Jacob was always trying to get over on his brother Esau. In one ultimate moment Jacob takes of advantage of his brother by having him sell his birthright for a single meal. Esau shows us how we often choose the temporary pleasures in life over our ultimate treasures in heaven. The Gospel teaches us how our ultimate identity and treasure can never be taken from us.

Jacob’s story starts with a miraculous intervention and call by God. But even before Jacob was born he was wrestling with his older brother, Esau, in his womb. Jacob’s life would be defined by struggle, by his desire to get ahead at all costs. Jacob’s life was also defined by the favoritism of his mother and his distance to his father. But what ultimately defined Jacob was God’s call on his life. The story of Jacob reminds us that what defines us is not our poor choices or broken family but God’s magnificent grace.

Much of our life is wasted worrying about our many problems. Anxiety has become a way of life for so many people. Jesus shows us the futility of worry and shows us the possibilities of living a life of freedom.

​God made us to have a singular captivating desire that controls us. Jesus warns against the cosmic disappointment of finding our treasure in anything under the sun to fulfill this never ending thirst. Jesus explains the joys of living inside his Kingdom for a treasure that will never disappoint.

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Prayer for many people has become a boring ritual of silence. But Jesus teaches us how prayer can be a dynamic force that shapes our lives and desires. Jesus teaches us how prayer can align us with HIs Kingdom and with the heart of the King.

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Have you ever looked at something so beautiful and grandiose that it led you to feel insignificant? For many of us that feeling can arise out of staring far out into the Pacific Ocean, or looking down at a luscious landscape atop of a mountain. For some they feel insignificant when they come face to face to a beautiful and genius piece of artwork. The Prophet Isaiah felt radically insignificant when he had a vision of the holiness and glory of God. Listen to not only how God meets Isaiah in his feeling insignificant, but also how he commissions Isaiah into a new direction of ministry.

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What is your driving motivation in life? Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount says that many people are motivated to do good things out of a selfish desire for attention. This kind of false motivation will eventually lead to disappointment and burnout. Jesus points to a life motivated by pure love and produces a life of joy.

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In a world of radical anger and hatred, Jesus calls his followers to live a life of radical love. In a win at all costs world, Jesus calls his people to surrender. Jesus shows us the heart of God which is to make enemies into His friends. Jesus shows us that the way to change the world is not through hatred but through sacrificial love.

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In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches his followers to speak truth simply and fully. In a culture of lies, spin and half-truths, Jesus calls his people to speak truth in love. But more than that Jesus’ call is to be people who keep their word even when it’s painful. This costly truth is embodied by a faithful God who fulfills his promise in Jesus.

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Jesus on the Sermon on the Mount teaches his followers about what true love looks like in a world filled with lust. Jesus contrast the momentary pleasures of lust with the life-long joys of love. Our human struggle to find love can ultimately find its fulfillment in a Divine romance initiated and sustained by God.