1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:05,600 Speaker 1: Let us pray. But I say unto you, love your enemies, 2 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:09,880 Speaker 1: Bless them that curse you, do good to them that 3 00:00:10,000 --> 00:00:13,840 Speaker 1: hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you 4 00:00:14,280 --> 00:00:20,560 Speaker 1: and persecute you. Matthew five forty four. Dear Lord, as 5 00:00:20,600 --> 00:00:24,639 Speaker 1: I listen to the truths in today's reading, I thank 6 00:00:24,680 --> 00:00:27,520 Speaker 1: you for giving me the beatitudes of how I am 7 00:00:27,560 --> 00:00:30,560 Speaker 1: supposed to be in order to live a life full 8 00:00:30,720 --> 00:00:35,440 Speaker 1: of abundance and freedom. As I begin to honor the 9 00:00:35,479 --> 00:00:38,960 Speaker 1: way that I am called to live, I thank you 10 00:00:39,080 --> 00:00:41,440 Speaker 1: that as I pray to you, I do not have 11 00:00:41,560 --> 00:00:43,760 Speaker 1: to worry about where I am going to eat or 12 00:00:43,800 --> 00:00:46,800 Speaker 1: where I am going to sleep, because when I live 13 00:00:46,880 --> 00:00:51,080 Speaker 1: in divine obedience to You and your word, you continually 14 00:00:51,159 --> 00:00:58,320 Speaker 1: provide all that I need. Therefore, I declare that worry 15 00:00:58,680 --> 00:01:02,080 Speaker 1: and fear will no longer be a part of my story, 16 00:01:03,120 --> 00:01:06,480 Speaker 1: for I know that, like a good parent, you too 17 00:01:06,600 --> 00:01:10,320 Speaker 1: desire to feed and provide for every need I have. 18 00:01:12,680 --> 00:01:17,760 Speaker 1: In addition, I acknowledge that my greatest command is to 19 00:01:17,840 --> 00:01:23,640 Speaker 1: love you and to love my neighbors as myself. With 20 00:01:23,760 --> 00:01:28,640 Speaker 1: these truths fasten tight around my heart, I will live 21 00:01:28,720 --> 00:01:32,800 Speaker 1: at a higher level. I will serve with greater humility, 22 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:37,440 Speaker 1: and I will lead with my way of being so 23 00:01:37,600 --> 00:01:45,520 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 --> 00:01:55,160 Speaker 1: with God by listening to today's Bible story brought to 26 00:01:55,240 --> 00:01:57,360 Speaker 1: you by Bible in a Year dot. 27 00:01:57,160 --> 00:02:08,520 Speaker 2: Com Sermon on the Mount. 28 00:02:09,440 --> 00:02:12,120 Speaker 3: In our last story, we saw Jesus through the eyes 29 00:02:12,160 --> 00:02:15,240 Speaker 3: of Peter. His mighty works of healing and acts of 30 00:02:15,240 --> 00:02:18,680 Speaker 3: compassion brought Peter to his knees. He truly saw that 31 00:02:18,800 --> 00:02:21,560 Speaker 3: Jesus was a man worth following, and he would soon 32 00:02:21,639 --> 00:02:25,880 Speaker 3: come to the understanding that Jesus was God himself. Now 33 00:02:25,919 --> 00:02:28,440 Speaker 3: we listen to the heart of Christ through the Sermon 34 00:02:28,560 --> 00:02:31,680 Speaker 3: on the Mound. Jesus declares what the Kingdom of Heaven 35 00:02:31,760 --> 00:02:35,240 Speaker 3: looks like when it is acted out on earth. People 36 00:02:35,400 --> 00:02:39,720 Speaker 3: aw at his eloquence, wisdom, and authority. Inspired by the 37 00:02:39,720 --> 00:02:40,720 Speaker 3: Book of Matthew. 38 00:02:42,840 --> 00:02:45,880 Speaker 4: Hello, this is Pastor Jack Graham with today's episode of 39 00:02:45,919 --> 00:02:48,400 Speaker 4: the Bible in a Year. We are so thankful for 40 00:02:48,480 --> 00:02:51,280 Speaker 4: each one of you. So many have joined this podcast 41 00:02:51,360 --> 00:02:54,360 Speaker 4: over the past nine or ten months. In fact, well 42 00:02:54,440 --> 00:02:57,760 Speaker 4: over twenty million people have joined us, and we're grateful 43 00:02:57,800 --> 00:03:01,440 Speaker 4: for each of you. In our previous episode, we heard 44 00:03:01,440 --> 00:03:04,600 Speaker 4: how Jesus called Peter and other disciples to become fishers 45 00:03:04,639 --> 00:03:07,640 Speaker 4: of men. We saw how when they obeyed him in faith, 46 00:03:07,680 --> 00:03:10,800 Speaker 4: he provided more abundantly than they could have ever imagined. 