As Jesus continues to show us what whole-hearted love for and obedience to God looks like, we consider three ways that Jesus tells us we might be committing adultery: lust, divorce, and remarriage after divorce. Plumbing the depth of our sin, we also plumb the depth of Christ?s love and mercy. And we come to the glorious conclusion that Christ is enough.

In this section of the sermon on the mount, Jesus calls us to hearts that are empty of anger and full of reconciliation. We feel our need of a savior because we can never meet this standard perfectly. We also consider practical ways to avoid anger and pursue reconciliation that flow from transformed hearts that rest in the finished work of Christ.

What does the Old Testament have to do with the kingdom Jesus came to establish? He came to fulfill its purpose and demands, and now his followers should be careful to follow his commandments out of delight instead of duty.

We must see ourselves in Adam?s death if we want to fully see ourselves in Jesus?s resurrection.

In the Beatitudes Jesus described the character of those who follow him. Now he tells us why our character matters. When we?re with Jesus, we?re called to be different, called to be useful, and ultimately called to glorify God.

As a follower of Jesus, you should expect persecution. It is as basic as being poor in spirit, mourning over sin, or hungering after righteousness. But Jesus also says you should welcome persecution, because it shows you belong to another world.

To be children of God is to take on the family resemblance. And that means seeking peace where God seeks peace.

For one reason or another, we want to see God. We want to understand the forces in the world that are bigger than us and outside our control. We want to know that there?s meaning beyond our own preferences and something that last longer than our own lives. We want to know the claims of the Bible are true, that we aren?t alone in our suffering, that our connection to God can be more than abstract and impersonal. We want to see God, and Jesus promises that it?s possible?for the pure in heart. So why is it necessary to be pure in heart? And how can I become pure in heart?

With this Beatitude Jesus shifts focus to how the citizens of his kingdom treat others. Blessed are the merciful. So what does Jesus mean by mercy, and what does it take to be merciful?

Some of us need to be told that it?s possible to be satisfied. Some of us need a reminder that we?re more hungry than we may realize. All of us need the challenge and the comfort in Jesus?s promise that satisfaction comes to those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. So what is righteousness? And what are you hungry for?