The Sermon on the Mount is a wonderful sermon full of so much.  Jesus is speaking to some who are truly seeking to learn and follow Him, and others who are looking for Him to slip up in something He says or does so that they can discredit Him.  They are the religious leaders of the day who thought that they had it all together.  Jesus goes to great lengths to show them that, in fact, they do not.  They often would judge those around them for not being as righteous as they were.  We can all fall into that trap at times and Jesus reminds us of the danger of that in Matthew 7.  Let’s look at it together today.

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. 6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

It is important for not just the Pharisees but all of us to realize the importance of looking at ourselves and our own hearts before judging others.  If I see a brother or sister struggling I have a responsibility to come alongside them and help them.  I first need to be sure that my heart is not one of judgement but one of love and restoration.  For the Pharisees this was never the case but for us it should always be.  The key for this is the character and nature of our hearts.  We all will struggle at times in life and I hope and pray that we have others that care enough to come along side us and help us.  No one needs to be condemned when they struggle however.  That is God’s job alone.  I pray that God might help all of us to become His agents of reconciliation and restoration here on earth. 

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

Jesus gives us an interesting section in the sermon on the mount towards the end of chapter 6.  He talks about money and treasure.  Not pirates treasure but treasure being the things that we possess.  Jesus does not say that money or possessions are bad.  His focus is on what drives us and motivates us in life.  If we are driven by money and possessions then our priorities have become out of whack.  When God and building His kingdom are our priorities then we are in a good place.  Let’s look at His words together today. 

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

It is good and even godly to work hard and provide for your family.  This does not interfere with your ultimate priority to love God and our neighbors and to share His love with the world.  In fact it often takes money to help and accomplish that.  The problem is when our drive for money becomes the thing that is most important.  It is like Jesus’ encounter with the rich young ruler.  Jesus tells him to sell all he has and give to the poor and then come follow Jesus.  He says this not because money is bad but because for this man it has become what is most important.  Jesus knows our hearts and was showing this man where his heart truly was.  I pray that our hearts would keep God where He belongs, as our priority, our first love. I pray that not money or anything else would take the place of what should be first for all of us. 

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

Most everyone has heard the Lord’s prayer before.  Many don’t realize that it comes from Jesus teaching us how to pray in the sermon on the mount.  He was giving us a direct contrast to the way the Pharisees would get up and pray publicly with big words to make a show of their prayers.  The Lord’s prayer is simple but covers what we are called to do in our prayers.  Let’s look at it together today.

“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

First, Jesus acknowledges God and honors His name.  Then He starts by asking for God’s will and not His own.  He asks that God’s kingdom be built, in other words His work done.  He asks God for daily provision, for forgiveness and help forgiving others.  He asks God for guidance, for help against sin, and deliverance from Satan.  It’s simplicity and completeness is a stark contrast to the public prayers of the religious leaders of the day.  Jesus shows us how to pray and then goes on in the sermon on the mount to tell us to pray.  He reminds us to ask and we shall receive.  Take time today and reflect on this simple yet powerful prayer from Jesus and then pray boldly to your Father in Heaven who tells us to. 

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

Do you know an Eddie Haskell in your life?  Some of you immediately will get the reference.  For others Eddie Haskell was a character on Leave it to Beaver, an old TV show.  He was Wally Cleaver’s best friend and was well mannered and well behaved when there was an audience.  In front of parents he was a model kid.  When he was on his own or just with Wally and Beaver he was prone to mischief and bad decisions.  Jesus addresses this type of behavior in Matthew 6.  Let’s look at it together today. 

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Our behavior or good deeds should be a thank you or an overflow of the great love that Jesus has poured out in our lives.  When we act good to be seen or to receive some type of reward we are not truly honoring God with our behavior.  We should live our lives Sola Deo Gloria, for the glory of God alone.  If we find ourselves performing good works for an audience instead of simply to honor and glorify God then we need to check our motives.  The Pharisees were guilty of wanting to be seen being good.  Their hearts were motivated by pride instead of love for God.  This is why Jesus was so hard on them.  I pray that we might all be people who live our lives for from and because of the great love that Jesus pours out on us. 

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

Everyone knows that as followers of Jesus we are called to love others.  My experience is that usually we do a pretty good job at loving our friends and families.  Obviously we all face challenges with this and as sinners we all fall short.  How do we do loving our enemies or those that we don’t agree with or even like?  That is probably a better test of how well we are loving others.  Jesus issues us all a challenge in this area in His sermon on the mount.  Let’s look at it together today. 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

It’s easy to look at verse 48 and simply say well we can’t be perfect so Jesus is just saying all of this to show us our need for Him.  While that statement is true it is also true that Jesus is calling us to love others in a way that is different from how the world typically shows love.  Jesus showed us this in how He loved Judas, those who were calling for His crucifixion, and many others during His time on earth.  Romans 5:8 reminds us that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.  In other words while we were actively rebelling against Jesus, He went to the cross for us.  There is no greater act of love.  We are called to love those who are not showing love to us just as we are called to love our closest friends.  I pray that today and every day God might grant us grace to love those that are difficult for us to love. 