47 00:03:11,400 --> 00:03:14,880 Speaker 4: And we saw how jesus healings ministry began to grow 48 00:03:14,960 --> 00:03:18,600 Speaker 4: and spread in the region. But in all this business, 49 00:03:18,720 --> 00:03:22,280 Speaker 4: Jesus never neglected to find time in solitude to seek 50 00:03:22,280 --> 00:03:27,519 Speaker 4: God's presence, the heavenly Father's strength. Today we'll hear from Jesus' 51 00:03:27,560 --> 00:03:31,519 Speaker 4: most well known sermon and his words concerning God's kingdom 52 00:03:31,560 --> 00:03:34,720 Speaker 4: and what that looks like when we live out kingdom 53 00:03:34,760 --> 00:03:38,440 Speaker 4: principles and priorities here on earth. Is called the Sermon 54 00:03:38,480 --> 00:03:41,120 Speaker 4: on the Mount. So let's hear the word of God. 55 00:03:43,120 --> 00:03:46,200 Speaker 3: Jesus scanned the crowds as they followed his every step. 56 00:03:46,680 --> 00:03:50,440 Speaker 3: His popularity was growing rapidly, and thousands of people followed 57 00:03:50,480 --> 00:03:54,600 Speaker 3: him into the valley outside Galilee. Their hearts were hungry 58 00:03:54,680 --> 00:03:57,720 Speaker 3: for truth. They were longing to know what the Kingdom 59 00:03:57,760 --> 00:04:01,240 Speaker 3: of God truly looked like. Jesus gathered them at the 60 00:04:01,240 --> 00:04:04,320 Speaker 3: bottom of a small hill. He climbed to the top 61 00:04:04,400 --> 00:04:07,840 Speaker 3: and sat. The wind carried his voice for all to hear, 62 00:04:08,120 --> 00:04:10,760 Speaker 3: and they listened to every word flowing from his mouth. 63 00:04:12,040 --> 00:04:15,640 Speaker 3: Blessed are those who are poor in spirit. The Kingdom 64 00:04:15,680 --> 00:04:19,160 Speaker 3: of heaven belongs to them. Blessed are those who hurt, 65 00:04:19,400 --> 00:04:21,560 Speaker 3: for the time will come for them to be comforted. 66 00:04:22,320 --> 00:04:25,240 Speaker 3: Blessed are those with strength, but use it for good, 67 00:04:25,480 --> 00:04:28,800 Speaker 3: for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who 68 00:04:28,839 --> 00:04:33,160 Speaker 3: long for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are 69 00:04:33,160 --> 00:04:37,479 Speaker 3: the merciful, for they will receive mercy in return. Blessed 70 00:04:37,520 --> 00:04:40,120 Speaker 3: are those who are persecuted for doing what is right, 71 00:04:40,520 --> 00:04:44,880 Speaker 3: for the Kingdom of heaven will reward them greatly. The 72 00:04:44,960 --> 00:04:49,479 Speaker 3: crowd was completely silent as they listened to Jesus. You 73 00:04:49,600 --> 00:04:52,600 Speaker 3: all are salt, But if the salt loses its flavor, 74 00:04:53,040 --> 00:04:56,159 Speaker 3: how shall it be used. You are also a light, 75 00:04:56,400 --> 00:04:59,280 Speaker 3: meant to guide and direct people to safety, and a 76 00:04:59,400 --> 00:05:02,440 Speaker 3: light is a no use hiding under a basket. Let 77 00:05:02,520 --> 00:05:06,159 Speaker 3: your light shine so they might glorify your father in heaven. 