Anderson Hills

Jesus felt it was important to disarm critics who might complain that He came to abolish the Law and the Prophets, explaining that He came to fulfill them. He emphasized the importance of keeping the Law in the spirit in which it was meant to be kept. The scribes and Pharisees had an outward obedience but inward deadness; God was not reigning in their hearts. We must have an inward righteousness that results in outward obedience. In keeping the Law in this manner, we will be great in the kingdom of heaven

Jesus uses two metaphors, salt and light, to describe how citizens of His kingdom should influence the world. Through the metaphor of salt, Jesus illustrates that disciples give the world good "flavor”. Salt can only lose its flavor by being diluted, so when we mix with the impurities of the world we will lose our ability to improve the condition of it. As Christ followers, our primary function in the world is to be the light of the world, leading others out of darkness. Jesus is saying that our faith must be seen in action, visible to others. We are to shine in such a way that it inspires others to proclaim the praises of God and glorify His name

Jesus uses two metaphors, salt and light, to describe how citizens of His kingdom should influence the world. Through the metaphor of salt, Jesus illustrates that disciples give the world good "flavor”. Salt can only lose its flavor by being diluted, so when we mix with the impurities of the world we will lose our ability to improve the condition of it. As Christ followers, our primary function in the world is to be the light of the world, leading others out of darkness. Jesus is saying that our faith must be seen in action, visible to others. We are to shine in such a way that it inspires others to proclaim the praises of God and glorify His name.

Jesus begins His Sermon on the Mount by pronouncing a certain kind of person fortunate. We call these pronouncements “Beatitudes,” from the Latin word for happiness or blessedness. Jesus teaches that blessings come with living a life in submission and obedience to God; when God reigns in a person’s heart. The person whom Jesus describes in this passage has a different quality of character and lifestyle than those still "outside the kingdom." When we live a kingdom “beatitudes” lifestyle, others notice and will be drawn to know the King we serve

Jesus begins His Sermon on the Mount by pronouncing a certain kind of person fortunate. We call these pronouncements “Beatitudes,” from the Latin word for happiness or blessedness. Jesus teaches that blessings come with living a life in submission and obedience to God; when God reigns in a person’s heart. The person whom Jesus describes in this passage has a different quality of character and lifestyle than those still "outside the kingdom." When we live a kingdom “beatitudes” lifestyle, others notice and will be drawn to know the King we serve

Holy Week is the most important week in the Church year. It is a time when we celebrate in a special way the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. We remember His actions, reflect on His messages, and recommit to living as His disciples in the world today. We will use the readings from Luke this week as we prepare for Easter.

Holy Week is the most important week in the Church year. It is a time when we celebrate in a special way the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. We remember His actions, reflect on His messages, and recommit to living as His disciples in the world today. We will use the readings from Luke this week as we prepare for Easter.

When asked by the Pharisees for miraculous proof that He was indeed the Messiah, Jesus answered them by saying that none would be given except the “sign of Jonah.” Jesus recognized the religious leaders’ hardness of heart and refused to give them further proof of His identity. It wasn’t long after this encounter that Jesus made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The leadership turned up the fire on Jesus and was successful in ending His ministry—and His life. But the “sign of Jonah” would turn out to be Jesus’ greatest miracle of all. His resurrection from the dead would be God’s primary sign that Jesus was Israel’s long-awaited Messiah and would establish Christ’s claims of deity. Even after this, many in leadership still did not believe in Jesus as the Christ and prevented others from doing so. We need to help others overcome anything that would hinder them from putting their faith in Jesus.

When asked by the Pharisees for miraculous proof that He was indeed the Messiah, Jesus answered them by saying that none would be given except the “sign of Jonah.” Jesus recognized the religious leaders’ hardness of heart and refused to give them further proof of His identity. It wasn’t long after this encounter that Jesus made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The leadership turned up the fire on Jesus and was successful in ending His ministry—and His life. But the “sign of Jonah” would turn out to be Jesus’ greatest miracle of all. His resurrection from the dead would be God’s primary sign that Jesus was Israel’s long-awaited Messiah and would establish Christ’s claims of deity. Even after this, many in leadership still did not believe in Jesus as the Christ and prevented others from doing so. We need to help others overcome anything that would hinder them from putting their faith in Jesus.

Jonah had experienced God’s grace in several ways through the storm—the captain, the sailors and finally the fish. We saw God’s grace capturing Jonah through his prayer and in giving him another chance. But when Jonah saw God’s grace poured out and lavished upon the Ninevites, he was angry. Jonah knew when God had called him the first time to go to Nineveh that there was the possibility that they might repent and he didn’t want anything to do with that. One of the most important commands Jesus gave to us is to love everyone as he has loved us. God wants none to perish; He wants all to come to a saving faith in His Son, and He uses us to help others see how loving and compassionate He is. We all need to have a heart for the lost as He does.