In the sermon on the mount, Jesus teaches His followers how to behave as citizens of the kingdom of God. We call those the Beatitudes. But Jesus doesn't stop there. He goes on to tell His disciples how to change the world. And now, He spends some time talking about how to properly handle scripture.--How a person views and uses the Bible is a true dividing line and a litmus test for anyone claiming to be a Christian. If the bible is just a nice collection of sayings and virtue stories, there's a problem. But if the Bible is God's inerrant Word, powerful and capable of changing the heart of sinful humanity, then there's hope.

In the sermon on the mount, Jesus teaches His followers how to behave as citizens of the kingdom of God. We call those the Beatitudes. But Jesus doesn't stop there. He goes on to tell His disciples how to change the world.--There are countless people, organizations and agencies focused on making the world a better place. But what does Jesus say is the answer to a world in decay- His message is certainly countercultural. What do you think will make the world a better place-

We're making good progress studying what are commonly known as the Beatitudes. Pastor has pointed out these are the BE attitudes, not the DO attitudes, because they represent what we are to BE if we are citizens of the Kingdom of God.

We first encounter what are commonly known as the Beatitudes. Pastor has pointed out these are the BE attitudes, not the DO attitudes, because they represent what we are to BE if we are citizens of the Kingdom of God.--As we read these simple statements about what brings true happiness, we can't help but notice the paradoxical nature of these values. They seem to describe all of the sure ways to unhappiness and grief. But God's ways are not man's ways. Humans have been looking for happiness in all of the wrong place since the days of Adam and Eve.

We've finished a narrative section of the book and now we begin a lengthy dialog and this one even has a name- Chapters 5, 6 and 7 are commonly called the Sermon on the Mount. Why- Because verse 1 of chapter 5 says Jesus went up on the mountain and that's where His disciples followed Him.--The teaching Jesus offers now is not easy to understand, particularly if you aren't a Believer. Non-believers see this only as a set of confusing paradoxes - something they often admire as a sign of great wisdom, but not something they are willing to accept. Our challenge is not only to understand these principles for citizens of the kingdom of Heaven but to live them out.

This section of the book is a call to discipleship and it's full of great challenges for us all.--As we wrap up Chapter 4 of Matthew, we at Truth with Grace begin our fourth year of sharing Pastor's messages. These past three years have also been times of great challenge, no more so than this year. But as we follow Christ and keep His priorities, He provides the strength and grace required to endure. That includes providing partners like you, so thank you---Now onward - ever onward we go - proclaiming the good news of the Gospel.

Last week we met John the Baptist - the forerunner of the Messiah - and an ambassador for the Kingdom of God.--We'll pick up that message where we left off and learn a bit about the Pharisees and Sadducees - two groups that show up quite a bit in the New Testament. Their history and practices are informative for us - after all, we are prone to follow their bad patterns if we aren't careful.--But Pastor will go on to tell us about the Excellent Savior - Jesus Christ and what his ministry and might mean for us. And here's a hint- it means everything.

We're so pleased you've joined us today as we continue our exploration of the truth found in God's word and the grace of salvation.--Pastor Pierre Rosa is teaching through the first book of the New Testament - the Gospel of Matthew.

Last week, we learned about a Mean Antagonist - Herod the Great. Thanks to a warning from God, Mary and Joseph avoided Herod's vicious plot by taking the toddler Jesus to Egypt - because it was outside the jurisdiction of Herod.--But there are two other locations that are pivotal in this story- Bethlehem and Nazareth.--Bethlehem was Jesus' birthplace, of course, but also the scene of a terrible slaughter perpetrated by Herod. And that's where we'll pick up this week as we complete this message.

Last week, we learned more about the Magi visiting the Messiah as a toddler. They also visited King Herod - a terrible man of unbridled fury and a ruthless killer. Today, we'll learn more about this pretender king, and even more about the beautiful way in which God crafted the Old Testament to point to Jesus Christ as the true and coming King.--The Old Testament can easily seem like a long string of violent stories about ancient peoples, but in fact, it's a lengthy proof-text for why we need a Savior and who that Savior will be. It all becomes clear as we study the New Testament and the completion of God's plan for redemption.