The Sermon on the Mount is one of the most provocative and powerful messages in history. It is not only counter-instinctive and counter-cultural. It also gives Jesus' disciples a portrait of what he wants his followers to be like and live like. (Matthew 4:23-25; 5:1-2)

God wants every believer to experience the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit who is at work transforming us into the image of Jesus Christ. The secret is living under the control of the Holy Spirit or "being filled with the Spirit." (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:16-25)

And at the moment a person makes the decision to believe in Jesus Christ, The Holy Spirit initiates a spontaneous spiritual chain reaction that results in some incredible, eternity-altering changes. Everything changes! (Titus 3:5,6)

Jesus, before He left the disciples, sent them (and us) on a mission to go and make disciples. But He does not send us out with first empowering them with the indwelling power of God the Holy Spirit. When we realize this it will change our lives. (John 16:5-15)

If baptism isn't necessary for salvation, then why be baptized? The reason is because Jesus commanded his disciples to baptize disciples and, therefore, this is what Christians did, have done for 2,000 years, and still do.

Without the Holy Spirit, the mission of the church is impossible. But with Him, the mission cannot fail! (Acts 1:3-8)

Christianity rises or falls on the Resurrection story. If it's true, everything changes. If it's not true, we are wasting our time believing and living as if it is. Fortunately, there is a great deal of evidence for us to believe beyond reasonable doubt. (Acts 1:1-5; Luke 24; 1 Corinthians 1:1-8; 14-19; John 20:30,31; Romans 10:9)

Christianity is not about adding Christ. It's about surrendering every area of your life to him and allowing him to live in you and through you. Contrary to what the world believes, surrender results not in weakness and defeat but in power and victory! (Luke 9:23-25; Luke 19:37-41; Matthew 26:39; 27:32-44; Luke 23:36, 39)

Part of being a disciple is obeying Jesus and teaching others to obey Jesus. It is our love for Jesus that leads to obedience and it is God's love for us that leads to the commandments He gives us. (John 14:15)

Jesus models for us how to engage people in spiritual conversations and challenges us to share his passion for reaching out people with the good news of the Gospel. John 4