Luke’s rendition of the Sermon (on the plain rather than mountain) is stunningly simple. The life of the Kingdom is simple and powerful. Yet… we do not live them out. It begs the question: WHY DO WE NOT TAKE THESE WORDS SERIOUSLY? Go to Luke 6:27-20.
Tag Archives: Sermon on the Mount
The need of the hour
The need of the hour is the reality of the Kingdom of God. We need disciples who are bathed in the power of the Kingdom who then live out that power. They are ones taught by Jesus and the world can see it in their character, their words, and their actions. Live in resurrection power.Continue reading “The need of the hour”
The deep need of American Christianity
I grew up Pentecostal. I grew up learning a history of “revivals” and revival movements in North America. What is needed in the white American church today isn’t “revival.” It’s never been “revival.” The need is discipleship. It is to know what it’s like to live out the Sermon on the Mount as we liveContinue reading “The deep need of American Christianity”
Our great calling
Matthew 5:14–16 (NIV): 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, letContinue reading “Our great calling”
Learn the great lesson of the Beatitudes
The fullness of the matter in my study of the Beatitudes is this: I am to ask, “Where is Jesus blessing?” GO THERE. Touch what the Kingdom of God is touching.Bless what the Kingdom of God is blessing. No one is beyond Kingdom blessing.
It’s me, O Lord, standing in the need of prayer
I need the Daily Office. I need the daily confession. I need the daily reminder of the creed. In this time, it is even more vital. The Sermon on the Mountain is calling out to me again. I am writing with more purpose, deciding to write out my thoughts on the Sermon with as muchContinue reading “It’s me, O Lord, standing in the need of prayer”
The conviction of the Beatitudes
I am beginning a slow work all over again in the Sermon on the Mount because I was challenged recently by something I wrote over 8 years ago. It is time to enter into this bigger challenge, even though I would rather be lazy and just let the feeling pass by.
So… how AM I doing?
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you dressed like sheep, but inside they are vicious wolves. You will know them by their fruit. Do people get bunches of grapes from thorny weeds, or do they get figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, and every rotten treeContinue reading “So… how AM I doing?”
The Pharisee in me
“For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisee, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:20) For us, as self-righteous white conservative evangelicals in America, we can all too often quickly declare, “Done. And done. I’m not a Pharisee!”
The power of the Sermon on the Mount
Since reading Dallas Willard’s book, The Divine Conspiracy, about 20 years ago, the Sermon on the Mount has been more influential in my living and study and mindset than any other portion of Scripture, with the possible exception of Ephesians. Can you tell I get something out of it? This is the fascination and wonderContinue reading “The power of the Sermon on the Mount”
Apprentice 2 Jesus 