78 00:05:07,279 --> 00:05:10,680 Speaker 3: Jesus could see the crowds processing his words. What he 79 00:05:10,800 --> 00:05:14,560 Speaker 3: spoke were old truths, but it seemed new to them. 80 00:05:14,880 --> 00:05:17,840 Speaker 3: Jesus smiled and held up his finger do not think 81 00:05:17,920 --> 00:05:20,480 Speaker 3: that I came to abolish the laws or the prophets 82 00:05:20,480 --> 00:05:23,280 Speaker 3: you have learned since your youth. I have not come 83 00:05:23,320 --> 00:05:26,560 Speaker 3: to destroy the law, but bring it to fulfillment. For 84 00:05:26,680 --> 00:05:29,599 Speaker 3: you have heard it said, do not murder. But I 85 00:05:29,720 --> 00:05:33,039 Speaker 3: tell you whoever harbor's hatred in his heart or insults 86 00:05:33,040 --> 00:05:36,600 Speaker 3: his brother as judged the same. You have heard it said, 87 00:05:36,760 --> 00:05:39,480 Speaker 3: do not commit adultery. But I have come to tell 88 00:05:39,560 --> 00:05:42,440 Speaker 3: you that whoever lusts after a woman in his mind, 89 00:05:42,640 --> 00:05:45,800 Speaker 3: or treats a woman as an object, is committing adultery 90 00:05:45,960 --> 00:05:46,640 Speaker 3: in his heart. 91 00:05:48,000 --> 00:05:49,480 Speaker 2: The crowd began to stir a bit. 92 00:05:50,080 --> 00:05:53,520 Speaker 3: What Jesus was saying was revolutionary and changed the way 93 00:05:53,560 --> 00:05:57,960 Speaker 3: they saw themselves. Then Jesus said something that would change everything. 94 00:05:58,800 --> 00:06:01,760 Speaker 3: You have heard people say an eye for an eye, 95 00:06:02,040 --> 00:06:04,520 Speaker 3: But if anyone slaps you on the cheek, you ought 96 00:06:04,560 --> 00:06:05,679 Speaker 3: to turn the other cheek. 97 00:06:06,400 --> 00:06:08,240 Speaker 2: Do not return evil for evil. 98 00:06:09,440 --> 00:06:13,200 Speaker 3: Love your enemies, bless those who scorn you. Everyone is 99 00:06:13,240 --> 00:06:16,400 Speaker 3: good at loving those who love them in return. However, 100 00:06:16,440 --> 00:06:18,960 Speaker 3: the mark of a pure heart lies within someone who 101 00:06:19,000 --> 00:06:23,279 Speaker 3: is able to love the unlovable. Jesus looked at the crowd. 102 00:06:23,880 --> 00:06:26,160 Speaker 3: He could see a group of pharisees glaring at him 103 00:06:26,160 --> 00:06:29,520 Speaker 3: in the corner of his eye. Jesus's tone was gentle 104 00:06:29,680 --> 00:06:33,640 Speaker 3: yet firm. He spoke clearly, saying, there is a trap 105 00:06:33,680 --> 00:06:36,880 Speaker 3: that many people fall into. They desire to only do 106 00:06:37,000 --> 00:06:40,279 Speaker 3: good when people are watching for them. Their reward is 107 00:06:40,320 --> 00:06:43,880 Speaker 3: in the validation of others. Beware of this. When you 108 00:06:43,960 --> 00:06:46,720 Speaker 3: give to the needy. Do not sound a trumpet like 109 00:06:46,760 --> 00:06:50,000 Speaker 3: some do in the synagogues. Give in secret for your 110 00:06:50,040 --> 00:06:54,040 Speaker 3: heavenly Father sees you when you pray. Do not add 111 00:06:54,080 --> 00:06:57,120 Speaker 3: spectacle or poetry to come off as righteous to others. 112 00:06:57,760 --> 00:07:00,440 Speaker 3: Some love to stand on the street corners and proclaim 113 00:07:00,480 --> 00:07:03,839 Speaker 3: their devotion to God. When you pray, do so just 114 00:07:03,920 --> 00:07:08,479 Speaker 3: between you and the Lord. Some of Jesus's disciples interrupted 115 00:07:08,520 --> 00:07:12,160 Speaker 3: him and asked, then, teach us how to pray. Jesus 116 00:07:12,200 --> 00:07:16,400 Speaker 3: answered and said, our Father, holy is your name. May 117 00:07:16,440 --> 00:07:19,920 Speaker 3: your kingdom come and your will be done here as 118 00:07:19,920 --> 00:07:23,960 Speaker 3: it is in your perfect will. Provide our daily needs, 119 00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:26,800 Speaker 3: and forgive us of all our sins. And may we 120 00:07:26,920 --> 00:07:30,520 Speaker 3: also forgive those who have trespassed against us, Lead us 121 00:07:30,560 --> 00:07:35,320 Speaker 3: away from temptation, and deliver us from evil. The prayer 122 00:07:35,440 --> 