Grace City Denver

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches us that there is a right and a wrong way to live in his kingdom. The right way - a life transformed from the inside-out - leads to righteousness, reward, and satisfaction in the Father. The wrong way leaves us enslaved to a never-ending hunger for

outside approval. Jesus challenges us to examine our motives and to satiate our souls with God’s goodness.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus invites us to learn about the future – particularly of his coming kingdom – and to embody that preferred future right here and now. We cannot simply live day to day without an awareness of where today’s decisions are leading us. We must live and invest in light of what God says is going to be true.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is describing how to live as his disciples in his kingdom that has already arrived. The first major theme is the upside-down nature of this kingdom. Jesus doesn’t value and honor the same character traits that our world celebrates. He calls us to live counterculturally, walking in humility and grace, rather than mimicking the pride of our society.

This message shares the wisdom of both being retrospective of your past and setting goals for your future. One simple pattern is to reflect and plan around four key areas of spiritual formation: 1) Worship, 2) Walk, 3) Work, and 4) Witness.

Our broken world is filled with things that steal our peace. Since The Fall, we have conflict with God, with others, with our environment, and even internally with our own selves. But Jesus came to reconcile us to God and to cut off conflict at its source. One day he will come again to defeat Satan once and for all, establishing eternal and perfect peace. In the meantime, we’re called to abide in, experience, and share his peace by faith.

Everyone seeks happiness, but joy can be elusive in a broken world, where sin has led to every form of sorrow and death. Grief or frustration or stress can often feel like our default setting, rather than joy. So how do we get joy? And what's Advent got to do with joy? Practically, how do we live in light of both the past and future joy that have been promised to those who love God?

God’s love for people was often demonstrated through acts of deliverance in the Old Testament era. And the greatest and fullest demonstration of his love is the coming of Jesus to lay down his life for our salvation. Because of his sacrifice, our lives can be filled with his love here and now. Even while we wait for his second coming, we can overflow with his love toward others.

This psalm begins with a call to praise and hope in the Lord, noting the deficiency of human rulers who are temporary and powerless to save. The psalmist highlights God's characteristics: He is the Creator, the source of both justice and mercy. The psalm concludes by affirming that the Lord reigns forever, and calling people to praise Him in all generations.

When Jesus arrives in Bethany after the death of Lazarus, Martha and Mary meet him separately to express shock and grief. Jesus declares, "I AM the resurrection and the life," and invites them to believe. Jesus storms to the tomb in anger at death, but also sheds tears of grief. He simply speaks, raising Lazarus from the dead, provoking a mixed reaction of belief and murderous contempt.

Lazarus, a friend of Jesus, falls ill, and when Jesus hears of it, he declares that the sickness will not end in death but will glorify God. Despite knowing Lazarus has died, Jesus stays two more days before deciding to go to Bethany. He explains to His disciples that Lazarus' death is for their benefit, so they may believe. The disciples are concerned about the dangers of returning to Judea, but Thomas, in a resigned yet courageous tone, suggests they go with Jesus, even if it means facing death.