
Hosted by Chad Dietz · EN

Sermon On The Mount Series Matthew 5:33-37 Jesus teaches against making oaths, especially potentially life-or-death scenarios! What's the context? Marriage! There is no biblical command to take an oath 'to death', but some men kill their wife, and wrongly use the Bible to do so! Great opportunity to look at the Jephthah Story (Judges 11). Jephthah made a rash vow to God: Sacrifice the first thing that comes out of his house if victorious in battle - but then his only daughter emerged, creating a real cunnundrum! Do you believe Jephthah actually killed his daughter? Does God approve of you vowing to kill your daughter? Of course not! Instead of making stupid oaths, let your "yes" be yes and "no" be no.

Sermon On The Mount Series Matthew 5:31-32 Divorce Shaming. Traditional church teachings shame divorced individuals, especially women. God made laws allowing for divorce, therefore divorce is not inherently sinful but abusing the law is. God's intention in allowing divorce was to set people free from bondage to abusive relationships. SELAH. It doesn't take much study to see discrepancies between Greek text and English translations. Especially when labeling male/ female roles in the context. We've already learned that sexual immorality (pornea) is about heart condition and idolatry, not just physical acts. And we know that marriage is a sacred representation of our relationship with God. You can't claim to love your spouse if you also love pornography. You can't claim to love your spouse if you demean and abuse them. SELAH!

Sermon On The Mount Series Matthew 5:27 - Lust and Spiritual Adultery Jesus defines adultery beyond physical act to include mental/spiritual intentions. The Devil's strategy is convincing people they know better than God. Temptation often starts with dissatisfaction and the belief "I deserve more" Cell phones make temptation easier, but there's no such thing as a 'private browser'- God sees everything! Laziness and wandering eyes are seemingly small failures but can lead to catastrophe for you and your family. True satisfaction comes from loving God and maintaining spiritual integrity, not from worldly desires or temporary gratification.

Sermon On The Mount Series Matthew 5:25-26 Agree with your adversary quickly while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny." Your main adversary is "the law", not the devil. We make ourselves enemies of God by breaking divine law. Some people mistakenly believe they have unlimited time for reconciliation, but judgment is imminent! The word "quickly" means, immediately, without delay, speedily! Make a full commitment to Christ before it's too late!

Sermon On The Mount Series Matthew 5:21 - "Murder in Your Heart". Jesus teaches that murder begins in the heart, with emotions like anger, bitterness, and a desire for vengeance. if you long to see the demise of another instead of their salvation, then you have murder in your heart. Jesus uses the law to reveal the thoughts and intentions of the heart and serve as a "tutor" to bring people to repentance and spiritual development in both believers and non-believers. God judges the heart's condition, not just external actions, and a heart sensitive to God will be sensitive to the roots of potential sin.

Sermon On The Mount Series Matthew 5:20 - "Unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." The biggest mistake people make is comparing themselves to others as a standard of goodness. Religious observance does not equate to true righteousness, and sometimes fosters pride and self-righteousness. True righteousness requires humility. Righteousness is not earned, but received through humble acknowledgment of one's need for God's grace.

Sermon On The Mount Series Matthew 5:17-18: "Do not think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill." Romans 10:4: "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." The term "end" or "fulfillment" of the law does not mean abolishment, but culmination. The Greek word "teleo" is central to understanding this concept. "Teleo" means reaching the limit, the apex, or completing something. Jesus' statement from the cross "It is finished" (using the word teleo) signifies the beginning of the New Covenant. Christ fulfills the law, not by destroying it, but by completing its purpose, but only specifically "for everyone who believes". This sermon provides theological clarity on Christ's relationship to the law, emphasizing fulfillment rather than abolishment.

Sermon On The Mount Series Matthew 5:14-16 - "You are the light of the world" Wait what? Me? Kinda...Christians are called to REFLECT Christ's light in the world through their actions and character. Being a "light" isn't just about proclamation, but about living out Christ's teachings authentically, even when no one is looking. We can expose darkness through our example of genuine Christ-like behavior. We need to avoid the hypocrisy of being religious. True spiritual illumination comes through love, humility, and authentic living.

Sermon On The Mount Series Matthew 5:13 "You Are The Salt Of The Earth". Christians are called to be "salt of the earth" - Just because you're salt doesn't mean you can't become quite useless. Salt can lose its effectiveness if you don't engage with the world outside your "Christian compound". The people who need Christ are the ones on the outside. Salt does not change anything until it comes in contact with it. Christians have a significant spiritual influence, even when they might not feel like it. The Spirit within believers is "greater than the spirit of the world," and God often does His work through people who approach the world with meekness and humility.

Sermon On The Mount Series Matthew 5:11-12 "Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted For His Name's Sake" This usually occurs in personal settings like workplace or family, sometimes from those who also name Christ. Surprisingly, it often happens for believing in Christ's teachings of non-violence and loving enemies. Forgiveness is crucial, but it doesn't mean continuing to enable abuse, but we must return reviling for reviling. You have permission from God to leave abusive situations in order to protect yourself and family while maintaining a Christ-like attitude. Remain faithful to Christ's teachings, even when facing personal persecution, and trust God's process of redemption and justice.