In this sermon series, we will find that the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew’s gospel is a call to wise living. This way of living is in light of God’s promise to renew the world and set it to rights. By living in God’s kingdom here on earth, we can anticipate growth and flourishing in our own lives as we seek to follow him in obedience.
Foundations
Sermons in this series
With Authority (Matt. 7:28-8:1)
October 16, 2022Pastor:Joey Woestman
Sermon Notes
Coming off the mountain, the crowds marveled at the authority with which Jesus taught. Every other prophet or wisdom teacher or law-giver pointed to someone greater than themselves; Jesus offered himself as the foundation of life in the Kingdom of God. How do you respond to someone like that? How do we? Join us for “With Authority” from the last verses of the Sermon on the Mount, and follow along as we summarize the entirety of the sermon and hear afresh Jesus’s call on our lives.
Two Builders (Matt. 7:24-27)
October 9, 2022Pastor:Joey Woestman
Sermon Notes
We’ve come to the end. We’ve heard the words of Jesus—who is more than a philosopher of the good life, more than a sage sharing God’s wisdom, more than a prophet teaching God’s law. We’ve heard the words of the one who is the final and definitive source of God’s truth. So, decision time: will you build your life on the sure foundation of his teaching? Or turn away, and build on an unstable foundation? We’ll consider the “Two Builders” in Matthew 7:24-27. Which do you want to be?
True or False (Matt. 7:15-23)
October 2, 2022Pastor:Jeff Schultz
Sermon Notes
We expect that what we see on the outside reflects what someone or something really is. But Jesus warns us to beware false prophets who look good but lead people astray. How do we know who we should listen to? And who am I listening to? Join us for “True or False” from Matthew 7:15-23.
Two Paths (Matt. 7:13-14)
September 25, 2022Pastor:Joey Woestman
Sermon Notes
As Jesus begins to wrap up his Sermon on the Mount, he ends with warnings: there are two ways to respond to his message. The foolish person will ignore what he says, preferring the easy path; the wise person will hear and put it into practice, regardless of the difficulty. Which path will we take? Join us as we consider the “Two Paths” Jesus lays out for us, from Matthew 7:13-14.
Good Gifts To Those Who Ask (Matt. 7:7-12)
September 18, 2022Pastor:Jeff Schultz
Sermon Notes
Jesus’ picture of life in his Kingdom is profoundly beautiful and deeply challenging. I long to have that kind of life, but the more I think about it the more I see how far short I fall. What do I do? How does God help me actually experience his Kingdom? Join us for “Good Gifts to Those Who Ask” from Matthew 7:7-12.
The Art of Spiritual Discernment (Matt. 7:1-6)
September 11, 2022Pastor:Joey Woestman
Sermon Notes
With some of his most well-known, pithy sayings, Jesus instructs us in the art of spiritual discernment. If we judge unfairly, we too will be judged unfairly. How can we point out others’ faults if we’re unaware of our own? And is there ever a place for measuring others? Join us for “The Art of Spiritual Discernment” as we explore Jesus’s teaching in this critical area!
A Restful Heart (Matt. 6:25-34)
September 4, 2022Pastor:Jeff Schultz
Sermon Notes
If I don’t rely on money or stuff for security and identity, life gets scary. How do I know things will turn out the way they should? Can I really trust God? Because lots of things go wrong. But Jesus invites us into a life of confidence and peace trusting in the Father’s goodness and care. Join us as we look at “A Restful Heart” from Matthew 6:25-34.
Either/Or (Matt. 6:19-24)
August 28, 2022Pastor:Joey Woestman
Sermon Notes
In a passage that serves both to wrap up the previous discussion—what kind of reward are you looking for, the kind that comes from God or from people?—and introduces the next section—what kind of riches do you want, the kind that wastes away or the kind that lasts forever?—Jesus shifts gears into talking about how his call to “greater righteousness” applies to the stuff of this world. What should the disciple’s relationship to money be? Join us for “Either/Or” from Matthew 6:19-24, where we’ll see Jesus’s radical call to be wholly oriented toward God, even in how we think about our stuff.
