Mark Twain once said, it is not the things in the Bible that I don't understand that bother me, it is the things that I do understand that bother me. In other words, Twain was saying that yes, there are some biblical mysteries that are hard to fathom. However, more often the fact is that we understand quite clearly what Jesus and the Bible calls us to. And unfortunately, we far too often don't do the things that we know we ought to be doing. For those of us who call ourselves Christ followers, what would happen if we really applied the things that Jesus called us to?
SERIES: WHAT IF JESUS REALLY MEANT WHAT HE SAID?
September 13th SALT AND LIGHT In the time of Jesus salt was connected in people’s minds with three special qualities. We’ll discover those qualities today as well as delve into what Jesus meant when He commanded his followers to be the lights of the world. (Matt 5:14-16)
September 20th THE FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW
“I have not come to abolish the Law… but to fulfill it.” At first reading it might be held that this is the most astonishing statement that Jesus made in the whole Sermon on the Mount. Why, because in this statement Jesus lays down the eternal character of the Law; and yet Paul says, “Christ is the end of the Law” (Romans 10:4). On top of that Jesus broke many of the Jewish laws. Today we’ll discover the solution to this dilemma which is found in the definition of “law.” (Matt 5:17-20)
September 27th MURDER AND ANGER
There may not be any “murderers” in our building today, but there probably are a number of folks that are harboring bitterness and anger towards someone. Jesus said that anyone who is angry with someone is liable to the same judgment as a murderer. This morning we focus on the power of reconciliation as a means to establishing right relations with one another and with God. (Matt 5:21-26)
September 20th THE FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW
“I have not come to abolish the Law… but to fulfill it.” At first reading it might be held that this is the most astonishing statement that Jesus made in the whole Sermon on the Mount. Why, because in this statement Jesus lays down the eternal character of the Law; and yet Paul says, “Christ is the end of the Law” (Romans 10:4). On top of that Jesus broke many of the Jewish laws. Today we’ll discover the solution to this dilemma which is found in the definition of “law.” (Matt 5:17-20)
September 27th MURDER AND ANGER
There may not be any “murderers” in our building today, but there probably are a number of folks that are harboring bitterness and anger towards someone. Jesus said that anyone who is angry with someone is liable to the same judgment as a murderer. This morning we focus on the power of reconciliation as a means to establishing right relations with one another and with God. (Matt 5:21-26)
October 4th OATHS
One of the interesting things about the Sermon on the Mount is the number of times when Jesus says something to the Jews that they already knew. The Pharisees had always insisted on the telling the truth. They knew that a person should never need an oath to guarantee the truth of anything he or she may say. However, people started to use different oaths as loopholes around the truth. And so Jesus reminds them that all a person should have to say is “yes” or “no”. Today Pastor Scott asks, do we have that kind of integrity in the words that we speak? (Matt 5:33-37)
October 11th ADULTERY AND DIVORCE
Jesus teachings on adultery and divorce are hard indeed. Who can live up to those standards? All of us who are married need to learn the five powerful principles set forth by Pastor Scott today in order to keep our wedding vows pure. We’ll look at setting up boundaries; how to delight in the spouse of our youth; conflict resolution; communication; and creating a fresh vision for our marriage. (Matt 5:27-32)
October 18th AN EYE FOR AN EYE
Jesus begins this saying by citing the oldest law in the world—an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. This law is known as the Lex Talionis. And while it may be appropriate to mete out a punishment that suits the crime, Jesus calls us to mete out mercy instead. Today we’ll see that the Lex Talionis is the beginning of mercy and we’ll look at three examples of how we can be people of non-resentment and non-retaliation. (Matt 5:38-42)
October 25th LOVE YOUR ENEMIES
Why does Jesus demand that we should have this love, this benevolence, this goodwill for those people who are our enemies? The reason is very simple and very awesome—it is that such a love makes us much like God, our Heavenly Father. (Matt 5:43-48)
November 1st GIVING, PRAYING, AND FASTING
God desires that we are giving people who also pray and fast. While many of us do all of those things, we must ask the question: “What is our motivation in following God’s command?” Only when we give, pray, and fast with unmixed motives do we honor God and receive His rewards. (Matt 6:1-18)
November 8th TREASURES IN HEAVEN
Where are you storing up riches? The answer to that question will reveal who you serve. As we open this passage of Scripture, we will discover that there is no middle ground. We either serve God or “stuff.” (Matt 6:19-24)
Jesus begins this saying by citing the oldest law in the world—an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. This law is known as the Lex Talionis. And while it may be appropriate to mete out a punishment that suits the crime, Jesus calls us to mete out mercy instead. Today we’ll see that the Lex Talionis is the beginning of mercy and we’ll look at three examples of how we can be people of non-resentment and non-retaliation. (Matt 5:38-42)
October 25th LOVE YOUR ENEMIES
Why does Jesus demand that we should have this love, this benevolence, this goodwill for those people who are our enemies? The reason is very simple and very awesome—it is that such a love makes us much like God, our Heavenly Father. (Matt 5:43-48)
November 1st GIVING, PRAYING, AND FASTING
God desires that we are giving people who also pray and fast. While many of us do all of those things, we must ask the question: “What is our motivation in following God’s command?” Only when we give, pray, and fast with unmixed motives do we honor God and receive His rewards. (Matt 6:1-18)
November 8th TREASURES IN HEAVEN
Where are you storing up riches? The answer to that question will reveal who you serve. As we open this passage of Scripture, we will discover that there is no middle ground. We either serve God or “stuff.” (Matt 6:19-24)
November 15th DO NOT WORRY
Do you worry about the economy, your job situation, your health care, your kid’s, or your finances? There aren’t too many of us that don’t have any number of stressors in our lives. However, the good news is that Jesus gave us the cure for anxiety and worry in this powerful passage of Scripture. (Matt 6:25-34)
November 22nd PASTOR SCOTT OFF
Guest Speaker John Enderby: I Am Second
November 22nd PASTOR SCOTT OFF
Guest Speaker John Enderby: I Am Second
November 29th JUDGING OTHERS
Why do we find it so easy to judge others? Is it ever appropriate to confront someone about sin? In this message, we learn what Jesus said on the subject: when we’re tempted to pass judgment on someone, we need to stop and see if there’s a trace of the same sin in us. (Matt 7:1-6)
Why do we find it so easy to judge others? Is it ever appropriate to confront someone about sin? In this message, we learn what Jesus said on the subject: when we’re tempted to pass judgment on someone, we need to stop and see if there’s a trace of the same sin in us. (Matt 7:1-6)