1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:05,600 Speaker 1: Let us pray. But I say unto you, love your enemies, 2 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:09,920 Speaker 1: Bless them that curse you, do good to them that 3 00:00:10,039 --> 00:00:13,840 Speaker 1: hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you 4 00:00:14,320 --> 00:00:20,560 Speaker 1: and persecute you. Matthew five forty four. Dear Lord, as 5 00:00:20,600 --> 00:00:24,279 Speaker 1: I listen to the truths in to day's reading, I 6 00:00:24,400 --> 00:00:27,440 Speaker 1: thank you for giving me the beatitudes of how I 7 00:00:27,440 --> 00:00:30,280 Speaker 1: am supposed to be in order to live a life 8 00:00:30,320 --> 00:00:35,360 Speaker 1: full of abundance and freedom. As I begin to honor 9 00:00:35,400 --> 00:00:38,800 Speaker 1: the way that I am called to live, I thank 10 00:00:38,880 --> 00:00:41,199 Speaker 1: you that as I pray to you, I do not 11 00:00:41,360 --> 00:00:43,280 Speaker 1: have to worry about where I am going to eat 12 00:00:43,720 --> 00:00:46,559 Speaker 1: or where I am going to sleep, because when I 13 00:00:46,640 --> 00:00:50,280 Speaker 1: live in divine obedience to You and your word, you 14 00:00:50,400 --> 00:00:57,800 Speaker 1: continually provide all that I need. Therefore, I declare that 15 00:00:57,960 --> 00:01:01,480 Speaker 1: worry and fear will no longer be a part of 16 00:01:01,520 --> 00:01:05,240 Speaker 1: my story, for I know that, like a good parent, 17 00:01:06,040 --> 00:01:09,839 Speaker 1: you too desire to feed and provide for every need 18 00:01:10,000 --> 00:01:16,600 Speaker 1: I have. In addition, I acknowledge that my greatest command 19 00:01:17,560 --> 00:01:22,080 Speaker 1: is to love you and to love my neighbors as myself. 20 00:01:23,560 --> 00:01:28,400 Speaker 1: With these truths fasten tight around my heart, I will 21 00:01:28,440 --> 00:01:32,800 Speaker 1: live at a higher level. I will serve with greater humility, 22 00:01:34,040 --> 00:01:37,440 Speaker 1: and I will lead with my way of being so 23 00:01:37,600 --> 00:01:45,560 Speaker 1: others may see life and follow you Lord in Jesus name. Amen, 24 00:01:48,000 --> 00:01:51,320 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with us today. Continue your time 25 00:01:51,360 --> 00:01:55,200 Speaker 1: with God by listening to today's Bible story brought to 26 00:01:55,240 --> 00:01:58,120 Speaker 1: you by Bible in a Year dot com. 27 00:01:58,680 --> 00:02:00,560 Speaker 2: It's time to take back for free. Read Him over 28 00:02:00,560 --> 00:02:04,960 Speaker 2: your healthcare this open enrollment. Learn more about how Christian 29 00:02:05,040 --> 00:02:09,919 Speaker 2: Healthcare Ministries, a faith based alternative to health insurance, empowers 30 00:02:09,960 --> 00:02:14,760 Speaker 2: you with choice as you make medical decisions. Discover flexibility 31 00:02:14,800 --> 00:02:18,000 Speaker 2: to pick your providers with programs as low as ninety 32 00:02:18,080 --> 00:02:21,920 Speaker 2: two dollars per month plus. When you prep ahead, you 33 00:02:22,000 --> 00:02:24,920 Speaker 2: can have the peace of mind as you're surrounded in 34 00:02:25,040 --> 00:02:29,680 Speaker 2: spiritual support. So what are you waiting for? Start saving today? 35 00:02:30,160 --> 00:02:35,440 Speaker 2: Enroll at Chministries dot org slash. 36 00:02:35,120 --> 00:02:46,640 Speaker 3: Pray Sermon on the Mount. 