Podcasts about Sermon on the Mount

We explore Jesus' famous Sermon on the Mount and its context within Jewish law and culture at the time. Jesus challenged the prevailing interpretations of the Law of Moses by the Pharisees, emphasizing the moral principles behind the laws and elevating them to a higher standard. Jesus' teachings were met with contrasting responses, with those of faith reacting positively and the self-righteous negatively. Jesus also demonstrates adherence to the Law, demonstrating his commitment to fulfill the Law.Bible ReadingsMatthew 5:1-48Matthew 6:1-34Matthew 7:1-29Support the showRead along with us in the Bible Brief App! Try the Bible Brief book for an offline experience!Get your free Bible Timeline with the 10 Steps: Timeline LinkSupport the show: Tap here to become a monthly supporter!Review the show: Tap here!Want to go deeper?...Download the Bible Brief App!iPhone: App Store LinkAndroid: Play Store LinkWant a physical book? Check out "Bible Brief" by our founder!Amazon: Amazon LinkWebsite: biblebrief.orgInstagram: @realbiblebriefX: @biblebriefFacebook: @realbiblebriefEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.org Want to learn the Bible languages (Greek & Hebrew)? Check out our partner Biblingo (and use our link/code for a discount!): https://bibli...

Welcome to the audio podcast of Valley Family Church located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. We pray you'll be encouraged as you listen to this podcast. For more information on Valley Family Church, visit valleyfamilychurch.org.

Most of us already know what the good life looks like in our culture… success, comfort, confidence, control. We don't have to be taught what to chase; we're already running. In the opening lines of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus disrupts all of it. He blesses weakness, grief, humility, mercy, purity, peacemaking, and faithfulness under pressure… qualities we usually avoid, ignore, or see as setbacks. This series slows us down long enough to notice the gap between what we chase and what Jesus calls blessed. Not to pressure people. Not to shame people. But to help people see clearly. Each week, we'll unpack one of Jesus' statements and let it confront our assumptions about the good life… one attitude at a time. This week's notes in the Bible app: https://www.bible.com/events/49573730 Pastor Sean Kelly | Upside Down | Matthew 5:8 CONNECT WITH US Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mpccgreenwood Twitter: https://twitter.com/mpccgreenwood Instagram: https://instagram.com/mpccgreenwood Website: https://mpcc.info/

Pastor Justin Hall preaches from Matthew 5:43-48 in the sermon series, Wisdom from the King: the Sermon on the Mount.

To Every Generation...The teaching ministry of Calvary Chapel Crossfields.....Join us as we go verse by verse through the Bible.

Sunday, March 8th 2026 - Matthew 7:13-14 | One of the most controversial ideas taught by many modern American churches is the idea that Jesus does not teach about hell. In fact, some people teach the universalist idea that Jesus' death on the cross means all people will be saved regardless of whether they repent. This sermon will focus on what exactly Jesus teaches on hell and judgment. 

The Book of James, written by the half-brother of Jesus, is based on the Sermon on the Mount and a few other teachings of Jesus. Today we will talk about the third chapter of James, where we can learn what God expects from Bible teachers and the use of our words. #fsbccoalinga #coalinga #fsbcsermon Contact us at TheWordInfusion@gmail.com with your comments, questions or praises.  Let us know how our podcast has blessed, encouraged or helped you.  Join us on our Facebook pages at http://www.facebook.com/fsbccoalinga & http://www.facebook.com/..  Help us to grow a community that infuses the Word of God into their lives each day.  Follow us on Twitter @TheWordInfusion or @fsbccoalinga .  To support this ministry click on: https://giving.myamplify.io//app/giving/fsbccoalinga or copy and paste it into your web browser.

Discourse on Adultery of the Heart.

This week Pastor Darrin continues his series on the Sermon on the Mount as he challenges us to Live the Jesus way.

You can't keep your eyes focused on two things at the same time. And you can't have two masters. Jesus makes this clear when He speaks of two treasures, two visions, and two masters in the Sermon on the Mount.

The post The Lord’s Prayer: The Heart of the Sermon on the Mount – Jodi Crain/Lucien Fortier appeared first on The Bridge Church.

Dr. Crawford Loritts says that in this passage Jesus is condensing everything He has said in the Sermon on the Mount to two basic things. They are: Keep it simple. Keep it tight. Don't make Christianity complicated. Find out more on today's program!Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/livingalegacySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We moved into the next verses in the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus tells his followers that they are the Salt and light of the world. Not salt and light in the world, but the source of the world's saltiness and light. We unpacked these verses this Sunday and considered not only what it meant for us today but also look back at some of the surprising ways salty Christians have changed the world – changes we still benefit from.

Dan Libenson's farewell. Dan's proverbial "sermon on the mount." We really don't know what to write in this "description" area for an episode that marks a momentous turning point for Judaism Unbound, but we're trying our best. In this conversation, Dan says goodbye to his role as co-host of Judaism Unbound, as we turn next week to welcome Rena Yehuda Newman as a co-host. He decided to bid farewell through telling some of his favorite stories -- some ancient and some less-so. Throughout this podcast episode he brings these stories, and both he and Lex do their best to hold back tears. ----------------------- Head to JudaismUnbound.com/classes to check out our up upcoming courses in the UnYeshiva! This time around we are offering courses on an Intro to Judaism (Judaism Inbound), the book of Genesis, the Magic & Medicine of Psalms, Jews and Revolution, and a Jewish embrace of Fatness! Access full shownotes for this episode via this link. If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound, please help us keep things going with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation -- support Judaism Unbound by clicking here! Join the Judaism Unbound discord, where you can interact with Judaism Unbound's hosts, and with fellow listeners all around the world, by heading to discord.judaismunbound.com. 

