When Jesus came, he broke down many traditions and ways of thinking that the Jewish people had. The biggest one, was that Gentiles are now family through Him, not through Jewish rituals. This would have been a staggering thought during that time, but when we look at the gospel there could be no other way. Jesus did more than his disciples could ever have imagined. He brought freedom to all people if we are willing to accept His free gift of salvation.

Being in debt is a terrible feeling, especially when we cannot pay someone back. It brings about a sense of fear, frustration, and can lower our self worth. In Ephesians 2:1-10 we learn that we have an outstanding debt that we brought on ourselves because of sin. We also learn that God paid it and there is no way to earn our freedom. On top of that, we become heirs with Jesus and are offered a new identity. How does this new reality alter our lives today?

When we meet people, the inevitable question always comes up: "so what do you do?" That question helps us to learn about that person because we spend so much time working. But does what we do really identify us? If not our jobs, then what does? Scripture shows us that God offers us a new, clear identity for us that shapes our lives and our future.

Over the course of our lives, each person’s identity is formed and shaped through individual experiences, relationships, culture, media and the world around us. But what would it look like to find a stable sense of self apart from our relationships, our successes, and our failures? What would look like to see ourselves the way God sees us? Ephesians 1 offers the key to finding our identity in a source that will never fail us or let us down.

When asked about who our neighbors are and how to love them, Jesus tells a parable that breaks cultural, racial, and economic paradigms. With one story, He commands His followers to love everyone and to go above and beyond for even those deemed "unloveable". His command is clear to His listeners and to us today...GO and DO likewise.

In Luke 14 Jesus had a large crowd following Him. He was popular, and people were following Him for many reasons. To be healed, to hear him teach, to be part of this new movement. However, He turned to them and challenged them to consider what it will cost to be one of His disciples. Have you truly given all you have to be one of His disciples, or simply one following the crowd?

Jesus concludes His sermon on the mountainside by saying if we build our lives on anything but the Kingdom, our foundations will be easily eroded and be washed away when the pain of life comes. But it isn't just learning about it, we actually have to do what He taught. His challenging conclusion brings a truth to light...what we build our life on matters.

(WARNING: POOR AUDIO DUE TO OUTDOOR SERVICE)

One of the most misused verses by people both inside and outside the church: "Judge not least ye be judged." In Matthew 7:1-5 Jesus warns us about judging others, but does that mean we shouldn't call out sin? This passage actually offers us a view of the Kingdom and exposes our intentions when we point out other's faults.

Jesus begins to summarize his teaching on the mountainside with a shocking statement...narrow is the road that leads to heaven. This proclamation, along with the idea that many would say they did things for Him but He never knew them would have shaken the crowd. How do we know where we stand with God and we truly know if we enter eternity with Him?

Worry and anxiety have been a growing trend over the past decade. Add the pandemic, and it has now skyrocketed out of control. But at the root of worry is something we find hard to admit--our worry really means we don't believe God will provide. In Matthew 6:35-34 Jesus reminds us that God provides for all of his creation, so why do we question if he will provide for us?