Giving to the poor is a staple of Christianity and most other religions. Typically, we consider giving alms to be an inherently righteous and holy act, so when Jesus warned that there was a wrong way to give to the needy, most people likely hadn't even considered that was possible. How can giving ever be …
SUGGESTED VERSES FOR MEMORIZATION & MEDITATION Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 6:1) Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the …
Preaching through the Sermon on the Mount is providing great material for blog posts because Jesus raises far too many topics and issues to cover from the pulpit in the 16 weeks I have planned for the series. Last week, I attempted to expound upon remarriage since questions of remarriage are raised from Jesus' discussion of divorce. …
SUGGESTED VERSES FOR MEMORIZATION & MEDITATION Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil. (Matthew 5:37) But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone …
Continue reading Oaths, Retaliation, & Loving Our Enemies | Matthew 5:33-48
Divorce sucks. And many know it firsthand. Unfortunately, the sting of divorce is rampant. If you haven't felt it personally, chances are you've felt it through friends or family. Since it is, by nature, the destruction of a covenant of the utmost intimacy, divorce is never a light or easy topic. This Sunday, I preached, in part, over …
SUGGESTED VERSES FOR MEMORIZATION & MEDITATION You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to …
SUGGESTED VERSES FOR MEMORIZATION & MEDITATION Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until …
In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, He boldly proclaims that His followers are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. These are tremendous claims, but I want to focus for the moment upon Jesus’ warning about salt losing its taste. Christ warns that if salt is no longer salty then it …
Continue reading a thought on eternal security & saltless salt
SUGGESTED VERSES FOR MEMORIZATION & MEDITATION You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. (Matthew 5:13) You are the light of the world. A city set …
Continue reading Salt of the Earth // Light of the World | Matthew 5:13-16
SUGGESTED VERSES FOR MEMORIZATION & MEDITATION Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are …
B. C. Newton 