Transformative Teachings: Building the Kingdom of Heaven
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we embark on a journey to explore the revolutionary ideas of Jesus, particularly those encapsulated in the Sermon on the Mount. These teachings, delivered in a specific time and culture, sparked a movement so powerful that it ultimately led to Jesus' crucifixion. Jesus' ministry began after a period of formation in the wilderness, where he faced temptations and prepared for his mission. He then recruited his disciples and began spreading the good news and healing people across Galilee, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond.
The Sermon on the Mount, recorded in Matthew 5-7, is a cornerstone of Jesus' teachings. Imagine if Jesus delivered this sermon today; it might resemble a TED Talk, aiming to transform our way of thinking. The most popular TED Talks, like those by Sir Ken Robinson, Amy Cuddy, and Tim Urban, have reached millions, but Jesus' teachings have impacted billions over 2000 years. His words resonate because they offer hope and a vision for a better world.
Historical speeches like "I Have a Dream" and "Ask not what your country can do for you" have sparked movements, but they require action to bring about change. Similarly, Jesus' teachings call us to action. He warns that ideas only have power when they lead to action. If we truly listen to Jesus' words and apply them, we can transform our lives and the world around us.
During a visit to the Holy Land, I read the Beatitudes at the Church of the Beatitudes, a place traditionally associated with the Sermon on the Mount. The Beatitudes remind us to be flexible and adaptable, as Jesus' teachings guide us through life's challenges. Jesus emphasizes the importance of building our lives on a solid foundation, not on shifting sands. This requires effort, time, and surrendering our plans to God's will.
Jesus' call to repentance is about turning from our current path and aligning ourselves with the Kingdom of Heaven, a reality we can experience now. We see the world's brokenness in issues like poverty, lack of healthcare, and environmental crises. Jesus' teachings offer a different way, guided by God's wisdom and the Holy Spirit.
As we study the Sermon on the Mount, we must ask ourselves if we have a knowing problem or a doing problem. Jesus challenges us to love our enemies, not just those who are easy to love. He also tells us not to worry about our needs but to seek God's Kingdom first. This teaching is especially relevant when we consider the struggles of those less fortunate.
In conclusion, we must stop procrastinating and take action to build the Kingdom of Heaven here and now. Jesus' words have the power to transform if we let them guide our actions. Let us be the hands, feet, and eyes of Christ in the world, bringing about God's Kingdom through our deeds.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Jesus' Teachings: Jesus' teachings, particularly the Sermon on the Mount, have the power to transform lives and societies. These teachings call us to action, urging us to build our lives on a solid foundation of faith and practice. When we apply Jesus' words, we can experience a profound change in our personal lives and the world around us. [47:45]
2. Repentance and the Kingdom of Heaven: Repentance is not just about feeling sorry for our sins but about turning from our current path and aligning ourselves with the Kingdom of Heaven. This Kingdom is not a distant afterlife but a present reality we can participate in. By turning towards God's ways, we can bring about a more just and compassionate world. [49:50]
3. Loving Our Enemies: Jesus' command to love our enemies challenges us to go beyond our comfort zones. It's easy to love those who are kind to us, but Jesus calls us to extend love, compassion, and forgiveness even to those who are hard to love. This radical love can break down barriers and transform relationships. [54:14]
4. Trusting God Amidst Worry: Jesus teaches us not to worry about our basic needs but to seek God's Kingdom first. This teaching is a reminder that God provides for us and that our focus should be on living out God's will. By trusting in God's provision, we can find peace and contentment even in challenging circumstances. [55:47]
5. The Urgency of Action: Life is short, and we must not procrastinate on the things that matter most. Jesus calls us to be active participants in building the Kingdom of Heaven. This means addressing issues like poverty, injustice, and environmental degradation with urgency and commitment. Our actions, guided by Jesus' teachings, can bring light into the darkness. [58:38]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[0:45] - Introduction to Revolutionary Ideas
[2:30] - Jesus' Ministry and Formation
[5:15] - The Sermon on the Mount Overview
[8:00] - Modern-Day TED Talks Comparison
[12:00] - Historical Speeches and Movements
[15:30] - The Power of Action
[18:45] - Visit to the Holy Land
[21:00] - Building on a Solid Foundation
[24:00] - Repentance and the Kingdom of Heaven
[27:00] - Addressing Modern-Day Issues
[30:00] - Knowing vs. Doing Problem
[33:00] - Loving Our Enemies
[36:00] - Trusting God Amidst Worry
[39:00] - The Urgency of Action
[42:00] - Conclusion and Call to Action
[45:00] - Closing Prayer and Announcements
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 5-7: The Sermon on the Mount
2. Matthew 7:24-25: "Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock."
3. Philippians 4:11-13: "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the key themes presented in the Sermon on the Mount as described in Matthew 5-7?
