He said what?

Thursday March 25th, 2010

This Sunday as we celebrate Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy week, we will study Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.  Jesus covers a lot of topics in this passage.

One phrase that is often used is, “You have heard it said…but I say to you.”  What is really being said to us?  Jesus tells us that leaders say one thing that is not always the full reality.  Instead Jesus tells us in the Sermon on the Mount – there is a different reality.

As we study these words, Jesus words cut to the core and speak deeply into the world that we live:

Society teaches us that we can find true happiness in money, success and material goods.   Jesus says, No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. Matthew 6:24, TNIV

People tell us to be afraid of those who are not just like us or don’t talk to people who believe things differently that you.  Jesus says, But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:44-45, TNIV

Often we are taught to be skeptical of those who may harm us or those closest to us.  We might even be taught that it is ok not forgive others.  Jesus says, “For if you forgive others when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15, TNIV

At times churches lose sight of the importance in loving sinners but rather focuses on hating their sins.  Jesus says, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1-2, TNIV

We are taught to just be students of scripture but how often to we put scripture into action.  Jesus says, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.Matthew 7:24-26, TNIV

Pastor Bill