00:07:38,920 Speaker 3: was simple yet profound, and it spoke of the relationship 123 00:07:39,000 --> 00:07:42,440 Speaker 3: man ought to have with God. Do not be anxious 124 00:07:42,480 --> 00:07:45,640 Speaker 3: for anything, Jesus said, Look at the birds of the air. 125 00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:48,800 Speaker 3: They do not toil and worry, yet their heavenly father 126 00:07:48,880 --> 00:07:49,520 Speaker 3: feeds them. 127 00:07:50,080 --> 00:07:51,720 Speaker 2: You are more important than. 128 00:07:51,600 --> 00:07:55,160 Speaker 3: They, so trust that the Lord will provide. No one 129 00:07:55,200 --> 00:07:58,640 Speaker 3: ever added one moment to their life by worrying. Do 130 00:07:58,720 --> 00:08:01,840 Speaker 3: not be anxious about tomorrow. Tomorrow it has its own troubles. 131 00:08:02,400 --> 00:08:03,360 Speaker 2: Live today. 132 00:08:04,640 --> 00:08:06,840 Speaker 3: Jesus could see that some of the people were beginning 133 00:08:06,880 --> 00:08:09,760 Speaker 3: to look to one another. The nature of humans is 134 00:08:09,800 --> 00:08:12,400 Speaker 3: to look at the flaws in one another instead of inward. 135 00:08:13,120 --> 00:08:16,040 Speaker 3: Jesus knew this and gave a stiff warning to all 136 00:08:16,080 --> 00:08:19,480 Speaker 3: who were listening. Be careful not to judge others, for 137 00:08:19,600 --> 00:08:23,040 Speaker 3: you yourself will be judged. Why would you point out 138 00:08:23,040 --> 00:08:26,480 Speaker 3: the small piece of sawdust in someone else's eye when 139 00:08:26,560 --> 00:08:29,080 Speaker 3: you have a large wooden plank stuck in your own. 140 00:08:30,040 --> 00:08:33,520 Speaker 3: There was a chuckle from among the crowd. Jesus smiled, 141 00:08:33,920 --> 00:08:37,360 Speaker 3: be mindful to understand your own flaws before mentioning the 142 00:08:37,400 --> 00:08:40,200 Speaker 3: flaws of others. You will serve them better if you 143 00:08:40,280 --> 00:08:44,360 Speaker 3: do so. Jesus welled up with love for the people 144 00:08:45,040 --> 00:08:48,280 Speaker 3: he saw them as God did. Children in need of 145 00:08:48,320 --> 00:08:52,960 Speaker 3: a loving parent ask great things of God. Seek him 146 00:08:53,080 --> 00:08:56,720 Speaker 3: and he will answer. How many of you parents would 147 00:08:56,760 --> 00:08:59,760 Speaker 3: deny your children bread and instead give him a stone? 148 00:09:00,679 --> 00:09:03,920 Speaker 3: If you, being sinful, would not even do this, Even 149 00:09:03,960 --> 00:09:06,600 Speaker 3: more so, God will give happily to those who seek 150 00:09:06,640 --> 00:09:10,120 Speaker 3: his favor. There was a pause, and Jesus stood to 151 00:09:10,160 --> 00:09:13,040 Speaker 3: his feet. The wind blew from behind him, and his 152 00:09:13,160 --> 00:09:16,480 Speaker 3: robe flowed in the wind. He stepped down once and 153 00:09:16,600 --> 00:09:19,200 Speaker 3: raised his voice. He did not want any one to 154 00:09:19,240 --> 00:09:23,640 Speaker 3: miss his next words. Treat others the way you wish 155 00:09:23,800 --> 00:09:27,079 Speaker 3: to be treated. This is the true heart behind the 156 00:09:27,160 --> 00:09:30,960 Speaker 3: law of God. And understand this that the gate to 157 00:09:31,040 --> 00:09:34,600 Speaker 3: the Kingdom of God is narrow. The easy path is 158 00:09:34,679 --> 00:09:39,240 Speaker 3: wide and open. However, its ease is deceptive. It is 159 00:09:39,280 --> 00:09:42,400 Speaker 3: the way of death. The true path of God is hard. 160 00:09:42,640 --> 00:09:47,680 Speaker 3: It requires sacrifice, struggle, and humility. This is why many 161 00:09:47,800 --> 00:09:51,960 Speaker 3: will choose to avoid it. Ultimately, a tree is judged 162 00:09:52,000 --> 00:09:55,280 Speaker 3: by its fruit. Every healthy and good tree bears fruit 163 00:09:55,360 --> 00:09:59,600 Speaker 3: that people can enjoy. Every bad tree produces thorns and poison. 