Welcome to Episode #201 of the Way of the Bible podcast. This is our first of eight episodes in our Twenty-Sixth mini-series entitled Return to Sermon on the Mount. We veered off the path of the Sermon on the Mount after completing Matthew Chapter 6 on Episode #169. In the interim episodes between then and now, #170 to #200, We dedicated four mini-series to the Return of Jesus Christ. Today, we jump back on the path listening to Jesus' instructions to his disciples and a gathered crowd.Let's start with the passage.Matthew 7:1-6 – “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. 6 “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

The sermon draws from Matthew 5:13–16 to emphasize that believers are called to be salt and light in the world by virtue of their transformed identity in Christ. Rooted in the Sermon on the Mount, it distinguishes true disciples—marked by inward godly character such as humility, mercy, and righteousness—from mere followers of Christ, highlighting that genuine faith produces visible, practical good works. These works, though not performed for human recognition, are meant to be observable, reflecting Christ's compassion in tangible ways such as kindness, generosity, and service, especially in times of need. The ultimate purpose is not self-glorification but the glorification of God the Father, as others come to see His character through the lives of His people and are drawn to faith. The sermon challenges believers to live with intentional engagement in their communities, trusting that such witness, when rooted in grace, can lead to genuine conversion and praise to God.

Matthew 5:31–32 is one of the most debated and emotionally charged passages in the entire Sermon on the Mount. For centuries Christians have argued about what Jesus meant when He spoke about divorce and remarriage.

In the Season 2 finale of The Choice, Ghost and Ashe in America unpack one of the most pivotal moments in the Gospel narrative as the story moves toward the Sermon on the Mount. The episode introduces Judas and explores a fictionalized backstory that examines how ambition, moral compromise, and the temptations of worldly success can shape a man's path. Through sharp analysis of the show's storytelling choices, Ghost and Ashe discuss how Judas's early decisions reveal the tension between pursuing power in the world and following the call of the Messiah. Meanwhile, the disciples struggle with division, insecurity, and doubt as they prepare for one of the most important teachings of Jesus' ministry. Against this backdrop of chaos and uncertainty, Jesus works with Matthew to craft the Sermon on the Mount, framing it as a revolutionary manifesto that challenges the moral assumptions of the world. The hosts break down the symbolism behind “salt of the earth,” the deeper meaning of the Beatitudes, and the contrast between the kingdom of God and the systems of power represented by religious leaders and political scheming. The result is a powerful discussion about humility, righteousness, and what it truly means to follow Christ.

Dana, Steve, and Lee conclude their discussion of complementarianism. How does it affect how Christians view the state or the economy?*******Library Ladder Links: All That Is In God by James Dolezal: https://a.co/d/gYYwLYt (Audiobook: https://a.co/d/a1lLOV1)The Momentous Event by W.J. Grier: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/theology-books/the-momentous-event/An Exposition of the Sermon on the Mount: https://a.co/d/2kUgMAA*******Website: rbcbellefontaine.comIntro Music: “Thunder” by Telecasted

Today's passage is one of the "See For Yourself" passages Chapter 5 of Start Strong: A New Believer's Guide to Christianity. Jesus closes the Sermon on the Mount with a warning that is both sobering and hopeful: it's possible to talk like a disciple while walking the wrong road. In Matthew 7:12–29, we learn how a God-centered worldview reshapes what “love” looks like in practice—and how the Golden Rule, true spiritual fruit, and the foundation we build on reveal whether we're actually headed toward life.In this week's episode, we explore:How the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12) summarizes “love your neighbor as yourself” as a call to seek another person's good—not simply to be “nice”Why Jesus frames the choice before us as two roads: the wide way to destruction and the narrow way to life (Matthew 7:13–14)What it means to “recognize them by their fruits,” and how discernment protects God's people from false teachers (Matthew 7:15–20)Why calling Jesus “Lord” and even doing impressive religious works isn't the same as doing the Father's will (Matthew 7:21–23)How the images of rock and sand press the question: are we hearing Jesus' words and living as if they're true? (Matthew 7:24–27)How humility, mercy, repentance, and a longing for God's kingdom mark the path Jesus describes throughout the sermonAfter listening, you'll come away with clearer “markers on the road” for examining your faith—not through fear or performance, but through the settled direction of a life built on Jesus' teaching. You'll be invited to center your worldview on God, practice love with wisdom and integrity, and choose the narrow path that leads to life. Series: Start Strong: A New Believer's PodcastStart Strong: A New Believer's Guide to Christianity is available now wherever books are sold.

One of the most widely quoted sections of the Gospels, the Sermon on the Mount is a collection of sayings spoken by Jesus of Nazareth found in the Gospel of Matthew (chapters 5, 6, and 7) that emphasizes his moral teachings. E184. (part 1) Michael Knowles books available at https://amzn.to/41BOIa6 PragerU podcast available at https://amzn.to/3MRvsz0 PragerU books at https://amzn.to/3APDaWN Sermon on the Mount books at https://amzn.to/4iTHCoc ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark Vinet's TIMELINE video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Mark's History of North America podcast: www.parthenonpodcast.com/history-of-north-america Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 Twitter: https://twitter.com/HistoricalJesu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Audio credits: The Book Club with Michael Knowles (Episode 16jan2024: Sermon on the Mount with Pastor Rob McCoy) PragerU. Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we continue through our series on the Sermon on the Mount, hear Pastor Michael preach out of Matthew 7:13-14 on the narrow way. We've been in this sermon series for the past 6 months. Now is a a good time to evaluate, how has your life changed over the last 6 months? What does your path look like? Be encouraged that we follow a God who desires to search and know our hearts.

The Sermon on the Mount is one of the most impactful and important teachings at the beginning of Jesus' public ministry. Join us as we dive into His teachings on the heart of God's kingdom and what it means to live as His follower today. From the Beatitudes to prayer, generosity, forgiveness and faithful obedience, each message unpacks how Christ calls us to a transformed life that reflects His truth, grace, and righteousness in everyday living.

Thank you for joining us today for worship! Pastor Bobby continues in Matthew 6 in our Sermon on the Mount series called Follow Me. In this message he discusses fasting and storing up treasure in Heaven.

In this sermon, pastor Dylan Dodson preaches from Matthew 5:17-20 and explains how Jesus is the fulfillment of the law and prophecies found in the Old Testament.

