our place in the narrative. Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Matt Whitman The book of Matthew The Lightning-Fast Field Guide to the Bible Interview Quotes: “At the end of the Old Testament, you’ve got these promises hanging out there that God’s going to redeem everything, but there isn’t a clear timeline on it. And then you turn the page over to Matthew, and the hope starts, and the clarification on the whole arc of history starts, and this is where the Bible really begins to come into focus.” - Matt Whitman “You meet Jesus, and you start to realize this is for me. I am part of this story. I am invited into this thing and I’m getting a sense of where I fit.” - Matt Whitman “Right there at the front end of Matthew, we’re being told that Jesus is not a new thing. This was always the plan, this is more than just the next step in the plan, this is the culminating event in the plans.” - Matt Whitman “We can’t solve the problem. We need God to step into the muck and into the mess. If there is any solution to the curse from all the way back in the garden, it’s going to have to come from God. And Matthew is saying, ‘Open your eyes. This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for.’” - Matt Whitman “How many of us have prayed that God would show us what is true, show us what is real? In Matthew 3, God shows up and affirms that He sent Jesus, that He is the Son of God, and that He is pleased with Jesus and what He’s about to do. It sets the stage for everything.” - Matt Whitman “The first stuff that Jesus teaches publicly is the beloved beatitudes. He throws down this gauntlet and is saying right out of the gate, “I’m a King, there is a kingdom, and the rules of my kingdom are different than the world’s kingdoms.’” - Matt Whitman “One of the very first things that Jesus clarifies is that this isn’t a new religion. This was always the plan. Redemption would always come through Christ. God would always be with us. Jesus is the completion and fulfillment of all of it, not something new.” - Matt Whitman “Jesus has demonstrated power over life, death, distance. It seems like He should be so completely ‘other’ that He would be detached from humanity. But instead, he says ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I’ll give you rest.’” - Matt Whitman “Jesus is not coming to heap more things upon people. The load of sin, the load of human frailty, is very heavy. And the answer to this is Christ. That is where hope can be found.” - Matt Whitman “Death is defeated, the story finds its symmetry, and we feel great about it, but we feel even better when we realize we are in this story. You are heirs and agents of this kingdom. You are an honored son or daughter of the King.” - Matt Whitman “Our hope was always in the main character of this book, who is Crhist, and who is present and who has changed our identity and invited us to participate in building His kingdom.” - Matt Whitman ________________________ Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Website TikTok *Episode produced by Four Eyes Media* Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Guided Question Are you trying to live the Christian life in your own strength, or are you learning to depend on the power of the Holy Spirit—and what might God be asking you to surrender in order to follow Him more fully? Summary In Matthew 4:12–25, Jesus steps into His public ministry, bringing Matthew's carefully prepared introduction to its climax. After His temptation in the wilderness, Jesus returns “in the power of the Spirit,” demonstrating a crucial truth for the Christian life: God has given believers the Holy Spirit, but we must learn to depend on His power rather than our own strength. Jesus begins His ministry not in Jerusalem, the center of religious and political influence, but in Galilee—a region viewed as rough, unsophisticated, and spiritually unimportant. Yet the people of Galilee recognized their spiritual need and were more open to Jesus' message. This becomes a warning against religious “tokenism”: outward religious activity can create the illusion of spiritual health while keeping people from genuinely encountering Christ. Jesus came for those who recognize their need for Him. The calling of Peter, Andrew, James, and John also reveals that discipleship is more than passive belief. To follow Jesus means becoming a learner and being willing to radically alter our values. These disciples left behind their vocation, security, family expectations, and familiar ways of life in order to follow Christ. Finally, Jesus' ministry of teaching, proclaiming, and healing demonstrates that the gospel is not merely something to be spoken. His works authenticated His message, and His ministry provides a model for the church: if the church is going to effectively advance the gospel, it must demonstrate the credibility of its message through faithful deeds as well as words. Outline Jesus Prepared for Public Ministry Matthew presents Jesus' credentials before the Sermon on the Mount. The wilderness temptation prepared Jesus for ministry in the power of the Spirit. Living by the Power of the Spirit Jesus returned from the wilderness empowered by the Spirit. Christians cannot live the supernatural Christian life through human strength. Trials can teach us to depend on the Holy Spirit. Three Keys to Experiencing God's Power Recognize that we cannot live the Christian life in our own strength. Believe that God has made His power available through the Holy Spirit. Exercise that faith continually in everyday situations. Jesus Begins in Galilee His ministry fulfills Isaiah's prophecy. Galilee was spiritually open because its people recognized their need. Religious tokenism can hide spiritual poverty. The Cost of Discipleship Peter and Andrew left their vocation. James and John left their father and family expectations. Following Jesus requires a radical alteration of values. A Ministry Authenticated by Deeds Jesus proclaimed the gospel through teaching and demonstrated its reality through healing. The church must be more than talk. Gospel ministry should be authenticated by faithful deeds. Key Takeaways The Christian life cannot be lived effectively through human strength. The Holy Spirit is God's provision for supernatural Christian living. Trials can teach us to depend on God's power rather than ourselves. Religious activity is not a substitute for genuine faith in Christ. Discipleship requires surrendering whatever competes with following Jesus. Following Christ means becoming a learner whose values are continually shaped by Him. The church must demonstrate the gospel through both words and deeds. If there is no spiritual power, ministry can become nothing more than human programs and effort. Scripture References Matthew 3:16 — Jesus is filled with the Holy Spirit. Matthew 4:1–11 — Jesus is tested in the wilderness. Matthew 4:12–16 — Jesus begins His ministry in Galilee, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy. Matthew 4:17 — Jesus calls people to repent because the kingdom is near. Matthew 4:18–22 — Jesus calls His first disciples to follow Him. Matthew 4:23–25 — Jesus teaches, proclaims the gospel, and heals. Luke 4:1 — Jesus is full of the Holy Spirit and led into the wilderness. Luke 4:14 — Jesus returns in the power of the Spirit. Hebrews 5:8 — Jesus learns obedience through suffering. Jeremiah 17:5 — Human strength cannot replace dependence on God. 2 Corinthians 3:5 — Our adequacy comes from God. James 1:2–4 — Trials develop spiritual maturity. Matthew 10:37 — Following Jesus requires ultimate loyalty to Him. Isaiah 9:1–7 — The coming Messiah brings light to those in darkness.   Recorded 2.6.83

Welcome Home!This week we start our new series, "The Be-Attitudes," focusing on the most famous of Jesus's sermons, the Sermon on the Mount.There is a brief audio issue at about the 5:00 mark. Stick with it for a moment, or skip ahead 30 seconds or so, and it'll clear up.Make it a great week!