Fasting for Compliments (Matt. 6:16-18)
August 21, 2022Pastor:Joey Woestman
Sermon Notes
Calling us to “greater righteousness” in how we live out the habits that draw us closer to God, Jesus rounds out this trio of personal pieties with a discussion of fasting. Why are we tempted to make ourselves look bad in order to look good? Whose praise are we seeking? Join us for “Fasting for Compliments” from Matthew 6:16-18.
The Heart of Prayer (Matt. 6:7-15)
August 14, 2022Pastor:Jeff Schultz
Sermon Notes
Prayer is conversation – talking with and listening to our heavenly Father. It connects us with God and keeps us walking in his ways. Jesus shows us how to avoid hypocrisy and instead trust in God, offering simple and heartfelt prayer. Join us for “The Heart of Prayer” from Matthew 6:7-15.
Praying for Praise (Matt. 6:5-6)
August 7, 2022Pastor:Joey Woestman
Sermon Notes
As we near the very center of the Sermon on the Mount, we find Jesus giving instruction on how to pray. What does whole-person righteousness look like when applied to prayer, and how do we avoid the temptation to parade our righteousness for others to see? We’ll tackle those questions and more in “Praying for Praise” from Matthew 6:5-6!
Worthy (Ephesians 4:1-6)
July 31, 2022Pastor:Jeff Schultz
Sermon Notes
We all know sad examples of people who didn’t live up to their promises or values. We can all see ways we do that, too. If God has poured out his love on us, called us his children, adopted us into his family, joined us together as a new kind of community, what difference does that make in how we live? In worship we look at “Worthy” from Ephesians 4:1-6.
Giving and Recognition (Matt. 6:1-4)
July 24, 2022Pastor:Jeff Schultz
Sermon Notes
Jesus highlights the danger of performative righteousness – doing good in order to be seen and admired. Jesus has come to set us free to be right in the right kind of way, doing good and trusting God for the results and the recognition. Join us as we look at “Giving and Recognition” from Matthew 6:1-4.
Perfect Holiness (Matt. 5:48)
July 17, 2022Pastor:Joey Woestman
Sermon Notes
Rounding out and summarizing these six heart-level interpretations of Old Testament Law, Jesus calls his followers to perfect holiness. But what exactly does he mean by “perfect”? Is he laying an unbearable burden on our shoulders? Or calling us to whole-person, integrated righteousness? Join us for “Perfect Holiness,” as we dig into the kind of righteousness Jesus calls us to in Matthew 5:48.
Greater Love (Matt. 5:43-48)
July 10, 2022Pastor:Joey Woestman
Sermon Notes
To wrap up his call to greater righteousness, Jesus focuses on love—not just love for those who already love us, but love for even those who hate us, who attack and revile us. This is greater righteousness at its highest and most virtuous. Join us for “Greater Love” as we examine Jesus’s high calling to love!
Lex Virtutis (Matt. 5:38-42)
July 3rd, 2022Pastor:Joey Woestman
Sermon Notes
In one of the best known sections of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus appears to tell us not to resist evil, not to stand up to injustice, to accommodate unjust authorities, and to give even to the point of bankrupting ourselves. But is that really how we should apply his wisdom? Join us for “Lex Virtutis”—the Law of Virtue—as we explore how the disciples of Jesus “righteous-ize” an unjust world.
Tried and True (Matthew 5:33-37)
June 26th, 2022Pastor:Jeff Schultz
Sermon Notes
Jesus now addresses the topics of oaths and truth-telling. Are we literally not to swear oaths? And why are honesty and reliability so important for God’s people? Join us this Sunday as we look at “Tried and True” from Matthew 5:33-37.
Unadulterated (Matt. 5:31-32)
June 19, 2022Pastor:Joey Woestman
Sermon Notes
As if Jesus’s teaching on sex and lust wasn’t difficult enough, his position on divorce isn’t any easier! How do we understand what Jesus says here with what he also says in chapter 19? What’s the heart behind these words? Join us for “Unadulterated” from Matthew 5:31-32 as we tackle yet another of Jesus’s profoundly counter-cultural lessons!