37 00:02:47,520 --> 00:02:50,239 Speaker 4: In our last story, we saw Jesus through the eyes 38 00:02:50,280 --> 00:02:53,360 Speaker 4: of Peter. His mighty works of healing and acts of 39 00:02:53,360 --> 00:02:56,800 Speaker 4: compassion brought Peter to his knees. He truly saw that 40 00:02:56,919 --> 00:02:59,680 Speaker 4: Jesus was a man worth following, and he would soon 41 00:02:59,720 --> 00:03:04,000 Speaker 4: come to the understanding that Jesus was God himself. Now 42 00:03:04,040 --> 00:03:06,560 Speaker 4: we listen to the heart of Christ. Through the Sermon 43 00:03:06,680 --> 00:03:09,760 Speaker 4: on the Mound, Jesus declares what the Kingdom of Heaven 44 00:03:09,840 --> 00:03:13,360 Speaker 4: looks like when it is acted out on earth. People 45 00:03:13,520 --> 00:03:17,840 Speaker 4: are at his eloquence, wisdom, and authority inspired by the 46 00:03:17,840 --> 00:03:18,840 Speaker 4: Book of Matthew. 47 00:03:20,960 --> 00:03:24,000 Speaker 5: Hello, this is Pastor Jack Graham with today's episode of 48 00:03:24,040 --> 00:03:26,520 Speaker 5: the Bible in a year. We are so thankful for 49 00:03:26,600 --> 00:03:29,400 Speaker 5: each one of you. So many have joined this podcast 50 00:03:29,520 --> 00:03:32,520 Speaker 5: over the past nine or ten months. In fact, well 51 00:03:32,560 --> 00:03:35,880 Speaker 5: over twenty million people have joined us, and we're grateful 52 00:03:35,920 --> 00:03:39,560 Speaker 5: for each of you. In our previous episode, we heard 53 00:03:39,600 --> 00:03:42,760 Speaker 5: how Jesus called Peter and other disciples to become fishers 54 00:03:42,760 --> 00:03:45,760 Speaker 5: of men. We saw how when they obeyed him in faith, 55 00:03:45,800 --> 00:03:48,960 Speaker 5: he provided more abundantly than they could have ever imagined. 56 00:03:49,560 --> 00:03:53,000 Speaker 5: And we saw how jesus Healings ministry began to grow 57 00:03:53,080 --> 00:03:56,720 Speaker 5: and spread in the region. But in all this business, 58 00:03:56,840 --> 00:04:00,400 Speaker 5: Jesus never neglected to find time in solitude to seek 59 00:04:00,440 --> 00:04:05,640 Speaker 5: God's presence, the heavenly Father's strength. Today we'll hear from Jesus' 60 00:04:05,680 --> 00:04:09,680 Speaker 5: most well known sermon and his words concerning God's kingdom 61 00:04:09,680 --> 00:04:12,840 Speaker 5: and what that looks like when we live out kingdom 62 00:04:12,880 --> 00:04:16,560 Speaker 5: principles and priorities here on earth is called the Sermon 63 00:04:16,640 --> 00:04:19,279 Speaker 5: on the Mount, So let's hear the word of God. 64 00:04:21,200 --> 00:04:24,279 Speaker 4: Jesus scanned the crowds as they followed his every step. 65 00:04:24,800 --> 00:04:28,520 Speaker 4: His popularity was growing rapidly, and thousands of people followed 66 00:04:28,600 --> 00:04:32,719 Speaker 4: him into the valley outside Galilee. Their hearts were hungry 67 00:04:32,800 --> 00:04:35,840 Speaker 4: for truth. They were longing to know what the Kingdom 68 00:04:35,880 --> 00:04:39,359 Speaker 4: of God truly looked like. Jesus gathered them at the 69 00:04:39,360 --> 00:04:42,440 Speaker 4: bottom of a small hill. He climbed to the top 70 00:04:42,520 --> 00:04:45,960 Speaker 4: and sat. The wind carried his voice for all to hear, 71 00:04:46,240 --> 00:04:48,880 Speaker 4: and they listened to every word flowing from his mouth. 72 00:04:50,160 --> 00:04:53,760 Speaker 4: Blessed are those who are poor in spirit. The Kingdom 73 00:04:53,800 --> 00:04:57,280 Speaker 4: of Heaven belongs to them. Blessed are those who hurt, 74 00:04:57,520 --> 00:04:59,680 Speaker 4: for the time will come for them to be comforted. 