The sermon on the mount – Page 3

Reward?

If we are saved by grace, is it appropriate to talk about reward? Doesn’t that create different classes of believers? Are Christians selfless or are we actually expecting to get something back from our good deeds? Don’t forget to subscribe to our Faithroots YouTube channel

Skin Deep? Love your enemies

A man comes to Jesus and asks him “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus asks him what the law says. He responds with the two greatest commandments “Love God” and “Love your neighbour.” Jesus confirms that he has answered correctly. The man however isn’t satisfied. “Who is my neighbour?” He asks. Then… Continue reading Skin Deep? Love your enemies

Skin Deep? Going Further

The point of the “Lex Talionis” or the eye for an eye rule was not that it was meant to encourage harsh vengeance but that it was meant to limit and constrain revenge and keep it within the boundaries of justice. The alternative was for blood feuds that would run and run with ever escalating… Continue reading Skin Deep? Going Further

Skin Deep? Trustworthy?

When we bought our house, we took out a mortgage. Like many home owners up and down the country, we were making a promise, a commitment that over the next 25 years, we would pay back the money we had borrowed with interest. How could our Building Society be sure that we would repay the… Continue reading Skin Deep? Trustworthy?

Skin Deep? Sexual Immorality

Pornography is a poisonous cancer, designed to be addictive, it seeps into minds and emotions. Pornography is a killer, it gives a false, idolatrous view of sex, including often violent relationships that kills passion and intimacy within marriage. Pornography says that infidelity is okay. So, what should you do if addicted to porn? Following Jesus’… Continue reading Skin Deep? Sexual Immorality

Skin Deep? Anger and Murder

Have you ever called anyone a fool or an idiot? I would probably do better to ask if anyone has not called someone that! So, we probably should take Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:21-26 seriously. But doesn’t the Bible, Paul and even Jesus himself refer to people as fools and foolish? So, what exactly is… Continue reading Skin Deep? Anger and Murder

Skin Deep? (Matthew 5:17-48)

“It doesn’t apply to me though.” That seems to be the general attitude of British people to laws we don’t like. If you need to pop up to Durham for a few days and the lockdown rules say no, then you can probably find an exception. Rules about unnecessary journeys don’t apply to me if… Continue reading Skin Deep? (Matthew 5:17-48)

Be Salty, submit to the authorities, love your neighbour

For my birthday this year, Boris Johnson has changed the law and imposed a new restriction to do with Coronavirus. From today, it will be a legal requirement for people to wear face-masks in shops. Now, whilst some people have been wearing face-masks already and want to know why it hasn’t been made law sooner,… Continue reading Be Salty, submit to the authorities, love your neighbour

Being Salty – Taste and See

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored?”[1] “Taste and see that the Lord is good;”[2] Salt has a number of qualities, with regards to food, it acts as a preservative, but it also acts to enhance flavour. I think it is helpful to think of… Continue reading Being Salty – Taste and See

Happy People – The persecuted

Our final beatitude talks about those who are persecuted. Paul tells us that: 12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived[1] Now remember two things here. First, that the blessing is for those who are persecuted for… Continue reading Happy People – The persecuted