What if the life you're chasing isn't actually the life Jesus calls blessed? In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus turns our expectations upside down and challenges the way we measure success, happiness, and fulfillment. His words invite us to stop looking at life through the world's scoreboard and start seeing it through the eyes of the Kingdom. Because sometimes what looks like losing is actually where true blessing begins.

SERMON SERIES You've Heard It Said  This is Part two of our Sermon on the Mount series, titled You've Heard It Said. In this segment, we'll discover that true righteousness is not merely about avoiding sin, but increasingly reflecting the character of Christ.  Today's Message: Promises, Promises (Matthew 5.33-37) Preaching Pastor: Curtis Bronzan

Salt preserves. Light reveals. And Jesus says His people are both.In this episode of The King's Way, Michael McIntyre continues through the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:13-16, where Jesus calls His followers “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world.” These are not suggestions for what Christians might someday become. They describe what kingdom citizens already are.But what does it mean to be salt in a decaying world? What does it mean to shine as light in the darkness? Together, we'll see that salt must stay salty, light must stay visible, and the purpose of both is the glory of our Father in heaven.As we continue this study, we pray that Christ would keep us from becoming useless through compromise, teach us not to hide the light He has given, and help us live distinctly and faithfully in the King's way.The King has called His people salt and light. Now we must live as what He says we are.

Rev. Matt Tuggle | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Who are you?  Once we move beyond the polite answers such as our names, occupations, accomplishments, or even our collegiate football allegiances, the question becomes much more personal. It's a question many of us struggle to answer. Yet at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offers a remarkable response.  Speaking to an ordinary, ragtag crowd gathered on a hillside, he tells them, "You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). What was true for them is still true for us today. Using the images of a city on a hill and a lamp on a stand, Jesus teaches that God's people are meant to reflect His light into the world. Just as the lights of a city shine far beyond its borders, what God is doing in our lives reaches far beyond us. The way we live becomes a witness to others, revealing God's character and love.  This passage challenges us to stay focused on what God has placed before us rather than becoming distracted by the many things competing for our attention. As we fix our eyes on Christ and allow him to transform us, our lives become a light that impacts others in ways we may never fully see.  If you've ever wondered, who am I? Jesus' answer is both simple and profound: You are the light of the world and a city on a hill that cannot be hidden.

Rev. Matt Tuggle | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Who are you?  Once we move beyond the polite answers such as our names, occupations, accomplishments, or even our collegiate football allegiances, the question becomes much more personal. It's a question many of us struggle to answer. Yet at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offers a remarkable response.  Speaking to an ordinary, ragtag crowd gathered on a hillside, he tells them, "You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). What was true for them is still true for us today. Using the images of a city on a hill and a lamp on a stand, Jesus teaches that God's people are meant to reflect His light into the world. Just as the lights of a city shine far beyond its borders, what God is doing in our lives reaches far beyond us. The way we live becomes a witness to others, revealing God's character and love.  This passage challenges us to stay focused on what God has placed before us rather than becoming distracted by the many things competing for our attention. As we fix our eyes on Christ and allow him to transform us, our lives become a light that impacts others in ways we may never fully see.  If you've ever wondered, who am I? Jesus' answer is both simple and profound: You are the light of the world and a city on a hill that cannot be hidden.

Send us Fan MailWhat does your heart want most? Jesus' promise that the pure in heart will see God invites us to examine what has captured the center of our lives and discover how Christ cleanses, transforms, and gives us a heart increasingly set on Him. HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

What does it mean to hear and do the words of Jesus? Listen as we complete our Sermon on the Mount series this week.    Text: Matt 7:24-8:1

Pastor Andy embarks on a new series, "Mountain Standard Time" with the first message, 'The World Has Changed, Jesus Has Not". Pastor Andy does something he has never done before, he reads the entire 'Sermon on the Mount' found in the Book of Matthew chapters 5-7. We are encouraged to take notes and share any thoughts or questions with him.

Pastor Andy embarks on a new series, "Mountain Standard Time" with the first message, 'The World Has Changed, Jesus Has Not". Pastor Andy does something he has never done before, he reads the entire 'Sermon on the Mount' found in the Book of Matthew chapters 5-7. We are encouraged to take notes and share any thoughts or questions with him.

What does it actually look like to live differently as a follower of Jesus? In week one of MasterClass, we begin exploring the Sermon on the Mount and Jesus' call to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Rather than separating from the world, conforming to it, or fighting against it, Jesus invites us to make a difference right where we are—to preserve what is good, bring hope into dark places, and live in a way that points people toward Him. The question for each of us is simple: What's it like to be on the other side of me?

Rev. Matt Tuggle | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Who are you?  Once we move beyond the polite answers such as our names, occupations, accomplishments, or even our collegiate football allegiances, the question becomes much more personal. It's a question many of us struggle to answer. Yet at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offers a remarkable response.  Speaking to an ordinary, ragtag crowd gathered on a hillside, he tells them, "You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). What was true for them is still true for us today. Using the images of a city on a hill and a lamp on a stand, Jesus teaches that God's people are meant to reflect His light into the world. Just as the lights of a city shine far beyond its borders, what God is doing in our lives reaches far beyond us. The way we live becomes a witness to others, revealing God's character and love.  This passage challenges us to stay focused on what God has placed before us rather than becoming distracted by the many things competing for our attention. As we fix our eyes on Christ and allow him to transform us, our lives become a light that impacts others in ways we may never fully see.  If you've ever wondered, who am I? Jesus' answer is both simple and profound: You are the light of the world and a city on a hill that cannot be hidden.

