Today's Word of Encouragement

THE SERMON OF SERMONS
Saturday, May 23, 2020

    Seeing the crowds, He went up on the mountain, and when He sat down, His disciples came to Him. And He opened His mouth and taught them (Matthew 5:1-2).

     There is no greater sermon given to men than our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount. It is ‘the sermon of sermons’, covering everything a person needs to understand regarding life in the Kingdom of God. While we may admire the beauty and simplicity of the Sermon on the Mount, in truth it is not for the faint of heart. If true Christians are accused of being narrow minded when it comes to the standards of biblical faith and practice, then Jesus is even more so when it comes to the principles and standards of Kingdom life - and rightly so since He is the King of the Kingdom.
     When one seriously considers the spiritual truths expressed in the Sermon on the Mount, several things become apparent:

•    Much of what passed (and passes today) for acceptable faith and worship in the eyes of religious leaders and their followers was, and is unacceptable to God.
•    There is no thought of ‘easy believism’ in the mind of Christ.
•    ‘Casual Christianity’ is not in Jesus’ vocabulary.
•    Active discipleship is not an option for a true believer.
•    Profession of faith without corresponding proof is a false profession.

     The people Jesus ministered to during His public ministry were like sheep without a shepherd (Mark 6:34) - they had no one to teach and guide them, no one to spiritually care for them. The priests and scribes were arrogant and sinful; they were spiritually blind and despised the people. As a result, all Israel, except for a remnant, were scripturally ignorant, spiritually lost, and in need of the Messiah as Lord and Savior. In the eyes of God they were not who they thought they were.
     “Father in heaven, open my eyes that I may see myself as You see me - scripturally ignorant and spiritually blind in many areas of my life. May I honestly and sincerely believe and affirm ‘I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will, and Thy rich promises in me fulfill. I need Thee, Oh I need Thee; every hour I need Thee! O bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee.’” Amen.

Pastor Martin