164 00:10:00,280 --> 00:10:03,080 Speaker 3: The same as with our hearts, a good heart will 165 00:10:03,080 --> 00:10:07,760 Speaker 3: produce good actions. Likewise, a bad heart will produce corrupt actions. 166 00:10:08,760 --> 00:10:12,720 Speaker 3: Make no mistake. Words are not enough. Not everyone who 167 00:10:12,720 --> 00:10:15,280 Speaker 3: declares to know the Lord will enter into the Kingdom 168 00:10:15,280 --> 00:10:15,679 Speaker 3: of heaven. 169 00:10:16,960 --> 00:10:17,839 Speaker 2: Jesus began to. 170 00:10:17,800 --> 00:10:20,600 Speaker 3: Walk down the hill when he looked upon a firm 171 00:10:20,679 --> 00:10:23,320 Speaker 3: stone on the ground. He picked it up and smiled. 172 00:10:23,960 --> 00:10:26,000 Speaker 3: He held the stone up in the air and said, 173 00:10:26,360 --> 00:10:29,080 Speaker 3: everyone who hears these words of mine and does them 174 00:10:29,160 --> 00:10:31,440 Speaker 3: is like a wise person who builds their house on 175 00:10:31,520 --> 00:10:34,760 Speaker 3: a firm rock. When the rain fell and the floods came, 176 00:10:34,880 --> 00:10:38,120 Speaker 3: their house was sturdy. Yet those who do not listen 177 00:10:38,240 --> 00:10:40,280 Speaker 3: and do not do these things are like people who 178 00:10:40,360 --> 00:10:43,960 Speaker 3: build their homes on sand. When troubles come, they will 179 00:10:43,960 --> 00:10:47,760 Speaker 3: be washed away. Jesus dropped the stone and walked away. 180 00:10:48,440 --> 00:10:51,760 Speaker 3: The crowd stood there, astonished that he held so much 181 00:10:51,760 --> 00:10:53,480 Speaker 3: authority in his words. 182 00:10:57,160 --> 00:10:59,880 Speaker 4: As we begin today's reading, a large crowd has got 183 00:11:00,080 --> 00:11:04,360 Speaker 4: that outside of Galilee to hear Jesus speak. Jesus stood 184 00:11:04,440 --> 00:11:06,920 Speaker 4: on top of a mountain, a place where his voice 185 00:11:06,920 --> 00:11:09,400 Speaker 4: could reach far and wide, so that all in the 186 00:11:09,400 --> 00:11:11,960 Speaker 4: crowd could hear what he had to say, because what 187 00:11:12,080 --> 00:11:15,640 Speaker 4: he had to say was life changing. He began by 188 00:11:15,679 --> 00:11:19,240 Speaker 4: telling the people what it means to be blessed. These 189 00:11:19,240 --> 00:11:22,840 Speaker 4: weren't blessings as we understand them. It wasn't about good 190 00:11:22,880 --> 00:11:26,439 Speaker 4: fortune or wealth or health. It was something far greater, 191 00:11:26,640 --> 00:11:30,120 Speaker 4: much deeper. This was about the blessing of joy and 192 00:11:30,200 --> 00:11:33,360 Speaker 4: of total satisfaction, and to live in the fullness and 193 00:11:33,400 --> 00:11:37,000 Speaker 4: the wholeness of God's grace. Jesus then went on to 194 00:11:37,040 --> 00:11:40,120 Speaker 4: describe the attitudes that will lead to this fulfillment, the 195 00:11:40,160 --> 00:11:45,360 Speaker 4: perfect satisfaction. These were attitudes that we call the bee attitudes, 196 00:11:46,480 --> 00:11:49,400 Speaker 4: and these attitudes are the attitudes that we should seek, 197 00:11:50,559 --> 00:11:55,040 Speaker 4: not only attitudes towards ourselves, but attitudes towards others. The 198 00:11:55,080 --> 00:11:59,400 Speaker 4: be attitudes Jesus describes here stand in stark contrast as 199 00:11:59,400 --> 00:12:02,800 Speaker 4: to how the world orl sees what is important. These 200 00:12:02,800 --> 00:12:06,840 Speaker 4: were deep, deep teachings and not easy ones to follow. 