Front Page Sunday 3rd September 2006
Jesus Christ came into the world to save the world from sin. As we know he died and rose again so all who believe in Him would have restored relationship and deliverance from sin and guilt. He brought in and taught on the Kingdom of God. To understand the nature of God’s Kingdom we look at and study the ‘Sermon on the Mount’ which is found in Matthew 5. These words are spoken to us, and just as vital and filled with power as Jesus spoke them to the disciples some 2,000 years ago – he says Blessed are the:- Poor in Spirit, those who Mourn, the Meek, those Hungering and Thirsting for righteousness, the Merciful, the Pure in heart, Peacemakers and those who are Persecuted and insulted because of me. As we submit to these ways we are BLESSED. As we take on board these values and attitudes that Jesus is prescribing, we are blessed and so experience joy, knowing that we are approved by God.
Jesus wasn’t interested in a ‘self righteousness’, an outer show that we read about of many of the Pharisees of that day. They tried to gain approval by external deeds to be seen by men. Jesus was interested in an inner righteousness that came from a genuine heart response. It was not what a person ‘did’ that gained approval with God, but who a person was.
Amazingly our heavenly Father knew our failings and imperfections, that’s why Jesus came to earth. He knew we could and would never meet the mark; we would always fail in some way, so Jesus gave His life for us, taking all our sin on the cross. He loves us. As we believe in Him (his death and resurrection) we experience a wonderful new life and then so desire to follow his ways. The Sermon on the Mount then teaches achievable goals to work towards to. If we take these instructions to heart and apply them to our lives we experience His blessing now. What a joy it is to know him!
Julie
Jesus wasn’t interested in a ‘self righteousness’, an outer show that we read about of many of the Pharisees of that day. They tried to gain approval by external deeds to be seen by men. Jesus was interested in an inner righteousness that came from a genuine heart response. It was not what a person ‘did’ that gained approval with God, but who a person was.
Amazingly our heavenly Father knew our failings and imperfections, that’s why Jesus came to earth. He knew we could and would never meet the mark; we would always fail in some way, so Jesus gave His life for us, taking all our sin on the cross. He loves us. As we believe in Him (his death and resurrection) we experience a wonderful new life and then so desire to follow his ways. The Sermon on the Mount then teaches achievable goals to work towards to. If we take these instructions to heart and apply them to our lives we experience His blessing now. What a joy it is to know him!
Julie
posted by Pastor's Pen at 4:35 AM
2 Comments:
A Scotsman goes to the dentist and asks how much it is for a tooth extraction.... "$85 for an extraction sir" was the dentist's reply.
Och... huv ye no got anythin' cheaper" replies the Scotsman getting agitated.
"But that's the normal charge for an extraction sir" said the dentist.
"What about if ye din't use any anaesthetic?" asked the Scotsman hopefully.
"Well it's highly unusual sir, could be quite painful, but if that's what you want, I suppose I can do it for $70" said the dentist
"Hmmmm, what about if ye used one of yer dentist trainees and still without anaesthetics" said the Scotsman.
"Well it's possible but they are only training and I can't guarantee their level of professionalism and it'll be a lot more painful. I suppose in that case we can bring the price down to say $40" said the dentist.
"Och... that's still a bit much, how about if ye make it a trainin' session and have yer student do the extraction and the other students watchin' and learnin" said the Scotsman hopefully.
"Hmmmmm, well OK it'll be good for the students I suppose, I'll charge you only $5 in that case" said the dentist.
"Now yer talkin' laddie! It's a deal" said the Scotsman. "Can ye confirm an appointment for the wife on Tuesday?"
FAMILY
Three sisters ages 92, 94 and 96 live in a house together. One night the 96 year old draws a bath. She puts her foot in and pauses. She yells to the other sisters, "Was I getting in or out of the bath?" The 94 year old yells back, "I don't know. I'll come up and see." She starts up the stairs and pauses. "Was I going up the stairs or down?" The 92 year old is sitting at the kitchen table having tea listening to her sisters. She shakes her head and says, "I sure hope I never get that forgetful," as she knocked on her wooden table for good measure. " She then yells, "I'll come up and help both of you as soon as I see who's at the door."
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