challenge the way we live each day.

SIX WAYS TO THINK LIKE CHRIST

Matthew 5:21-47

5:21-22

Example: Murder

It 's not enough to: Avoid killing

We must also: Avoid anger and hatred

5:23-26

Example: Gifts

It 's not enough to: Offer regular gifts

We must also: Have right relationships with God and others

5:27-30

Example: Adultery

It 's not enough to: Avoid adultery

We must also: Keep our hearts from lusting and be faithful

5:31-32

Example: Divorce

It 's not enough to: Be legally married

We must also: Live out marriage commitments

5:33-37

Example: Oaths

It 's not enough to: Keep your oaths

We must also: Avoid casual and irresponsible commitments to God

5:38-47

Example: Revenge

It 's not enough to: Seek justice for ourselves

We must also: Show mercy and love to others

We, more often than not, avoid the extreme sins but regularly commit the types of
sins with which Jesus was most concerned. In these six examples, our real struggle
with sin is exposed. Jesus pointed out what kind of lives would be required of his
followers. Are you living as Jesus taught?

JESUS AND THE OLD TESTAMENT LAW

Matthew 5:17-19

Examples of Old Testament mercy in justice:

Leviticus 19:18

"Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love
your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD. "

Proverbs 24:28-29

"Do not testify against your neighbor without cause -would you use your lips to
mislead? Do not say, ‘I 'll do to them as they have done to me; I 'll pay them back
for what they did. ' "

Proverbs 25:21-22

"If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to
drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will
reward you. "

Lamentations 3:30-31

"Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with
disgrace. For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. "

What seems to be a case of Jesus contradicting the laws of the Old Testament
deserves a careful look. It is too easy to overlook how much mercy was written into
the Old Testament laws. Above are several examples. What God designed as a system
of justice with mercy had been distorted over the years into a license for revenge.
It was this misapplication of the law that Jesus attacked.

SEVEN REASONS NOT TO WORRY

Matt1hew 6:25-34

6:25
The same God who created life in you can be trusted with the details of your life.

6:26

Worrying about the future hampers your efforts for today.

6:27

Worrying is more harmful than helpful.

6:28-30

God does not ignore those who depend on him.

6:31-32

Worrying shows a lack of faith in and understanding of God.

6:33

Worrying keeps us from real challenges God wants us to pursue.

6:34

Living one day at a time keeps us from being consumed with worry.