201 00:12:07,800 --> 00:12:11,240 Speaker 4: He then reminded the people of the purpose of these 202 00:12:11,240 --> 00:12:14,959 Speaker 4: beatitudes that we were called, all of us who follow Jesus, 203 00:12:15,000 --> 00:12:18,480 Speaker 4: to be salt and light, to be agents of preservation 204 00:12:18,679 --> 00:12:22,360 Speaker 4: and illumination in a dark and desperate world. We are 205 00:12:22,400 --> 00:12:25,000 Speaker 4: still called to do that today, to be salt and 206 00:12:25,080 --> 00:12:27,560 Speaker 4: light in our world, in our culture, to make a 207 00:12:27,600 --> 00:12:30,640 Speaker 4: difference in people's lives, to turn on the light of 208 00:12:30,640 --> 00:12:34,480 Speaker 4: the Gospel and to be salt in the earth. Next, 209 00:12:34,760 --> 00:12:37,800 Speaker 4: Jesus turned his attention to his own purpose. He told 210 00:12:37,840 --> 00:12:40,520 Speaker 4: them in no uncertain terms, that he did not come 211 00:12:40,559 --> 00:12:43,160 Speaker 4: to abolish the law or the writings of the prophets, 212 00:12:43,600 --> 00:12:46,960 Speaker 4: but to bring them to fulfillment. This is very important. 213 00:12:47,720 --> 00:12:51,000 Speaker 4: God had outlined in the Ten Commandments the requirements for 214 00:12:51,040 --> 00:12:54,400 Speaker 4: holy living, a life set apart for God. This is 215 00:12:54,440 --> 00:12:56,960 Speaker 4: the law that he gave to Moses. This was the 216 00:12:57,000 --> 00:13:00,160 Speaker 4: standard by which people were expected to live, and principle 217 00:13:00,320 --> 00:13:04,839 Speaker 4: that we can live by even today. The Ten Commandments 218 00:13:04,840 --> 00:13:08,040 Speaker 4: spoke of murder and adultery, and divorce and swearing oaths, 219 00:13:08,080 --> 00:13:11,600 Speaker 4: and vengeance and love, and for each of these Jesus 220 00:13:11,640 --> 00:13:14,360 Speaker 4: began with the basics of the law. But rather than 221 00:13:14,480 --> 00:13:18,199 Speaker 4: lowering the standards of the law, Jesus raised the standards. 222 00:13:18,760 --> 00:13:21,840 Speaker 4: He was showing them that the real perfect standard was 223 00:13:21,880 --> 00:13:26,319 Speaker 4: not just weighty and burdensome. It was impossible in our 224 00:13:26,360 --> 00:13:30,640 Speaker 4: own power. This is why we need a savior. Jesus 225 00:13:30,679 --> 00:13:33,559 Speaker 4: came to fulfill the law and the prophets for us, 226 00:13:34,160 --> 00:13:38,760 Speaker 4: and when we trust in him, his righteousness becomes our righteousness. 227 00:13:39,600 --> 00:13:42,880 Speaker 4: He was also teaching them and all of us something else. 228 00:13:44,080 --> 00:13:46,640 Speaker 4: The issue of sin and disobedience to God is an 229 00:13:46,679 --> 00:13:50,599 Speaker 4: issue of the heart. Without changed hearts, it is impossible 230 00:13:50,640 --> 00:13:53,960 Speaker 4: to live a righteous life. They didn't know this yet, 231 00:13:53,960 --> 00:13:57,040 Speaker 4: but the one speaking to them was their only hope 232 00:13:57,040 --> 00:14:00,440 Speaker 4: and our only hope. For a life changed, a heart 233 00:14:00,559 --> 00:14:03,200 Speaker 4: changed the only way that any of us could meet 234 00:14:03,280 --> 00:14:07,640 Speaker 4: the high and holy standard that God has established. Jesus 235 00:14:07,679 --> 00:14:11,559 Speaker 4: cautioned people against acting righteously for the sake of recognition, 236 00:14:11,640 --> 00:14:15,320 Speaker 4: that is, self righteously, especially with regards to caring for 237 00:14:15,360 --> 00:14:17,920 Speaker 4: the poor. Again, he was pointing them to the heart 238 00:14:17,960 --> 00:14:21,680 Speaker 4: of the matter, their own hearts. The Lord then began 239 00:14:21,800 --> 00:14:25,160 Speaker 4: to teach the people about prayer, starting with the posture 240 00:14:25,320 --> 00:14:28,120 Speaker 4: of prayer. Prayer is not to be a spectacle a 241 00:14:28,160 --> 00:14:31,440 Speaker 4: show for