From the sermon on the mount, Jesus gives us tracks to run on to live out our love for God, people and to live out the righteous life he has called us to.

Jesus is dealing with personal righteousness on the Sermon on the Mount. Living a life of integrity, obedience to God's word and living a life of personal righteousness as we strongly pursue the lordship of Jesus Christ in our life. When we come before God and study his word, it produces a level of conviction and moves us toward confession and repentance. Jesus raises the bar on what it means to be righteous.

The truest thing about us is what God says is true. 2000 years ago, Jesus invested his entire kingdom mission in the lives of his disciples. He said, "you are the salt of the earth, you are the light of the world." Today, Jesus invests his kingdom mission in us.

The teaching of Jesus runs completely counter to not only the prevailing world view of our culture, it runs counter to the message of religion.

Don't put out the spirits fire! There is a work of the Holy Spirit that's real!

Be someone who speaks peace, relates in peace, communicates in peace, does everything you can in terms of what you own in your personal responsibility to be at peace with others! Because what did Jesus say in the sermon on the mount? Blessed are the peace makers!

This passage has not been written to be dissected and analyzed and regurgitated in some theology class! It hasnt been written so that Christians can argue about it! Its been written to give us hope! The hope that Jesus is coming back, and heaven is ours!

The apostle Paul says that this truth; the truth of Christ's second coming is the blessed hope of the church! It is God's desire to give us hope! To give us hope that heaven is ours!

Hebrews 11:6 says this, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exsists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him!" God rewards those who earnestly seek Him!

So Paul warns us as he warns these folks. Listen! This is what I want you to excel at! This may be where you need to take you next step! Being personally responsible for your life! Taking care of your own affairs! Providing for yourself! Working hard! Being a person of consistency and integrity! Being personally responsible!