Sermon on the Mount

Rev. Matt Tuggle | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Who are you?  Once we move beyond the polite answers such as our names, occupations, accomplishments, or even our collegiate football allegiances, the question becomes much more personal. It's a question many of us struggle to answer. Yet at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offers a remarkable response.  Speaking to an ordinary, ragtag crowd gathered on a hillside, he tells them, "You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). What was true for them is still true for us today. Using the images of a city on a hill and a lamp on a stand, Jesus teaches that God's people are meant to reflect His light into the world. Just as the lights of a city shine far beyond its borders, what God is doing in our lives reaches far beyond us. The way we live becomes a witness to others, revealing God's character and love.  This passage challenges us to stay focused on what God has placed before us rather than becoming distracted by the many things competing for our attention. As we fix our eyes on Christ and allow him to transform us, our lives become a light that impacts others in ways we may never fully see.  If you've ever wondered, who am I? Jesus' answer is both simple and profound: You are the light of the world and a city on a hill that cannot be hidden.

The Long Journey from the Head to the Heart Dr. Eric J. Gilchrest, Pastor | September 13, 2026 Check out the weekly sermon here or on our SRBC podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify. While you're at it, check us out on Facebook and Instagram too. Like what you hear? We'd love to know.At South Run, we read every message personally. Whether you have a question, want to share how God is moving in your life, or are thinking about visiting in person, this is the place to start. If you click the link below, Pastor Eric will personally reach out to you. Listening online? Let us know. Sermon Transcript The Long Journey from the Head to the HeartDr. Eric J. Gilchrest, Pastor. . . are few. And so for this last season of Church Life, we've been talking about these two different paths, right? There's this one way to live a life in which you find yourself down roads of destruction that you should never have walked down. And then there are ways of living a life that lead to real life. And Jesus warns us, he says, the way to life is not easy, It's narrow. It's probably going to cause you some difficulty at times. This isn't to say it's the easy road at all. If anything, the other Rd. is the easy one. But it is a road that leads to life. And so I've been talking about different ways that this gets played out and different topics. This sermon is A little bit like if you've ever watched a television show where you're watching these characters unfold over a span of time, and then the storyteller goes back in time, right? And the storyteller starts to tell you about the roots of the character. I remember the first time I maybe encountered this completely was the show Lost. They tell you about the various characters, Jack and Kate and a guy named John Locke. And then you're like 3, four, five seasons into it. And then you're finding out about John Locke as a little kid or something and like what happened to his life. Or if you've read good books, maybe, I'm blanking on this, Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, right? He does this well. He gives you not just like the world therein, but he builds the world out. This sermon's a little like that, where we've been focused on what Jesus offers these two ways in Matthew 7. But truth be told, Jesus is not making this up whole cloth. He's actually pointing to the passage that Dave just read for us back from Deuteronomy chapter 30. And it's worth knowing this because there's actually a whole history of this that's sitting in your Bible that predates anything that Jesus says or does. And it's worth knowing what's really happening in these scriptures. And so today my hope is to kind of walk you through a few of them to show you what Jesus is pulling on and then to show you that Jesus' intent is to actually fill all of that out and to make a way where before there had not been a way. Let's begin with prayer. God our Heavenly Father, we thank you. for sending your Son Jesus Christ to die on a cross for our sins, to cleanse us from our iniquity, that we might have new life. We thank you for raising him from the dead, that he might defeat death once and for all, and offer true life, eternal life for all of us. And Lord, we thank you for sending your Holy Spirit. And we ask right now, here and now, that you send your spirit into this place, that Lord, you speak through my words to the hearts of those listening, that they might know what you are trying to tell them this morning. We pray this in Christ's holy name, amen. So if I were to ask you what is Jesus' famous sermon, you would probably say, the Sermon on the Mount. Is there another one? It's kind of the only one that I am aware of that maybe gets a title, like the sermon something or other, right? If you were to go home today and want to read the Sermon on the Mount, you would go to Matthew chapter 5 through 7. It's long. It's 3 whole chapters long, right? And in Matthew 5 through 7, If I were to ask a follow-up question, like what's the text Jesus is preaching his sermon from, what would you say to that? No, nothing? Okay. Yeah, that's fine. Because here's the truth, right? I would say it this way. He's preaching from the whole of the law. And he's teaching us how to read the whole of the law, which is to say the first five books of the Bible, Genesis and Exodus and Leviticus and Numbers and Deuteronomy. This is where you find the Torah. Another word for law, by the way, frankly, a translation I would prefer is instruction. These are instructions on how to live a life. both communally, for Israel as a whole, like how Israel as a whole is supposed to live a life, and then for the Israelite himself or herself, or for you, yourself, like how you're to live a life. These are the instructions. And so Jesus is kind of flipping through the instruction manual, and he's then preaching through this sermon of chapter 5 and then 6 and then 7, and he gets to the end of seven, and then he delivers the line that I just read earlier about the two different ways. perhaps not surprisingly, he's doing precisely what Moses did. You see, Moses delivers the law, and he gives us things, the memorable ones like the Ten Commandments, right? And then he gives all these other little laws, and if this happens, well then do that, and if this happens, well then do that, and you shouldn't do this over here, and you should definitely do this over here, and then he gets to the end of it all. In Deuteronomy 30, is kind of the capstone of it. And then he says, he's kind of looking back on all the commandments. And in brief, he says, look, I've laid before you two options. The one option leads to life and the other option leads to death, which is precisely what Jesus does, right? He says, I've preached my sermon, my most famous one, the Sermon on the Mount, and I get to the end of it all and I'm offering you two things. There's the one way that leads to life, and there's the one way that leads to death. So let's take a look at Deuteronomy 30. We'll start in verse 15, though. Deuteronomy 30, starting in verse 15, and we'll see what Moses says. Because this again is filling out this backstory that predates what Jesus is doing a few thousand years later. And so in verse 15, he says, see, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. And if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today. And then he explains like how to obey these commandments. There's 3 parts to it. So if you obey these commandments by one, loving the Lord your God, two, by walking in His ways, and three, by keeping His commandments and His statutes and His rules, well then you shall live and multiply. It's interesting to me, and I think it should be to you, that what Moses gives us here is, here's how to obey the commands. And he doesn't get around to actually telling you to obey the commands until.3. He starts with, you obey the commands by, right here, loving in your heart, loving the right thing, namely the Lord your God. And then the next part is you move from loving to doing the thing, to like walking in his ways. And then finally third, When you're doing that, you are finally keeping the commandments and the statutes and the rules and the instructions and all the things that Moses just laid out in the first five books of your Bible. And if you do those, well, that leads to life. This sounds a lot like what Jesus says, doesn't it? Like you should do these things. And Jesus