Be Holy (Matthew 5 17-37)
08/19/24 • 20 min
In this episode, we delve into the impressive capabilities of SpaceX's Falcon Heavy Rocket, the largest rocket in existence today. We explore its immense power, capable of producing over 5,000,000 pounds of thrust, and its ability to carry payloads up to 140,000 pounds. The rocket's journey, whether to Mars or into orbit, requires a significant amount of fuel, with one-third used in the first mile alone to overcome inertia.
We then draw a fascinating parallel between the rocket's launch and the acceleration phase of a 100-meter dash in track and field. Just as the rocket needs a powerful start to overcome inertia, sprinters must maximize their force application in the first few steps to achieve top speed.
Transitioning to a spiritual perspective, we discuss the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew chapters 5 through 7. The teachings of Jesus present a different story about the world, one that requires overcoming the inertia of the status quo to live in a new way. We explore the concept of holiness, distinguishing it from mere self-improvement. Holiness, as Jesus teaches, is about being wholly devoted to the work and will of God, rather than focusing on personal betterment.
We challenge the traditional checklist approach to holiness, exemplified by the Pharisees, and emphasize the importance of valuing and protecting others. Jesus' teachings call for a shift from personal righteousness to an active interest in the well-being of our fellow human beings, even at our own expense. This episode encourages listeners to rethink their understanding of holiness and embrace a life devoted to God's work.
(00:00) Introduction to the Falcon Heavy Rocket
(01:31) US Track and Field Olympic Trials
(05:27) The Sermon on the Mount: Overcoming Inertia
(07:00) Redefining Holiness
(12:21) The Righteousness of the Pharisees vs. God's Righteousness
(17:23) Holiness and the Protection of Others
(19:05) Closing Prayer
Matthew 5:17-37
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, 'Raca,' is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. "Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. "It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.' But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.' But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Central is proud to be a place
...
In this episode, we delve into the impressive capabilities of SpaceX's Falcon Heavy Rocket, the largest rocket in existence today. We explore its immense power, capable of producing over 5,000,000 pounds of thrust, and its ability to carry payloads up to 140,000 pounds. The rocket's journey, whether to Mars or into orbit, requires a significant amount of fuel, with one-third used in the first mile alone to overcome inertia.
We then draw a fascinating parallel between the rocket's launch and the acceleration phase of a 100-meter dash in track and field. Just as the rocket needs a powerful start to overcome inertia, sprinters must maximize their force application in the first few steps to achieve top speed.
Transitioning to a spiritual perspective, we discuss the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew chapters 5 through 7. The teachings of Jesus present a different story about the world, one that requires overcoming the inertia of the status quo to live in a new way. We explore the concept of holiness, distinguishing it from mere self-improvement. Holiness, as Jesus teaches, is about being wholly devoted to the work and will of God, rather than focusing on personal betterment.
We challenge the traditional checklist approach to holiness, exemplified by the Pharisees, and emphasize the importance of valuing and protecting others. Jesus' teachings call for a shift from personal righteousness to an active interest in the well-being of our fellow human beings, even at our own expense. This episode encourages listeners to rethink their understanding of holiness and embrace a life devoted to God's work.
(00:00) Introduction to the Falcon Heavy Rocket
(01:31) US Track and Field Olympic Trials
(05:27) The Sermon on the Mount: Overcoming Inertia
(07:00) Redefining Holiness
(12:21) The Righteousness of the Pharisees vs. God's Righteousness
(17:23) Holiness and the Protection of Others
(19:05) Closing Prayer
Matthew 5:17-37
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, 'Raca,' is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. "Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. "It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.' But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.' But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Central is proud to be a place
...
Previous Episode
Be Generous (Matthew 5:38-48)
In this episode, Julie reads a passage from "The House at Pooh Corner" where Pooh and Rabbit discuss the comforting nature of counting honey pots. This light-hearted conversation transitions into a deeper reflection on generosity, inspired by Jesus' teachings from the Sermon on the Mount. The host explores the contrast between the human desire for fairness and the Christian call to generosity, emphasizing that fairness is not the ultimate standard for Christians. The episode also delves into historical contexts, comparing the burdens faced by American colonists under British rule with those of Jews under Roman occupation. Through these stories, the host illustrates the radical nature of Jesus' message to be generous, even to those who wrong us. The episode concludes with a touching story about a retired missionary who was motivated by his son's innocent question to make a difference in the world. Listeners are encouraged to adopt an ethic of generosity in all aspects of their lives, reflecting God's mercy and love.
(00:01) Introduction and Winnie the Pooh Reading
(01:12) Comfort vs. Generosity
(02:05) Sermon on the Mount: Generosity in Action
(03:18) Historical Context: Third Amendment and Roman Rule
(06:00) Jesus' Teachings on Generosity
(08:30) Ethic of Fairness vs. Ethic of Generosity
(13:33) Fairness and Generosity in Christian Life
(14:48) Story of Don Sewell: A Lesson in Generosity
(17:00) Conclusion: Be Generous
Matthew 5:38-48
"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Central is proud to be a place
- where all generations worship, grow, and serve together.
- where women and men have equal opportunities for leadership.
- where traditional worship is engaged with excellence.
- and where diverse approaches to Christian faith and theology all find themselves at home under the lordship of Christ.
Want to learn more about Central? Visit our website at centralbaptistnewnan.org or give us a call at 770-683-0610.
Next Episode
Be Interesting (Matthew 5 13-16)
Today, we focus on identity. Jesus tells us that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. These identity statements are crucial for understanding our purpose. Salt adds flavor and preserves, while light illuminates and fosters growth. Jesus teaches us to be interesting and to live in a way that points others to God. He emphasizes that we were created to stand out, not blend in.
We reflected on the movie 'Stand by Me' and how knowing who we are and where we're going can be empowering. Jesus' teachings give us that clarity. Imagine sitting on that hillside in Galilee, hearing Jesus affirm that we were created to be different, to make a difference. It's a grand vision that inspires us to dream bigger.
We also touched on a memorable 'Carpool Karaoke' segment with James Corden and Paul McCartney, which beautifully illustrated the impact of using our gifts to be salt and light in the world. Today's message is about embracing our identities in Christ and using our gifts to make a meaningful impact. Jesus reminds us that we are the light of the world, and we should live fully into that identity.
(00:01) Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount Series
(01:05) Review of Previous Sermons
(02:15) Jesus' Teachings on Identity
(08:00) The Importance of Knowing Who You Are
(12:40) Paul McCartney and the Power of Positivity
(16:07) Embracing Our Identity in Christ
Matthew 5:13-16
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Central is proud to be a place
- where all generations worship, grow, and serve together.
- where women and men have equal opportunities for leadership.
- where traditional worship is engaged with excellence.
- and where diverse approaches to Christian faith and theology all find themselves at home under the lordship of Christ.
Want to learn more about Central? Visit our website at centralbaptistnewnan.org or give us a call at 770-683-0610.
Central Sermon Series - Be Holy (Matthew 5 17-37)
Transcript
The Falcon Heavy Rocket by SpaceX is the largest rocket in existence today.
When it is fully fueled, the rocket weighs more than 3,000,000 pounds.
It can carry payloads of up to a 140,000 pounds.
It's a big rocket.
At liftoff, it can produce more than 5,000,000 pounds
of thrust. That's more thrust than eighteen 747s</
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