Matthew 5:17-48

"Dear Precious One, Today's message is very important because many in your religious world turn grace into an excuse to do whatever they want rather....."

Come on, we can hold up someone better than this as a hero! Rubel Shelly takes a high profile piece in the news and reminds all who the real heroes are among us.

Can you imagine what would happen if we really obeyed Jesus? Jesus commanded us to act in certain ways toward others, especially when people mistreat us; what would happen if we really did obey him?

Is revenge really so satisfying? Is it better to live with the philosophy of eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth or to practice forgiveness and kindness?

Are you feeding this monster? The leader of the Girls Gone Wild empire and smut king is facing charges and problems, but the real problem is the sexual addiction that pornography causes in the lives of men and women.

As children of our Father, we are called to live up to the God standard! Phillip Morrison reminds us that we are saved by grace and God expects us to be gracious.

"[Jesus continued:] " But I say, do not make any vows! ... And do not say, 'By the earth!' because the earth is [God's] footstool. And do not say, 'By...."

"[Jesus continued:] "You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who..."

"[Jesus said,] "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute..."

"[Jesus continued:] "If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only..."

Inspirational illustration of Matthew 5:43-45 -- [Jesus said,] "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heav

Does truth matter to us much these days? Rubel Shelly addresses the issues of honesty and integrity and the importance of telling the truth and the sin against each other and ourselves when we lie and do not tell the truth.

Does it really do you any good to get what you want in this circumstance? Rubel Shelly reminds us that revenge is never sweet because it diminishes us.

"[Jesus continued:] "So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you,...."

"[Jesus continued:] "You have heard the law that says, 'A man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a written notice of divorce.' But I say that a...."

"So when you offer your gift to God at the altar, and you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there at the...."

"[Jesus continued:] "You have heard the commandment that says, 'You must not commit adultery.' But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust..."

"But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and..."

"[Jesus continued:] "You have heard that our ancestors were told, 'You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.' But I say,...."

"But I say to you, love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you. If you do this, you will be true children of your Father in heaven. He causes the...."

"[Jesus continued:] "When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over....."

"[Jesus continued:] "You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say, do..."

"[After condemning lust, Jesus continued:] "So if your eye — even your good eye — causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for...."

"[Jesus continued:] "You have also heard that our ancestors were told, 'You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the..."

God's high standards are certainly upside down to how we often feel and how the world usually functions. Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in an online, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to open our hearts to the power of the Holy Spirit to love our neighbor and not bear grudges and seek revenge.

Want to know what is missing in this great story of freedom? Rubel Shelly reminds us that behind the great 42 of Jackie Robinson was a heart of faith and willingness to honor Jesus in the way he dealt with injustice, hatred, and prejudice.

"[Jesus continued:] "Give to those who ask, and don't turn away from those who want to borrow.""

"[Jesus continued:] "Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to..."

"[Jesus continued:] "If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too.""

"But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

"Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one."

"But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also."

"[After saying that he came to accomplish the purpose of the law of Moses, Jesus continued:] "I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear,....."

"[Jesus continued:] "But I warn you — unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees,..."

""Love thy neighbour." Perhaps he rolls in riches, and thou art poor, and living in thy little cot side-by-side with his lordly mansion; thou seest..."

"[Jesus continued:] "If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles.""

"[Jesus continued:] "So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But..."

If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away. - Matthew 5:29

Inspirational illustration of Matthew 5:28 -- But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Can't I just keep a little of my life protected from this? Phil Ware takes the two love commands of Jesus, the Greatest Commands, and applies them to all of life for a follower of the Lord.

God isn't going to accept anything we offer him — our hearts, our Sunday worship, our offerings, our praise, our hopes, our private prayers, our dreams — if we knowingly remain at odds with a brother or sister in Christ. Phil Ware takes the two love commands of Jesus, the Greatest Commands, and applies them to all of life for a follower of the Lord.

Are you really sure you can get even? For many people "getting even" is what they're interested in and they won't be satisfied until it's done. They don't want someone to escape justice. Unfortunately, they fail to realize that never happens on this side of heaven's judgement.

What are we to do with such great human need and such great risk? Phillip Morrison is back as our conscience asking us about how we sort through the refugee crisis in Syria and what are we going to do about it.

In every crucible, God longs for us to see Him, to trust Him, to lean in on Him. Ron Rose is back with his coffee, friends, and insights into life, faith, crucibles, and raindrops.

Why can't this also be our specialty? Rubel Shelly talks about Starbucks and their emphasis on customer service and how we need to emulate their desire to greet help others.

Is divorce the right decision? God is able to help couples avoid divorce, if we'll just let Him do it.

removing sin takes radical surgery Removing sin from our lives demands radical, aggressive action.

How can being generous grow our spirits? The spiritual discipline of generosity is crucial if we are going to grow in the spirit.

Should she get out of the relationship? Joe Beam answers questions on love, sex, and relationships; this one focuses on an emotional affair.

Prayer changes something much more important than our circumstances! Phil Ware continues his series on building a culture of honor focusing this week on prayer, especially prayer as a redemptive tool of offering forgiveness and blessing to those who are our enemies and who mistreat us.

Jesus didn't pray for unity just so Christians could sit in a happy circle, hold hands, and sing Kum Ba Yah around the campfire at church camp. Phil Ware reflects on the words of Jesus, the actions of the apostle Paul, and the example of a couple of men in his life, all focused on the theme of reconciliation.

Just what do you mean by that? Rubel Shelly weighs in on the tragedy in Oklahoma, our easy explanations, and our overuse of the word just.

Looking to put the spin on something, then learn from this! Paul Faulkner reminds us of the awesome power of words and our human ability to use them to distort the truth and anger God.

Are you as good as your word? Say what you mean and then do what you say. Those around you will come to trust you when your actions are the same as your words.

Do you know how to make a duck dance on an upsidedown pot? A duck that dances on a pot reveals the secret to shining our light and keeping our candle lit so that we can influence others.

Baseball is more than just a set of confusing rules. So is Christianity Christianity is more than a set of rules no one can follow. It is about a relationship with Jesus.

Where are you stuck? We will never make it trying to live in the middle: it is the place of collisions and disasters.

Is there anything I can do to help redeem this situation? Joe Beam shares his passion and recommendations for rescuing couples when an affair has blow apart their lives.

What do you have to hide? Phil Ware shares his father's values in a letter to his children Zachary and Megan

What can this old story powerfully say to our geopolitical messes of today? Phil Ware shares his series for December 2015 on welcoming Jesus and focuses on the Magi from the gospel of Matthew and lets that story remind us our need to reach out to the lost and foreigner and alien and refugee among us.