Sermons

In Jesus’ day there were misunderstandings when it came to the demands of the law. The rabbinic schools would teach certain standards, but Jesus comes teaching the true standards addressing more than just externals, but the heart. Today Jesus addresses the issue of divorce. The legitimate reasons for divorce continue to widen in our day. Jesus held up the sanctity of marriage and higher standards than the rabbis. As we look at divorce today we look at it with the tenderness of Jesus, but also the toughness of His demands. The deepest meaning of marriage is to display the covenant-keeping faithfulness of Christ and His church. And Christ will never divorce His bride and take another.

Too often we disconnect our life as a Christian from real life. As a result, we put ourselves beyond the reach of Scripture. We miss out on its promises and warnings. Such a life is not what Jesus came promoting for those who were called to the kingdom of God. In fact, the kingdom of God deals with everything in real life. This includes even lust and sex. Jesus spoke about this with His hearers in the hill country. Today we will look at what He has to say about lust and sex in Matthew 5.27-30

Scripture characterizes the kingdom of Christ as a kingdom of rescued children. Solomon looks to the final reign of God's anointed and sings, "For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and precious is their blood in his sight" (Ps. 72:12-14). When we contend for orphans—born and unborn—we are doing more than cultural activism. A culture of adoption, orphan care, and ministry to mothers in distress announces what the kingdom of God looks like and to whom it belongs. Today we look into a priority of God and those in His kingdom. It is caring for orphans. May His kingdom come and will be done here on earth.

This week we continue to look into Jesus’ sermon in the hill country. As He continues He will divide the remainder of His sermon in chapter 5 into six units. These six units are His explanation of the Christian righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees (5.20). The six units are a series of varied examples of how Jesus’ principles (5.17-20) work out in practice. And this practical outworking is set in explicit contrast with the ethical rules previously accepted - it is in each case more demanding, more far-reaching in its application, and it concerns a man’s motives and attitudes more than his literal conformity to the rules. Here Jesus will address specific misunderstandings in His day and correct the thinking of the day pointing the crowd to the truth in bursting the borders of the narrow context of the legal interpretation and innovation which the rabbis defined for themselves. This week we look at His words concerning anger.

What is the purpose of the Law in Scripture and Jesus’ relationship to it? There has been much misunderstanding around this over the years and still today. Jesus in His sermon in the hill country addresses this misunderstanding, which was present in His culture and day. May we love God’s Law, as we see it correctly and its relationship to Jesus.

As we continue through Jesus’ sermon He moves from emphasizing ‘being’ to ‘doing’. He goes from saying this is what faith in Me looks like and this is who I have called you to become, to now this is the great mission I want you to be about. This is what I want you to do. Some Christians emphasize ‘being’ so much they never get to the goal of ‘doing’ anything. James would say it like this: Faith without works is dead! You see Jesus was not simply about changing people’s behavior. He was about the transformation of the heart and then having those who were changed join Him in this great mission unto the world. May we join Christ in His God-glorifying mission.

As we conclude the beattitudes this week, Jesus teaches us that those belonging to the kingdom of God are unwelcomed peacemakers. Those of the kingdom have been called to live righteously and for Him. As a result, they will face insults and persecution of many kinds. Persecution is rampant today. May we remember those in prison and those being ill-treated on behalf of Jesus Christ.

As we conclude the beattitudes this week, Jesus teaches us that those belonging to the kingdom of God are unwelcomed peacemakers. Those of the kingdom have been called to live righteously and for Him. As a result, they will face insults and persecution of many kinds. Persecution is rampant today. May we remember those in prison and those being ill-treated on behalf of Jesus Christ.

Ed Pilkington elder interview.

We continue this week in Matthew's gospel looking deeply into Jesus' sermon in the hill country. This week Jesus says, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." To help define the pure in heart we journey through Asaph's Psalm in Psalm 73. Asaph defines what it means to be pure in heart, the temptation the pure in heart face and the renewal needed in the battle of willing after one thing in the midst of a world who will after many things. Be encouraged and pursue holiness - living a completely other life for the glory of God!