Pastor Ryan shares on one of the most difficult lessons that Jesus gave to His listeners, as He goes to us, His kingdom children...you must love your enemy! Pastor Ryan explains how this must be addressed in each of our lives, and that we are never closer to God as when you love your enemy, as His rain falls on the good and evil.

"You have heard it said....." Pastor Symps gives a cogent and compelling explanation of the passage where Lord Jesus deals with retribution. "Eye for eye and tooth for tooth" - how does the Law deal with this, and how have we so seriously misused this command? What is meant by "turning the other cheek"? Giving over and above of our time, our cloak, our "2nd mile"? And is our heart right, are we Kingdom children on the matter of giving?

Matthew 5:38-42 is our key passage today.

We continue in the book of Matthew, currently focusing on the Sermon on the Mount (ch. 5 - 7). Now our Lord addresses divorce and oaths, the two topics Pastor Ryan addresses today (vs. 5:31-37).

We look at divorce beyond the mere state of paperwork, and allow Jesus to address the heart. What is God's purpose in our marriages? How does God use divorce for repentance, and as a motivator for sincere love? On oaths, we look at how God wants His Kingdom children to practice simple, honest speech, devoid of manipulation and self-gain.

Pastor Ryan speaks on this sensitive and heartfelt lesson that Jesus addresses, where He disciples us on the deep and personal sin of adultery and lust.

Pastor Ryan touches on the difference between adultery and lust, shares the Biblical perspective on sexual desire, and encourages us with lessons learned in Psalm 51 about God's healing touch for those frustrated and defeated by this most personal of temptations.

Matthew 5:27-30 is our key text.

Jesus begins to unpack what it means to have a righteousness greater than the Pharisees and scribes. "You have heard it said.... but I say to you." Jesus shares a series of very practical situations we would find ourselves in - how we should act like Jesus in each situation, thus having the Law in our hearts.

The dynamic power of the Holy Spirit that comes to bear in our lives when we seek to practice what Jesus says - this is the subject for today. Matthew 5:21-26

Today Pastor Ryan begins to unpack what Jesus means when He extols "For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven".

How can this be at all possible? How is this "Good News"?

We concentrate on Matthew 5:17-20 plus supporting passages from Ezekiel and Jeremiah.

Pastor Ryan begins us on the road of lessons that Jesus wants His kingdom children to learn in the Sermon on the Mount. We are introduced to a story, a modern day parable, that emphasizes the way of the miller, the way of Grace. We are to be salt, we are to be light, we are to be... kingdom children, not worldly children.

Matthew 5:13-20 is our text.

Our series on Matthew now arrives to that greatest of sermons, the Sermon on the Mount (Mathew chap. 5-7). In our verses for today (4:23-5:12), Pastor Ryan expounds on details regarding key questions: what IS the Kingdom of Heaven? Who is it available to?Who can comprehend its meanings and teachings? How do we enter into this most profound of citizenships? Why is it necessary?

Pastor Symps continues our series on Matthew with a deep and sincere discussion on Matthew 4:12-22 (when Jesus began calling His disciples). What is the full impact of Jesus' calling, "come, follow Me"? How does this define true discipleship? What happens when Jesus proclaims to us "I will make you fishers of men"?

We spend time in Matthew 3:13 to 4:11, studying at length the baptism of Jesus and the temptation in the wilderness. What can we learn about Jesus' modeling obedience to the Will of the Father, in the baptism, and in the temptation. We note where He is victorious in resisting the enemy when Israel (and Adam and Eve) failed.