Comments on: The Sermon on the Mount, Day 1 http://christchurchfw.org/2009/10/the-sermon-on-the-mount-day-1/ A Christian community in Fort Wayne, Indiana, seeking to join with God in the renewal of all things Wed, 16 Nov 2011 01:36:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ben Sternke http://christchurchfw.org/2009/10/the-sermon-on-the-mount-day-1/comment-page-1/#comment-72 Ben Sternke Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:37:56 +0000 http://ikoncommunity.com/?p=32#comment-72 So true Josh. There's definitely a paradoxical nature to this life. So true Josh. There's definitely a paradoxical nature to this life.

]]> By: Ben Sternke http://christchurchfw.org/2009/10/the-sermon-on-the-mount-day-1/comment-page-1/#comment-73 Ben Sternke Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:36:37 +0000 http://ikoncommunity.com/?p=32#comment-73 I am reminded this morning, too, of the role of love in all of this. I said Sunday that we'll never begin to follow Jesus unless we think he's at least smart. I think, too, that we'll never continue to follow Jesus unless we love him. Unless our hearts are captured by him, unless he has our affections, we'll likely drop our apprenticeship as soon as it becomes difficult or no longer supports our egos or really begins to cost us something tangible.<br><br>We love, though, because he first loved us, so I think it is appropriate for us to meditate on Christ's love for us as a way of fanning into flame our love for him. After all, one of the apostolic prayers we prayed from Ephesians during the last series was that we would really know the vastness of Christ's love. May our awareness of how much we are loved grow! And may our love for Christ grow, that we would become mature and complete, lacking nothing. I am reminded this morning, too, of the role of love in all of this. I said Sunday that we'll never begin to follow Jesus unless we think he's at least smart. I think, too, that we'll never continue to follow Jesus unless we love him. Unless our hearts are captured by him, unless he has our affections, we'll likely drop our apprenticeship as soon as it becomes difficult or no longer supports our egos or really begins to cost us something tangible.

We love, though, because he first loved us, so I think it is appropriate for us to meditate on Christ's love for us as a way of fanning into flame our love for him. After all, one of the apostolic prayers we prayed from Ephesians during the last series was that we would really know the vastness of Christ's love. May our awareness of how much we are loved grow! And may our love for Christ grow, that we would become mature and complete, lacking nothing.

]]> By: jkshanklin http://christchurchfw.org/2009/10/the-sermon-on-the-mount-day-1/comment-page-1/#comment-70 jkshanklin Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:02:16 +0000 http://ikoncommunity.com/?p=32#comment-70 Following Jesus is no joke. It's not a cultural tradition to be taken lightly like opening one present on Christmas Eve or voting for the same political party your whole life. Following Jesus isn't a business plan, or a campaign slogan. It's not a bumper sticker or a self help guide. <br><br>Following Jesus sucks. It's hard and challenging and frustrating and annoying, dangerous and exhausting. And it's simply and wonderfully the most beautiful way to live. Following Jesus is no joke. It's not a cultural tradition to be taken lightly like opening one present on Christmas Eve or voting for the same political party your whole life. Following Jesus isn't a business plan, or a campaign slogan. It's not a bumper sticker or a self help guide.

Following Jesus sucks. It's hard and challenging and frustrating and annoying, dangerous and exhausting. And it's simply and wonderfully the most beautiful way to live.

]]> By: Ben Sternke http://christchurchfw.org/2009/10/the-sermon-on-the-mount-day-1/comment-page-1/#comment-69 Ben Sternke Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:46:18 +0000 http://ikoncommunity.com/?p=32#comment-69 Merv, thanks for the thoughts. Your desire to follow Jesus closer is an inspiration to me. Merv, thanks for the thoughts. Your desire to follow Jesus closer is an inspiration to me.

]]> By: Mervin http://christchurchfw.org/2009/10/the-sermon-on-the-mount-day-1/comment-page-1/#comment-68 Mervin Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:42:21 +0000 http://ikoncommunity.com/?p=32#comment-68 1. My reactions span a wide range, from feeling comforted at not having to worry about the future to being challenged to do everything possible (including disfigurement) to avoid sin. 2. One challenge is the willingness to do charitable things without thought of reward. My human nature likes to be recognized and appreciated for doing something good. 3. I would like to grow in Christ-likeness and be an encouragement to others in their Christian walk. 1. My reactions span a wide range, from feeling comforted at not having to worry about the future to being challenged to do everything possible (including disfigurement) to avoid sin.

2. One challenge is the willingness to do charitable things without thought of reward. My human nature likes to be recognized and appreciated for doing something good.

3. I would like to grow in Christ-likeness and be an encouragement to others in their Christian walk.

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