Flip

You have heard it said…but I say to you…

 

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus uses this phrase countless time to frame his teaching.  Each time Jesus takes a commonly accepted teaching from the culture or religious establishment, and flips it on it’s head.  “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:27-28 

 

What would Jesus say to some of our cultural assumptions?

 

You have heard it said…that the American dream is to make a great deal of money and acquire a significant number of goods to make you happy…The bible says For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6:10 NIV)

 

You have heard it said that the world revolves around you and your needs…Jesus says “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” (Matthew 20:16)

 

 

You have heard it said that the church exists to meet your needs as someone in the pews and it’s the church’s job to make sure I am fed…Jesus says, I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (Luke 15:7)

 

If Jesus really meant what he said, what impact does it have for you?  Or your assumptions?  I encourage you to take some of you cultural assumptions and line them up against God’s Word and to see what God reveals to you.

 

 

Pastor Bill