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

In my youth I loved to read a comic called Calvin and Hobbes.  Some of you may remember it.  It was about the adventures of a boy and his imaginary tiger named Hobbes.  They often played a sport called Calvinball which is hard to explain because the rules were always changing.  Somehow the rules would always change to help out Calvin.  During the sermon on the mount some may have thought that Jesus was changing the rules.  The reality is that he was simply exposing our hearts and further illustrating our need for God.  Let’s look at His words together today.  

17 “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. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.  21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell…  27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

Jesus was getting to the heart of the matter.  Maybe we haven’t been guilty of murder but we have been guilty of hatred or anger.  we might be innocent of adultery but guilty of lust.  Jesus cares about our hearts.  He wants us to have hearts that are fully devoted to Him.  He is not changing the rules He simply wants us to see there whole picture.  In our confession we say we have sinned against you in thought word and deed but what we have done and by what we have left undone.  When we think of sin in that wholistic way instead of simply acts of sin we get to the heart of the matter.  The reality is we need Jesus’ grace in our lives.  We need it to rescue us from sin and death and also we need it daily to live.  Fill yourself today from Jesus’ tank.  Allow His great love to flow in and through your life.  The go out and share that love with the world.

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

Have you ever been in the ocean and accidentally gotten a mouth full of water?  It’s not a pleasant experience.  The salt in the ocean makes drinking water, which is normally refreshing, a completely different thing.  Salt also make a huge difference when you put it on food.  Just a little bit can change the flavor of what you are eating.  When Jesus calls us to be salt and light that is what He is saying, that He wants us to make a difference, an impact.  Let’s look at His words found in Matthew 5 together today. 

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

I like that Jesus tells us that we ARE the salt of the earth and we ARE the light of the world.  He isn’t asking a question He is telling us who and what we are.  We are called to be difference makers here on earth.  The tiniest bit of light in the midst of darkness changes so much.  When lights come together they can eliminate darkness.  Today remember who Jesus says that you are.  Ignore what others may say or think about you.  Then realize that the creator of the universe says that you ARE salt and you ARE light.  Go out and make the difference you were created to make in the world.  

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

Golf is a frustrating sport.  It seems like when you get one part of the game figured out the other parts desert you.  Yesterday I played pretty well.  I hit most of my greens in regulation and even put a couple shots pretty close for birdies.  The problem was that I could not putt at all.  I had an ok round all in all but I really struggled with the basics.  If you can’t putt you will struggle no matter what else you may be doing.  Life is a lot like golf if you struggle with the basics you are going to have a hard time.  That was Jesus’ biggest problem with the Pharisees, they missed the basics.  They looked good on the outside but at the base level they didn’t understand their need for God and His amazing grace.  I thought we would spend the next week or so walking through some of the basics found in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.  He is speaking both to His disciples and also to the Pharisees who are there.  Let’s dig in to Matthew 5 together today.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Jesus starts out by hitting the Pharisees directly – blessed are the poor in spirit.  The Pharisees did not see themselves this way.  They thought they were good, that they had it all together.  Jesus is teaching us all truths but also pointing out the errors in the thinking of the Pharisees.  No one is good enough on their own to be righteous in God’s eyes.  Much of Jesus’ work in this sermon is to point us all to the truth of how much we need God. I guess that’s one thing my golf game has on the Pharisees.  I know I’m not good enough.  No one is.  Take some time today to thank God for His work and grace in your life. 

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

Last night I got a surprise call from an old friend.  It was great to catch up and hear about what God is doing in his life and to talk about family and ministry.  He is a friend that we have always had the ability to pick up and pour into each other even after not speaking for months or even a year.  After connecting with him it made me think of others in my life who I should call to encourage.  It reminded me of this passage from Proverbs 27.  Let’s look at it together today. 

Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
    but an enemy multiplies kisses.

One who is full loathes honey from the comb,
    but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.

Like a bird that flees its nest
    is anyone who flees from home.

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,
    and the pleasantness of a friend
    springs from their heartfelt advice.

Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family,
    and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you— better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.

Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart;
    then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.

The prudent see danger and take refuge,
    but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
    hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.

If anyone loudly blesses their neighbor early in the morning,
    it will be taken as a curse.

A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping
    of a leaky roof in a rainstorm;

restraining her is like restraining the wind
    or grasping oil with the hand.

As iron sharpens iron,
    so one person sharpens another.

The thing about iron sharpening iron is that it’s a rough process sometimes.  It involves sharpening dull edges with force and chipping away things that don’t need to be there.  We all need that in our lives.  Someone who can ask hard questions of us and push on our dull edges.  Someone who encourages us but also pushes us to be better.  I like how this passage starts, wounds from a friend can be trusted.  Sometimes we need to be prodded and “wounded” to be the best version of ourselves.  Who does that for young your life?  Who do you need to call today to encourage, push and maybe even wound a little bit to sharpen?  I pray that we would all have that person in our lives and be that person for others as well. 

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave