Sermons on Matthew 5:20-48:

The Gifts Of Singleness And Marriage

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Jul 16, 2019

There is a prevailing belief in modern culture that never getting married is a fundamental failure of fitting in and belonging, therefore marriage will make a person happy.

My best friend since High School never got married. He says it wasn’t his choice to be single. He is now in his 60’s. I learned more about unconditional love through him than from anyone else. As an eighteen-year-old teenager, I was taken under the wing and discipled by a person in her 70’s who ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4, Hebrews 13:4-6, Revelation 7:17, 1 Corinthians 7:32-35, Colossians 2:16-19, 1 Timothy 4:1-5, 1 Corinthians 7:1-7, Matthew 19:12, Isaiah 56:4-5, Romans 15:17-19, Ephesians 2:10, Galatians 5:22, Galatians 3:28-29, John 3:29, Ephesians 5:25-33, Mark 10:2-12, Matthew 5:31-32, Revelation 19:7, Revelation 22:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Blame God Game - A 2 Part Message

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Jul 18, 2019

God is love. He disciplines His children. Many believe that means He ‘punishes,’ or ‘scolds’ or ‘spanks’ with severe means in the best eternal interests of the Born-Again Christian.

How do you reconcile the merciful goodness and love of God with pain, sorrow, sickness, and suffering? The Blame God Game first started in the Garden of Eden when God commanded Adam to “work it and take care of it.” He then told Adam that he was “free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:15-17, Psalm 121:3, Philippians 4:19, James 1:17, Ephesians 1:3, Revelation 21:9, Romans 8:21-26, Romans 8:28, Acts 5:1-10, 1 Corinthians 11:27-32, 2 Corinthians 5:18, 1 Corinthians 11:28, Psalm 139:23-24, John 14:26, Luke 12:12, Hebrews 12:7-11, 2 Samuel 12:13-14, Proverbs 3:11-12, Hebrews 12:6, Genesis 2:20-25, Psalm 84:11, Matthew 5:45  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Emotional Affair Other Than Your Spouse Is Very Toxic Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jul 23, 2019

There are many people around us both men and women flirting with other men and women ...

There are many people around us both men and women flirting with other men and women other than their spouse and having an emotional affairs meeting their needs outside marriage and some even to the level of physical relationships and finally end up sinning and cheating against their spouse. They ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-28

A Positive Christian Influence Changes Life For The Better Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Aug 2, 2019

Mature Christians influence others for the better by conserving fundamental principles of God's Law but by doing so with a forgiving spirit rooted in Christian love.

Have you, like me, ever been at odds with the law - for example: Have you ever been ticketed for a traffic violation? How did you handle your lawlessness? Stopped by a police officer for not coming to a complete stop at an intersection, I told him that, on my way back to The Rock, I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-26

Getting To The Heart Of The Matter Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Aug 2, 2019

Jesus taught His followers to prove their love by purity of living that flows from the heart.

“If everyone else jumped off a cliff, would you do it, too?” If I heard it once, I heard it a thousand times growing up. The point is: Just because everyone else is doing it doesn’t make it right. However, Christian perspective on the subject of Christian distinctiveness presents to some ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-30

Make Or Break Situations Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Aug 2, 2019

Make or break situations present a distinct challenge to the integrity of a Christian.

“Cross my heart and hope to die!” Did any of you ever use that phrase to swear to a friend that you would keep a promise? As kids, we engaged in such promise making, except that we might have done so with our fingers crossed behind our backs! Big difference between promise-making and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:33-42

Let Love Reign Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Aug 2, 2019

The magnificence of love as defined by the advent, life and death of Jesus, challenges Christians to rise above the mediocrity of love as defined by the world to seek the highest good of everyone.

Have you ever loved someone? Have you ever been loved by someone? These two questions address the two greatest needs of the human race: to love and to be loved. Without love, we die . . . “The Walking Dead” describes the life in which love is markedly absent. “Alive Forevermore” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Anger

Contributed by Michael Fredette on Aug 6, 2019

So the number one goal of every Christ follower must be producing fruit. But there are things just waiting to derail you, to ruin your fruit .

