It seems rather foolish to tell a worrier not to worry in a pandemic. Worry still does not solve the problems we have. Changing our landscape may help.

One day at a time. Praying for God to give us what we need this day. That has not been good enough for most of us. We have filled our homes, our storage units, and our attics with stuff. do you own the stuff or does the stuff own you? What are your priorities?

The Sermon on the Mount moves from the idea of a greater righteousness to three practices of piety. Piety, like righteousness  and holiness, it a word that can have a negative connotation if we use it in a competitive understanding. Piety is meant to develop a learning relationship between us and God.

Today we explore the last three of Jesus' teachings to understand beyond the letter of the law. It is about people. If we only experience others, they become a utility to be analyzed and observed. It is only when we encounter people that we begin to understand their humanity. God's laws see humanity, not utility.

In this section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus takes us to a new understanding of the law. He challenges us to see what the law truly means in light of God's love of humanity. We are not objects of the law's fulfillment, we are people and the law is designed to help us see the least among us.

While we understand the metaphors of salt and light, it is puzzling how Jesus immediately goes to the law and prophets. How can we be more righteous than the Pharisees and legal experts? The law is not about sin management. It is about turning our hearts towards what is in God's heart.

Dallas Willard calls The Sermon on the Mount the most influential teaching in the history of humankind because it answers some of the most important questions we ask of our own lives:                        1. What is Real?                                                                                   

 2. Who is well-off?

The Sermon on the Mount has been called the constitution of the Kingdom of God. Before we begin our series next week, let's talk about what it means when we say the Kingdom of God. A special thank you to the Rev. Colin Bagby and former UMC pastor John Christie for their words of wisdom.

We cannot possibly look out for the common good when we are so busy looking out for ourselves. The Spirit can change that. The Spirit is what binds us together

In the last two chapters of 1 Peter, Peter offers practical advice for how to face anxious situations. This advice is true even today.