75 00:05:00,440 --> 00:05:03,360 Speaker 4: Blessed are those with strength, but use it for good, 76 00:05:03,560 --> 00:05:06,920 Speaker 4: for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who 77 00:05:06,960 --> 00:05:11,280 Speaker 4: long for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are 78 00:05:11,279 --> 00:05:15,599 Speaker 4: the merciful, for they will receive mercy in return. Blessed 79 00:05:15,640 --> 00:05:18,240 Speaker 4: are those who are persecuted for doing what is right, 80 00:05:18,640 --> 00:05:23,000 Speaker 4: for the Kingdom of Heaven will reward them greatly. The 81 00:05:23,040 --> 00:05:27,599 Speaker 4: crowd was completely silent as they listened to Jesus. You 82 00:05:27,720 --> 00:05:30,719 Speaker 4: all are salt, But if the salt loses its flavor, 83 00:05:31,160 --> 00:05:34,279 Speaker 4: how shall it be used. You are also a light, 84 00:05:34,480 --> 00:05:37,400 Speaker 4: meant to guide in direct people to safety. And a 85 00:05:37,520 --> 00:05:40,560 Speaker 4: light is of no use hiding under a basket. Let 86 00:05:40,640 --> 00:05:44,279 Speaker 4: your light shine so they might glorify your father in heaven. 87 00:05:45,400 --> 00:05:48,800 Speaker 4: Jesus could see the crowds processing his words. What he 88 00:05:48,920 --> 00:05:52,719 Speaker 4: spoke were old truths, but it seemed new to them. 89 00:05:53,000 --> 00:05:55,960 Speaker 4: Jesus smiled and held up his finger. Do not think 90 00:05:56,040 --> 00:05:58,560 Speaker 4: that I came to abolish the laws or the prophets 91 00:05:58,600 --> 00:06:01,400 Speaker 4: you have learned since your youth. I have not come 92 00:06:01,440 --> 00:06:04,680 Speaker 4: to destroy the law, but bring it to fulfillment. For 93 00:06:04,800 --> 00:06:07,719 Speaker 4: you have heard it said, do not murder. But I 94 00:06:07,839 --> 00:06:11,080 Speaker 4: tell you whoever harbors hatred in his heart or insults 95 00:06:11,160 --> 00:06:14,720 Speaker 4: his brother as judged the same. You have heard it said, 96 00:06:14,880 --> 00:06:17,600 Speaker 4: do not commit adultery. But I have come to tell 97 00:06:17,680 --> 00:06:20,560 Speaker 4: you that whoever lusts after a woman in his mind, 98 00:06:20,760 --> 00:06:23,920 Speaker 4: or treats a woman as an object, is committing adultery 99 00:06:24,080 --> 00:06:27,520 Speaker 4: in his heart. The crowd began to stir a bit 100 00:06:28,200 --> 00:06:31,640 Speaker 4: what Jesus was saying. Was revolutionary and changed the way 101 00:06:31,680 --> 00:06:36,200 Speaker 4: they saw themselves. Then Jesus said something that would change everything. 102 00:06:36,880 --> 00:06:37,960 Speaker 3: You have heard people. 103 00:06:37,760 --> 00:06:41,279 Speaker 4: Say an eye for an eye, But if anyone slaps 104 00:06:41,279 --> 00:06:43,799 Speaker 4: you on the cheek, you ought to turn the other cheek. 105 00:06:44,520 --> 00:06:49,240 Speaker 4: Do not return evil for evil. Love your enemies, Bless 106 00:06:49,279 --> 00:06:52,200 Speaker 4: those who scorn you. Everyone is good at loving those 107 00:06:52,240 --> 00:06:55,159 Speaker 4: who love them in return. However, the mark of a 108 00:06:55,240 --> 00:06:57,960 Speaker 4: pure heart lies within someone who is able to love 109 00:06:58,040 --> 00:07:02,480 Speaker 4: the unlovable. Jesus looked at the crowd. He could see 110 00:07:02,520 --> 00:07:04,800 Speaker 4: a group of Pharisees glaring at him in the corner 111 00:07:04,839 --> 00:07:09,159 Speaker 4: of his eye. Jesus's tone was gentle, yet firm. He 112 00:07:09,240 --> 00:07:12,480 Speaker 4: spoke clearly saying, there is a trap that many people 113 00:07:12,520 --> 00:07:15,800 Speaker 4: fall into. They desire to only do good when people 114 00:07:15,880 --> 00:07:19,200 Speaker 4: are watching for them. Their reward is in the validation 115 00:07:19,280 --> 00:07:20,000 Speaker 4: of others. 