2. According to Matthew 7:24-25, what is the outcome for those who hear and act on Jesus' words?
3. How does Philippians 4:11-13 describe Paul's attitude towards contentment and reliance on God?
4. In the sermon, what modern-day issues are highlighted as areas where Jesus' teachings can be applied? [51:25]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does building one's life on a solid foundation, as described in Matthew 7:24-25, relate to the challenges we face today? [47:45]
2. What does it mean to "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness" in the context of our daily worries and needs? [54:14]
3. How can the concept of repentance, as turning from our current path to align with the Kingdom of Heaven, be applied to modern societal issues like poverty and environmental crises? [49:50]
4. What are the implications of Jesus' command to love our enemies in today's polarized world? [54:14]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you are building on "shifting sands" rather than a solid foundation? What steps can you take to strengthen your foundation in Christ? [47:45]
2. Jesus teaches us not to worry about our basic needs but to seek God's Kingdom first. How can you practically apply this teaching in your daily life, especially when facing financial or personal challenges? [55:47]
3. Think of a person who is hard to love in your life. What specific actions can you take this week to show them love, compassion, and forgiveness as Jesus commands? [54:14]
4. Identify one area in your life where you feel called to take action but have been procrastinating. What is one concrete step you can take this week to move forward in that area? [58:38]
5. How can you contribute to addressing modern-day issues like poverty, lack of healthcare, or environmental crises in your community? What specific actions can you take to be part of the solution? [51:25]
6. Reflect on the idea of being the "hands, feet, and eyes of Christ" in the world. What is one way you can embody this in your interactions with others this week? [01:01:36]
7. How can you cultivate a sense of contentment and gratitude in your life, even in the midst of challenges, as described in Philippians 4:11-13? [57:07]
Devotional
### Day 1: The Transformative Power of Jesus' Teachings
Jesus' teachings, particularly those in the Sermon on the Mount, have the power to transform lives and societies. These teachings call us to action, urging us to build our lives on a solid foundation of faith and practice. When we apply Jesus' words, we can experience a profound change in our personal lives and the world around us. Jesus' words resonate because they offer hope and a vision for a better world. His teachings are not just theoretical but practical, calling us to live out our faith in tangible ways.
The Sermon on the Mount, recorded in Matthew 5-7, is a cornerstone of Jesus' teachings. Imagine if Jesus delivered this sermon today; it might resemble a TED Talk, aiming to transform our way of thinking. The most popular TED Talks have reached millions, but Jesus' teachings have impacted billions over 2000 years. His words resonate because they offer hope and a vision for a better world. Historical speeches like "I Have a Dream" and "Ask not what your country can do for you" have sparked movements, but they require action to bring about change. Similarly, Jesus' teachings call us to action. He warns that ideas only have power when they lead to action. If we truly listen to Jesus' words and apply them, we can transform our lives and the world around us. [47:45]
Bible Passage:
"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock." (Matthew 7:24-25, ESV)
Reflection:
Think about one area of your life where you need transformation. How can you start applying Jesus' teachings in that area today?
### Day 2: Repentance and the Kingdom of Heaven
Repentance is not just about feeling sorry for our sins but about turning from our current path and aligning ourselves with the Kingdom of Heaven. This Kingdom is not a distant afterlife but a present reality we can participate in. By turning towards God's ways, we can bring about a more just and compassionate world. Jesus' call to repentance is about turning from our current path and aligning ourselves with the Kingdom of Heaven, a reality we can experience now.
We see the world's brokenness in issues like poverty, lack of healthcare, and environmental crises. Jesus' teachings offer a different way, guided by God's wisdom and the Holy Spirit. As we study the Sermon on the Mount, we must ask ourselves if we have a knowing problem or a doing problem. Jesus challenges us to love our enemies, not just those who are easy to love. He also tells us not to worry about our needs but to seek God's Kingdom first. This teaching is especially relevant when we consider the struggles of those less fortunate. [49:50]
Bible Passage:
"Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus." (Acts 3:19-20, ESV)
Reflection:
Identify one way you can align your actions with the values of the Kingdom of Heaven today. What steps can you take to bring about a more just and compassionate world?
