“Love your neighbor.” “Turn the other cheek”. Jesus’ statements sound ideal but living them out is tough. Rather than rally political revolt like many of his day had hoped, Jesus focused on inner change instead. His piercing principles targeted the very areas we still today drift from God — money, enemies, judgment, hypocrisy. Beyond nice words, He exposes and transforms hearts, however unexpectedly. The question is — will we trust His wisdom to shape our lives for His greater purpose? In this teaching, we explore the gap between admiring Jesus and following Him when spiritual rubber meets life’s road.
The Sermon on the Mount is only 3 chapters long but it’s statements have influenced all educated cultures over the past 2,000 years.
[Matthew 5:17 NLT]
“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.”
[Matthew 7:28 NLT]
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching,”
[Matthew 6:33 NLT]
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
Kingdom of God Explained:
5:21, You have heard don’t kill but I say don’t hate
5:27, You have heard don’t commit adultery but I say don’t lust
5:43, You have heard hate your enemies but I say pray for God to bless them
6:1-4, Do good especially when no one will see, knowing that God’s opinion of you is more important
6:14-15, Forgive others or God will not forgive you
6:19-21, Use your money to advance the Kingdom of God to free your heart from the fear of falling behind, knowing God cares more about you than you care about you
7:1-6, You will be judged as harshly or as compassionately as you judge others
7:7-11, Pray like your life depends on it because it does
7:12, Treat people the way you WISH they treated you, not the way they ACTUALLY do
7:13-14, MOST people will not follow Jesus because denying our selfishness is too difficult
7:15-23, You can tell whether or not you are a real Christian by what you do in private, how you treat people you don’t like, what you do with your money, the time you spend with God and the way you work on your heart.
[Matthew 7:28 NLT]
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching,”
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Application Questions
“Love your neighbor.” “Turn the other cheek”. Jesus’ statements sound ideal but living them out is tough. Rather than rally political revolt like many of his day had hoped, Jesus focused on inner change instead. His piercing principles targeted the very areas we still today drift from God — money, enemies, judgment, hypocrisy. Beyond nice words, He exposes and transforms hearts, however unexpectedly. The question is — will we trust His wisdom to shape our lives for His greater purpose? In this teaching, we explore the gap between admiring Jesus and following Him when spiritual rubber meets life’s road.