Ruin

Ruth 1:1-22

Even when we experience ruin, we can trust that God is bringing ultimate redemption.

“Hopefully, we won’t come near Naomi’s Job-like level of suffering, but we live in a fallen world and all of us, sooner or later, will drink deeply of its sorrows. Naomi is here to remind us that—in these long, bewildering phases of God’s silence—our struggles are real and we can be honest about the state of our hearts. Her full story reminds us that our struggles are also important and that, even when there’s nothing left but rubble, God is mysteriously at work in the mess.” ~ Carolyn Curtis James

RESOURCES: ESV Study Bible; Unceasing Kindness: A Biblical Theology of Ruth by Peter Lau and Gregory Goswell; The Two Horizons Old Testament Commentary: Ruth by James McKeown; The Gospel According to Ruth: From Famine to Fullness by Dean Ulrich; The Gospel of Ruth: Loving God Enough to Break the Rules by Carolyn Curtis James;

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Warnings for those on the Way

Matthew 7:15-23

Jesus warns us about what we’re to look out for while walking the narrow way.

“What a monstrous sight he makes,
Mocking man’s best friend,
When both the lion and the wolf
Crave the same thing in the end.” ~ Dustin Kensrue

RESOURCES: ESV Study Bible; The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing: A Theological Commentary by Jonathan Pennington; The Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Life in a Fallen World by Sinclair Ferguson; The Message of the Sermon on the Mount by John Stott; Expressive Individualism: What Is It? by Trevin Wax

Sermon on the Mount Audio

Two Ways To Live

Matthew 7:13-14

Jesus lays before us two choices: Follow him on the narrow way and have life, or walk on the broad way and meet destruction.

"The hard way, entered by the narrow gate, leads to life, even to that 'eternal life' which Jesus explained in terms of fellowship with God, beginning here but perfected hereafter, in which we see and share his glory, and find perfect fulfillment as human beings in the selfless service of him and our fellows." ~ John Stott

RESOURCES: ESV Study Bible; The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing: A Theological Commentary by Jonathan Pennington; The Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Life in a Fallen World by Sinclair Ferguson; The Message of the Sermon on the Mount by John Stott; Expressive Individualism: What Is It? by Trevin Wax

Sermon on the Mount Audio

The Golden Rule

Matthew 7:12

Children of God the Father are to treat others as they want to be treated.

"Treat other drivers as you would want to be treated." - The State of Kentucky Department of Motor Vehicles

RESOURCES: ESV Study Bible; The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing: A Theological Commentary by Jonathan Pennington; The Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Life in a Fallen World by Sinclair Ferguson; The Sermon on the Mount: Restoring Christ’s Message to the Church by Charles Quarles; Nothing Is Impossible with God by Rose Marie Miller

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Praying That Moves Mountains

Matthew 7:7-11

For the believer, persistent expectant prayer is the prerequisite in God’s class on having faith in Him.

RESOURCES: Prayer by Tim Keller; It Happens After Prayer - HB Charles Jr; A praying Life - Paul Miller; Africa Bible Commentary; NAC commentary; Christian Beliefs: 20 Basics Every Christian Should Know - Grudem

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Judging People Rightly

Matthew 7:1-6

Judging people rightly requires us to be repentant and to be careful.

“Righteous men are men of unfailing love. Just as righteous means “those right with God” (and therefore committed to righteousness of life) so “men of unfailing love” means those on whom the steadfast love of God has been poured out (and therefore seek to reflect that love in their lives).” ~ J. Alec Motyer commenting on Isaiah 57:1-2

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The Psyche of Possessions

Matthew 6.19-24

Possessions have an enticing power on the inner person.

RESOURCES USED: "The Pastor" by Eugene Peterson; Proverbs 28.22; 23.6; Deuteronomy 15.9; "The Sermon on the Mount & Human Flourishing" (Pennington); "Jesus's Sermon on the Mount & His Confrontation With the World" (Carson)

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