We are a forgetful people in a land of distractions. Our minds are easily captivated by trivial and temporary inducements. New things quickly become old. In our mind’s eye even glory tends to fade and warnings tend to wane. It is no wonder that we who are invisibly united to Christ and visibly in and not of this world live in constant need of renewal. And what is true for the Christian is true for the church. This is a series that seeks to renew the mind of the church. Not so much by reviewing what she is called to do as much as what she is called. As with the Christian so with church, her God-given identity defines her. We who are the church are a people for God and none other.
Before we return to the book of Romans, we will be looking at the what scripture says about the Church, in its nature, how she expresses herself in song, and how the church cares and equips for its members.
The messages from this series can be found here:
Manny Pereira - August 19, 2018
Addressing Retaliation
In a manner not unlike His four addresses leading to this point, our Lord contrasts the then popular interpretation and use of Old Covenant law to His own command for true righteousness. In this contrast, consisting of some of the most well-known words in His sermon, our Lord addresses the human heart on the principle of retaliation or the exacting of personal justice. He provides four distinct and naturally impossible applications to illustrate His supernatural principle. The grand prerequisite of His commands here is the substance of a transformed heart that lives to make much of Him who fulfilled the demands of God's righteousness on their behalf. Trusting and treasuring Christ above all personal injury and loss for His sake and for a superior joy in His kingdom is the key that unlocks this precept.
Scripture References: Matthew 5:38-42
