Science Ridge Mennonite Church

Are You a Hypocrite?

Today we start a new section of the Sermon on the Mount. In the next few sections Jesus talks about our religious life, and really focuses on why we do the things we do. The word, "hypocrite" is used to describe certain people here. It turns out that the type of "hypocrite" that Jesus warns us about might be different than the way we are used to using that word. Tune in today to see what Jesus has to say about the motivations behind our actions. 
Mt 6:1 and following 

Does Jesus say Christians can be Perfect?

In Matthew 5:48 Jesus says "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Is is possible to be a perfect Christian? What does that mean? Today we look at this verse in the context of the rest of Matthew 5 and the lessons we have been learning for the last few weeks.

What Does it Mean to Love Our Enemies?

After Jesus talks about "turning the other cheek" and "going the extra mile" Jesus gives a teaching about loving our enemies. This sounds great in theory, but it can be much harder to practice in real life. 
 
We can also fall into the temptation of loving our "enemies" who are far away and impersonal, but fail to be kind or loving to the difficult people right in front of us. 
Today we'll talk about what Jesus means when he teaches us to "love our enemies" and how we can make that happen in our every day lives. 
 
Matthew 5:43-48

How do we turn the other cheek?

This week we look at one of the scriptures that has been formative for our faith tradition. It has also been very misunderstood! Today we'll learn what Jesus means when he says "turn the other cheek" and "go the extra mile." Mt 5:38-42

Can you keep your word?

This week we look at Jesus' teaching about oaths. He invites us to be people that keep our word. That is often easier said than done. Let's listen to what Jesus has to say about being people of integrity. 

Jesus Speaks on Divorce

Welcome! This week we look at a teaching from Jesus about divorce. This is not meant to be the singular teaching about divorce from the Bible, but we will hear Jesus speak into a specific debate that was happening in his day. Let's listen to some of Jesus' thoughts on divorce from Matthew 5:31-32. 

How do we see others? Jesus and Lust

This week we look at Mt 5:27-30. Here Jesus teaches that if we objectify others, if we lust after them, then we have controlled them in our heart and mind. In this way we have de-valued them, made them objects for our own use rather than people with value and dignity. 

Murder, Anger, Contempt, and Jesus

This week we look at another teaching from Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. Mt 5:21-26 Jesus teaches that not only is murder bad, but anger, and even contempt for others is wrong in the eyes of God. 
If murder is killing people (saying that the world would be better without them alive) then Jesus says that contempt is saying the same thing about others in our hearts. 
I put together some questions for reflection based on this teaching. You can find them here: https://www.scienceridgechurch.org/post/anger-contempt-and-the-value-of-a-human

Jesus and the Law

In Matthew 5:17-20 Jesus says that he has not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. Then he calls us to a greater righteousness. What does this all mean?
 
Today we explore what is going on behind these verses as we continue learning about the type of community that Jesus is inviting us into. 
 

Bring a Little Salt, Be the Light

This week our friend Eric fills in for Jacob! 
Continuing our teaching on Matthew 5, Eric explores what it means to be the Salt and Light. Eric also brought his guitar along and leads our worship this week.
 
Matthew 5:13-16