“The Strength to Love” (click to listen, right click to download) Jesus calls his followers to non-retaliation: “If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” This is not a blanket pacifism, nor a call to be the doormat of someone’s verbal abuse, nor is it an excuse to ignore criminal […]
(click to listen, right click to download) “Are you a sin manager?” In Matthew 5:27-32, Jesus teaches that adultery is not just the physical act of being unfaithful to one’s spouse, but it has to do with the intentions and thoughts of the heart and mind. There is a connection between what we allow our eyes […]
(click to listen, right click to download) “Verbal Homicide” Jesus’ teaching always cuts right to a person’s heart. Like a master surgeon, he exposes the dark corners that need to be cleansed. We tend to categorize people into groups such as good vs. bad, convict vs. free, criminal vs. model citizen, etc. However when categorizing others, […]
“You shall call his name Jesus” audio Life is filled with ugly messes as well as beautiful mystery. In this message, you will hear about the ancestry and the birth of Jesus- the miracle of the incarnation–from both messy and beautiful perspectives. The Son of God taking on human form, to dwell among humanity, is […]
“Blessed are the Hated” (click above to listen; right click to download) Persecution- the systematic and organized effort to oppress and harass Christians, is unavoidable if one is a serious follower of Jesus. Enduring persecution is also genuine proof that someone is a committed disciple of Jesus Christ. This message explains the reason and reality […]
“Blessed are the Meek” (click to listen, right click to download) Who wants to be known as meek? It doesn’t seem to be a desirable quality at first glance. By contrast, “Just Do It” ; “No Fear” ; “Live Strong”; and “That which doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” are some of the phrases people […]
“Burdened or Blessed?” When you go to the hospital, the doctor may ask you about your level of pain. He or she is trying to see how uncomfortable you are, on a scale of 1 to 10: “Are you mildly upset, is it medium pain, or is it the worst pain ever?” Many people in […]
“The Poor in Spirit”- Matthew 4:23-5:3 (click to listen, right click to download) “And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying:” These words begin Jesus’ most famous sermon or teaching, the Sermon on the Mount. His ministry had various aspects: teaching in the synagogues, healing people, casting out demons, and proclaiming the good news […]
“Resisting and Fleeing Temptation” (Various Passages) It would be nice if an alert popped up on our smartphones whenever temptation was headed our way. The bad news is that all of us at one time or another will fail when we are tempted. We will give in; we will inevitably sin; we will take shortcuts […]
“The Test” (click to listen, right clock to download) Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. Jesus passed the test God put before him on our behalf. God tests our faith and allows temptation so that our faith will be refined. Satan is the agent of temptation, […]