So the number one goal of every Christ follower must be producing fruit. But there are things just waiting to derail you, to ruin your fruit . Matthew 3:10"The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21, James 3:10

Denomination: Baptist

Falling Out Of Love With Myself

Contributed by Craig Benner on Aug 9, 2019

It is time to wake up and realize that the world does not revolve around me. If Jesus is number one in my life, then my goal is to make Him known to others.

Falling out of love with Myself Selflessness Mt 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. Lev. 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43

Denomination: Pentecostal

God Working In Us

Contributed by Brad Stone on Aug 14, 2019

God has plans for each and every one of us. At times, we may become contrary and buck against them. We may grumble and complain, but we must realize that He know's best.

A pastor is walking down the street one day when he notices a very small boy trying to press a doorbell on a house across the street. However, the boy is very small and the doorbell is too high for him to reach. After watching the boy’s efforts for some time, the pastor moves closer to the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:13-15, Matthew 5:45, 1 Corinthians 6:20, Jeremiah 29:11, Proverbs 17:22, Ephesians 4:29  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Worship Of Waiting (Psalm 37) Series

Contributed by James Jackson on Aug 26, 2019

We know God wins in the end. But what do we do in the meantime, when evil seems to be winning?

The Worship of Waiting (Psalm 37) Good morning! Please turn in your Bibles to Psalm 37. One of my all-time favorite books is “Children’s Letters to God.” It’s a collection of prayers, observations, questions, and complaints, with the handwriting, grammar, and punctuation of the children that ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:19-21, Matthew 5:39-45, Isaiah 6:5-7

Denomination: Baptist

Kingdom Life Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Sep 13, 2019

When you realize that Jesus did not cancel God’s Law, but completes it, that it continues today, and that you have to keep every part of it from the heart, there is only one thing you can do to be "good enough" for God's Kingdom and that’s count on Jesus.

Through his humor, Bill Waterson has a way to make you think about life. He’s the author of the Calvin and Hobbes comic strips; and some time ago, he drew Calvin (a little boy) hurtling down a snowy slope on a sled with his friend Hobbes (a tiger). Calvin: I'm getting nervous about ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20, Romans 8:1-4, Matthew 18:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Kingdom Relationships Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Sep 20, 2019

In dealing with your anger, don’t commit murderous acts, don’t think murderous thoughts, and don’t speak murderous words. But if your anger has hurt someone, seek reconciliation and seek a resolution as soon as you can.

Several years ago, the Arizona Republic carried a story about Steve Tran of Westminster, California. He activated 25 bug bombs in his apartment to get rid of some unwanted guests, the cockroaches that shared the space with him. He closed the door thinking he had seen the last of them. But when the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-26, Ephesians 4:26-27, Matthew 10:28, Mark 9:48, James 3:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

That's Not Fair

Contributed by Gary Holt on Sep 21, 2019

Jesus calls us to a new and higher standard of righteousness. We are called to love others more than we love our own rights.

“That’s not fair” Matthew 5:38-42 Here are some things we always see in the news: There was a mass shooting There was another bombing A church fought and split over who got to be in charge Cruel words were spoken, doors were slammed Tears were shed, and bones were broken Hearts were broken, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Kingdom Sex Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Sep 27, 2019

To overcome a porn addiction and lust, Jesus says: Don’t look with the deliberate intention of fantasizing sex. And if you can’t keep from looking, take drastic action to avoid the trap of lust. But above all, depend on Christ to purify your heart.

On a December Sunday afternoon in northeastern Pennsylvania several years ago (2005), Pedro Sainvil sent two of his two children, ages 8 and 9, outside to play in the snow. Several minutes later, they rushed back into the house screaming, “Dad! Dad! There's a bear under the house!” Sure ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-30

Denomination: Evangelical Free