We have been working our way through Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” over the past several weeks. One of the things Jesus does in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is call out the hypocritical practices of some of Judea’s religious leaders. One thing that drives seekers away from the church is hypocrisy so…
Ask, Seek, and Knock
Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV) “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. In Matthew 7:7-8 Jesus is calling us to a…
Decision Making
The following is from my friend G. Turner, an old preacher that I visit with once a week. Heads or Tails. What do you expect to happen when you flip a coin? There is greatwisdom we can learn from a coin flip. When flipping a coin, we expect oneof two results, “heads or tails.” (It…
The “Sermon on the Plain”
We are currently in a sermon series focusing on “Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5-7). Jesus’ sermon in Luke 6 is sometimes called the Sermon on the Plain. The content of this is like that of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). Some scholars believe Matthew’s and Luke’s accounts to be different records…
To Judge or Not to Judge?
This Sunday in our series from Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” we move into chapter 7 where Jesus talks about judging. Matthew 7:1 (NASB) Do not judge, so that you will not be judged. This may be the most often-misused verse in the entire Bible. Modern culture garbles this comment into a command to never…
The Danger of Gossip
The following article is from my dear friend George T. And it contains some very wise advice on the dangers of gossip. You’ll Never Guess What I Heard! Acts 21 This saying will likely garner the attention of all but the most disciplined people! Spoken in many different ways, it is a secret…
Seek first His Kingdom
Matthew 6:33 (NASB) But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you. To “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness” means to put God first in your life, to fill your thoughts with His desires, to take His character for your pattern, and to serve and obey…
The Story of Lazarus
The details surrounding death may vary, but the reality is universal. Scenes like Lazarus’s funeral in Bethany are repeated many times around the world each day. A grieving family gathers at a graveside. Friends agonize over what to say. Their helpless silence, downcast eyes, and shuffling feet provide more distraction than comfort. When death is…
Do Not Worry
On Sunday mornings we are going through Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5-7). This week we will look at Matthew 6:25-34 where Jesus talks about “worry“. A parallel account can be found in Luke 12:22-34. Jesus commands us not to worry. It is good to plan and work responsibly; it is bad to dwell…
Why is just as important as what
Last week we looked at Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:16-18 where he focused on the third of three acts of piety practiced by the Judeans in the first century, fasting (giving, prayer 6:1-15). Jesus’ overall was not fasting but rather motivation behind spiritual acts in general. Jesus was correcting the teaching and practice of Israel’s…