When You Pray - Matthew 6:5-8

sermon-on-mount-tile.jpg

Date:  05/22/16
Speaker:  Matt McCullough
Title:  When You Pray
Scripture:  Matthew 6:5-8

Description:  Before teaching us how to pray, Jesus first clarifies why we should pray to God in the first place. We should come to God because we love him, not from a hypocritical desire to impress other people. And we should come to God because we trust him, not from some attempt to control him by saying just the right thing.

Family Resemblance - Matthew 5:43-48

sermon-on-mount-tile.jpg

Date:  05/08/16
Speaker:  Matt McCullough
Title:  Family Resemblance
Scripture:  Matthew 5:43-48

Description:  Jesus finishes his examples of kingdom behavior with the primary mark of all those who are with him being love. But not just any love. The distinctive love of Jesus's followers is a love that reflects the love of their Father, a love for those who don't love them well in return.

An Eye For An Eye - Matthew 5:38-42

sermon-on-mount-tile.jpg

Date:  05/01/16
Speaker:  Matt McCullough
Title:  An Eye For An Eye
Scripture:  Matthew 5:38-42

Description:  Jesus says his followers don't resist when they're mistreated. But what does it look like to obey? And wouldn't it be dangerous for us and for others if we did obey? Jesus offers four examples that show us both how his words challenge us and how his words help us.

Lust, Divorce, and Remarriage - Matthew 5:27-32

sermon-on-mount-tile.jpg

Date:  04/17/16
Speaker:  Bill Heerman
Title:  Lust, Divorce, And Remarriage
Scripture:  Matthew 5:27-32

Description:  As Jesus continues to show us what whole-hearted love for and obedience to God looks like, we consider three ways that Jesus tells us we might be committing adultery: lust, divorce, and remarriage after divorce. Plumbing the depth of our sin, we also plumb the depth of Christ's love and mercy. And we come to the glorious conclusion that Christ is enough.

A Greater Righteousness - Matthew 5:25-26

sermon-on-mount-tile.jpg

Date:  04/10/16
Speaker:  Bill Heerman
Title:  A Greater Righteousness
Scripture:  Matthew 5:25-26

Description:  In this section of the sermon on the mount, Jesus calls us to hearts that are empty of anger and full of reconciliation. We feel our need of a savior because we can never meet this standard perfectly. We also consider practical ways to avoid anger and pursue reconciliation that flow from transformed hearts that rest in the finished work of Christ.

Christ, The Law, and Christian Righteousness - Matthew 5:17-20

sermon-on-mount-tile.jpg

Date:  04/03/16
Speaker:  Matt Givens
Title:  Christ, The Law, and Christian Righteousness
Scripture:  Matthew 5:17-20

Description:  What does the Old Testament have to do with the kingdom Jesus came to establish? He came to fulfill its purpose and demands, and now his followers should be careful to follow his commandments out of delight instead of duty.

Salt, Light, And Christian Calling - Matthew 5:13-16

sermon-on-mount-tile.jpg

Date:  03/20/16
Speaker:  Matt McCullough
Title:  Salt, Light, And Christian Calling
Scripture:  Matthew 5:13-16

Description:  In the Beatitudes Jesus described the character of those who follow him. Now he tells us why our character matters. When we're with Jesus, we're called to be different, called to be useful, and ultimately called to glorify God.

Where Do You Belong? - Matthew 5:10-12

sermon-on-mount-tile.jpg

Date:  03/13/16
Speaker:  Matt McCullough
Title:  Where Do You Belong?
Scripture:  Matthew 5:10-12

Description:  As a follower of Jesus, you should expect persecution. It is as basic as being poor in spirit, mourning over sin, or hungering after righteousness. But Jesus also says you should welcome persecution, because it shows you belong to another world.

Pure In Heart - Matthew 5:8

sermon-on-mount-tile.jpg

Date:  02/28/16
Speaker:  Matt McCullough
Title:  Pure In Heart
Scripture:  Matthew 5:8

Description:  For one reason or another, we want to see God. We want to understand the forces in the world that are bigger than us and outside our control. We want to know that there's meaning beyond our own preferences and something that lasts longer than our own lives. We want to know the claims of the Bible are true, that we aren't alone in our suffering, that our connection to God can be more than abstract and impersonal. We want to see God, and Jesus promises that it's possible for the pure in heart. So why is it necessary to be pure in heart? And how can I become pure in heart?

Hungry? - Matthew 5:6

sermon-on-mount-tile.jpg

Date:  02/14/16
Speaker:  Matt McCullough
Title:  Hungry?
Scripture:  Matthew 5:6

Description:  Some of us need to be told that it's possible to be satisfied. Some of us need a reminder that we're more hungry than we may realize. All of us need the challenge and the comfort in Jesus's promise that satisfaction comes to those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. So what is righteousness? And what are you hungry for?

Mourning And Comfort - Matthew 5:4

sermon-on-mount-tile.jpg

Date:  01/31/16
Speaker:  Matt McCullough
Title:  Mourning And Comfort
Scripture:  Matthew 5:4

Description:  All of us spend tremendous amounts of time and energy and money seeking what we believe will make us happy. But Jesus says that it's those who mourn who will be blessed. What sort of mourning does he have in mind? And how will the mourners be blessed?

Introducing the Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 4:23-5:3

sermon-on-mount-tile.jpg

Date:  01/10/16
Speaker:  Matt McCullough
Title:  Introducing The Sermon On The Mount
Scripture:  Matthew 4:23-5:3

Description:  To begin his public ministry, according to the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus traveled around proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom. The Sermon on the Mount is the longest, most detailed account of the sorts of things Jesus was saying. What does he say the kingdom is like? In what sense is this gospel good news? And how can we make the most of this sermon?