others to see. It is rather a personal 242 00:14:31,520 --> 00:14:36,600 Speaker 4: conversation with the God who created us. Jesus himself lived 243 00:14:36,600 --> 00:14:41,480 Speaker 4: by this example, often retreating in solitude to pray. When 244 00:14:41,560 --> 00:14:44,360 Speaker 4: asked how they were to pray, Jesus gave them a 245 00:14:44,400 --> 00:14:47,080 Speaker 4: pattern for praying, an outline, if you will, as to 246 00:14:47,120 --> 00:14:50,120 Speaker 4: how to pray. We know it as the Lord's Prayer, 247 00:14:50,240 --> 00:14:52,440 Speaker 4: and it is a beautiful model for how to speak 248 00:14:52,440 --> 00:14:55,320 Speaker 4: to our Father in heaven. It is a prayer that 249 00:14:55,760 --> 00:14:58,240 Speaker 4: has endured to this day, one that speaks to our 250 00:14:58,280 --> 00:15:02,119 Speaker 4: relationship with God, our submission to his will and dependence 251 00:15:02,200 --> 00:15:06,200 Speaker 4: upon His provision and forgiveness, and our need to forgive 252 00:15:06,240 --> 00:15:10,240 Speaker 4: others as God has forgiven us. As he continued to 253 00:15:10,280 --> 00:15:13,960 Speaker 4: teach the crowd, Jesus poured out wisdom from God's heart. 254 00:15:14,520 --> 00:15:18,200 Speaker 4: He called people to invest in God's kingdom, to be generous, 255 00:15:18,560 --> 00:15:21,640 Speaker 4: storing up treasures in the life to come, treasures that 256 00:15:21,720 --> 00:15:25,160 Speaker 4: will never decay or be destroyed. He called the crowds 257 00:15:25,160 --> 00:15:27,880 Speaker 4: to release their worries to God, trusting that he will 258 00:15:27,880 --> 00:15:31,360 Speaker 4: provide for their every need, and he urged them and 259 00:15:31,640 --> 00:15:35,680 Speaker 4: us to boldly ask God to provide, reminding us that 260 00:15:35,840 --> 00:15:39,360 Speaker 4: the Father in Heaven is infinitely gracious and kind and 261 00:15:39,520 --> 00:15:44,600 Speaker 4: giving good gifts to all who ask. Finally, Jesus concluded 262 00:15:44,640 --> 00:15:48,840 Speaker 4: the message with an illustration. He said, in Matthew chapter 263 00:15:48,880 --> 00:15:53,040 Speaker 4: seven and verses thirteen and fourteen, enter through the narrow gate. 264 00:15:53,160 --> 00:15:55,000 Speaker 4: For why ite is the gate, and broad is the 265 00:15:55,120 --> 00:15:58,200 Speaker 4: road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 266 00:15:58,840 --> 00:16:01,600 Speaker 4: But small is the gate, and narrow the road that 267 00:16:01,720 --> 00:16:05,120 Speaker 4: leads to life. And only a few find it. So 268 00:16:05,280 --> 00:16:09,720 Speaker 4: with this is an illustration and a warning. He warns 269 00:16:09,840 --> 00:16:13,040 Speaker 4: us about those who would lead us astray, false prophets 270 00:16:13,080 --> 00:16:18,000 Speaker 4: and false religions, disguised disciples who claim to follow the 271 00:16:18,040 --> 00:16:22,920 Speaker 4: Lord but are way way lost. Jesus' words would stick 272 00:16:23,000 --> 00:16:25,520 Speaker 4: to some that day. Those who heard and held on 273 00:16:25,560 --> 00:16:28,520 Speaker 4: to his teaching would build their foundation their lives on 274 00:16:28,560 --> 00:16:31,720 Speaker 4: a solid rock, and they would be prepared to weather 275 00:16:31,800 --> 00:16:34,720 Speaker 4: the storms of life. It is so important that you 276 00:16:34,800 --> 00:16:39,200 Speaker 4: build your life on the foundation of Jesus Christ. As 277 00:16:39,280 --> 00:16:42,560 Speaker 4: Jesus taught us, we must not build our lives on 278 00:16:42,640 --> 00:16:46,360 Speaker 4: the sifting sands of time that crumble, but upon the 279 00:16:46,440 --> 00:16:50,600 Speaker 4: solid rock who is Christ himself. At the center of Jesus' 280 00:16:50,640 --> 00:16:54,120 Speaker 4: famous sermon is