Sermon Sneak Peek (Sermon for June 28th)

Jesus for Dummies

Matthew 5:21-48

Even if Jesus never performed a single miracle, his teachings would have secured his place as one of the greatest moral philosophers who ever lived. In fact, Jesus is a moral philosopher in the true sense: He intends that his teachings be not only contemplated but also acted upon. As Jesus himself says, "He who hears my words and does not do them is like a foolish man who builds his house on the sand."

So what did Jesus teach? In short, a lot. It's from Jesus that we get such famous statements as "turn the other cheek" (Matthew 5:39), "go the extra mile" (Matthew 5:41), "love your enemies" (Matthew 5:44), and the so-called Golden Rule, "Do to others what you want them to do to you" (Luke 6:31).

Yet, Jesus' teachings are not entirely new. The Golden Rule, for example, could be found in Greco-Roman and eastern philosophical traditions (though usually posed in the negative), and much of what Jesus says had already been expressed in the Hebrew Bible, as Jesus himself admits. Still, Jesus' teachings are unrivaled for their penetrating simplicity and enduring appeal...

Jesus gives lectures, or sermons, on a variety of subjects. His most famous is the Sermon on the Mount (the name was easy because, in Matthew, Jesus stands on a mountain when delivering this message). There is a church there now. It’s called the Church of the Beatitudes. And of course, the hill is called the Mount of Beatitudes.

The Beatitudes or Blessings ("Blessed are . . .") make up the first part of Jesus' sermon. Although scholars speculate that the Sermon on the Mount is a compilation of Jesus' teaching, brought together only later into one message, the Beatitudes' emphasis on personal righteousness and patience in affliction serves as a fitting introduction. Among its teachings you find:

·         Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

·         Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted....

           

·         ....Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

·         Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.

            

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus attempts to change people's attitude toward Moses' Law from external obedience (that is, "I haven't killed anyone today") to internal obedience (that is, "I have forgiven everyone today").....

According to Jesus, when Moses said, "Do not murder," he didn't only mean, "Try to make it through the day without killing anyone," but he also meant, "Don't devalue others by thinking yourself superior to them or harboring anger toward them." For Jesus, devaluing others is akin to (and ultimately the source of) murder.

Paul tells how we can be saved: ROMANS 3:22-24 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to ALL who believe. For ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. and are justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

The next time we see Jesus on a mountain it will be on Mount Zion-- in Heaven, in the new Jerusalem. John writes in (Revelation 14:1 NIV)  "Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb....

For the full sermon, join us at 11:00 am on Sunday June 28th.