More than murder - anger, forgiveness, and reconciliation (from the Sermon on the Mount) (Matthew 5:21 - 5:26)

Continuing his Sermon the Mount, Jesus told those listening: “You have heard it said that “You shall not murder” and that anyone who murders will be judged accordingly. But I say that even someone who is angry with another person will be subject to judgment. Even someone who calls another a belittling name is heading toward the fires of hell.”

More than murder - anger, forgiveness, and reconciliation (from the Sermon on the Mount) (Matthew 5:21 - 5:26)

How the decline of moral values promote the failure of civilizations

Great civilizations are not timeless. During their lifespan, they produce great innovations, stunning technological advancements, and archive vast caches of knowledge, but inevitably – they will collapse and die. The reasons for civilizational decline are varied and hotly debated. Dozens of theories abound. In general though, there are but a small number of common requirements for a civilization to thrive and only a handful of reasons why they inevitably collapse.

How the decline of moral values promote the failure of civilizations

Jesus and the fulfillment of Old Testament Law (Matthew 5:17 - 5:20)

During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told listeners: “Do not misunderstand and think that I am here to abolish Old Testament laws or Prophets. I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. Until heaven and earth disappear altogether, not the smallest letter nor least stroke of a pen will by any means disappear from the Old Testament until everything has been accomplished.”

Jesus and the fulfillment of Old Testament Law (Matthew 5:17 - 5:20)

Salt and Light (from the Sermon on the Mount) (Matthew 5:13 - 5:16)

During the Sermon on the Mount, immediately after delivering the Beatitudes, Jesus began his ministry of “new law” – a different and expanded perspective of Old Testament teachings. He told those listening: You are the salt of the earth…

Salt and Light (from the Sermon on the Mount) (Matthew 5:13 - 5:16)

The Beatitudes - an introduction to the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1 - 5:12)

Seeing the large crowds, Jesus moved to the side of a mountain and sat down. His disciples followed and gathered around him. Jesus began to teach them while the crowd listened. Popularly known as “The Sermon on the Mount”, he began with “The Beatitudes”.

The Beatitudes - an introduction to the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1 - 5:12)

Jesus begins miraculous healing of the sick - news spreads thru region (Matthew 4:23 - 4:25)

Jesus travelled throughout Galilee, teaching in the synagogues, proclaiming the good news of love, hope, understanding, and repentance. Throughout his travels through Galilee, he healed people, curing them of all types of sickness and disease.

Jesus begins miraculous healing of the sick - news spreads thru region (Matthew 4:23 - 4:25)

Jesus calls his first disciples into service (Matthew 4:18 - 4:22)

As Jesus was walking along the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon (aka Peter) and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake (the brothers were fishermen). Jesus told them, “Come with me and I will make you fishers of men.”

Jesus calls his first disciples into service (Matthew 4:18 - 4:22)

Jesus begins his ground-breaking ministry (Matthew 4:12 - 4:17)

Jesus heard that John the Baptist had been arrested and put in prison so he left Nazareth and went to Galilee to live in Capernaum. Jesus’ move to Capernaum fulfils the prophesy of Isaiah which said: “Land of Zebulun and Naphtali, by the Sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee where the Gentiles lived, people living in darkness have seen a great light. On those who live in the shadow of death, a light has dawned.”

Jesus begins his ground-breaking ministry (Matthew 4:12 - 4:17)

Jesus is tested in the Wilderness (Matthew 4:1 - 4:11)

Immediately after his baptism, Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting for forty days, he was hungry. The devil said, “If you are the son of God, turn these stones into bread.” Jesus answered, “The Bible tells us, a person cannot live on bread alone but on the word that comes from the mouth of God.”

Jesus is tested in the Wilderness (Matthew 4:1 - 4:11)