Avalon Church

Jesus talks about what’s most important to us and what shouldn't be so important.

Jesus gives his followers a framework about how to pray.

Series: The Upside Down Life,

Liz Dickson leads us in the topic of "A Secret Place" from Matthew 6:1-6.

Pastor John Molloy leads us in a sermon on retaliation from Matthew 5:38-42

Jesus discusses the difficult issues of adultery and divorce.Series: The Upside Down Life, Speaker: Pastor Don Dodge, Scripture: Matthew 5:27-37, 1 Corinthians 9:27, John 3:17, Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8Maw1U9c8s, Webpage: https://podcast.avalonchurch.org/sermons/the-upside-down-life-the-d-word-part-6/, Discussion Questions: 2021-02-14-PART-6-DQ-The-D-Word.pdf, Notes: Matthew 5:27-37 (NIV)“NT Teachings on Divorce”27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ – Matthew 5 (NIV)28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. – Matthew 5 (NIV)29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. – Matthew 5 (NIV)30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. – Matthew 5 (NIV)“Our commitment to Jesus permits no desire without love.”27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. –1 Corinthians 9:27 (NLT)“Is there any relationship I have that makes you uncomfortable?” 31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ – Matthew 5 (NIV)32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. – Matthew 5 (NIV)Truth and Grace.God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. –John 3:17 (NLT)Savage Marriage slide

Jesus begins to illustrate how his followers are to live out the Kingdom ways starting with a discussion on murder, anger, and reconciliation.

Pastor Jim preaches from Matthew 5:17-20 on Christ Fulfilling the Law and our righteousness.Series: The Upside Down Life, Speaker: Pastor Jim Groves, Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20, Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-c5fE4qR3_Y, Webpage: https://podcast.avalonchurch.org/sermons/the-upside-down-life-law-righteousness-part-4/Notes:17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. 19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. 20 “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven! – Matthew 5:17-20 NLT Then the Lord took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!” 6 And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith. – Genesis 3:15 NLT Puzzle – Image 1 Puzzle – Image 2 Puzzle – Image 3 Puzzle – Image 4 Puzzle – Image 5 Puzzle – Image 6Jesus replied, “And why do you, by your traditions, violate the direct commandments of God? – Matthew 15:3 NLT Puzzle – Image 7 Puzzle – Image 8You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! – John 5:39 NLT Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” – Luke 24:44 NLT This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. 11 They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward. 12 They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen. – 1 Peter 1:10-12 NLTFor Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God. – Romans 10:4 NLTJesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. 30 When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. – John 19:28-30 NLTAfter supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.” – Luke 22:20 NLT6 But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises. 7 If the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need for a second covenant to replace it. 8 But when God found fault with the people, he said:                         (I’ll just read verses 8b-12 for them)13 When God speaks of a “new” covenant, it means he has made the first one obsolete. It is now out of date and will soon disappear.  – Hebrews 8:6-13 NLT24 Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. 25 And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian. – Galatians 3:24-25 NLT So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.  2 Listen! I, Paul, tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 I’ll say it again. If you are trying to find favor with God by being circumcised, you must obey every regulation in the whole law of Moses. 4 For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace. – Galatians 5:1-4 NLTFor the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. – John 1:17 NLT

The Beatitudes were the “Who?” of the Kingdom that Jesus immediately followed with the “What?” What are we called to? Salt and Light.

Who is blessed by God? Jesus’ answer is surely different than anyone could have expected.

The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus’ manifesto for the Kingdom. This