Sermon on the Mount: Part 5 – February 26, 2023

“Sermon on the Mount: Part 5”Text: Matthew 5:38-48We continue our study of the Sermon on the Mount by hearing how Jesus says we should treat our adversaries. In it, He calls us to not just love our neighbors, but our enemies as well. In many ways, this passage is designed to challenge us – Christian…

Sermon on the Mount: Part 4 – February 19, 2023

“Sermon on the Mount: Part 4”Matthew 5:27-37As we continue our study of the Sermon on the Mount, we focus on Jesus’s comments on marriage, fidelity, and taking oaths. It is easy to view this passage as Jesus introducing a new form of legalism. While this is not the case, Jesus is absolutely serious about the…

Sermon on the Mount: Part 3 – February 12, 2023

“Sermon on the Mount” – Part 3Text: Matthew 5:17-26In the “Sermon on the Mount,” Jesus addresses the crowd, talking about familiar Jewish laws such as “do not murder.” While acknowledging the importance of the law, Jesus extends it by suggesting that at it’s heart, it is really about our interactions with others – particularly realizing…

Sermon on the Mount: The Beatitudes – January 29, 2023

“Sermon on the Mount: The Beatitudes”Text: Matthew 5:1-12Over the next few weeks, we will be studying Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” from the book of Matthew. Unlike most sermons or services where the blessing occurs at the end, Jesus begins this sermon with a series of blessings which we call the Beatitudes. Jesus directly addresses…

Restoring Faith: Facing Adversity – January 15, 2022

“Restoring Faith: Facing Adversity”Text: Ezra 4:1-4, 23-24We continue our study of the book of Ezra by reading how the Jewish people ran into adversity and adversaries while trying to rebuild God’s temple. Sometimes when we are growing in our relationship with God or desiring to see how God can build us up, we recognize adversity…

Restoring Faith: A Good Foundation – January 8, 2023

“Restoring Faith: A Good Foundation”Ezra 3:10-13We continue to celebrate the beginning of a new year by beginning a study of the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. This is also a story of a new beginning as the Jewish people are given the opportunity to start anew and reestablish themselves in Jerusalem. In this first week…

The Mystery of Grace – January 1, 2023

“The Mystery of Grace”Text: Ephesians 3:1-13In Ephesians chapter 3, Paul speaks of the mystery of Christ that was revealed to him. Part of this mystery is that through Christ, God’s grace extends to gentiles (those outside the Jewish faith) in addition to the Jews. We recognize this today as part of Epiphany Sunday, where we…