### Day 3: Loving Our Enemies
Jesus' command to love our enemies challenges us to go beyond our comfort zones. It's easy to love those who are kind to us, but Jesus calls us to extend love, compassion, and forgiveness even to those who are hard to love. This radical love can break down barriers and transform relationships. Jesus challenges us to love our enemies, not just those who are easy to love.
This teaching is especially relevant when we consider the struggles of those less fortunate. In conclusion, we must stop procrastinating and take action to build the Kingdom of Heaven here and now. Jesus' words have the power to transform if we let them guide our actions. Let us be the hands, feet, and eyes of Christ in the world, bringing about God's Kingdom through our deeds. [54:14]
Bible Passage:
"But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you." (Luke 6:27-28, ESV)
Reflection:
Think of someone in your life who is difficult to love. How can you show them love and compassion today, following Jesus' example?
### Day 4: Trusting God Amidst Worry
Jesus teaches us not to worry about our basic needs but to seek God's Kingdom first. This teaching is a reminder that God provides for us and that our focus should be on living out God's will. By trusting in God's provision, we can find peace and contentment even in challenging circumstances. Jesus' teachings offer a different way, guided by God's wisdom and the Holy Spirit.
As we study the Sermon on the Mount, we must ask ourselves if we have a knowing problem or a doing problem. Jesus challenges us to love our enemies, not just those who are easy to love. He also tells us not to worry about our needs but to seek God's Kingdom first. This teaching is especially relevant when we consider the struggles of those less fortunate. [55:47]
Bible Passage:
"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?" (Matthew 6:25, ESV)
Reflection:
What is one worry you can surrender to God today? How can you focus more on seeking God's Kingdom in your daily life?
### Day 5: The Urgency of Action
Life is short, and we must not procrastinate on the things that matter most. Jesus calls us to be active participants in building the Kingdom of Heaven. This means addressing issues like poverty, injustice, and environmental degradation with urgency and commitment. Our actions, guided by Jesus' teachings, can bring light into the darkness.
Jesus' teachings call us to action. He warns that ideas only have power when they lead to action. If we truly listen to Jesus' words and apply them, we can transform our lives and the world around us. In conclusion, we must stop procrastinating and take action to build the Kingdom of Heaven here and now. Jesus' words have the power to transform if we let them guide our actions. Let us be the hands, feet, and eyes of Christ in the world, bringing about God's Kingdom through our deeds. [58:38]
Bible Passage:
"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." (Hebrews 13:16, ESV)
Reflection:
What is one specific action you can take today to address an issue of poverty, injustice, or environmental degradation? How can you be a light in the darkness?
Quotes
### Quotes for outreach
1. "Throughout history, all the greatest stories, the lullabies, the good, the bedtime stories, all the speeches that we know, we know them because they resonate with us, they share a horizon of hope with us, they give us something to work towards. And so they bring about truths within us and the human race." [44:00] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If we actually hear these words, these instructions for life that make us make changes, that if we transform our lives, both as individuals and as the human race, that we can really be a part of that movement still to this day. And if we really take the time to consider, Jesus is pretty radical with his ideas. And I think we are being called to be a little bit radical in this time." [45:30] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So Jesus spends the rest of his sermon giving us these glimpses and so when we're talking about this this morning and over the next couple weeks it's going to be a little seemingly disjointed because he just gives you a snippet of it and talks about it and so that's where we're jumping in this morning of what it looks to be kingdom builders." [52:47] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When we hear or witness hate Jesus invites us to avoid steam procrastinating on sharing love because evil only invites more evil but love invites more love and when you are confronted about anger about a situation how are you redirecting that energy are you just being an idle observer just a commentator or are you redirecting that energy into making a change in the world." [01:01:36] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So friends let us stop procrastinating and get busy doing the things of the kingdom so that we have a firm foundation from this day forward." [01:02:50] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for members
1. "So what would it look like for Jesus to have given this message in this time and this place? Maybe it would be a TED talk. If you're not familiar, TED talk is that kind of 13 to 20 minute talk, almost like a sermon where it's a live studio audience. And TED is a nonprofit that tries to spread these ideas to transform the world. Sounds very Jesus-y, right?" [42:00] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So the truth of the matter is is Jesus was speaking into conflicts of his day and if we lay those conflicts back on the ones that we have right now they're the same thing just with different people different tribes different nations different people but we still have poverty and things like that that he had during that day and so what Jesus is telling us is that in the midst of that conflict the sameness that we have today that there is a different way if we start putting everything