116 00:07:20,240 --> 00:07:21,040 Speaker 3: Beware of this. 117 00:07:21,680 --> 00:07:24,120 Speaker 4: When you give to the needy, do not sound a 118 00:07:24,200 --> 00:07:27,480 Speaker 4: trumpet like some do in the synagogues. Give in secret, 119 00:07:27,720 --> 00:07:31,640 Speaker 4: for your heavenly Father sees you. When you pray. Do 120 00:07:31,760 --> 00:07:34,720 Speaker 4: not add spectacle or poetry to come off as righteous 121 00:07:34,720 --> 00:07:37,960 Speaker 4: to others. Some love to stand on the street corners 122 00:07:38,000 --> 00:07:41,320 Speaker 4: and proclaim their devotion to God. When you pray, do 123 00:07:41,480 --> 00:07:45,400 Speaker 4: so just between you and the Lord. Some of Jesus's 124 00:07:45,440 --> 00:07:48,960 Speaker 4: disciples interrupted him and asked, then, teach us how to pray. 125 00:07:49,880 --> 00:07:53,600 Speaker 4: Jesus answered and said, our Father, holy is your name. 126 00:07:54,320 --> 00:07:57,800 Speaker 4: May your kingdom come and your will be done here 127 00:07:57,840 --> 00:08:02,080 Speaker 4: as it is in your perfect will. Provide our daily needs, 128 00:08:02,120 --> 00:08:04,920 Speaker 4: and forgive us of all our sins. And may we 129 00:08:05,040 --> 00:08:08,640 Speaker 4: also forgive those who have trespassed against us, Lead us 130 00:08:08,680 --> 00:08:13,440 Speaker 4: away from temptation, and deliver us from evil. The prayer 131 00:08:13,560 --> 00:08:17,040 Speaker 4: was simple yet profound, and it spoke of the relationship 132 00:08:17,080 --> 00:08:20,560 Speaker 4: man ought to have with God. Do not be anxious 133 00:08:20,600 --> 00:08:23,760 Speaker 4: for anything, Jesus said. Look at the birds of the air. 134 00:08:24,120 --> 00:08:26,920 Speaker 4: They do not toil and worry, yet their heavenly father 135 00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:30,680 Speaker 4: feeds them. You are more important than they, so trust 136 00:08:30,720 --> 00:08:34,160 Speaker 4: that the Lord will provide. No one ever added one 137 00:08:34,200 --> 00:08:37,640 Speaker 4: moment to their life by worrying. Do not be anxious 138 00:08:37,640 --> 00:08:39,960 Speaker 4: about tomorrow. It has its own troubles. 139 00:08:40,520 --> 00:08:44,000 Speaker 3: Live to day. Jesus could see that some of. 140 00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:46,640 Speaker 4: The people were beginning to look to one another. The 141 00:08:46,720 --> 00:08:48,880 Speaker 4: nature of humans is to look at the flaws in 142 00:08:48,960 --> 00:08:52,920 Speaker 4: one another instead of inward. Jesus knew this and gave 143 00:08:52,960 --> 00:08:56,360 Speaker 4: a stiff warning to all who were listening, be careful 144 00:08:56,440 --> 00:08:59,240 Speaker 4: not to judge others, for you yourself will be judged. 145 00:09:00,080 --> 00:09:02,840 Speaker 4: Why would you point out the small piece of sawdust 146 00:09:02,880 --> 00:09:05,720 Speaker 4: in someone else's eye when you have a large wooden 147 00:09:05,760 --> 00:09:09,120 Speaker 4: plank stuck in your own. There was a chuckle from 148 00:09:09,120 --> 00:09:13,800 Speaker 4: among the crowd. Jesus smiled. Be mindful to understand your 149 00:09:13,840 --> 00:09:17,200 Speaker 4: own flaws before mentioning the flaws of others. You will 150 00:09:17,240 --> 00:09:21,400 Speaker 4: serve them better if you do so. Jesus welled up 151 00:09:21,440 --> 00:09:24,720 Speaker 4: with love for the people. He saw them as God did. 152 00:09:25,240 --> 00:09:29,440 Speaker 4: Children in need of a loving parent ask great things 153 00:09:29,440 --> 00:09:33,680 Speaker 4: of God. Seek him and he will answer. How many 154 00:09:33,679 --> 00:09:36,959 Speaker 4: of you parents would deny your children bread and instead 155 00:09:37,040 --> 00:09:40,480 Speaker 4: give him a stone? If you, being sinful, would not 156 00:09:40,559 --> 00:09:43,840 Speaker 4: even do this, Even more so, God will give happily 157 00:09:43,880 --> 00:09:47,280 Speaker 4: to those who seek his favor. There was a pause, 158 00:09:47,320 --> 00:09:50,320 Speaker 4: and Jesus stood to his feet. The wind blew from 159 00:09:50,320 --> 00:09:53,360 Speaker 4: behind