“Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching” (1 Timothy 5:17 ESV). Paul’s instruction to Timothy affirms that elders—those who serve as spiritual leaders and shepherds in the local church—are to be honored for their faithful labor. The phrase “rule well” refers to
Chapter: 5
CAN WE BE SURE OF OUR ULTIMATE DESTINY?
“For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him” (1 Thessalonians 5:9–10 ESV). Paul wrote to the believers in Thessalonica to comfort and encourage them concerning the coming “Day of
A NEW WAY OF SEEING OTHERS
“From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.” (2 Corinthians 5:16 ESV). Paul testified that his perspective on Christ and others had been completely transformed. Before his encounter with the risen Lord, he had judged
CONDEMNATION OR JUSTIFICATION?
“Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men” (Romans 5:18 ESV). In this verse, Paul draws a powerful contrast between the effects of Adam’s sin and Christ’s righteousness. Adam acted as our federal head—our representative before God—so when he sinned,
GOSPEL-SHAPED WORSHIP
“But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you.” (Psalm 5:7 ESV). David wrote Psalm 5 as a morning prayer, contrasting the fate of the wicked with the blessed access of the righteous. In verse 7, he acknowledged
Love in the Kingdom
Have you ever been wronged so deeply that your first instinct was to strike back? Maybe it was a harsh word, a betrayal, or someone who simply made your life miserable. The world teaches us to stand our ground, defend our rights, and get even. But in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offers us a different way—a kingdom way.
Jesus calls His followers not to live by the law of retaliation but by the law of love. Kingdom love doesn’t play by the world’s rules. It refuses revenge. It reaches across enemy lines. And it reflects the heart of God. What does love in the kingdom look like according to Jesus?
In the gospel of Matthew 5:31-37, Jesus taught His disciples that true righteousness in the kingdom of heaven required a greater love than what was taught by the religious leaders of that day. As Kingdom citizens, we can answer Christ’s call to live according to His greater love.
Faithfulness in the Kingdom
Today, we’ll be focusing on Matthew 5:31-37. We’ve titled this sermon: FAITHFULNESS IN THE KINGDOM because it addresses King Jesus’ call to be faithful in keeping the marriage covenant and in our daily communication.
In the gospel of Matthew 5:31-37, Jesus taught His disciples that true righteousness in the kingdom of heaven required a deeper faithfulness to the commitments they made than what was taught by the religious leaders of that day. As Kingdom citizens we are called to pursue faithfulness in all our commitments.
Purity in the Kingdom
Today, Jesus takes us into one of the most personal and challenging areas of life—our sexual purity. In a world flooded with temptation, sensuality, and distorted views of love, Jesus speaks with clarity and authority. He doesn’t lower the bar. He raises it to the level of the heart!
Let’s be honest, no one escapes this struggle untouched. Lust isn’t just a temptation we battle out there in the world. It’s a battle in here, in our hearts. If we’re going to live as faithful citizens of God’s Kingdom, if we’re going to live counter to the world’s culture as salt and light, we need more than just a pursuit of outward obedience, trying to keep ourselves pure through self-effort. We need transformation of the heart! In our text today, Jesus exposes the root of our problem and calls us to radical, grace-filled purity.
In the gospel of Matthew 5:27-30, Jesus confronted His hearers with the deeper intent of the Law, exposing the seriousness of lust as adultery of the heart, and calling them to a life of sexual purity as true citizens of God’s kingdom.
Reconciliation in the Kingdom
We live in a world filled with division, uncontrolled anger, and broken relationships. Whether in families, communities, or workplaces, unresolved conflict is a barrier to true peace. We’re hearing of fathers and sons being at odds over politics, over how they voted. We’re seeing mothers and daughters fighting over gender issues and appropriate pronouns. Neighbors are ripping up yard signs, pulling down flags, and keying one another’s cars. Even in the church, we struggle with unresolved conflict that disrupts our unity. People leave their community group, their youth group, or even the church over discord, rather than learning to reconcile with one another.
Yet Jesus calls us to pursue reconciliation as an essential element of living in His Kingdom. But how can we understand its importance?
In the Gospel of Matthew 5:21–26, Jesus confronted His hearers with the deeper intent of the Law by exposing the seriousness of unresolved anger and urging them to pursue reconciliation as true citizens of God’s kingdom.
Greatness in the Kingdom
In our text this week, Jesus transitions from His discussion of the character of Kingdom citizens (the Beatitudes), and the influence Kingdom citizens are to have in this world (salt/light), to those whom He calls great in the Kingdom of Heaven. He says that greatness in the Kingdom is connected to how we view the Bible, its commandments and how we view righteousness.
Indeed, if we are to consider Jesus our King, then we must look at the Bible through His eyes! In the gospel of Matthew 5:17-20, Jesus called those who saw the Bible through His eyes great in the Kingdom of Heaven. We can be among those whom Christ calls great in the Kingdom.