Introduction

Following the pronouncement of the principles of the kingdom in chapters 5-7, Matthew now presents the authenticating evidence of Jesus’ prophetic credentials as the Messiah King!

Lessons from this text:

1. Always come to the Lord with humility and with an acknowledgment that the eternal will of God always trumps our personal preferences: Our prayer must always be, “If you are willing …”
2. Make your need known to God and others: James 5:13-16
3. Have a thankful heart!

Ps 103:2-3 “Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits -- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases …”

May God bless you through this message!

You can support this ministry: Donate

The Epic Life https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life

Introduction

Following the pronouncement of the principles of the kingdom in chapters 5-7, Matthew now presents the authenticating evidence of Jesus’ prophetic credentials as the Messiah King!

Lessons from this text:

1. Always come to the Lord with humility and with an acknowledgment that the eternal will of God always trumps our personal preferences: Our prayer must always be, “If you are willing …”
2. Make your need known to God and others: James 5:13-16
3. Have a thankful heart!

Ps 103:2-3 “Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits -- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases …”

May God bless you through this message!

You can support this ministry: Donate

The Epic Life https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life

Introduction

Jesus is wrapping up the Sermon on the Mount, which is a proclamation of the law of His Kingdom, with three pairs of contrasts, all meant to sway us to a life of obedience to our sovereign Lord and King:

1. Two gates: One narrow leading to life – the other wide leading to destruction.
2. Two trees: One good bearing good fruit – the other bad and being cut down.
3. Two foundations: One on the rock surviving a storm – the other built on sand and being destroyed by the same storm.

In the midst of these destiny-shaping choices, Jesus reminds us in Matthew 7:1-6 to not be condemning in our judgment of others, but to biblically assess (adjudicate) our own life as well as those who profess to be followers of Jesus Christ!

May God bless you through this message!

You can support this ministry: Donate

The Epic Life https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life

Introduction

Jesus is wrapping up the Sermon on the Mount, which is a proclamation of the law of His Kingdom, with three pairs of contrasts, all meant to sway us to a life of obedience to our sovereign Lord and King:

1. Two gates: One narrow leading to life – the other wide leading to destruction.
2. Two trees: One good bearing good fruit – the other bad and being cut down.
3. Two foundations: One on the rock surviving a storm – the other built on sand and being destroyed by the same storm.

In the midst of these destiny-shaping choices, Jesus reminds us in Matthew 7:1-6 to not be condemning in our judgment of others, but to biblically assess (adjudicate) our own life as well as those who profess to be followers of Jesus Christ!

May God bless you through this message!

You can support this ministry: Donate

The Epic Life https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life

Encouragement for Dads!

Duct tape is like the force--it has a light side and a dark side and it holds the universe together – everything from our car's dangling side-view mirror to making our slippers last just a little longer!

Key points:

• Stick to the main thing
• Hold it together
• Be strong yet flexible
• Avoid exposure to damaging elements
• Remember: You're not the permanent solution

May God bless you through this message!

You can support this ministry: Donate

The Epic Life https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life

Introduction

As we continue our study of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reveals the standards, morals, ethics, attitudes and conduct characterized by the citizenry of God’s kingdom and the importance of having “20/20 Spiritual Vision”!

I The Problem with Judging

1. Do not judge or you too will be judged: [Verse 1-2]

Judge = Krino = “To separate or make a distinction between things”

Positive: “To distinguish or adjudicate”

Negative: “To critically condemn, punish, damn”

The first is judicial and sanctioned -- the second is judgmental and condemned!

Most the people who quote this verse don't understand what Jesus said. They seem to think Jesus commanded a universal acceptance of any lifestyle or teaching.

The judgmental critic is a fault-finder who is negative and destructive towards other people and enjoys actively seeking out their failings. He puts the worst possible construction on their motives, pours cold water on their schemes and is ungenerous towards their mistakes.In our day, the word "judge" has a negative connotation. But it's certainly not wrong to "discern" the distinctions between one thing and another. In a very basic sense, we "discriminate" between things every day.

May God bless you through this message!

You can support this ministry: Donate

The Epic Life https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life

Introduction

As we continue our study of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reveals the standards, morals, ethics, attitudes and conduct characterized by the citizenry of God’s kingdom and the importance of having “20/20 Spiritual Vision”!

I The Problem with Judging

1. Do not judge or you too will be judged: [Verse 1-2]

Judge = Krino = “To separate or make a distinction between things”

Positive: “To distinguish or adjudicate”

Negative: “To critically condemn, punish, damn”

The first is judicial and sanctioned -- the second is judgmental and condemned!

Most the people who quote this verse don't understand what Jesus said. They seem to think Jesus commanded a universal acceptance of any lifestyle or teaching.

The judgmental critic is a fault-finder who is negative and destructive towards other people and enjoys actively seeking out their failings. He puts the worst possible construction on their motives, pours cold water on their schemes and is ungenerous towards their mistakes.In our day, the word "judge" has a negative connotation. But it's certainly not wrong to "discern" the distinctions between one thing and another. In a very basic sense, we "discriminate" between things every day.

May God bless you through this message!

You can support this ministry: Donate

The Epic Life https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life

Is there really such a thing as “Wealth Without Risk”? Absolutely!! But it’s not going to be found in the midst of man’s shifting principles as he clings desperately to his stuff on a doomed world.

Rather, it can only ultimately be experienced by those who believe God’s Word, become a child of God and live their lives for God’s eternal kingdom!

Beginning of sermon outline:

I Kingdom Investing Wisdom

1. Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth: [Verse 19]

Store up = Thesaurizo = “To amass or lay up”

Treasures = Thesauros = “Wealth”

Literal translation = “To treasure up treasure”

1. Where moth and rust destroy
2. Where thieves break in and steal

It may help to understand what Jesus was not forbidding:

1. He was not forbidding the ownership of material goods
2. He was not forbidding good financial planning and saving
3. Joseph was wise for storing up grain in Egypt - Gen 41:33-38
4. The sluggard is instructed to study the ant, which prepares for the future – Prov 6:6ff
5. The virtuous woman is commended for preparing for the future – Prov 31:21, 25
6. He was not forbidding the enjoyment of earthly goods

What was Jesus forbidding?

1. The selfish accumulation of goods
2. Extravagant and luxurious living
3. Heartless and selfish neglect of those in need
4. Materialism, which ties our hearts to this world

May God bless you through this message!

You can support this ministry: Donate

The Epic Life https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life