him, and his robe flowed in the wind. He 160 00:09:53,400 --> 00:09:56,280 Speaker 4: stepped down once and raised his voice. He did not 161 00:09:56,440 --> 00:10:00,120 Speaker 4: want anyone to miss his next words. Treat a the 162 00:10:00,720 --> 00:10:04,439 Speaker 4: way you wish to be treated. This is the true 163 00:10:04,480 --> 00:10:08,400 Speaker 4: heart behind the law of God. And understand this that 164 00:10:08,440 --> 00:10:11,680 Speaker 4: the gate to the Kingdom of God is narrow. The 165 00:10:11,800 --> 00:10:16,559 Speaker 4: easy path is wide and open. However, its ease is deceptive. 166 00:10:17,080 --> 00:10:19,720 Speaker 4: It is the way of death. The true path of 167 00:10:19,760 --> 00:10:25,000 Speaker 4: God is hard. It requires sacrifice, struggle, and humility. This 168 00:10:25,160 --> 00:10:29,200 Speaker 4: is why many will choose to avoid it. Ultimately, a 169 00:10:29,280 --> 00:10:32,360 Speaker 4: tree is judged by its fruit. Every healthy and good 170 00:10:32,400 --> 00:10:36,040 Speaker 4: tree bears fruit that people can enjoy. Every bad tree 171 00:10:36,080 --> 00:10:39,800 Speaker 4: produces thorns and poison. The same as with our hearts, 172 00:10:40,320 --> 00:10:43,880 Speaker 4: a good heart will produce good actions. Likewise, a bad 173 00:10:43,880 --> 00:10:48,640 Speaker 4: heart will produce corrupt actions. Make no mistake. Words are 174 00:10:48,720 --> 00:10:52,079 Speaker 4: not enough. Not everyone who declares to know the Lord 175 00:10:52,120 --> 00:10:55,880 Speaker 4: will enter into the Kingdom of heaven. Jesus began to 176 00:10:55,920 --> 00:10:58,680 Speaker 4: walk down the hill. When he looked upon a firm 177 00:10:58,800 --> 00:11:01,440 Speaker 4: stone on the ground. He picked it up and smiled. 178 00:11:02,080 --> 00:11:04,160 Speaker 4: He held the stone up in the air and said, 179 00:11:04,480 --> 00:11:07,200 Speaker 4: everyone who hears these words of mine and does them 180 00:11:07,320 --> 00:11:09,560 Speaker 4: is like a wise person who builds their house on 181 00:11:09,600 --> 00:11:12,880 Speaker 4: a firm rock. When the rain fell and the floods came, 182 00:11:13,000 --> 00:11:16,240 Speaker 4: their house was sturdy. Yet those who do not listen 183 00:11:16,360 --> 00:11:18,400 Speaker 4: and do not do these things are like people who 184 00:11:18,480 --> 00:11:22,080 Speaker 4: build their homes on sand. When troubles come, they will 185 00:11:22,080 --> 00:11:25,880 Speaker 4: be washed away. Jesus dropped the stone and walked away. 186 00:11:26,559 --> 00:11:29,880 Speaker 4: The crowd stood there, astonished that he held so much 187 00:11:29,880 --> 00:11:31,600 Speaker 4: authority in his words. 188 00:11:35,280 --> 00:11:38,320 Speaker 5: As we begin today's reading, a large crowd is gathered 189 00:11:38,360 --> 00:11:42,680 Speaker 5: outside of Galilee to hear Jesus speak. Jesus stood on 190 00:11:42,760 --> 00:11:45,240 Speaker 5: top of a mountain, a place where his voice could 191 00:11:45,320 --> 00:11:47,839 Speaker 5: reach far and wide, so that all in the crowd 192 00:11:47,840 --> 00:11:50,320 Speaker 5: could hear what he had to say, because what he 193 00:11:50,400 --> 00:11:54,120 Speaker 5: had to say was life changing. He began by telling 194 00:11:54,160 --> 00:11:57,679 Speaker 5: the people what it means to be blessed. These weren't 195 00:11:57,720 --> 00:12:01,400 Speaker 5: blessings as we understand them. It wasn't about good fortune 196 00:12:01,480 --> 00:12:05,400 Speaker 5: or wealth or health. It was something far greater, much deeper. 