that Jesus teaches us into practice we will be guided by the wisdom of God and have a different world around us and that if we are in tune with the holy spirit that we will see those glimpses of heaven right now." [51:25] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So you like me maybe when you read that word enemies you might not have anybody that you can think of right away i don't have any enemies but what if you exchange that word for hard to love people now your list can probably get long pretty quick right those hard to love people and so then i start thinking about those people that maybe i dislike because i only know the thing about them that i dislike and so it's easier to say i don't like you because i obviously know this one thing about you and it doesn't align with me and then on the other hand the more we know about somebody it becomes hard to love them because we know so much about them so rather than behave in the same way our enemy acts jesus is saying meet them with love meet them with compassion meet them with grace and forgiveness don't match their behavior with their behavior but rather match their behavior with a a comeback of jesus's graciousness kindness all of that because that is the new way." [54:14] (63 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So i often need this reminder when i am ministering to our people over at raytown the church community that we have there is a lot of our have-nots and i was sitting with three guys this past wednesday and a few of them would be unhoused but one has a house but in in every other sense of the word they are living on the streets they are looking for provision from others and from agencies and so they were talking about what they didn't have and and i was like how do i speak into this of like i those are some of my worries that i don't have to worry about and so i went to philippians 4 which is one of my favorites and i said we are all in a sense in some way in need of something and have to find our gratitude in the midst of that and so paul writes in philippians 4 this i have learned to be content whatever the circumstances i know what it is to be in need and i know what it is to have plenty i have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation whether well-fed or hungry whether living in plenty or in want i can do all things through him who gives me strength so i tried to put my myself in their shoes but also realized that that verse hits differently those verses of having and having not is different depending on who you are but we ended up talking about contentment and they walked out of there with gratitude saying you know i have these things today and i'm grateful and i'm still looking for all these other things to come and be about but that is where the rest of us get to surround them and be part of helping shape their world where they have uh when they are lacking." [57:07] (100 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So again today it seems like we're just jumping from idea to idea and we're just scratching the surface on this sermon on the mount and those are the the few ideas that get us started on this but what i want to take us back to for a moment is that we all at times miss the mark and taking part in these things we procrastinate on what jesus calls us to do and so remember how i procrastinated by watching that video i think i have a way to bring it back so it wasn't wasted time that 14 minutes because spoiler alert if you end up going back to watch this this ted talk tim urban concludes his talk by putting a graphic up that has all these squares that represent one week of a 90 year old's life and that is 4680 weeks and a person's life most of us know that the um average life is about the least number of days more often than the whole life span is much less now it's 76 but think about it every one of those boxes represents how short life can be so urban proposes this to his audience and I do to you today that I think we all need to take a long hard look at this calendar we need to think about what we're really procrastinating on because everyone is procrastinating on something in life he calls us all procrastinators we all have something a goal a dream a project that we have but haven't started yet we keep making excuses of why we haven't started it this calendar visibly shows how short life can be and we have just spent those three weeks looking at how the afterlife affects what we do right now with our lives and what we can learn about that is that every week that we put off chasing our dreams is another box checked off but as Christ followers we're not just any dream we're not just chasing any goal but rather we are chasing the kingdom of heaven right here and right now and so Jesus has painted this beautiful picture for us of what we are to be in tuned with to experience the reign of God right here and right now and when we have the power of the Holy Spirit within us to grant us that strength and the power we get to put light into the darkness that we see all around us and so we have to ask ourselves we procrastinating on taking part in building the kingdom of heaven are we procrastinating on building the thing that God has called us to build what is God asking you to do what is God asking us to do as a church to build the kingdom right here and right now are you avoiding it because when we are saddened by the state of our relationships as Christ followers we are called to choose to not avoid healing those relationships we were asked to stop procrastinating on binding those relationships back together when we are upset about the lack of civility especially during an election year Jesus invites us to avoid procrastinating on being peacemakers and instead of putting more fuel on the flames Jesus says take a step back be at peace with one another." [58:38] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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