Two Ways To Enter God's Kingdom

Gary DeLashmutt

Matthew 5:17-48

Jesus turns from talking about his followers' witness to addressing his whole audience to answer how people can enter into God's kingdom. We have a choice - we can try and enter of our own effort, through doing good and following a series of laws and rules. Jesus informs his audience that there is no one good enough to get to God this way, but then shares the good news that God has already provided an alternative through Christ!

A Deadly Infection

Dennis McCallum

Luke 12

Jesus warns his audience about the temptation of hypocrisy. Hypocrisy could be identified by a lack of honesty in efforts to appear more righteous than others while neglecting their own short comings. God is more concerned with the internal heart attitudes than the external actions we do before people. As we reject hypocrisy, we are able to see God's power more fully and develop close relationships that are honest as we learn to cooperate to fulfill His purposes.

Jesus Vs. False Religion

Dennis McCallum

Matthew 23:1-28

Dennis McCallum defines false religion as a man-centered twisting of Christianity, in which people care more about looking good in front of other people than what is pleasing to God. God rejects the self-righteousness and hypocrisy involved with false religion and calls us to focus on what matters most to Him: justice, mercy, and faith. McCallum teaches on ways to recognize legalism and offers a healthier alternative to growing spiritually.

The Mystery of Grace

Dennis McCallum

Matthew 20:1-16

Jesus use the parable of the workers in the field to illustrate the mystery of God's grace. The parable reveals that anyone who wants to experience God's grace has to come with empty hands, knowing that they can do nothing to earn it. It also illustrates that an attitude of pride and self-righteousness that blocks people from accepting this free gift.\r\n

The Problem of Wineskins

Dennis McCallum

Matthew 9:14-17

John's disciples question Jesus about why he and his disciples do not hold to the Rabbinic traditions, like fasting. Jesus' response about wineskins contrasts the old covenant, which emphasizes faithfulness to God and ethical behavior, and the new covenant, which emphasizes relational union and sharing God's love with others. God's emphasis is inward and spiritual, not outward and institutional. According to Jesus, what matters is not the wineskin (man-made rules and structures) but the wine itself (what God is doing.) The problem is, humans tend to focus on and value the skin rather than the wine. We should be open to change if it means cooperating with what God's doing, instead of hindering or forfeiting God's work in favor of our traditions.\r\n

Matthew's Party

Dennis McCallum

John 9:39-41

Jesus showed compassion and love to the despised and sinful people of his day. Jesus partied with Matthew, a despised tax collector, and invited him to become a disciple. Jesus came to heal the sinners, rather than saving those who thought they were righteous.

Sermon on the Mount (Part 4): Our Motivation for Life

Dennis McCallum

Hebrews 13:5

Jesus called people to trust God with their needs. God has taken care of the birds of the sky, how much more will He take care of his people? This doesn't mean we should be undisciplined with what God has given us, but it does mean that God has put enough on our plate for today and we should take security in the Lord. We are called to be stewards and givers of the things that God has blessed us with.

Sermon on the Mount (Part 3): Jesus and the Law

Dennis McCallum

Romans 3:19-24

Jesus made it clear to the Pharisees that their interpretation of the Law fell way short of God's. The Law wasn't meant to show people the path to righteousness, but to show people their sin and that they need God's grace. God's Law isn't something we can bend to fit our moral inclinations, but a strong moral law that shows people their moral inadequacy compared to God's perfect moral standard.

Sermon on the Mount (Part 2)

Dennis McCallum

Matthew 6:1-6

Jesus calls Christians to be the salt of the Earth, he wants us to share God's message through our lives and how we interact in our world. Many Christians today look to protect themselves from the evils of the world. God calls us to share His message to the watching world, and not box ourselves in to protect ourselves from sinful people.