197 00:12:06,000 --> 00:12:09,760 Speaker 5: This was about the blessing of joy and of total satisfaction, 198 00:12:10,160 --> 00:12:12,400 Speaker 5: and to live in the fullness and the wholeness of 199 00:12:12,480 --> 00:12:16,439 Speaker 5: God's grace. Jesus then went on to describe the attitudes 200 00:12:16,480 --> 00:12:20,600 Speaker 5: that will lead to this fulfillment, the perfect satisfaction. These 201 00:12:20,640 --> 00:12:25,040 Speaker 5: were attitudes that we call the Bee attitudes, and these 202 00:12:25,120 --> 00:12:29,040 Speaker 5: attitudes are the attitudes that we should seek, not only 203 00:12:29,080 --> 00:12:33,880 Speaker 5: attitudes towards ourselves, but attitudes towards others. The be attitudes 204 00:12:34,000 --> 00:12:37,880 Speaker 5: Jesus describes here stand in stark contrast as to how 205 00:12:37,920 --> 00:12:41,959 Speaker 5: the world sees what is important. These were deep, deep 206 00:12:42,000 --> 00:12:46,760 Speaker 5: teachings and not easy ones to follow. He then reminded 207 00:12:46,800 --> 00:12:50,920 Speaker 5: the people of the purpose of these beatitudes that we 208 00:12:50,920 --> 00:12:53,320 Speaker 5: were called, all of us who follow Jesus, to be 209 00:12:53,480 --> 00:12:57,560 Speaker 5: salt and light, to be agents of preservation and illumination 210 00:12:57,760 --> 00:13:01,160 Speaker 5: in a dark and desperate world. We are still called 211 00:13:01,160 --> 00:13:03,720 Speaker 5: to do that today, to be salt and light in 212 00:13:03,800 --> 00:13:06,560 Speaker 5: our world, in our culture, to make a difference in 213 00:13:06,640 --> 00:13:09,400 Speaker 5: people's lives, to turn on the light of the Gospel, 214 00:13:09,640 --> 00:13:13,559 Speaker 5: and to be salt in the earth. Next, Jesus turned 215 00:13:13,559 --> 00:13:16,200 Speaker 5: his attention to his own purpose. He told them in 216 00:13:16,280 --> 00:13:19,360 Speaker 5: no uncertain terms, that he did not come to abolish 217 00:13:19,440 --> 00:13:22,000 Speaker 5: the law or the writings of the prophets, but to 218 00:13:22,080 --> 00:13:26,319 Speaker 5: bring them to fulfillment. This is very important. God had 219 00:13:26,360 --> 00:13:29,800 Speaker 5: outlined in the Ten Commandments the requirements for holy living, 220 00:13:30,160 --> 00:13:32,920 Speaker 5: a life set apart for God. This is the law 221 00:13:32,960 --> 00:13:35,760 Speaker 5: that he gave to Moses. This was the standard by 222 00:13:35,760 --> 00:13:38,720 Speaker 5: which people were expected to live, and principles that we 223 00:13:38,720 --> 00:13:43,400 Speaker 5: can live by even today. The Ten Commandments spoke of 224 00:13:43,480 --> 00:13:46,840 Speaker 5: murder and adultery, and divorce and swearing oaths and vengeance 225 00:13:46,880 --> 00:13:50,280 Speaker 5: and love and for each of these. Jesus began with 226 00:13:50,360 --> 00:13:53,200 Speaker 5: the basics of the law, but rather than lowering the 227 00:13:53,240 --> 00:13:57,160 Speaker 5: standards of the law, Jesus raised the standards. He was 228 00:13:57,200 --> 00:14:00,400 Speaker 5: showing them that the real perfect standard was not just 229 00:14:00,520 --> 00:14:05,160 Speaker 5: weighty and burdensome. It was impossible in our own power. 230 00:14:05,960 --> 00:14:09,160 Speaker 5: This is why we need a savior. Jesus came to 231 00:14:09,200 --> 00:14:12,559 Speaker 5: fulfill the law and the prophets for us, and when 232 00:14:12,600 --> 00:14:17,800 Speaker 5: we trust in him, his righteousness becomes our righteousness. He 233 00:14:17,920 --> 00:14:21,000 Speaker 5: was also teaching them and all of us something else. 234 00:14:22,200 --> 00:14:24,760 Speaker 5: The issue of sin and disobedience to God is an 235 00:14:24,800 --> 00:14:28,720 Speaker 5: issue of the heart. Without changed hearts, it is impossible 236 00:14:28,760 --> 00:14:32,080 Speaker 5: to live a righteous life. They didn't know this yet, 237 00:14:32,120 --> 00:14:35,160 Speaker 5: but the one speaking to them was their