Hey, Beyond Sunday listeners! This week we're joined by Junior High Director Jackson Munyon as we tackle the rest of the Beatitudes, where Jesus describes the unique character of his followers. What are the defining qualities of a Christ-transformed heart? And what does Jesus mean by his people being "blessed"? Tune in today to learn more! We are using John Stott's The Message of the Sermon on the Mount to guide our conversation this season — click here to purchase a copy of your own: https://bit.ly/4bzYgZI

Speaker: Rob BerrethScripture: Matthew 5:10–16Episode Overview:In Gospel of Matthew 5:10–16, Jesus names His people “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world.” These words are not flattery—they are a calling. This message explores what it means to live with confidence in Christ's transforming power, to seek the good of our cities, and to endure opposition without losing heart. Drawing from Book of Jeremiah 29 and the wider teaching of the Sermon on the Mount, we are reminded that God's people are both exiles and ambassadors—deeply rooted in their communities while distinctly shaped by the kingdom of heaven. Even when faithfulness brings misunderstanding or harassment, Jesus promises a reward that far outweighs the cost. The church's greatest gift to the world is not cultural dominance, but Christ Himself.Key Highlights:• Salt and Light Defined – What Jesus means when He calls His followers to preserve, illuminate, and influence for good.• Engagement Without Assimilation – Learning from Book of Jeremiah 29 how to seek the welfare of the city while remaining distinct.• Confidence in the Good News – Why believers need not live in embarrassment, but in steady trust that Christ truly is good for the world.• Understanding Persecution – A biblical perspective on being reviled or harassed for righteousness' sake (Matthew 5:10–12).• Wounds as Medals of Honor – How opposition for Jesus' sake becomes evidence of faithful allegiance.• The Ultimate Hope – Christ builds His church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18).Call to Action:This week, identify one place God has planted you—your workplace, neighborhood, classroom, or home—and intentionally seek its good. Pray for the people there by name. Look for one tangible way to serve without compromise. Speak of Christ with humility and courage when the opportunity comes. And if faithfulness costs you something, receive it as a mark of belonging to Him. Shine steadily, trusting that God uses even quiet obedience to bring glory to the Father.

In this message from our Sermon on the Mount series, Dr. T teaches through what Jesus says about marriage, divorce, remarriage, lust, holiness, and covenant faithfulness in Matthew 5 and Matthew 19.Marriage is one of the most meaningful relationships this side of heaven. It can also be one of the most painful. Whether your marriage is thriving, struggling, has ended in divorce, or you are navigating remarriage or singleness, this message centers on one clear truth:God always makes a way.Jesus brings us back to God's original design in Genesis. One man. One woman. One lifetime. Deep emotional and physical intimacy. When sin fractures what God intended, God does not abandon His people. He provides mercy, grace, and a path toward redemption.In this teaching, Dr. T addresses:What Jesus means by sexual immoralityWhy holiness is essential for healthy relationshipsGod's design for marriageHow the Bible speaks about divorce in Deuteronomy, Malachi, Jeremiah, and MatthewWhen divorce may be permissible in cases of abandonment, abuse, or adulteryHow remarriage can reflect God's redeeming graceEncouragement for those who are singleNo matter your story, Jesus meets you with truth and grace. You do not have to walk through marriage, divorce, or singleness alone.For more resources or to learn more about Trace Church in Colorado Springs, visit us online or join us for a weekend service.Service Times8:15a | 10:00a | 11:45a | 5:00p4330 Mark Dabling Blvd, Colorado Springs

“The Message of Jesus: The Greatest Sermon” Matthew 5:1-16 Rev. John Allen looks at Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. Recorded live at Stonebridge United Methodist Church in McKinney, Texas. For more information, please visit www.mysumc.org.

Remember God loves you so much he sent his Son Jesus Christ to take the punishment for your sins. You are of great value. Jesus loves you and He is just a prayer away! This episode includes AI-generated content.

We continue in the Sermon on the Mount to see what Jesus says about prayer. We explore how to move from simple requests to a deep, trusting relationship with God, even when facing the pain of seemingly unanswered prayers. We see in Matthew 7 that we are called to never stop pursuing God's heart. Learn practical tools like "breath prayers" and daily rhythms to help you overcome anxiety and self-reliance. Join us as we uncover how a loving Heavenly Father provides good gifts and remains present with us in every season of life. Speaker: Angela Beise

Jesus closes the Sermon on the Mount with a series of sobering contrasts — two gates, two paths, two kinds of people, and two eternal outcomes. In Gospel of Matthew 7:13–29, He makes it clear that following Him is not casual, cultural, or automatic. Many may admire His teaching, participate in religious activity, or claim spiritual identity, but only those who actually trust and obey Him are building a life that will stand. This message is a call to move beyond surface faith into authentic discipleship — because when the storms come, what you built your life on will be revealed. ______________________________________________________________________________________ NEW HERE? We'd love to connect with you. Text "NEW" to 323-405-3232 SERMON NOTES: www.bible.com/organizations/f223…-a8fc-3297da42c26a - Or Text: "SERMON" To: 323-405-3232 CONNECT WITH US: Hopeland Website: www.hopelandla.com Hopeland Podcast: @steinbot-519314947 Hopeland YouTube: www.youtube.com/@hopelandchurch Hopeland Facebook: @hopelandla Hopeland Instagram: @hopeland.church To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people with the gospel click here: hopelandla.com/give Or, choose a giving option here: - Venmo: @Hopeland-Church - CashApp: $HopelandChurch - Zelle: shawn@hopelandla.com - Text "Hopeland" to 833-767-5698

Welcome to the audio podcast of Valley Family Church located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. We pray you'll be encouraged as you listen to this podcast. For more information on Valley Family Church, visit valleyfamilychurch.org.

Matthew 5-7Blake McCollough

We continue in the Sermon on the Mount to see what Jesus says about prayer. We explore how to move from simple requests to a deep, trusting relationship with God, even when facing the pain of seemingly unanswered prayers. We see in Matthew 7 that we are called to never stop pursuing God's heart. Learn practical tools like "breath prayers" and daily rhythms to help you overcome anxiety and self-reliance. Join us as we uncover how a loving Heavenly Father provides good gifts and remains present with us in every season of life. Speaker: Angela Beise

The Book of James deals a deck of wisdom, guiding us to live with faith, love, and discernment through actionable teachings, inspired by Proverbs and the Sermon on the Mount. Like a dealer laying out cards, James introduces God's wisdom as a gift, always there during trials, when we need guidance, and when tempted to be selfish or petty. Join Horizon for James: LIVE AND LOVE WISELY, a verse-by-verse study.

