As people who live in a culture which consistently pressures us to "fit in" and "be fashionable," Jesus' word for his followers in Matthew 5:13-16 provides a distinct contrast:

Jesus desires his followers to live as...

A distinct community

Of distinct disciples

Who make the world a distinctly better place...

We are prone to define the "blessed life" as one which we must achieve for ourselves. The Beatitudes re-frame our definition of blessing away from us achieving on our own, and instead point us to the blessed life as one which we freely receive through the merits of Christ.

We don't embody/do the Beatitudes (so we don't deserve blessing).

Christ did embody/fulfill the Beatitudes perfectly on our behalf.

Therefore, we can be blessed (and live the blessed life).

[Please access this sermon using the provided link to the archived Facebook video. We apologize that our usual audio-capture system experienced a malfunction on this particular Sunday].

Matt. 4:18-22: Followers want Jesus more than the best things of the world.

Matt. 4:23-25: Fans want Jesus as a way to get the best things of the world.

Matt. 5:1: The point of separation between "followers" and "fans" is whole-hearted surrender to the authority of Jesus.

We are prone to define the "blessed life" as one which we must achieve for ourselves. The Beatitudes re-frame our definition of blessing away from us achieving on our own, and instead point us to the blessed life as one which we freely receive through the merits of Christ.

We don't embody/do the Beatitudes (so we don't deserve blessing).

Christ did embody/fulfill the Beatitudes perfectly on our behalf.

Therefore, we can be blessed (and live the blessed life).

[Please access this sermon using the provided link to the archived Facebook video. We apologize that our usual audio-capture system experienced a malfunction on this particular Sunday].

Matt. 4:18-22: Followers want Jesus more than the best things of the world.

Matt. 4:23-25: Fans want Jesus as a way to get the best things of the world.

Matt. 5:1: The point of separation between "followers" and "fans" is whole-hearted surrender to the authority of Jesus.

In many ways, the ordinance of water-baptism is like a wedding ring - it is an outward expression of an inner, invisible commitment.

Just as a wedding ring doesn't make someone married, water-baptism doesn't bring anyone into right standing with Jesus.

And just as a married person intentionally NOT wearing his/her wedding ring would cause others to raise questions and voice concerns, so too does a believer who intentionally neglects Jesus' command to be baptized cause his/her relationship with the Lord to come into question in the eyes of others...

Baptism is:

A Command (Matthew 28:18-20)

A Sign (Romans 6:1-11)

A Statement of Intent (Romans 6:12-14)

In many ways, the ordinance of water-baptism is like a wedding ring - it is an outward expression of an inner, invisible commitment.

Just as a wedding ring doesn't make someone married, water-baptism doesn't bring anyone into right standing with Jesus.

And just as a married person intentionally NOT wearing his/her wedding ring would cause others to raise questions and voice concerns, so too does a believer who intentionally neglects Jesus' command to be baptized cause his/her relationship with the Lord to come into question in the eyes of others...

Baptism is:

A Command (Matthew 28:18-20)

A Sign (Romans 6:1-11)

A Statement of Intent (Romans 6:12-14)

In this third and final temptation of Jesus (Matt. 4:8-11), we see the temptation to make a god out of God's Work. In other words, Jesus was tempted with a similar temptation to that which many of us face: to want the things God gives more than we want a right relationship with the God who does the giving...

Three lies strengthen this temptation, making it look quite appealing:

Lie #1: You can be fruitful without a connection to the vine (the source of life).

Lie #2: The ends always justify the means (when in fact, God is never glorified by our sin).

Lie #3: Salvation is possible without sacrifice.

In this third and final temptation of Jesus (Matt. 4:8-11), we see the temptation to make a god out of God's Work. In other words, Jesus was tempted with a similar temptation to that which many of us face: to want the things God gives more than we want a right relationship with the God who does the giving...

Three lies strengthen this temptation, making it look quite appealing:

Lie #1: You can be fruitful without a connection to the vine (the source of life).

Lie #2: The ends always justify the means (when in fact, God is never glorified by our sin).

Lie #3: Salvation is possible without sacrifice.

In this sermon, Dr. Bryan Bogue unpacks the theme of the Kingdom of Heaven (Kingdom of God) from Matthew 4:12-17.