Current Series

Upside Down Kingdom

The Sermon on the Mount is a clear picture of the kind of people fit for the kingdom of God. It can be found in Matthew 5-7 and it contains some of the most well-known and beloved teachings of Jesus. Contrary to some peoples' misunderstanding, it is not a new law code for Christians. It is a clear description of the kind of life a person will live when he or she is fully surrendered to God and his kingdom. Things in God's kingdom seem upside down when contrasted with worldly living. This teaching was directed explicitly at disciples rather than the crowds (See Matthew 5:1). It seems impossibly hard to anyone who is not walking in the Spirit, because it is! Our righteousness must exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees. His sermon begins by telling students that the truly blessed person is the one who is poor in spirit. This sounds like upside down thinking. He tells us to forgive our enemies and not worry about food or clothing. He takes the Old Testament teaching on subjects like anger, lust and greed and raises the bar to the very level that a heart even entertaining the thought is sinning. He tells us to give, pray and fast in secret. Finally, the Sermon cautions us of the dangerous storms to come. The life built on Jesus' teaching is sure to withstand the flood. Join us this summer as we build our lives on Jesus' famous words.