Jesus provided essential wisdom for distinguishing truth from deception. He warned about false prophets who appear as sheep but are actually wolves, using appealing messages and polished presentations to hide destructive agendas. The challenge is that deception disguises itself - false teaching often comes packaged attractively from like able people who say the right things.The solution Jesus gave is simple yet profound: examine the fruit. Just as grape vines cannot produce thorns and fig trees cannot yield thistles, authentic spiritual leaders produce good character reflecting Christ, ministry that builds people up, and messages that draw people closer to God. The fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control - should be evident over time. However, spiritual fruit develops at the speed of agriculture, not technology, requiring patience and discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Most of us already know what the good life looks like in our culture… success, comfort, confidence, control. We don't have to be taught what to chase; we're already running. In the opening lines of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus disrupts all of it. He blesses weakness, grief, humility, mercy, purity, peacemaking, and faithfulness under pressure… qualities we usually avoid, ignore, or see as setbacks. This series slows us down long enough to notice the gap between what we chase and what Jesus calls blessed. Not to pressure people. Not to shame people. But to help people see clearly. Each week, we'll unpack one of Jesus' statements and let it confront our assumptions about the good life… one attitude at a time. This week's notes in the Bible app: https://www.bible.com/events/49569658 Pastor Sean Kelly | Upside Down | Matthew 5:7 CONNECT WITH US Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mpccgreenwood Twitter: https://twitter.com/mpccgreenwood Instagram: https://instagram.com/mpccgreenwood Website: https://mpcc.info/

In this multipart series, Lee Eric Fesko takes his class through Matthew chapters 5 to 7, and he discusses Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. This lecture covers Matthew 5:1–16, and was recorded on March 1, 2026 at Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, TN.

Shannon Caughey | Christ Community CU

Pastor Justin Hall preaches from Matthew 5:33-42 in the sermon series, Wisdom from the King: the Sermon on the Mount.

Audio Transcript And the ruin of that house was great. It’s not God’s word for us this morning. Would you please pray with me? Lord, we pray that you would indeed speak through the preaching of your word. Lord, please help me to communicate this text. Well, Lord, please keep me from error, but to speak only that which is true. Lord, we do pray that you give the congregation here just ears to hear what the Spirit is saying. And Lord, please bring much glory to Jesus in this time. It’s in his name we pray. Amen. So let me share with you a story I think I may have shared in the past, but I think it’s been a little while since I’ve done it. It’s like every good story starts with me. So there we were. And this was when I was still in college and I had a summer job working for a carpenter who actually specialized in building log homes. Now, for me, my main job was donut pickup guy for the morning break. But I also had a number of other trivial jobs that come alongside some of the main carpenters just to kind of help them do their thing in ways to help them be efficient and able to concentrate on doing quality work. Well, in this story, one of the days when I was assisting one of the carpenters, things are just not coming together. So we just finished putting on the decking over the basement of the house, which I should mention was a huge home. This is the biggest home. The owner of the building company had to up to this point. But as we put the decking on and started to lay out the exterior walls, things were just not coming together. The walls were not lining up according to plan, even though from what we could tell, we were laying things out according to the blueprints. So after a while trying to figure things out on our own, trying to figure out why things are not coming together according to the design, the carpenter that I was assisting called over to the owner of the company to see if he could help us just understand why things were not working the way they should have. Which led to the owner also looking at the blueprints where he started to measure things out on the exterior walls. But as he did that, things were not coming for together for him either. So for the next, I don’t know, 30 minutes or so, we’re all scratching our heads trying to figure out what the issue was. Why were things not going the way they were designed? Why were they not coming together? Where did things go wrong? Only for the owner to realize what was wrong had nothing to do with the blueprints, nothing to do with the measurements of the walls, rather the basement foundation that was poured, the one that the company owner laid out like he didn’t do it right. So in the hustle and bustle, I’m sure the pressure excitement of building his biggest home to date, he got a little distracted. And the measurements, the layout of the foundation was off something like a foot or two, which might not seem like a big deal, but just that little bit off of the foundation put everything else off. And with everything because that was off, we just could not move forward. Because if we did so, not only did the house not come together according to plan, the house would have been structurally vulnerable, set up for a huge fall with the foundation off, everything else was off as well. Now, I tell you that story this morning to hopefully set us up for our text, a study, which is the final section, often referred to as the Sermon on the Plain, which is something we’ve been studying the last few weeks. This is called Sermon on the Plane, because in Luke 6 we see that the sermon that Jesus gave was to a great crowd of disciples, a great multitude of people from all over the region, while he gave this, while standing on a level place, a plane. So I mentioned a few times, and I’ll mention again here, this sermon plane is similar, but yet a little different to perhaps Jesus most famous sermon. The sermon is referred to as the Sermon on the Mount, which the Lord gave on the side of a mountain, which you can read about in Matthew, starting in chapter five of Matthew. And the sex is very similar, but different. In fact, the sermon is very similar, but different, including how similar actually is, how it ends. Both those sermons, the Sermon on the Mount, Sermon on the Plain, end very similarly. And I do think it’s important for us to see that each of these end with a very similar challenge to the listeners. A challenge that’d be good for us to hear this morning as well. A challenge that is meant to cut to our hearts, to show if our hearts indeed do beat for Jesus or not. So we’re talking more about this kind of throughout the sermon. Let me also just mention before we get dive back into the text, that throughout this sermon on the plain, Jesus is primarily speaking towards his disciples. So yes, it’s mentioned there’s a great crowd around Jesus from all over the region who he was speaking to as well in the sermon. But the primary audience for this sermon, the Sermon on the Plain, was his many disciples, as Jesus was helping them understand what it looks like to follow after him. Understanding if we’re going to Follow after Jesus. We need to follow him not just in word, but also in deed, meaning to be a disciple of Jesus, not simply acknowledging that Jesus is the Lord. We were to follow him joyfully submitting our life to him and as the Lord as the foundation of our life, where our desire is to build everything about our life off of him, knowing that if Jesus is not our foundation, everything is going to be off, which in terms of the plains, well, as the sermon, the Mount, everything be off in the most tragic and terrifying ways. Without Jesus as the foundation of one’s life, we are set up for a great fall. Okay, so that is the introduction. Please look back with me at the text, starting in verse 33, where Jesus spoke to the congregation on the plane by giving them another parable or illustration to help them understand, like an important spiritual truth. So in the text, verse 43, Jesus says, for no good tree bears bad fruit. Nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit. For each tree is known by its fruit. I’ll just say pause here for a second. Clearly here in this parable illustration, Jesus is using trees as a metaphor to address one’s heart, which is the thing that Jesus is after. He wants our heart. He deserves our heart. So in this illustration, when our hearts are good in ways that they’re good before God, because God has birthed inside us a new heart, we’re in the grace of God, he takes out like a heart of stone, that actually we’re all born with a heart that’s like spiritually dead before God in sin, that by his grace he gives us a new birth, he puts in a new heart, a heart of flesh, which is a heart that now beats for God. A heart that knows God, or better said, is known by God as his own. Because a new heart, this heart of flesh, this very spirit dwells within. The very presence of God, fills that heart. So from that new heart that was graciously given to us by God, now good things come out of it. Not bad things, not bad fruit. But in the text, good things, good fruit, which are good things. Good fruit that honor God, that communicate worship towards God. They have a real love for God, a desire to bring glory to God. In the New Testament, these good things, or these good fruit that come out of a new heart, it’s often referred to as the fruit of the spirit. Good fruit, not bad fruit. So Galatians 5 says this. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. So in this sermon, Jesus, in this illustration on the positive, when the heart is good because of God, putting a new heart like a good tree, good fruit will come from us. As a good tree does not produce bad fruit, a new good heart will not be characterized by having bad fruit. However, then on the negative, the challenge of warning for those who do not have the spirit of God dwelling inside, where they have not experienced, like, this new birth, where they do not have a new heart, where they’re still spiritually dead in their sins, spiritually dead before God, where they have this, like, heart of stone. Scripture refers to a heart that does not beat for God, does not desire to bring him glory. In the text, like a bad tree, they will not produce good fruit, Meaning they will not live a life seeking to worship God, obey God, love God, bring glory to God. Rather, without a new birth, the spiritually dead heart will produce fruit, which the New Testament refers to as like the works of the flesh. So once again, Book of Galatians, now the works of the flesh are evident. Sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. None of these things are good fruit. None of these things bring honor and glory to God. No, just a few things before we keep moving on. First, I just want to address maybe a couple related questions you have here. And then after that, I want to just stress something essential for us to see and understand in this passage. So first question, potential questions you might have. Does this mean that if one is a Christian who has a new heart, does this mean that, like, bad or sinful things cannot come out of them, where they’ll never sin, never do anything wrong? The answer is life is unfortunately, bad things, sinful things, even for Christians, for disciples of Jesus, unfortunately, these still will happen. Or, unfortunately, we still will stumble and fall in many ways. And if one says that he’s, like, not a sinner, not capable of sinning, like Scripture tells, like, they’re a liar and the truth is not in them. So Jesus is getting here. It’s not that we’re going to be perfect where we only give good fruit, but what he is saying is, like, bad, sinful things, bad fruit. These things will not mark our lives. We’re not gonna just, like, give in to bad fruit without seeking to put them away through repentance and faith. Like, there’s gonna be evidence of our life of good fruit when we have a good heart, they’re gonna be present. There’s gonna be a desire A longing, a joy for obedience, that we live a life that bears fruit for our good God. And they say things will mark one’s life. Our life will be one that’s lived. They’re seeking to honor and worship God once again. Just to be clear, in this life, unfortunately, they can be done in imperfect ways as a wait for and long for the next life. In the next life, all these things will be done in perfect life, in perfect ways, where in the next life only good fruit will come as sin is fully removed from us. Let me mention the context of sermon. Some of the good fruit that is to mark those who are Christians who have a new heart, those who are trusting in him, I’m positive, will include things like storing up treasures in heaven. Just something Jesus talked about kind of throughout this sermon on plain. It’ll include like loving our enemies. It’s going to include good fruit of like not being judgmental and condemning or unforgiving towards other Christians. Our lives can be marked, like trying to do to others which we wish others would do to us. Likewise, a good tree, the life is gonna be characterized by not like having this bad fruit, like trying to pull the speck out of someone else’s eye when there’s a plank in your own eye. Instead, when there’s a good heart that God has graciously put in the fruit of our life that comes from knowing God will have like the fruit of generosity, the fruit of love and mercy towards other and word. And indeed so once again, not perfect in this life, but there should be a life that produces good fruit because of God’s work. Second potential question then, is Jesus teaching those who are not Christians who still have a heart of stone, who are dead in their sin. Is Jesus saying that they cannot do good things? And the answer is kind of a yes and no here. So certainly non Christians can do morally good things towards others where they can show, like, love and kindness, where, in a sense, you can do good things to benefit society. In fact, I’m sure we all know those who are not yet Christians, who are like some of the nicest and kindest people that we know, who have done good things that we have benefited from. However, that being said, non Christians who are spiritually dead before God, who still have a heart of stone, they cannot do good things in ways that, like honor God, that reflect the heart of worship towards God to produce good things that bring glory to God in the end. This is what Jesus is getting at here. Bad trees cannot bear good fruit in their lives in ways that honor and glorify God, which is what we’ve been designed to do. God created us to obey him, to enjoy him forever, to bear fruit with our lives. But because of sin is in all of us on our own, apart from the grace of God in our life, we can’t bear good fruit for God. Like we need a new heart in ways we’re going to live, ways that we have been designed to live. And third, I just want to stress here before I move on within this illustration that Jesus is using here, something he continues to really teach throughout his ministry, including this sermon on the plain. There’s really only two ways that one can live. Either you know God by having faith in God through the Lord Jesus Christ, or to keep saying it, you have a new heart given to you graciously by God, with the Spirit of God living inside, where you’re blessed in God, where God is the foundation of your life, where you’re bearing good fruit for Him. That’s one way. Or you don’t know God and you still have a heart that’s spiritually dead before God. Where in the sermon on the plain, you’re under his woes because he is not your foundation. Like there’s no sliding scale here. Either a good tree or a bad tree. Either you have a new heart or you have a heart of stone. Either you’re alive to God because of his grace and the new heart is given to you, or you’re still dead, dead in your sin before Him. Either Jesus is the foundation or he’s not. There’s only two ways to live, and this is true for all of us here this morning. Either we are in Christ or we are not. Either we are a good tree or we are a bad tree. Keep going. Verse 44. For each of these two tree options we see it’s known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from bushes, nor grapes picked up from like bramble bush. Those types of trees don’t produce those types of fruits. It’s not in their nature. They can’t do it. It’s impossible. Verse 45. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart, then produces good. Once again. With the Spirit living inside, one will produce good fruit. It will happen. In fact, it’s impossible for it not to happen. But the evil person is referring to any and all who do not have faith in God through Jesus Christ, who is still dead in trespasses and sin. The evil person out of the evil treasure produces evil. How can it not? It’s in its nature. It cannot produce that which is good to bring glory to God in the text. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks, meaning that which is at our core in our heart, it will come out of us like whatever is at the core of a tree, that fruit will come out. Which by the way is why our words are so telling. A New Testament book of James says if anyone thinks he’s religious but does not bridle his own tongue, but deceives his heart, this person’s religious religion is worthless. Keep going. Verse 46. We see it’s not just our words that are telling when it comes to what kind of tree we are or what kind of foundation we’re built upon. We also see our deeds or their lack thereof are also so telling Jesus to the congregation on the plane and to us here this morning. So why do you call me Lord? Lord? Which calling Jesus Lord, like those are the right words for our mouth to speak yet. And this is a pretty massive three letter word here. Yet you do not do what I tell you. Verse 47. Everyone who comes comes to me and hears my word and does them. I will show you what he’s like, which here Jesus give another illustration or parable to communicate his point. And this is something that James also communicates about works and obedience. There’s a natural outflowing when one has faith, outflowing from the heart, there will be works. This is what Jesus is about to get at in our text. Verse 48. So that person, the one who hears and obeys, he’s like a man building a house who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. Now just for some historical context here, just to understand what Jesus is getting at. So in this time period houses actually were pretty heavy. These are often rebuilt with like either like large stones or bricks. And often these heavy houses were built on a terrain that was like not most level. So this can be kind of a hilly region. And because of these factors, the overall weight of the home, the uneven terrain, if a house was built in haste without taking time to dig into the bedrock to secure the home, the house would be set up for a fall like crumbling under its own weight. So the better, the necessary thing to do, the better long term picture here to do the right thing is to dig deep into the ground. Even though it cost time money to set the foundation of the house on a rock, building a house on the rock would make the house so much more secure, particularly when the storms blew in which in the text. So when the flood waters rose, which actually Something could be pretty common in this region of the world. Times like heavy rains might pop up from time to time. And as these storms pop up, maybe flood waters would join them, causing a stream to come, like rushing against the house. And the house that’s built on the deep, secure foundation of the rock, as a stream came rushing against it, the text tells us it will not shake because this has been built well, safely secured and tethered to the rock. I remember in verse 49, if you want to take your eyes there, the warning. But the one who hears the words of Jesus, the words found in sacred Scripture, but does nothing with them, rather hears but rejects God’s word as if it has no bearing on your life. Particularly what it says about the salvation found in Jesus Christ. It takes that person is like a man who built a house without a foundation, having no real care, no real concern, no real thought on that which might come rather just kind of quickly throw up the house just to get back to the cares of the world for that person. When the flood waters came, causing a stream to form that came crashing against that type of house with no foundation, immediately the house will fall and the ruin of that house will be great, where that person will lose everything. I think the reality of losing everything certainly is true in this life, but I think more importantly is true of the life that is to come. For those who reject Christ, who do not build their life upon him as the foundation, they will be forever lost apart from Him. Which is why this Sermon on the Plane is a heavy but important sermon for us to hear. Perhaps that’s why Jesus ended this sermon as well the Sermon on the Mountain. The same way for us to hear this warning, knowing that he, like, came to seek and save those which are lost so that they would be found by him, so they would have their foundation built on him as the rock of our salvation through his death and resurrection from the dead. For us, that ends the sermon on the plane. However, before we end this sermon here, just a couple things I just want to do. So first, I specifically just want to give us some thoughts from our text today. And then I just want to kind of back up and give you some thoughts on the Sermon on the Plane as a whole that’s mentioned. We’ve been looking at the last number of weeks. So first, let’s just start with our text today. As I mentioned, again, not only ends the Sermon on the plane, but very similarly ends a Sermon on the mount in Matthew 5. And I do think it’s important to see like this is the conclusion that Jesus has, as he preached to the crowds around him. And so for us, I just have one kind of major point of application, which is this, as we end this sermon on the plane, is just to examine yourself to see if you’re in the faith. Okay, so New Testament says this in Second Corinthians, it says, examine yourself to see if you’re in the faith. Test yourself, which testing through what Scripture tells us, test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourself, that Jesus Christ is in you, unless indeed you fail to meet the test? I think that’s what the heart of Jesus is getting at in the passage today, that for the crowds around him, they were simply to assume that because they were in the vicinity of Jesus, because they were hearing his Word preached like they were good, rather as they heard the word of the Lord, they were adhered in ways that the word is to examine the fruit of their lives, to examine the foundation of their life, to see where it’s at. And for us, I think it’s important for us to do as well. I think it’s important for us to let this passage, like, examine our hearts, discern if our life is producing the fruit of the Spirit that comes from a new heart that is alive towards God. So again, discernment do we see the fruit of like, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control coming out of our lives. Furthermore, as we discern our lives, let Scripture and examine our hearts to see what’s coming out of our mouth in the text, out of the abundance of the mouth, the heart speaks. And as we do this, not only to serve our words that we might say in church life, but also the words we might say outside of church life to see if they match up. Remember back to the story I gave a few weeks ago where my hypocrisy was exposed. For the most part, my words in church life were pretty good, but they were far different from the words I used in all the other areas of my life. So can I just ask, as you discern the words that come out of you, like what are the words not just in church life, but what are the words that you use throughout your life out of the abundance of your heart, your mouth speaks. But it’s not just the fruit of our words that we’re to discern and examine in the text. We also need to see the fruit of our deeds. Jesus