Sunday, March 30, 2014
Passage: Matthew 5:19-20
Series: Matthew (2013)
Duration: 41 mins 27 secs
Must I be good to be a Christian? Listen to this lesson to learn that Jesus told His disciples in the Sermon on the Mount that the kind of righteousness the religious Pharisees demanded was not what He was talking about. Neither was Jesus referring to how you had to be good to be saved but instead, He was talking about spiritual growth after we have been justified. See how He taught that the character qualities we need to rule in the coming Kingdom of heaven are a result of walking according to the light of God's Word, and not by trying to be good.
Sunday, April 06, 2014
Passage: Matthew 5:22
Series: Matthew (2013)
Duration: 46 mins 10 secs
What did Jesus mean when He talked about hell fire in the Sermon on the Mount? Listen to this lesson to learn that Jesus was talking to His disciples and referring to a place in Jerusalem, the Valley of Hinnom, which is Gehenna in Greek. Learn the vile and degrading history of the valley. See how it is not a symbol for fiery destruction but of a nation's spiritual failure. Allow this lesson to infiltrate your thinking so you can see the seriousness of the Christian life and avoid loss of rewards and shame at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Passage: Matthew 5:21-26
Series: Matthew (2013)
Duration: 42 mins 50 secs
Like being zapped by a bolt of lightning, the religious leaders of Jesus' day were shocked by what He was teaching His disciples in the Sermon on the Mount. Not only did these Pharisees try to obey all the Law but they had invented rules about the rules. See how Jesus ignored their human righteousness and taught that it's possible to commit murder in our hearts by having unjust anger at people and calling them insulting names. Understand that he was pointing out to them that only He could fulfill the Law and live a perfect life. Accept the importance of believers' settling grievances with others quickly instead of letting them fester so our prayers will be answered.
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Passage: Matthew 5:27-32
Series: Matthew (2013)
Duration: 55 mins 40 secs
Lust. Sexual immorality. Faithfulness in marriage. Does Biblical teaching about these make you squirm uncomfortably? Listen to this lesson to see how Jesus once again sets a higher standard than the Pharisees and scribes by focusing on what we think rather than what we do. See the meaning of "plucking out your right eye" and "cutting off your right hand". On the issue of divorce, notice how Jesus points out that we should think of marriage in terms of a lifelong commitment. Learn some Biblical reasons for divorce and remarriage and how when we make wrong decisions, God's grace still forgives us. Realize that personal righteousness is a heart matter, not a matter of rule-keeping.
Sunday, May 04, 2014
Passage: Matthew 5:33-39
Series: Matthew (2013)
Duration: 50 mins 21 secs
What's your knee-jerk reaction when you think of someone slapping you on the cheek? Listen to this lesson to see what Jesus meant when He told His disciples to "turn the other cheek". Understand the law of retribution and the figures of speech Jesus uses in this passage. See how you should not use God's name or something in nature to convince others that you are telling the truth. Learn the importance of grace orientation when dealing with evil people just as Christ "turned the other cheek" when He died on the cross for sinners.
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Passage: Matthew 5:38-42
Series: Matthew (2013)
Duration: 40 mins 58 secs
Okay, so you socked someone and knocked out their tooth. Should your punishment be to have one of your teeth knocked out? Listen to this lesson to learn what the Bible means when it says "an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth." Investigate the meaning of some common idioms and figures of speech. Understand the concept of retribution. See how we are to act when someone is mistreating us personally. Be ready to respond joyfully and treat others in grace and generosity just as God treats us in grace.
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Passage: Matthew 5:43-48
Series: Matthew (2013)
Duration: 1 hr 9 mins 16 secs
If we only love those who love us, then how are we Christians any different from others? Listen to this lesson to learn what Jesus taught His disciples about the importance of love in the Sermon on the Mount. Inquire about two types of love in the Bible and see that loving our neighbor includes our enemies and those who treat us cruelly. Examine the positive and beneficial actions we can take to show our love for others. Understand that it is impossible to love others this way by our own efforts. Accept that this love comes as a by-product of a life spent walking by means of the Holy Spirit and learning and applying God's Word.
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Passage: Matthew 6:1-8 & Matthew 6:16-18
Series: Matthew (2013)
Duration: 56 mins 32 secs
"Hey! Look at me! Blow on that trumpet! Tell everyone I just dropped a lot in the offering plate." Listen to this lesson to learn how Jesus told His disciples to give, not just the act but the motivation behind the act. Notice what He promises about rewards. Understand how praying should be offered in private, never to show off what great prayer warriors we are. Find out the meaning and value of fasting. Affirm that God looks at the heart of each of us and that it's not what we do but why we do it that counts.
Sunday, June 01, 2014
Passage: Matthew 6:9
Series: Matthew (2013)
Duration: 47 mins 49 secs
"Our Father in Heaven, halloed be Your Name." How many times have we uttered those words in unison with others without really knowing what they mean? Listen to this lesson to learn what Jesus taught His disciples about prayer. Learn the many different titles that have been given to this prayer and about its three distinct sections. See the connection between trespasses and debts. Find out what application, if any, the prayer has for us today.
Sunday, June 08, 2014
Passage: Matthew 6:9-13
Series: Matthew (2013)
Duration: 43 mins 8 secs
Are we living in the kingdom of God now or are we still looking forward to it? Listen to this lesson to learn how the Bible describes the 1,000 year literal reign of Christ on this earth at His triumphal second coming. According to Scripture see that when the kingdom is here we will see God's will being done on earth as it is in heaven. Understand that God's name will be hallowed by all people in the future kingdom. Conclude that believers today are to ask God to meet their daily needs and understand the very real danger of Satan enticing us to sin.
