Love, forgiveness, mercy, and generosity. Jesus uses these principles to describe how people in his kingdom should live. These principles are just as crucial now as ever before. We should be individuals of character that don't need to swear on anything to be believed. We should seek to forgive and not take revenge for our personal rights. We should take God's example and seek to bless and provide for all of His creation.

When God created man He said that it was good and placed him in charge of all of His creation on earth. Although we have all sinned against God, this is the story of our creation and our purpose still remains. As image bearers we are responsible for representing God on earth and making the most out of His created world.

When God created man He said that it was good and placed him in charge of all of His creation on earth. Although we have all sinned against God, this is the story of our creation and our purpose still remains. As image bearers we are responsible for representing God on earth and making the most out of His created world.

Did Jesus really teach people to cut out their eye if it caused them to sin? Does anger equal murder? You may have heard that this section of the sermon on the mount is just about pointing out how much we really need Jesus. We think it's more than that. Jesus wants to address the heart of his followers. The reality is Jesus doesn't just want his followers to not murder or commit adultery, but to love and honor their relationships.

Jesus said that everyone who hears his words and does them will have a strong foundation for life. On the other hand those who build their life on other things like money, relationships, power, sex, etc. will have a shaky foundation. When storms come and life becomes difficult we often find out that these alternative foundations don't hold up. Jesus invites us into a relationship that lasts and always provides because he is our solid rock, our firm foundation.

Jesus said that everyone who hears his words and does them will have a strong foundation for life. On the other hand those who build their life on other things like money, relationships, power, sex, etc. will have a shaky foundation. When storms come and life becomes difficult we often find out that these alternative foundations don't hold up. Jesus invites us into a relationship that lasts and always provides because he is our solid rock, our firm foundation.

What does it mean that Jesus came to fulfill the law, not to abolish it? Aren't followers of Jesus no longer condemned by the law? In the middle of Jesus' message ushering in the kingdom of heaven he takes time to make this very important point. Jesus fulfilled everything the law couldn't. He was the perfect human that reflected God in this world and sacrificed himself so that we could be forgiven of sin. The law could only cover sin, but Jesus cleansed us from sin forever.

God's justice is an expression of His love. If God was not just, we would not have a future hope of a place that has no pain or violence or sin in it. Throughout the book of Malachi, God is asking His people to come back to Him and enjoy the benefits of their relationship. He wants to bless them and save them from His judgement. For you and I today we receive this invitation to return to God through Jesus. Because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, God's justice for us was poured out on him and we can return back to God and enjoy His goodness.

God's justice is an expression of His love. If God was not just, we would not have a future hope of a place that has no pain or violence or sin in it. Throughout the book of Malachi, God is asking His people to come back to Him and enjoy the benefits of their relationship. He wants to bless them and save them from His judgement. For you and I today we receive this invitation to return to God through Jesus. Because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, God's justice for us was poured out on him and we can return back to God and enjoy His goodness.

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Looking into the eyes of an eclectic crowd of Jews and gentiles, farmers and religious leaders, conservatives and progressives, Jesus tells all of his followers that they are the salt of the earth and light of the world. He speaks life and value into anyone who would follow him. With these words Jesus not only told them who they are, but how they should live. As salt and light we are called to protect and promote life as well as shine light into the darkness.