told us verse 46, we can say, Lord, Lord, but if we do not do what he tells us, those words are in vain. The Fruit of our life ought to be one who hears the words of God and does them no, keeps us saying this once again in this life. We’re not going to be perfect in this, even with a new heart, with the Spirit of God living inside. But as we examine our hearts, as we examine our life, there should be fruit. We’re seeking to bring honor and glory to God with our words and our deeds. Likewise, we need to examine to see where the foundation of our life lies. Are we building our life off of Christ? Is Jesus the cornerstone? Or as we examine our lives, we recognize our life is actually not built upon Jesus, but we’re, like, seeking to build our life off of something else, which could be a host of different things, perhaps in themselves not bad, but they’re not Christ. If you’re unsure what foundation life is built upon, just ask. As hard things come your way, as storms of life beat against you like floodwaters, like, what happens? Where do you look? Where’s your hope? As the floods come, does it result in, like works of the flesh come, continuing to bubble out of you where you, like, run and indulge in various types of sinful behavior? Or as the floods come, do you see the fruit of the Spirit even into difficulty, do the flood waters lead you to Christ? You know, the great Charles Spurgeon said this. He said, I’ve learned to kiss the wave, the Rock of Ages. Ben’s gonna ask, does hard things come your way? Do they take you to Christ, the rock of ages, once again, not that we’re gonna be perfect in this life. The storms come. Even those who have the spirit living inside, who maybe are mature in their faith and this life are not gonna be perfect, which is why we still need Jesus. We’ll talk about that more in the end. But for this morning, as you can see the text, how this passage ends, let me just invite us once again examine ourselves to see whether we are in the faith, to let this text test ourselves so that we might realize that Jesus Christ is in us so we do not fail the test. The weight of this passage, of how this sermon ends is so important for us to feel. It’s not enough to just be in the crowd, to just hear the words of Jesus, brother, we must put our faith in him. He must be the foundation of our life. This is a test. This is an examination that we all must pass, because if not in the passage, there will be a fall and it will be great. This actually leads to the second thing I want to do before we close, but I just Want to leave us just two things from the Sermon on the Plain as a whole. So first, the sermon does help us see what it looks like to follow after Jesus as one of his disciples. So, meaning the Sermon on the Plain is not like primary sermon on how to become a Christian. Rather, this is primarily a sermon on what it looks like to live out the Christian faith in faithful ways which. Including things we just talked about, like the fruit of our life, where the fruit of our life is doing things like storing up treasures in heaven. We’re in the Sermon on the Plain. We’re, like, willing to suffer for our faith. That’s what it means to follow Christ. That should be a fruit of our life. Through fruit of our lives. If we’re gonna follow Jesus, should be loving enemies, loving fellow believers. If we’re gonna follow Jesus, we need to be merciful. We need to do others what we wish others would do to us, Right? These are all things that are meant to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, to follow after him in faithfulness and in joy. And for us, you know, one of our church pillars is to grow. We want to continue to grow in our faith, to bear more fruit for. And the Sermon on Plain is just so helpful for us on that end. So if you want to grow, let the Sermon on Plain be part of your guide and just ask the Lord to help you to be obedient to these good words of our Lord Jesus Christ. Particularly, I think, when it comes to wanting to do to others or doing to others that you wish others to do to you, which I kind of think is a summary statement of the entire first half of the Sermon of Jesus. So this week, at home, at school, at work, at church, with all the different interactions you’re having with others, if you’re this Christian, a disciple who’s seeking to grow all those interactions, do them in ways that you want others to do to you, especially if you were in their shoes, doing so in ways you remember how much the Lord Jesus has done for you and how loving and merciful he continues to be to all of his people. Which leads to the second thing I just want to leave us with as we close the Sermon on the Plain. The Sermon on the Plain does help us see how much we need Jesus, friends. We all need the Lord Jesus Christ. So for those of us here who recognize that you’re not, like, passing the test, as you recognize that your life doesn’t match up what it looks like to follow Jesus as disciple, you see no fruit, you know, the foundation of your life is actually not on Christ. Like you’re not passing the test. If that’s you friend, you just need to see how much you need Jesus. And not only that, let me give you some good news. The promise of Scripture is that if you call upon his name, that by faith you would turn to him, trust in him. That indeed you would trust that he came to die for you on a cross to take on the punishment of your sin, only to rise again on the third day. The promise that indeed he will save you, that you have a new heart, that the Spirit will live inside. From the end of the sermon on the plane. This call to examine oneself so that’s not there, to like, to cripple us in ways that we just get so introspective, like forever and ever. We’re crippled under the weight of our own sin and our own guilt and our own shame and our own shortcomings, where all we see is like ourselves, our own failures, rather the examination of self. We’ve examined ourselves in ways that we see our need for Jesus, in ways that we call upon him, knowing that as we call upon him by faith, he will hear us. Scripture is so clear. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Whoever believes in him would not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but through him the world might be saved. And friends, that’s the heart of this sermon as it ends. This is why Jesus ends this way, including the Sermon on the Mount, in the same way so that you would hear the Word, in ways that you would turn and trust in him. So that not only we see your sin, your shortcomings, but more importantly, that you would see the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Savior of our sin. So this morning as we close the sermon, playing for those who are here, who are not in Christ, who sure may say Lord, Lord, but you know your actions do not match up. I just want to invite you to turn from sin and turn to Jesus, asking Him to be the foundation of your life once again. Trust him that he did die for you and that he did rise again from the dead, trusting that he is worthy of building your entire life upon, knowing that as you turn to him, you’ll be securely and forever his. So if you don’t pass the test, don’t leave here this morning just looking at self, like feeling doomed because you didn’t pass the test. Rather, leave here feeling forgiven, have hope and joy because you’re now looking to Jesus, who passed the test for us, who is loving, who is merciful, who is calling people to Himself, including perhaps you this morning. This morning, it’s not just those who are not yet Christians, who need Jesus, who need to set their eyes on him, to close the sermon plain. They should help all of us, including those who already are disciples, just see how much we still need Jesus and the power of the Spirit to empower us to live out as disciples. This call in this sermon is a heavy call to live in this way. And this is called we just cannot do on our own. So we need Jesus. We need his example on how to live this out. But Jesus perfectly lived out the call in this sermon, including how he loved his enemies in ways that he died for sinners like you and me, including how he loves his people, his church, how merciful and generous he is towards us, including the example how his life is forever and always one that only bears fruit, good fruit for God. But not only do we need this example, we also, as mentioned, we need his power. If we can live this out. So Scripture tells, like he’s the vine and we’re simply branches and apart from him, we can do no good thing. It’s only in him by which we can bear much fruit. So even if you are a Christian, maybe you’ve been a Christian for a long time, you still need Jesus and you still need to continue to set your eyes on him, and you still need his love and his mercy. And this morning, if you know the areas of life where you’re not bearing fruit, where you’re. Perhaps you’re doing things on your own in ways that do not reflect Christ being your cornerstone. I also just want to invite you to turn to him as well, to confess and forsake your sin, to trust in him, knowing that he does forgive, that he is merciful, that he is loving, that as you turn to him, you will bear good fruit. So back to the story that I started out this time with. So as my boss realized that the foundation was off, he did the only thing that he could do. I mean, he didn’t keep trying to build a house, simply saying, well, we’re only off, like maybe a foot or two. So that’s pretty close. Let’s just keep going and I’m sure it will kind of work out close enough. Instead, he humbled himself. He admitted that he was wrong. He recognized he was just too hasty as he laid out the foundation through which we were to build off, and we stopped doing everything in order for him. To make a change, to like, reset the foundation to what it was designed to be. Friends, may that be true of all of us here today that we would not seek to live out our life with a faulty, wrong foundation. Rather, where we’re off, just humble ourselves by the grace of God. Make a change. Reset the foundation of your life on the Lord Jesus Christ, that you might live for him, that you might bear good fruit for him. I should say it again, that is our design. Knowing that as we live our life on the foundation that is Jesus, the rock of our salvation, we are eternally and fully secure, no matter what storms may come our way. Let’s pray. But thank you for Jesus and Lord, I do pray that by your grace and by the power of your Holy Spirit, that indeed all of us here today would have Jesus as the great foundation of our life. And Lord, we do want to bear good fruit for you. So please help us to abide in you. And Lord, I pray specifically for those here today who struggle to know if they are passing the test. And Lord, please help them to put their eyes in Jesus and to trust in him above all things. Pray that you might give them deep assurance because of the promises that you’ve given to us. Pray this on Jesus name. Amen. The post Examine Your Fruit and Foundation – Luke 6:43-49 appeared first on Red Village Church.

