As we dive into the Scripture for this week, bring to mind two groups of people. The first are your friends—those you find easy to love and who love you; those you protect and who are protective of you; those to whom you are generous and who are generous to you. You have joyful, reciprocal […]
Matthew 5:43-48 // Grace for the Hateful Read More »
What do you do when someone humiliates you? What do you do when someone takes something that belongs to you? What do you do when an authority forces you to do something you don’t want to do? In this week’s passage from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses very practical questions related to our
Matthew 5:38-42 // Grace for the Vengeful Read More »
We’re continuing in the Sermon on the Mount—Jesus’ “Kingdom Manifesto,” describing God’s desire for His people. In Matthew 5:20 Jesus said our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees, and this section ends in verse 48 with the statement, “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” This is yet
Matthew 5:33-37 // Grace for Liars Read More »
In the Sermon on the Mount we’ve been reading Jesus’ kingdom portrait. Christians are to have a distinct flavor and appearance in this world. “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world” (Matt. 5:13, 14). If we were to be just like everyone else, there would be no reason
Matthew 5:31-32 // God Hates Divorce Read More »
We return to the Sermon on the Mount and Jesus’ description of His kingdom. Kingdom citizens will stand out. We’re from a different culture with a peculiar set of values. Jesus didn’t abolish the Law, but fulfilled it. He didn’t say the Law was unimportant, but that it was so supremely important that even the
Matthew 5:27-30 // The Heart’s Intent Read More »
We’ve been in the book of Isaiah for some time, which points ahead to Jesus as the coming Savior and King. As we return to Matthew we read the portrait of this King, beginning with His lineage and birth, and now His teaching in the Sermon on the Mount. This sermon outlines the kingdom culture,
Matthew 5:21-26 // Murderous Anger Read More »