only hope 238 00:14:35,200 --> 00:14:38,560 Speaker 5: and our only hope. For a life changed, a heart 239 00:14:38,680 --> 00:14:41,360 Speaker 5: changed the only way that any of us could meet 240 00:14:41,400 --> 00:14:45,800 Speaker 5: the high and holy standard that God has established. Jesus 241 00:14:45,800 --> 00:14:49,680 Speaker 5: cautioned people against acting righteously for the sake of recognition 242 00:14:49,760 --> 00:14:53,440 Speaker 5: that is, self righteously, especially with regards to caring for 243 00:14:53,480 --> 00:14:56,080 Speaker 5: the poor. Again, he was pointing them to the heart 244 00:14:56,080 --> 00:14:59,760 Speaker 5: of the matter, their own hearts. The Lord then began 245 00:14:59,800 --> 00:15:03,320 Speaker 5: to teach the people about prayer starting with the posture 246 00:15:03,480 --> 00:15:06,240 Speaker 5: of prayer. Prayer is not to be a spectacle a 247 00:15:06,320 --> 00:15:09,600 Speaker 5: show for others to see. It is rather a personal 248 00:15:09,640 --> 00:15:14,680 Speaker 5: conversation with the God who created us. Jesus himself lived 249 00:15:14,720 --> 00:15:19,640 Speaker 5: by this example, often retreating in solitude to pray. When 250 00:15:19,680 --> 00:15:22,480 Speaker 5: asked how they were to pray, Jesus gave them a 251 00:15:22,520 --> 00:15:25,240 Speaker 5: pattern for praying, an outline, if you will, as to 252 00:15:25,280 --> 00:15:28,280 Speaker 5: how to pray. We know it as the Lord's Prayer, 253 00:15:28,360 --> 00:15:30,560 Speaker 5: and it is a beautiful model for how to speak 254 00:15:30,600 --> 00:15:33,400 Speaker 5: to our Father in heaven. It is a prayer that 255 00:15:33,880 --> 00:15:36,360 Speaker 5: has endured to this day, one that speaks to our 256 00:15:36,400 --> 00:15:40,239 Speaker 5: relationship with God, our submission to his will and dependence 257 00:15:40,320 --> 00:15:44,320 Speaker 5: upon His provision and forgiveness, and our need to forgive 258 00:15:44,400 --> 00:15:48,400 Speaker 5: others as God has forgiven us. As he continued to 259 00:15:48,400 --> 00:15:52,120 Speaker 5: teach the crowd, Jesus poured out wisdom from God's heart. 260 00:15:52,640 --> 00:15:56,320 Speaker 5: He called people to invest in God's kingdom, to be generous, 261 00:15:56,680 --> 00:15:59,720 Speaker 5: storing up treasures in the life to come, treasures that 262 00:15:59,760 --> 00:16:03,280 Speaker 5: will never decay or be destroyed. He called the crowds 263 00:16:03,320 --> 00:16:06,000 Speaker 5: to release their worries to God, trusting that he will 264 00:16:06,040 --> 00:16:09,600 Speaker 5: provide for their every need, and he urged them and 265 00:16:09,760 --> 00:16:13,840 Speaker 5: us to boldly ask God to provide, reminding us that 266 00:16:14,000 --> 00:16:17,520 Speaker 5: the Father in heaven is infinitely gracious and kind and 267 00:16:17,640 --> 00:16:22,720 Speaker 5: giving good gifts to all who ask. Finally, Jesus concluded 268 00:16:22,760 --> 00:16:27,000 Speaker 5: the message with an illustration. He said, in Matthew chapter 269 00:16:27,040 --> 00:16:31,200 Speaker 5: seven and verses thirteen and fourteen, enter through the narrow gate. 270 00:16:31,280 --> 00:16:33,160 Speaker 5: For why ite is the gate, and broad is the 271 00:16:33,240 --> 00:16:36,360 Speaker 5: road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 272 00:16:36,960 --> 00:16:39,760 Speaker 5: But small is the gate, and narrow the road that 273 00:16:39,880 --> 00:16:43,280 Speaker 5: leads to life, and only a few find it. So 274 00:16:43,440 --> 00:16:47,880 Speaker 5: with this is an illustration and a warning. He warns 275 00:16:47,960 --> 00:16:51,200 Speaker 5: us about those who would lead us astray, false prophets 276 00:16:51,200 --> 00:16:56,120 Speaker 5: and false religions, disguised