REFUGE KENOSHA

America has become such a highly sexualized country. Statistics on premarital sex and people’s general opinions on sexual behavior are jarring, but what does Jesus have to say about sexual purity? Today, as we look at the topic of sexual immorality (Matthew 5:27-30), we will see that in our lives, we are either actively feeding or starving out lust.

Anger is a massive problem and a huge burden to deal with. But what if we were to understand that Jesus holds anger to be a form of murder? Today, as we continue through what’s called The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:21-26), we will see that the spirit of anger and the spirit of worship are separate paths.

Today is the second part of our talk on Jesus, the Law, and me. Today we will be looking at what the ultimate purpose of the Old Testament Law was, and how it is related to Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection.

What does the Old Testament Law have to do with Jesus? How relevant is it for Christians today? As we look at Jesus’s words in Matthew 5:17-20, we will see that whatever God reveals ultimately stands the test of time.

Influence is a word that is common in our culture. What is the Christian’s relationship tot he world in terms of influence? Today, as we look at Matthew 5:13-16, we will see that our job as believers is to influence the world in preserving God’s design and proclaiming the light of the good news of Jesus.

Today we are talking about persecution. Jesus ends His Beatitudes by saying that the happiest people are those who are mistreated because of their righteous living. What exactly does He mean by that? Today, as we study Matthew 5:10-12, we will be challenged to live a life that is marked, not by this world, but by the Kingdom of Heaven.

Peace is something that everyone wants, but few actually get. Why is there such a lack of peace among people today? Today, as we continue through the Beatitudes of Jesus (Matthew 5:9), we will see that God’s children are called to be peacemakers. We will see that this is firstly a reflection of who God is, and that this reflection works itself out through bringing wholeness to others.

Can a lack of purity in our hearts actually affect our ability to know and have fellowship with God? If other devotions find themselves mixed within my devotion to God, can it cause a spiritual vision impairment? Jesus has an answer to that. Today, as we look at the sixth Beatitude (Matthew 5:8), we will see how purity creates clarity. 

Can our inward convictions or devotion to Christ stay inward? Is there a need for an external outworking of the character of Christ in us? Today, as we look through the fifth Beatitude (Matthew 5:7), we will see how people who belong to the Kingdom of God are to be merciful, showing active goodness toward people who are in misery and distress.

Everyone wants to be fulfilled. However, where does true fulfillment come from? Where are we to aim our desires? Today, as we look at the fourth Beatitude in Matthew 5:6, we’ll see how true fulfillment is found in hungering and thirsting after the right things.