knows, and frankly, Moses knows, and I'm gonna guess you all know too, that actually doing the thing is a whole lot harder than it seems. It's a whole lot harder. We'll finish up the passage here starting in verse 17. If your hearts turn away, and you will not hear, but you're drawn away to worship the other gods and you serve them, well, I declare to you today that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you're going over the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to witness against you today. I have set before you again two options, life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore, choose life, that you and your offspring, your kids and their kids and their kids. they might live, loving the Lord your God, and here they are again, by the way, loving the Lord your God, obeying His voice and holding fast to Him, for He is your life, He is your length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob to give to them. Now I'll say, if I'm preaching a sermon like Jesus on the Sermon on the Mount, this is a great text to draw from because it's stirring, right? He's putting before you, like, are you going to choose the way to life or are you going to choose the way that leads to death? And then he gives us some ways to actually do this. But what Moses knows And what Jesus definitely knows and what you probably know too is that knowing the thing that you should do and having it sitting here in your heart to do it, two very different things. They say that the 18 inches from your head to your heart is the longest journey you can possibly take. To get something that you know to be true Down inside here, this is a lifetime of a journey. Turns out that knowing the law and doing the law are two entirely different life tasks. If I were to ask you right now, should you lie to your neighbor or your kids or to your pastor? You would most certainly say, of course not. I'm not going to do that. And if I were to say, should you steal from your workplace? should you take things from there? And no. Who's going to do that? Why would I do that? Should you defraud people out of their money? No. I'm not going to steal from somebody. Should you cheat on your spouse? No. way. Should you beat up your little brother, right? No, I shouldn't do that. But somehow the knowing of it is very different from the doing it. And you find yourself in places and doing things that you thought, I shouldn't be doing this. How did I get here? Why? am I here? And for some of you, it's why am I here again? And then again. And then again. You've probably met the doctor who dispenses all the advice and tells you, well, you shouldn't drink and you shouldn't smoke. And then you walk outside after your appointment and there's the doctor smoking away, right? Or I like to I know some ethicists who have PhDs in ethics, and I like to say that these are some of the most clever people knowing how to get around ethics and doing all the wrong things because in their mind they can make the mental gymnastics. Or maybe the lawyers who know all the rules, right? They know the laws, But do they keep them? That's a different thing. And here again, it's this length from the head down into the heart that we're trying to examine this morning. And it's the problem that Moses poses. Moses poses. And Jesus poses and I'm posing to you. What did Moses expect though? If we just back up a few verses to the beginning of what we were reading this morning. Starting in verse 11, Deuteronomy 30, 11, he says this. He says, the commandment that I'm commanding you today, it's not too hard. These are his words, not mine. This commandment, these set of laws, it's not too hard for you. And it's not far off. It's not in heaven up there somewhere that you should say, who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us that we may hear it and do it? And neither is it beyond the sea. It's not like way out there somewhere that you've got to say, who's going to go over the sea to find these commands and to tell us what it is to do? He says, no, it's none of that. The word is very near to you. It is in fact, it's in your very mouth, and it might even be in your heart, so that you can do it. And so Moses is clearly expecting these people, the Israelites, and frankly us, to do the right things. And he's saying it's not too hard. But if you know the Israelite story, What happens to these folks? Well, you just fast forward a few books and you get to the prophets and what is happening to them is the exact thing that's foreshadowed here at the end of Deuteronomy, which is that they are being ushered out of this promised land into a place called Babylon. And they're told very clearly why, which is that they weren't capable and they didn't keep the Mosaic law. They did all things that they shouldn't have done. And there's a people group that did things that they shouldn't have done. And now, well, now they're being ushered out of the promised land, the land of the living, and they are in exile. And this brings us to two more passages that connect deeply with what is happening both here and what Jesus will pick up on later. The first is Ezekiel, chapter 36, 26, and 27. Here, the Israelites are in this foreign land where they can't get back. It seems the promises have been broken. It seems the covenant between them and Yahweh is toast. And yet, God's not done with them. And he says the following. He says, I'll give you a new heart, and I will put this new spirit within you, and I'll remove the heart of stone from your flesh, and I'll give you a new heart of flesh, and I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. And he's basically saying here, a time will come when I will show you how to get this law in here. So it's not just up here in your head, but it's made its way into your heart somehow. And it appears that there's some sort of movement of the spirit that is involved in all of this. Well, then there's this other prophet, Jeremiah, speaking about the same time. Israel is in exile. They're in Babylon. And he too comes saying some promises about what's to come. And in verse 31, 31 and 33, Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. This won't be like the old covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. The very covenant, by the way, I was talking about in Deuteronomy chapter 30. And so Jeremiah is saying, it's not going to be like that one. That one was in stone. That one mostly lived up here in their heads, if it lived anywhere at all, but it never made its way down into their heart. And so he says, I've got to make a new covenant. And Jeremiah promises that God is making a new covenant. By the way, if you don't know, maybe you're new to all of this or maybe I just need to teach a little better, but we're going to take communion momentarily. We're going to use these exact words, so pay attention to what's happening here. And Jesus from that upper room is going to say to his disciples in the moment he's handing the bread and the cup to them, he's going to say, this is the new covenant in my blood. And he's using Jeremiah 31. He's directly echoing it. And he's saying, what's happening right now in this upper room? This is the new covenant. And this is where All of these promises back in your Old Testament are finally coming to fruition. Back to Jeremiah 31, 33 now, for this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord. I will put my law within them and I will write it on their hearts and I will be their God and they will be my people. And so the problem back in Jeremiah's day is we need to know how to put the law in our hearts. This is the same problem today. I don't want you to think that you get scot-free out of here without somehow getting it inside of you. I know plenty of people who go by the name Christian and they got all the right things up here, but none of the right things sitting here and the way they live their life is not shaped by the law or by Christ or by anything connected to either of those. The big question for the day is, how does one get the law out there to in here? I want to point you to another passage in Scripture. By the way, if you want, you can just write these down and really dig into them later. But for now, I'll just keep burning through them. This is New Testament this time. This is Romans chapter 10. It's a very famous passage. You've probably heard it before, but if not, we'll certainly read it together. And I want you to notice that Paul here is quoting directly from our passage. He is quoting directly Deuteronomy chapter 30. And he says this, Moses writes, about the righteousness based on the law. That the person who does the commandments will live by them. But the righteousness based on faith says, and here's the quote from Deuteronomy 30, don't say in your