by Steve McCranie | Oct 31, 2016
When we look at the chilling words of Jesus that tell us “unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:20) we are perplexed. And rightly so. When we then see the requirement of becoming a “new creation” in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17) in order to possess the “righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees,” we are faced with even more questions.
Are you a new creation in Christ?
Has God changed you from the inside out?
Do you possess a righteousness that exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees?
If so, how do you know?
Can your friends and family tell?
And then one more:
Does this describe you?
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law (Gal. 5:22-23).
Have you ever asked yourself these questions? How did you answer? What does it mean if your answers to these questions are, no? To find out more, keep listening.
The following is a study on Matthew 5:20.
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by Steve McCranie | Oct 19, 2016
Some of the most chilling words of Jesus begin with a condition that seems impossible to meet. He begins this by saying:
“For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:20).
But what does this mean? Who were the scribes and Pharisees and what was the characteristic of their righteousness? What is the nature of the righteousness that must exceed their righteousness and how is that righteousness obtained? And once it is obtained, how do we know? How can we be sure? In what way does our righteousness have to exceed that of the scribes and the Pharisees? And finally, what does Jesus mean when He says, “You will by no means enter the kingdom of Heaven”?
These are tough questions. Important questions. Eternal questions.
Do you want to know more? Then keep listening.
The following is a study on Matthew 5:20.
To download the slides for this message, click – HERE
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by Steve McCranie | Oct 11, 2016
Jesus spent much of His Sermon on the Mount preaching about the Kingdom. What’s the Kingdom like? What are the unique realities that belong only to those in the Kingdom? Are there promises to those who live in the Kingdom? And, if so, what are they? How does one receive the Kingdom and, more importantly, how does one enter into the Kingdom?
The key is found in Mark 10:15: “Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
Did you catch that? Receiving must precede entering when it comes to the Kingdom. Do you want to know more? Then keep listening.
The following is a study on Matthew 5:19.
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by Steve McCranie | Sep 16, 2016
Often we find ourselves focusing on the temporal things in life and not on the eternal. We seem to devote most of our time and energy on the things that pass, things that fade away, things that are transitory at best and have an expiration date, and not on what truly matters and what lasts. Why is that?
Jesus said:
Matthew 5:18 – “For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”
Jesus said the law, the Word of God, is something that will outlast even heaven and earth. Then, according to Psalm 138:2, God said He honors His Word above His name. So what does all of this mean? And what are the implications for each of us? To find out more, keep listening.
The following is a study on Matthew 5:18.
To download the slides for this message, click – HERE
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by Steve McCranie | Sep 1, 2016
Great question: “What is truth?” It’s the question Pilate asked Jesus and the same question our culture asks of the church today. But there’s more to that question than is readily apparent. For example:
Is there such a thing as absolute truth?
And if so, what is that truth?
How do we know that absolute truth is absolute?
What about the changing times in which we live?
Does truth change to meet the culture?
Is truth living and active? Does it evolve?
Why is truth for yesterday truth for today?
Doesn’t each generation need their own truth?
Jesus addressed these questions in His first sermon, the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5-7. Let’s take a look at His answer together, shall we?
This is a study on Matthew 5:17.
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by Steve McCranie | Aug 22, 2016
Everyone has a story. Everyone’s life has a tale to tell. Will it be a story of redemption, faith, grace, mercy and love found only in Christ, or a story of failure, rejections, sin, guilt and judgment found in a life separated from Him? Yes, everyone has a story to tell. And that story is often portrayed as the light of our life.
Consider the words of Jesus:
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” – Matthew 5:14-16.
So what’s your story about? What light of His are you shining? And do those who don’t know Christ glorify Him because of your light and good deeds? Something to think about, isn’t it?
The following is a study on Matthew 5:14-16.
To download the slides for this message, click – HERE
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