Raising the Bar – Beyond Moral

Beyond Moral – Nearly everyone agrees that adultery is a betrayal of the marriage vows. Yet Jesus raised the bar to say that lust is adultery of the heart. In this ongoing study of the Sermon on the Mount, we talk today about the connection between our thoughts...

Raising the Bar – Beyond Forgiving

Beyond Forgiving – In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, He addresses the command not to murder, but raises the bar to address anger, and how we think about people who have wronged us. Forgiveness is key, often easier said than done. But then He moves beyond...

Raising the Bar – Beyond Obedient

Beyond Obedient – Jesus completes the Old Testament. Parts of the Old Testament were fulfilled through His life on earth, His death, burial, and resurrection. Parts will not be fulfilled until He returns and takes us home for eternity. But He is the essence of...

Raising the Bar – Beyond Kind

Beyond Kind – Why is it so easy to talk about a great movie, a great play, a great concert, or a great ballgame, but so hard to talk about the Lord? Jesus said we are to be salt and light in the world. We can’t just be kind people, we need to impact people...

Raising the Bar – Beyond Happy

Beyond Happy – “Raising the Bar” suggests setting higher standards or raising expectations. That’s what Jesus did in the Sermon on the Mount. He challenged His followers to reach beyond external mediocrity to moral, relational, and spiritual...