heart, who will ascend into heaven? You remember this part of Deuteronomy 30? You can go back and read it again. But then Paul adds what's in the parentheses here. He says, that is to bring Christ down. And then he goes on, he says, who will descend into the abyss? This is the way Moses had written it was who will go out to the seas or beyond the seas, right? And then Paul says, that is to bring Christ up from the dead. But what does it say? And here's still Moses, right? The word is near you. It's in your mouth and in your heart. And this is Precisely. I mean, he's quoting directly from Deuteronomy chapter 30. But he's doing something very unique and you need to know precisely what he's doing. Do you see what he's done? When Moses is talking, Moses is talking about the law. Who will go up to the heavens and find the law up there to teach us how to live a life, right? Who will instruct us on the way we should live? And Moses says, you don't need to go up there. I'm giving it to you right now. And Moses says, you don't need to go over the seas to find the law and to bring it back because I'm telling you right now it's been given to you. But that's not what Paul does. Paul substitutes out the law for Christ. It's A radical move. You have to believe the Jews hearing this might be a little scandalized, But if they've been around the church for a few years, they will know Paul makes this kind of move on a regular basis. He reads his Old Testament and he sees Jesus on these pages. And specifically, he sees Jesus where the law is sitting. Jesus tells us in Matthew chapter 5, the very beginning of his most famous sermon, he says, I have not come to abolish the law, I have come to fulfill it. I've come to fill it out. And then Paul tells us what this looks like. He's telling us that if you want to know how to live a life and what it means to live abundant life and what it means to have eternal life and the way we were designed to be in this world, well then look no further than the person of Jesus. Paul has a very interesting take on the law generally speaking. But what he definitely does is he says, look at Jesus because Jesus fills out how this law was always meant to work. And if you want to know how this law was always supposed to bring you life, well then just simply do the kinds of things Jesus does. Paul doesn't stop here though. You see, Paul keeps going with this Deuteronomy passage and says something, again, very interesting and now this time very familiar to some of you. Verse 9, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and you believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. But the scripture says everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame. We're still left with the question, how does one get the law from their head into their heart? And there are two ways I would want to offer you. One is far more important than the other way. The one way is God. This is an act of grace, a gift that God gives to you. And the other way is your part, the part you play in all of this. And both of these are really important. So what Paul is doing in this passage and what Jesus is teaching us is that in order to have this gift of the Spirit, And to get the law and the person of Jesus into your heart, it requires an act of grace on the part of God. And that we must confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord. And we must believe in our hearts that He has been raised from the dead. And if we do these things, then yes, we will be saved. Which is to say that the movement from the head down into the heart has begun. But then there's also the part that you play. And this is the part where you have to step in and you have to step up and you have to do the things that the law commands of you and that Jesus desires from you. And so if you want to get that 18 inches from the head down into the heart, what we're really saying is that you've got to make the faith that you have really real. It's got to mean something. It can't just stand out here somewhere. It's got to pierce your heart. This is not something I can do for you. I can teach you about it. I can speak to you, hopefully inspire you. But at the end of the day, this is a you thing. And you've got to want it. You've got to desire it. You've got to, use the scriptural term, you've got to love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength. In just a few seconds, we're going to take communion. The external and the internal are miles apart, and there will be people in the room who take the same bread and cup and they are taking it as an external act, a rote thing that you've done hundreds of times and let's go ahead and get this done so we can head off to lunch and all will be well. And then there are some of you who want to make it really real. who want to actually experience the body and the blood of Christ, who want to take communion because you want to encounter the living God. My prayer for you this morning is that you're in that second camp, is that you are doing what you need to be doing to get God in here. Quick word of warning, Some of you will say to me in private moments, God, or Eric, I've been trying this thing. Maybe you're praying, God, I've been trying this thing where I want to know you're in here and sometimes I just don't know. And I would say to you if you told me this, I get this. And I'm sorry that it doesn't feel real just yet. But I would encourage you to keep showing up. and to show up in this place and to show up reading your scripture, show up reading or praying to God and meeting with others who have a spiritual life that has clearly transformed them in some way and asked them, what was it like for you? What is it like for you? What is it like to follow Jesus for real along the way? And I assure you, over time, the small steps and acts of faith that you participate in will begin to seep its way down into the very core of who you are. Before you know it, you are being transformed and you are being changed into the Christ-like person that you were always meant to be. When we take the bread and the cup, we say, this is the body of Christ and it's broken for you. And this is the blood of Christ and it is shed for you. And this is for the forgiveness of your sins. We do ask for one more step. You and me, that is. And it's the Pentecost step. Pentecost is the day where the Spirit comes down. Because the tradition says that Jesus was raised from the dead and ascends to the Father and is seated at the right hand of God. And that's great and all, but we want the Spirit. We want something closer. We want God here with us. And so the promise is not just that Jesus is far off, but He sends His Spirit with us, to live in us, to participate in our transformation. So this is my prayer for you and for me this morning. Let us pray together. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as we gather around your table this morning, we ask for clean hearts and clean hands because we come with hard hearts and dirty hands. We know that we need you. We know that we have failed you and ourselves and the ones we love. But God, we know that forgiveness is available at this table. We know that you welcome us home with the open arms of the Father with his prodigal son. And so this morning, we come running. We come running back to you, God. But we also ask for a movement of the Spirit so that as we take these elements, or meet us in this place, meet me, meet each person who will walk up and will receive the body of Christ broken for them, the blood of Christ shed for them. Meet them, Lord. And when we eat and drink together, Lord, we will celebrate together what you have done. We pray this in Christ's holy name. Amen. If my communion service would come forward, we will begin. We have some new folks here with us today. The way we take communion goes like this. We come forward down the center aisle and there will be two stations. One will have, well, Each person will have a bread and a cup and you'll simply put your hands out and they will give you the body of Christ, which is broken for you. And then you'll grab the cup. Now if you need gluten-free or if you want a wafer that's not been touched by one of their hands, we have those where the cups are located as well. But then you'll take that back to your seats. We will take communion together as one body. While you're waiting in the pew with the bread and the cup in your hands, I would encourage you to do some reflecting, some praying, and see if we can't make this really real this morning. On the night he was betrayed, Jesus took the bread, he gave thanks, he broke it. The body of Christ broke it for you. And he took the cup And he said, this is the new covenant in my blood for the forgiveness of your sins. Please come forward the table is open.