4 Parts: 1. Recap 2. The Prayer Model 3. Not A Suggestion 4. How About Prayer Accouterments?

Sunday, March 1, 2026 - Matthew 7:1-6 | Are we allowed to judge others? What about Paul's teaching to the Galatians that we should restore our brothers? What about Paul's teaching about believers having nothing to do with non-believers? Dr. Cartagena attempts to reconcile these passages in light of Jesus' commands that we not judge others. 

01-Mar-2026 Ben Kerns

Sermon on the MountToshi JamangMarch 1st, 2025

The Book of James, written by the half-brother of Jesus, is based on the Sermon on the Mount and a few other teachings of Jesus. Today we will talk about the second chapter of James, where we can learn what genuine faith looks like. #fsbccoalinga #coalinga #fsbcsermon Contact us at TheWordInfusion@gmail.com with your comments, questions or praises.  Let us know how our podcast has blessed, encouraged or helped you.  Join us on our Facebook pages at http://www.facebook.com/fsbccoalinga & http://www.facebook.com/..  Help us to grow a community that infuses the Word of God into their lives each day.  Follow us on Twitter @TheWordInfusion or @fsbccoalinga .  To support this ministry click on: https://giving.myamplify.io//app/giving/fsbccoalinga or copy and paste it into your web browser.

Presented by Julie Busteed I've been reflecting on some of Jesus' sayings—his proverbs—and I've noticed how often they return to the posture of the heart. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God (Matthew 5:8). That raises an important question: what does it mean to have a pure heart? We often assume a pure heart means doing everything right—appearing polished and put together on the outside. But that kind of purity is rooted in our own striving, and it doesn't work. It doesn't last. It isn't sustainable. Scripture tells us the truth about our condition: The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick (Jeremiah 17:9). Have you ever surprised yourself with your own reaction—something you said, thought, or felt—and wondered, where did that come from? It wasn't how you wanted to respond, yet it was real. The human heart is complex, deceptive, and difficult to understand. But when our hearts are turned toward purity, this posture gives the Holy Spirit room to work in us and through us. What difference does a pure heart make in the workplace? It shows up in genuine joy when a coworker receives a promotion or praise. It looks like helping others even when it doesn't advance your own position. It means refusing to gossip, choosing authenticity, and living with integrity when no one is watching. The right heart begins with humility. Scripture often speaks of a broken or crushed heart as a picture of humility. This kind of brokenness is essential, because a hard or stony heart will not submit to God's will. We pray with the psalmist, create in me a clean heart, O God (Psalm 51:10). Jesus promises it is the pure in heart who will see God. And when we invite Christ to dwell in our hearts, everything changes. This is why Paul's prayer for the Ephesians is such a powerful one to pray: I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power…to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:16–19). Oh, that you and I would know this love—love that surpasses everything else—and be filled with it. Press on. Don't be discouraged. The work God is doing in the heart is often slow and unseen, but it is never wasted.