 Speaker: Dan Schoepf
Weekend: February 25-26, 2006
Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48
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So here we go again. Jesus upends conventional wisdom. He calls for his followers to demonstrate more than the ordinary.
This time it has to do with enemies. Do you have any? We are not talking here about terrorists or other international bad guys or even those on the other side of the political fence. We’re talking here about a family member who is envious of your world and holds you at arms length. We’re talking here about a coworker who was passed over for a promotion you got and is obviously jealous. We’re talking here about an “ex” who seems to be bent on making your world miserable.
Have someone in mind yet? Jesus said to love them! But what does that really mean? And can I really pull that off? The answers are the stuff of Jesus’ teaching from the side of the mountain.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 26 February 2006 )
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 Speaker: Dan Schoepf
Weekend: February 18-19, 2006
Scripture: Matthew 5:38-42
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Do you remember being in the back seat of the family car with your brother or sister on a road trip. An accidental “crossing of the imaginary line” escalated into a little poke, a vengeful slap, then a hard pinch, followed by a punch to the shoulder and finally an appeal to the parents for justice! What causes us to think first about how to get back?
Our relationship to God shows not by how well we keep the formal rules, but in how we relate to people—at least that is what Jesus taught. And apparently those people include the opposition—people who hit us! Jesus said, “Do not resist an evil person.” What does that mean?? Jesus illustrated what it means, and he expects us to follow through.
Why is revenge so satisfying? Is expecting justice ever just? Can I ever expect to pull off this kind of life style? |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 21 February 2006 )
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 Speaker: Bruce Martin
Weekend: February 11-12, 2006
Scripture: Matthew 5:33-37
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“I promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. So help me God!” Jesus reminds us that we should keep our promises, no matter what. Say what you mean, and mean what you say.
But speaking the truth is not always easy in a culture of dishonesty. If someone wants to lie, no amount of swearing will make a difference. And if someone wants to tell the truth, he doesn’t need all the props—a simple yes or no is adequate.
If anger is the real issue of murder, lust the real issue of adultery, selfishness the real issue of divorce, then deceit is the real issue of oaths. Satan is the father of lies. Dishonesty undermines all our relationships.
We are very much like God when we keep our word.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 12 February 2006 )
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 Speaker: Dan Schoepf
Weekend: February 4-5, 2006
Scripture: Matthew 5:31-32
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Anger is at the core of murder. Coveting is at the core of adultery. Selfishness is at the core of divorce. It is almost as if Jesus takes obvious external conditions and points out that internal mental attitudes are the root causes.
Divorce has impacted all of us in every generation all the way back to the days of Jesus. He makes some rather concise statements about divorce and remarriage and adultery. But the questions just keep coming up. What are acceptable reasons for divorce? What happens when it all crumbles? Is a divorced and remarried person in a perpetual state of adultery? Is divorce an unforgiveable sin?
The Bible leaves many questions unanswered, but some issues are clear. We will tackle the subject this weekend. If divorce is a part of your journey, or if it has impacted you in some way, you are certainly sensitized. So was Jesus, in a gracious and merciful way.
For additional notes from Dan regarding divorce and remarriage, click here!
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 05 February 2006 )
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