What happens when the grand vision of the Sermon on the Mount meets the messy reality of daily life? In Echoes from the Mountain, a series on the Book of James featured on we explore how James takes the radical kingdom ethic preached by Jesus and translates it into a practical guide for faith in action. Tune in as Sunday's pulpit message meets your Monday morning walk.

Welcome to Echoes from the Mountain, an expository walk through the epistle of James. In this series, we trace how Jesus's Sermon on the Mount echoes directly into the active, daily life of the Christian. James leaves no room for idle belief—true, covenantal faith is never static; it works. Join us verse by verse as we unpack God's Word, confront the wisdom of the world, and learn what it means to live out a dynamic, living faith grounded in sovereign grace.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus simply says, "Do Not Worry." How can we truly obey this seemingly impossible command?

Lord's Supper

This message considers Isaiah 61 – the poem that Jesus used to identify himself as the Spirit Anointed One – the one who announces release and freedom and launches initiatives of rebuilding and restoring. This is a Sermon On The Mount adjacent message, as it helps frame up what Jesus was leaning on as he […] The post Hope For Change appeared first on Plymouth Meeting Church.

TOPIC: Follow Me - The Radical Essence of a Christ FollowerPaul SchoolmeestersMatthew 5:1-10"Follow Me." It's the invitation of Jesus to anyone who will listen. But once accepted, it becomes a command. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus calls His followers to a radical way of life that's only possible when He changes us from the inside out. So, are you ready? This fall, we discover "The Radical Essence of a Christ-Follower." #Jesus#churchonline Check-In, Give, Upcoming Events, and more! Use this link:https://northridge-fellowship.cls.co/

What does it really mean to be a person of character?In this episode of Friday Focus, Micah sits down with Malachi Herbster to discuss biblical character, who we are on the inside, and how that shapes the way we live. Building on Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, they explore why true character begins in the heart, how God uses His Word, prayer, relationships, and even difficulties to shape us, and why developing Christlike character requires daily intentionality.Godly character doesn't happen by accident. It means guarding your heart, surrounding yourself with people who point you to Christ, and being willing to say no to yourself to become more like Him.As one preacher put it, “Character is who you are in the dark.” What kind of character are you developing when no one else is watching?

Send us Fan MailIn the opening of Jesus' landmark Sermon on the Mount, He called all who follow Him to live as salt, a city on a hill, and a lamp. These metaphors illustrate how we are called to point people to Jesus through the lives we live and the words we share. Pick up your Bible or device, and turn to Matthew 5 to hear all about it.This episode is based on the God's Word for Life, Fall 2026, Adult Lesson Guide entitled "Some Salt, a City, and a Lamp" (September 13, 2026).Find an Apostolic church that preaches this glorious gospel and our response at UPCI.orgThis episode is produced by the Pentecostal Resources Group and is hosted by LJ Harry. To order resources of the God's Word for Life curriculum, visitPentecostalPublishing.com and PentecostalResourcesGroup.com.Share your God's Word for Life stories with me at gwfl@upci.org.

In this Bible Story, Jesus climbs a small hill and preaches to thousands of people about the kingdom of God. He speaks about the backwards economy of God's blessings. That the poor in spirit, meek, and mourning are the ones to inherit ultimate blessing from God. All these things cause awe and wonder in those listening. This story is inspired by Matthew 5-7 & Luke 6:37-42. Go to https://www.BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Matthew 5:44 from the King James Version.Episode 182: As the crowds gathered around Jesus He began to teach them. He taught them about righteousness, prayer, and love for one another. Some were amazed and listened with eager ears while others were firm against Him with grimaces on their faces. Where will we stand as we listen to His words?Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the ⁠Pray.com⁠ app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd Haberkorn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is Part two of our Sermon on the Mount series, titled You've Heard It Said. In this segment, we'll discover that true righteousness is not merely about avoiding sin, but increasingly reflecting the character of Christ.  (Matthew 5.27-32) Preaching Pastor: Curtis Bronzan

Chris Coffman, Mathew 6:1-4 | As we continue through the Sermon on the Mount, we explore the hidden life of generosity, prayer, and time alone with God.

In the sermon on the mount, Jesus said, “Store up for yourselves treasure in heaven” (Matthew 6:20 NIV). He was telling people how to invest their money and their lives! In this message series, Pastor Rick teaches about the things God wants you to invest in with the money he blesses you with.When you give your resources as an act of worship or to bring people to Jesus, you honor God. Join Pastor Rick as he continues to teach about the ways God wants you to invest in his purposes and why he wants you to store up treasure in heaven. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1103/29?v=20251111

Send us Fan Mail  In today's study, our 4th in the Sermon on the Mount Series, we discuss how Jesus teaches us that believers must be truthful, avoiding manipulative oaths and living with integrity so vows become unnecessary. He connected swearing, lying, broken marriage vows, and bearing God's name in vain. He teaches us against revenge, rather urging forgiveness, generosity, and love toward our enemies. Christ calls His followers to mature holiness, reflecting the Father through truthful speech, mercy, and our godly treatment of all people. You sure don't want to miss this episode, so come and study God's Word with us today! 

