The Sermon on the Mount is a gold mine of incredible truth. Once again, I was challenged and convicted in my study this week.

Matthew 6 begins with a warning to hypocrites. Though we can easily point them out, we often don't realize we are wearing a mask as well. Near the end of the message I have a list of heart-searching questions to help us recognize the deceptive presence of hypocrisy and escape its power.

Today Jesus gives us a difficult

task. Go the second mile. Everything in us rebels against the demands of this part of the Sermon on the Mount. It cuts us to the core.

Yet incredible freedom is found in obeying this command.

I was completely blown away to find, after I had already prepared this message, that this very passage was burned into steel in the 9/11 attacks. I do not believe for a moment this is a coincidence. Governments must protect, but Christians must realize, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."

We can spend our entire life fighting for our rights only to find idolatry is our motive. There is healing at the foot of the Cross. Why don't you lay down your cause at His feet today?

September 6, 2020

Words are so important, they are one of the subjects of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.

Here's a thought: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...all thing were made by Him.

THE WORD created everything you see...with words.

Not only that, words had a part in your salvation: If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

In addition: every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

I'm beginning to see a truth here. Words have immense power to create or destroy. What we say...and don't say...has more to do with our happiness than we ever realized.

What is hindering your happiness? Last week Jesus highlighted anger, the diabolic force that eventually motivates murder. Today He gets really personal and slices at the root of immorality. He says it begins in the heart with lust. His standard is so far above any human. It's actually impossible! And this is exactly the point He wants us to see. He is our only hope of holiness and happiness. Without Him we cannot begin to live a life that is pleasing in His sight. Our only hope is in Him living through us!

Immediately following the Beatitudes, Jesus warns against six "Hinderances to Happiness" that pulverize our peace. The first one grows as you release it and destroys everything in its path-- including you. It's called "giving place to the devil" and it is to be avoided at all cost!

August 9, 2020

A very rich man once went in search of true satisfaction. He tried pleasure, piety, folly and wisdom; only to declare all things "vanity of vanities." For all his power and prestige, Solomon never laid hold on what we have in the Person and work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I love the way Jesus said it: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. What is it you are longing for? Is it a new vision of Who God is? Perhaps you need victory over sin or strength to walk through a valley or direction for your future. All is found in One Word: Jesus.

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.

Notice the plurality. It is intended to be lived out in communion. Just as a log pulled from the fire will soon lose its flame, so a Christian left alone will soon grow cold.

As the world grows darker, we need to assemble together...and so much the more as ye see the day approaching.

July 26th, 2020

We've come to the end of the Beatitudes, but there's so much more in the Sermon on the Mount, I can't stop! I believe God wants to expand on the "Attitudes that Ought to Be" through the next few messages. Fasten your seatbelts: Happy is around for a while yet.

After describing their attitudes, Jesus jumps right into declaring the attributes of His true disciples.

Ye are the salt of the earth...

Salt was highly sought after in the jungles where I was a missionary. Here we assume it comes with every meal. Believe me, life isn't the same without it -- nor should our world be without us.

July 19th, 2020

We continue our study of the 8th Be-Attitude: Be Bold. When we began this series, I had no idea how pertinent these messages would be to current events. God's timing is amazing. As your pastor, I encourage you to take heart as you prepare to stand in these "evil" days. It is not a time to backslide or question God's promises. It's time to remain strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

July 12, 2020

The Privilege of Persecution

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake.

It goes on to say, Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven.

Jesus saw a reward of joy at the end of His suffering. That's how He endured the cross while still despising the shame. Now He is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. What a price and what a prize!

Is God asking you to take a particular stand for His name? Persecution is a rite of discipleship -- and a reason to rejoice.