the theme of true righteousness and the 281 00:16:54,160 --> 00:16:57,000 Speaker 4: truth that righteousness is not a result of our action, 282 00:16:57,480 --> 00:17:01,920 Speaker 4: but a condition of our hearts. Jesus' words would remind 283 00:17:02,000 --> 00:17:05,560 Speaker 4: us that our hope, our only hope for righteousness, is 284 00:17:05,680 --> 00:17:09,960 Speaker 4: him Christ himself. He is the ultimate good gift of 285 00:17:10,000 --> 00:17:13,280 Speaker 4: the heavenly Father, who knows our needs and provides for 286 00:17:13,359 --> 00:17:16,280 Speaker 4: them in every way, so that we could accomplish His 287 00:17:16,359 --> 00:17:21,520 Speaker 4: purpose and will for our lives. Let's pray. Thank you, 288 00:17:21,600 --> 00:17:25,479 Speaker 4: Dear God, for this powerful sermon from the very lips 289 00:17:25,480 --> 00:17:28,119 Speaker 4: of Jesus and how it points us to our great 290 00:17:28,160 --> 00:17:31,480 Speaker 4: need of you. You've told us to be perfect even 291 00:17:31,480 --> 00:17:33,840 Speaker 4: as the heavenly Father is perfect. And we know we 292 00:17:33,920 --> 00:17:36,919 Speaker 4: are not perfect, but you are. So we thank you 293 00:17:36,960 --> 00:17:40,080 Speaker 4: for your perfect sacrifice for us on the Cross, for 294 00:17:40,200 --> 00:17:43,480 Speaker 4: your resurrection that we might have forgiveness of our sins 295 00:17:43,760 --> 00:17:46,320 Speaker 4: and be given your righteousness that we may live in 296 00:17:46,400 --> 00:17:50,000 Speaker 4: the eternal hope of Heaven. Help us to live putting 297 00:17:50,040 --> 00:17:53,040 Speaker 4: you first in all things, to seek first the Kingdom 298 00:17:53,080 --> 00:17:56,280 Speaker 4: of God and your righteousness, Lord, knowing that you will 299 00:17:56,280 --> 00:17:59,720 Speaker 4: bless us with everything we need in life and in 300 00:17:59,720 --> 00:18:04,520 Speaker 4: the life life to come. Amen. Thank you for listening 301 00:18:04,560 --> 00:18:07,800 Speaker 4: to today's Bible in a year. I'm pastor Jack Graham 302 00:18:07,800 --> 00:18:11,040 Speaker 4: from Dallas, Texas. You can download the Prey dot com 303 00:18:11,080 --> 00:18:14,439 Speaker 4: app and make Bible study in prayer the priority of 304 00:18:14,480 --> 00:18:18,480 Speaker 4: your life. And if you appreciate this podcast, please share 305 00:18:18,520 --> 00:18:21,480 Speaker 4: it with someone else. I also want to encourage you 306 00:18:21,560 --> 00:18:25,359 Speaker 4: to go to Jack Graham dot org. That's Jack Graham 307 00:18:25,400 --> 00:18:28,800 Speaker 4: dot org for we have resources that are free and 308 00:18:28,840 --> 00:18:31,800 Speaker 4: available for you so that you may know Christ and 309 00:18:31,960 --> 00:18:34,240 Speaker 4: grow in Him. God bless you. 310 00:18:39,440 --> 00:18:43,240 Speaker 1: This episode is sponsored by Meta Share, an innovative healthcare 311 00:18:43,280 --> 00:18:47,400 Speaker 1: solution for Christians to save money without sacrificing quality. 312 00:18:48,800 --> 00:18:51,960 Speaker 5: Welcome to the previous podcast where Hope is our only bias. 313 00:18:53,000 --> 00:18:56,080 Speaker 5: Each day, we'll unpack the most prominent stories happening in 314 00:18:56,119 --> 00:18:59,640 Speaker 5: the news and offer a Christian perspective. We won't shy 315 00:18:59,680 --> 00:19:02,280 Speaker 5: away from the hard topics, and we won't dilute the 316 00:19:02,320 --> 00:19:05,800 Speaker 5: hopeful message of Christ. This is more than a daily 317 00:19:05,840 --> 00:19:08,400 Speaker 5: brief on the news. It's a way to be informed 318 00:19:08,600 --> 00:19:13,120 Speaker 5: and transformed. Listen to Pray News on the iHeartRadio app, 319 00:19:13,320 --> 00:19:16,119 Speaker 5: Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.