Pastor preaches from the Sermon on the Mount on the importance of seeing anger from God's perspective. Message originally preached Wednesday evening August 19, 2026.

Jesus talked a lot about money, and you probably think a lot about money! In this Financial Fitness series, Pastor Rick will use the wisdom from the Bible to teach you how to become a responsible and trustworthy manager of the financial resources God has given you.In the sermon on the mount, Jesus said, “Store up for yourselves treasure in heaven” (Matthew 6:20 NIV). He was telling people how to invest their money and their lives! In this message series, Pastor Rick teaches about the things God wants you to invest in with the money he blesses you with.God wants you to invest in growing your character, in encouraging other believers, and in helping those in need. In this broadcast, Pastor Rick teaches how those investments will yield eternal dividends. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1103/29?v=20251111

In our penultimate discussion of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus lays two paths before us. Join us as we take measure of these "Two Ways."    Text: Matt 7:13-23 

This study examines the closing words of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus ends the greatest sermon ever preached not with a summary or a blessing but with a house crashing down. After three chapters of teaching that began with the Beatitudes, Jesus tells of two builders. One builds his house on the rock, and one builds on the sand. In dry weather the two houses look identical, with the same walls, roof, and doors. The difference stays hidden until the storm comes, and then the same rain, wind, and flood that beat on both houses reveal which one was truly founded. Jesus ends with a warning because he is not interested in being admired; he is interested in being obeyed. Church on the Way heard three movements in the passage. First, you can agree with a King you have never obeyed. The people in verses 21 to 23 call Jesus Lord, Lord and even do mighty works in his name, yet he says, I never knew you. Their confession is orthodox, fervent, and public, but there is a difference between agreeing with Jesus and submitting to him. Agreement costs nothing; the real test comes when God's will crosses ours. Second, the storm does not build your house, it reveals it. Storms come to everyone who follows Jesus, not as punishment but as the common experience of life in a fallen world. What we truly believe about God, deep in the control room of the heart, is what determines whether we stand or fall. Third, we must walk off the sidewalk. Building on the rock means admitting three things: I am a sinner, I cannot fix myself, and I cast myself completely on Jesus as Savior and Lord. This is not a one-time event but a daily direction, a lifestyle of repenting and believing again each morning. The rock, unnamed in the sermon itself, is revealed in Matthew 16 to be Christ. The King who speaks with all authority is the same King who went to the cross and took the storm of God's judgment in our place. The gospel turns the parable inside out: we build not by performing well enough to come to Christ, but by coming with empty hands, poor in spirit, resting our whole weight on the One who loved us and gave himself for us.

Jesus gives his followers a specific identity of being salt of the earth, light of the world, and the city in a hill. Through these 4 verses, we explore how we often lose sight of that identity and how we get our saltiness back.

Drawing from the closing passage of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7, this sermon presents a foundational truth for Christian decision-making: life's most important choices are not between many options, but between God's way and every other way. The pastor challenges listeners to resist the temptation of creating a "third road" that blends God's path with personal preferences, warning that this impulse stretches back to the original temptation in Genesis 3. Using four contrasting pairs from Jesus' teaching -- two roads, two kinds of fruit, two kinds of relationships with God, and two foundations -- the sermon calls believers to honest self-examination about whether they are truly following Christ or merely performing religious activity. The central call is to trust Jesus as the firm foundation, recognizing that God's narrow path, though difficult, is the only one that leads to true life and freedom.

Jesus begins His teachings by sharing about where the truly happy (“blesséd”) life is found – not in chasing more happiness, but in looking to its source. Listen in as Dave teaches us about Jesus' subversive opener to the Sermon on the Mount, which reframes our expectations about joy and the Christian life.

What did Jesus actually mean when he said "repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near"? In this opening message of our 10-month journey through the Sermon on the Mount, Pastor Dave Mudd unpacks Matthew 4:17 and reveals why Matthew 5–7 isn't a list of impossible rules, it's an invitation into the good life Jesus is offering right now. Discover why the Kingdom of Heaven isn't primarily about going to heaven, and learn five filters that will transform how you read Jesus' most famous sermon.Key Takeaways:- Repentance is an invitation to turn toward truth, not a condemnation — Jesus is inviting you into life to the full.- The kingdom of heaven is not primarily about the afterlife; it's God's reign breaking into the here and now.- The Sermon on the Mount describes who you become when you follow Jesus, not a checklist you must complete.- Righteousness means right relationship with God and others, not flawless moral performance.- Jesus' kingdom is upside-down: true flourishing looks like humility, mercy, and meekness — not power, wealth, or status.

