Live Different – week 1
Live Different
Imagine that in some distant future, the only scripture you could own was four chapters. Now you have 1,189 to choose from, so which ones do you take? It’s hard to choose, so I’ll help us narrow it down.
We want to make sure we choose the four chapters that help us remember the core teaching of scripture: the Gospel and how to live as God’s people. So now, which ones do you choose? Ten Commandments (Exodus 20)? Jesus’ death and resurrection (John 18-20)? How about the hope of the new creation (Revelation 21)?
I wouldn’t have to think too long about it. I would take Ephesians 2 as it is one of the most succinct accounts of the good news: But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— (Ephesians 2:4-5)
The other four are a no-brainer: Matthew 5-7. Augustine first coined the phrase ‘Sermon on the Mount,’ but he wasn’t that creative. Matthew 5 starts with seeing the crowds, he (Jesus) went up on the mountain. If we were naming it today, we might call it The Jesus Manifesto. This is Jesus’ most condensed and complete teaching in all the gospel accounts.
If you had only these three chapters AND lived them out, you would look and act like Jesus. This teaching is the concentrated version of how to live like a disciple. If you want to know how Jesus wants you to make decisions, order your priorities, treat others, spend your money, enjoy your sexuality, and worship him, just read these three chapters. But be aware, like my friend GI Joe told me, every Saturday, knowing is half the battle. It’s in the doing that we live like he is Lord: But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (James 1:22)
Resources:
www.bibleproject.com
(search Sermon on the Mount – Podcasts / videos / notes & commentaries
The Message of the Sermon on the Mount. John R. W. Stott
Studies in the Sermon on the Mount: Oswald Chambers
Date:
Main Scripture:
Main Point:
How did I hear the Gospel today:
Notes:
The Holy Spirit may be prompting me to… (think/do/respond):