You Are Not Your Own (1 Cor. 6:12-7:5)
June 12, 2022Pastor:Joey Woestman
Sermon Notes
As the gospel spread throughout the Roman world, the earliest Christians had to think through how Jesus’s teaching—including about sex and sexuality—applied in an “anything goes” world. Join us for “You Are Not Your Own” from 1st Corinthians 6:12-7:5, as we see how the Apostle Paul applies Jesus’s words in a pagan world.
Don't Look Now! (Matt. 5:27-30)
June 5, 2022Pastor:Joey Woestman
Sermon Notes
Now that we’ve understood the foundation of Jesus’s teaching about marriage, sex, and sexuality, we can turn to the text of Matthew 5:27-30 to see what Jesus has to say about the heart issue behind adultery–it’s about lust. It’s not enough to just resist the behavior. Jesus wants our hearts, too. Join us for “Don’t Look Now!” as we explore the source, the symptoms, and the solution to lust.
The Old Way (Matt. 5:27-30)
May 29, 2022Pastor:Joey Woestman
Sermon Notes
Just a few paragraphs into the Sermon on the Mount, and already Jesus is getting offensive. Anger is one thing, but now he dares to talk about lust? And divorce? Doesn’t Jesus know that these are private issues? Yes, he does—which is why he talks about them, and why we’ll spend a few extra weeks in these verses. We examine the assumptions about sex and sexuality that Jesus’s listeners bring to the conversation, and contrast them with our assumptions today. We examine “The Old Way” from Matthew 5:27-30 to get our bearings from the Bible’s teaching on this topic!
Rage, Resentment and Reconciliation (Matt. 5:21-26)
May 22, 2022Pastor:Jeff Schultz
Sermon Notes
Jesus’ kingdom is marked by peace in our hearts and living at peace with others. So anger, resentment, and scorn are heart postures that must be acknowledged and dealt with. Join us for “Rage, Resentment, and Reconciliation” from Matthew 5:21-26.
Greater Righteousness (Matt. 5:17-20)
May 15, 2022Pastor:Jeff Schultz
Sermon Notes
“I have not come to abolish, but to fulfill!” With these words, Jesus places himself at the pinnacle of revelation, the consummation of expectations and the conclusion of the whole Old Testament story. He’s not here to do a radical new thing, to throw away everything that came before. No, he’s here to finish what God started a long, long time ago. But finishing God’s work means new, intensified requirements for his people. Join us for Jesus’s call to “Greater Righteousness” in Matthew 5:17-20!
The Witness of Kingdom People (Matt. 5:13-16)
May 8, 2022Pastor:Jeff Schultz
Sermon Notes
Jesus has pictured a people whose values stand out from the normal way of life in this world. What happens when Jesus’ followers live out Kingdom values in their ordinary lives? And what does that look like? Join us for “The Witness of Kingdom People” from Matthew 5:13-16.
The Happy State (Matt. 5:2-12)
May 1, 2022Pastor:Joey Woestman
Sermon Notes
In an intentional echo of Psalm 1, the Sermon on the Mount begins by describing true human flourishing in relationship with God. We’re familiar with the picture: meekness, mercy, purity, peacemaking. But are these “beatitudes” promises of blessing from God for good behavior? Or descriptions of the happy state of those who live wisely? Join us as we explore Matthew 5:2-12!
Setting the Foundation (Matt. 5:1-2)
April 24, 2022Pastor:Joey Woestman
Sermon Notes
For the first few centuries after the first Easter, the Church used Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount as its manual for discipleship. What does a follower of Jesus look like? How are they to live? What should they value? Why? These questions and more are answered in the Sermon on the Mount. For the next six months, we will walk through this famous sermon, building our own Kingdom Life. Join us as we set the foundation for our study—and for our life in the kingdom!