August 30, 2026 - Sunday AM Sermon This episode features a sermon rooted in Matthew 7:1–6 and the wider context of the Sermon on the Mount, delivered during a service that includes youth-led worship and a brief announcement about three college‑age men preaching on the theme "Jesus the Master Teacher." Neal unpacks what Jesus meant by "Judge not, that you be not judged," showing how familiar words must be understood in context and tied back to Matthew 5:20 and the larger sermon. The message examines the process of unrighteous judgment — how judgment begins in thought, becomes a narrowed way of seeing, and then moves outward into speech and action. The sermon traces sin's progression with biblical illustrations (Eve, Lot, Joseph's brothers, Achan, David, Herod, Judas) and modern cultural examples of how "judge not" is often invoked in media controversies. Three principal problems with unrighteous judgment are identified: bias (we excuse ourselves and favor loved ones), hypocrisy (deflecting attention from our own faults and building ourselves up by tearing others down), and a distorted view (acting on incomplete facts or outward appearances). Neal uses concrete examples — including a baseball player's ocular migraine and the story of Eliab and David — to show how limited perspective warps response. The sermon offers a clear prescription. Practical steps include practicing rigorous self‑examination ("examine yourself"), cultivating brotherly love and the Golden Rule, actively asking God for help, and intentionally looking for the good in others (becoming "sparkle detectors" like Barnabas saw good in Paul). Neal stresses that discernment and church discipline have a place — but must be exercised by God's standard and in a spirit of gentleness and mercy (Ephesians, 1 Corinthians, 2 Timothy, Hebrews). The talk concludes with a reminder that righteous judgment is distinct from the unrighteous kind the sermon warns against: Christians are called to uphold God's standard without becoming "hanging judges." Mercy triumphs over judgment, and the preacher issues an invitation to respond in repentance and obedience — a call to faith, baptism, and restoration that echoes the prodigal‑son picture of a merciful Father. Listeners can expect a theological, pastoral, and practical exploration of judgment: careful exegesis of Matthew 7:1–6, scriptural cross‑references (John, James, 1 Corinthians, Romans), real‑world illustrations, and specific, actionable steps for replacing unfair criticism with humble, compassionate discernment.   Handout:   The Verse Everybody Knows... And What It Really Means Neal Pollard Text: _____________________________ I. THE ________________________ OF UNRIGHTEOUS _________________________ A. "I _____________________________________" (1-2) B. "I _____________________________________" (3) C. "I _____________________________________" (4) D. "I _____________________________________" (5) II. THE ________________________ OF UNRIGHTEOUS ________________________ A. We Suffer From _________________________________ B. We Struggle With ________________________________ C. We Struggle With A ____________________________ View II. THE ________________________ FOR UNRIGHTEOUS ______________________ A. ____________________________________ B. ____________________________________ C. ____________________________________ D. ____________________________________ E. ____________________________________ Conclusion A. God Doesn't Condemn: B. But That's Not What Jesus Is Addressing In This Passage C. We Will All Receive ____________________ From _________________ (Js. 2:11-12)   Duration 33:33  

August 30, 2026 - Sunday PM Sermon   In this episode the speakers unpack the theme of Jesus as the Master Teacher, using Matthew 7:28–29 as a starting point. Through scripture readings, songs, and several short sermons they examine what makes a great teacher—authority, insight into the human heart, creative methods (parables, questions, direct challenge), and above all teaching by example. Listeners will hear reflections on Jesus' teaching style, including the foot-washing in John 13, and an invitation to move beyond merely knowing doctrine toward living it. The episode moves to a sustained look at how Jesus redefines righteousness through the Sermon on the Mount and related passages (Matthew 5–7, Luke 18). Speakers challenge the audience to stop measuring holiness by external behavior and checklists and instead evaluate motives and the condition of the heart. The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector is used to show the danger of self-righteousness, while James 1:22 and other passages remind listeners that true faith is shown by being doers of the Word. Another segment examines the illusion of self-cleansing and the risk of an ‘‘empty'' holiness, drawing on Matthew 12:43–45 and John 15:4–5 to stress the necessity of abiding in Christ. The hosts explain how behavior modification without God's presence leaves a person vulnerable, and why genuine transformation comes from the indwelling life of Jesus rather than merely sweeping one's life clean. The program also explores the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15) and a modern true-life story about a missing boy found decades later to illustrate God's persistent compassion. Key takeaways include: God watches with compassion while we are still far off, God restores fully (not halfway), and heaven celebrates when a lost person returns. Scripture references woven throughout include Matthew, John, Luke, 2 Corinthians, Romans, Philippians, and others. Expect a mix of preaching, pastoral reflection, scripture readings, and worship songs including “Every Time” and “Seek Ye First.” The episode issues a clear, warm invitation to examine whether you are merely performing righteousness or truly abiding in Christ, offers practical reflection questions, and closes with an encouragement to take steps toward restoration and closer relationship with the Father.   Duration 38:40

Dave Brisbin 9.6.26 I don't usually do verse-by-verse scripture studies. Too easy to get lost in details, lose the forest for the trees. Too easy to be consumed with commentary and lose the application to everyday life. Without that application grounding scripture in human relationship and community, we lose relevant meaning. The exceptions are the Sermon on the Mount and the Book of James. Why? They're all application. No coincidence that Matthew, containing the Sermon on the Mount, and James are the two most Jewish books of the NT and may have been originally written in Hebrew/Aramaic. Or that James was Jesus' brother cut from the same Jewish cloth. Or that the Sermon on the Mount and James were used as catechisms for the early movement of Jesus followers. You won't find high theology in the Sermon or James, only the building blocks of everyday life. James has been called the “Proverbs of the New Testament” and is filled with practical wisdom, aphorisms for living ethically in community along Jesus' Way. Just as the Sermon opens with the Beatitudes, a multifaceted portrait of the finished product: a person transformed into the awareness of Kingdom life—James opens with a barrage of moral teachings, the attributes of communal life along Jesus' Way. Starting with Endurance, accepting life's hardships as teachers bringing us to completion, he then moves on to Wisdom, the by-product of Endurance, which is not “granted” but realized if we don't Doubt—become paralyzed by our need for certainty. Then in quick succession, the Degreelessness of God's love, Reward, Temptation, and Presence. The Sermon gives us the permission and means of stripping away the limitations that hold us in the hell of separation, and James, the ABCs of bringing that transformation back into everyday life in community. Greatly misunderstood in the West, James must be viewed with Jewish eyes. When we do, just as liquid takes the shape of any container into which it's poured, we can distinguish the content of the message frozen in its Jewish container, and warmed to room temp, pour it fresh into the containers of our own lives. Same message, new shape.

By Troy Phelps - Speaker: Troy Phelps Date: 8/28/26 Following Jesus Christ is an “all in” commitment—one that requires us to count the cost and remain faithful even when righteousness brings persecution. In this final message on the Beatitudes, we examine how trials and persecution test what God has built within us

On this episode, Paul White introduces the Sermon on the Mount. Accompanying scripture: Matthew 5:1-2.