March 7, 2021 - Matthew 7:1 - 6 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged." It's a popular refrain these days. And it is true! But it's only the first part of Jesus' teaching. Jesus teaches that by looking into our own lives, we can be instruments of mercy and grace to others. Because the truly revolutionary part of His teaching is not the judgment, but the standard by which we measure. 

February 28, 2021 - Matthew 6:25 - 34 - "... do not worry about your life..." In just six words, Jesus lays down the toughest challenge of all - to not worry about life. Jesus' point is that we were not designed for worry, but peace. And pursuing God's will for our lives it the path to revolutionary peace.

February 14, 2021 - Matthew 6:1 - 17 - We all know people who love to brag about their generosity, prayer life, and overall spiritual maturity. But Jesus said such boasting isn't anything more than a selfish desire for recognition. Perhaps even worse - Jesus thought that such people have already received all the reward they're going to get. This week, it's time for all of us to check our motive.

February 14, 2021 - Matthew 5:38 - 48 - So, you show kindness to your friends? You love someone who loves you back? Big deal. According to Jesus , anybody can do that. So He takes it up a notch. Jesus taught that we're called to love our enemies. But here's the real catch. It's not for us, and not even for them, but for Him. It's His reputation on the line, not ours. It was revolutionary then and it's still as revolutionary today.

January 31, 2021 - Matthew 5:33 - 37 - "I promise!" "I swear!" How many promises like that have we broken? Broken promises to others; broken promises to God ... Yet, Jesus' challenge to anyone who would choose to follow Him is that our simple "yes" or "no" be enough. That we would be known as a people of integrity. What would it take for us to revolutionize our words?

January 24, 2021 - Matthew 5:31-32 - In one of the most misunderstood passages in the Bible, Jesus gives a concise, direct teaching on the hurt caused by divorce. And these two verses have themselves been inaccurately used to inflict even more pain. Because in the larger context of this revolutionary teaching, theses two verses mean so much more.

January 17, 2021 - Matthew 5:21-30 - When does a sin really become a sin? When we do it? When we say it? According to Jesus, it's even earlier than that. It all starts with nothing more than a thought. And in the end, what we say and what we do is more than a reflection of our thoughts. It's a reflection of our hearts.

January 10, 2021 - Matthew 5:13-16 - Jesus opened this teaching by telling us who we are - salt and light. The witness of our lives flavors the world and gives light to the darkness. It was true then, and it is true now. How we live demonstrates to the world Who we live for. Living for Christ revolutionizes the world around us.

January 3, 2021 - Just about everyone is looking forward to an end to 2020 and a do-over in 2021. A fresh start. A reboot. But who’s to say that many of the challenges and struggles from last year aren’t going to follow us into the next? And what’s stopping new challenges from popping up? In a tumultuous world, let’s kick off the new year by fixing our eyes on the only One Who holds us safe and secure – Jesus Christ.

December 20, 2020 - Ephesians 4:16 -

As we learn to embrace true maturity in Christ, as each part of The Body does its work, we will inevitably begin to grow. Not only in breadth of numbers – but also in our depth of faith in and love for Jesus. After all, He is the One Who holds it all together and equips us to be His love.