disciples who claim to follow the 277 00:16:56,160 --> 00:17:00,720 Speaker 5: Lord but are way way lost. Jesus Us words would 278 00:17:00,760 --> 00:17:03,520 Speaker 5: stick to some that day. Those who heard and held 279 00:17:03,520 --> 00:17:06,520 Speaker 5: on to his teaching would build their foundation their lives 280 00:17:06,560 --> 00:17:09,439 Speaker 5: on a solid rock, and they would be prepared to 281 00:17:09,560 --> 00:17:12,719 Speaker 5: weather the storms of life. It is so important that 282 00:17:12,760 --> 00:17:16,119 Speaker 5: you build your life on the foundation of Jesus Christ. 283 00:17:17,160 --> 00:17:20,320 Speaker 5: As Jesus taught us, we must not build our lives 284 00:17:20,600 --> 00:17:24,400 Speaker 5: on the sifting sands of time that crumble, but upon 285 00:17:24,440 --> 00:17:28,159 Speaker 5: the solid rock who is Christ himself. At the center 286 00:17:28,200 --> 00:17:31,600 Speaker 5: of Jesus' famous sermon is the theme of true righteousness 287 00:17:32,000 --> 00:17:34,600 Speaker 5: and the truth that righteousness is not a result of 288 00:17:34,640 --> 00:17:39,160 Speaker 5: our action, but a condition of our hearts. And ultimately, Jesus' 289 00:17:39,200 --> 00:17:42,160 Speaker 5: words would remind us that our hope, our only hope 290 00:17:42,400 --> 00:17:47,440 Speaker 5: for righteousness, is him Christ himself. He is the ultimate 291 00:17:47,480 --> 00:17:50,600 Speaker 5: good gift of the Heavenly Father, who knows our needs 292 00:17:50,640 --> 00:17:53,439 Speaker 5: and provides for them in every way so that we 293 00:17:53,480 --> 00:17:57,840 Speaker 5: could accomplish His purpose and will for our lives. Let's 294 00:17:57,880 --> 00:18:01,479 Speaker 5: pray thank you, Dear God God, for this powerful sermon 295 00:18:02,720 --> 00:18:05,320 Speaker 5: from the very lips of Jesus, and how it points 296 00:18:05,440 --> 00:18:08,679 Speaker 5: us to our great need of you. You've told us 297 00:18:08,680 --> 00:18:11,199 Speaker 5: to be perfect, even as the Heavenly Father is perfect, 298 00:18:11,280 --> 00:18:13,680 Speaker 5: and we know we are not perfect, but you are. 299 00:18:14,359 --> 00:18:17,040 Speaker 5: So we thank you for your perfect sacrifice for us 300 00:18:17,080 --> 00:18:20,240 Speaker 5: on the Cross, for your resurrection, that we might have 301 00:18:20,320 --> 00:18:23,560 Speaker 5: forgiveness of our sin and be given your righteousness, that 302 00:18:23,640 --> 00:18:26,880 Speaker 5: we may live in the eternal hope of Heaven. Help 303 00:18:26,920 --> 00:18:29,879 Speaker 5: us to live putting you first in all things, to 304 00:18:29,960 --> 00:18:33,359 Speaker 5: seek first the Kingdom of God and your righteousness, Lord, 305 00:18:33,600 --> 00:18:36,280 Speaker 5: knowing that you will bless us with everything we need 306 00:18:36,640 --> 00:18:41,920 Speaker 5: in life and in the life to come. Amen. Thank 307 00:18:41,960 --> 00:18:44,840 Speaker 5: you for listening to Today's Bible in a year. I'm 308 00:18:44,880 --> 00:18:48,359 Speaker 5: Pastor Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. You can download the 309 00:18:48,400 --> 00:18:51,320 Speaker 5: pray dot Com app and make Bible study in prayer 310 00:18:51,640 --> 00:18:55,840 Speaker 5: the priority of your life. And if you appreciate this podcast, 311 00:18:56,080 --> 00:18:59,000 Speaker 5: please share it with someone else. I also want to 312 00:18:59,119 --> 00:19:02,160 Speaker 5: encourage you to go to Jack Graham dot org. That's 313 00:19:02,600 --> 00:19:06,639 Speaker 5: Jack Graham dot org for we have resources that are 314 00:19:06,640 --> 00:19:09,119 Speaker 5: free and available for you so that you may know 315 00:19:09,280 --> 00:19:12,320 Speaker 5: Christ and grow in him. God bless you.