Christ Church » Sermon on the Mount http://christchurchfw.org A Christian community in Fort Wayne, Indiana, seeking to join with God in the renewal of all things Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:51:08 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 ACTS: Discernment in the Community of Jesus http://christchurchfw.org/2010/10/acts-discernment-in-the-community-of-jesus/ http://christchurchfw.org/2010/10/acts-discernment-in-the-community-of-jesus/#comments Sun, 24 Oct 2010 23:45:10 +0000 Ben http://christchurchfw.org/?p=1486 A sermon from Acts 21:1-14 by Ben Sternke on October 24, 2010.

]]> http://christchurchfw.org/2010/10/acts-discernment-in-the-community-of-jesus/feed/ 0 The Sermon on the Mount, Day 50 http://christchurchfw.org/2009/11/the-sermon-on-the-mount-day-50/ http://christchurchfw.org/2009/11/the-sermon-on-the-mount-day-50/#comments Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:04:00 +0000 Ben http://christchurchfw.org/?p=520 To cap off our full 50 days in the Sermon on the Mount, find 15-30 minutes or so today to read slowly and meditatively through the entire Sermon again (Matthew 5-7).

Let the things we’ve practiced and learned together resonate as you read the Sermon. Turn your meditation into prayer and praise and enjoy the presence of Jesus.

Next Sunday (Nov 29) begins our foray into what is called The Cycle of Light, comprising the seasons of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. We’ll be meditating on the meaning and significance of the Incarnation. We’re looking forward to a very rich time together.

]]> http://christchurchfw.org/2009/11/the-sermon-on-the-mount-day-50/feed/ 4 The Sermon on the Mount, Day 49 http://christchurchfw.org/2009/11/the-sermon-on-the-mount-day-49/ http://christchurchfw.org/2009/11/the-sermon-on-the-mount-day-49/#comments Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:00:54 +0000 Ben http://christchurchfw.org/?p=493 Today is our day to practice worship together. Christ Church gathers at 5pm on Sunday evenings, and tonight we’ll read Matthew 7:13-29 in the context of worship together. If you’re not part of Christ Church, get together with a group of friends and practice the following exercises:

  • Eat together
  • Receive communion together (choose a reading from John 6:43-58, or 2 Cor 11:23-26, a liturgical book like the Book of Common Prayer)
  • Read Matthew 7:13-29 together and share your experiences from your exercises this week
  • Pray for anyone in need
]]> http://christchurchfw.org/2009/11/the-sermon-on-the-mount-day-49/feed/ 0 The Sermon on the Mount, Day 48 http://christchurchfw.org/2009/11/the-sermon-on-the-mount-day-48/ http://christchurchfw.org/2009/11/the-sermon-on-the-mount-day-48/#comments Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:03:23 +0000 Ben http://christchurchfw.org/?p=518 Reflection Day. Ahhh…

]]> http://christchurchfw.org/2009/11/the-sermon-on-the-mount-day-48/feed/ 0 The Sermon on the Mount, Day 47 http://christchurchfw.org/2009/11/the-sermon-on-the-mount-day-47/ http://christchurchfw.org/2009/11/the-sermon-on-the-mount-day-47/#comments Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:05:17 +0000 Ben http://christchurchfw.org/?p=524 Read Matthew 7:13-29 again, along with James 1:22-27 and do the exercises below:

  • Can you relate to the metaphor of looking in a mirror and forgetting what you look like?
  • Reflect on how easy it is for us to hear a sermon, agree with it, be inspired by it, resonate with it, and still do nothing concretely different with our lives because of it. How can we change this dynamic in our community?
  • Jesus and James use several colorful metaphors to illustrate the difference between those who hear and do, and those who merely hear (buildings, gates/roads, good/bad fruit, looking in a mirror, etc). Can you think of any modern-day metaphors that would illustrate the same point?
]]> http://christchurchfw.org/2009/11/the-sermon-on-the-mount-day-47/feed/ 0 The Sermon on the Mount, Day 46 http://christchurchfw.org/2009/11/the-sermon-on-the-mount-day-46/ http://christchurchfw.org/2009/11/the-sermon-on-the-mount-day-46/#comments Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:02:54 +0000 Ben http://christchurchfw.org/?p=516 Read the last portion of the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 7:24-29 and do the exercises below:

  • Jesus tells us here to put his teachings into “practice.” There are two ways to practice: Athletes have long known that aside from physically going through the motions, it’s critical to mentally visualize yourself performing new skills too. In fact, as a general rule, if you can’t imagine yourself doing a skill first, then you can’t learn to do it physically. So, the twofold question is, what do you tend to “practice” most in life? What do you tend to think about most and what do you tend to physically practice most?
  • How can you begin to put Jesus’ teachings into practice more effectively in your life? What teaching in Matthew 5-7 provides you with the most understanding for how to do that?
  • Jesus himself lived his life among others in a community of faith, and called others to do the same. Who are the people that you might consider inviting to walk more closely with you through your exploration of faith?
  • Heavier lifting: Read Proverbs Chapter 1 and compare it to the words of Jesus here. What are the similarities?
]]> http://christchurchfw.org/2009/11/the-sermon-on-the-mount-day-46/feed/ 0 The Sermon on the Mount, Day 45 http://christchurchfw.org/2009/11/the-sermon-on-the-mount-day-45/ http://christchurchfw.org/2009/11/the-sermon-on-the-mount-day-45/#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:01:31 +0000 Ben http://christchurchfw.org/?p=514 Read Matthew 7:21-23 and do the exercises below:

  • What words stand out to you most from this passage and why?
  • Someone once said “I never knew you” (v23) are the four scariest words in the Bible. Reflect on what these words mean. How can Christ “know” us?
]]> http://christchurchfw.org/2009/11/the-sermon-on-the-mount-day-45/feed/ 0 The Sermon on the Mount, Day 44 http://christchurchfw.org/2009/11/the-sermon-on-the-mount-day-44/ http://christchurchfw.org/2009/11/the-sermon-on-the-mount-day-44/#comments Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:04:52 +0000 Ben http://christchurchfw.org/?p=522 Read Matthew 7:15-20 and do the following exercises:

  • What words stand out to you in the passage and why?
  • How does Jesus define a false prophet?
  • What kind of “fruit” is Jesus talking about? What kinds of things are we to be looking for?
]]> http://christchurchfw.org/2009/11/the-sermon-on-the-mount-day-44/feed/ 0 The Sermon on the Mount, Day 43 http://christchurchfw.org/2009/11/the-sermon-on-the-mount-day-43/ http://christchurchfw.org/2009/11/the-sermon-on-the-mount-day-43/#comments Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:00:15 +0000 Ben http://christchurchfw.org/?p=511 Read Matthew 7:13-14 and do the following exercises:

  • What do you think the “narrow gate” and “narrow road” refers to? What other passages in the Sermon on the Mount (Chapter 5-7) also refer to this theme?
  • Compare and contrast the previous passage (v7-12) with this one (v13-14). How are they similar? How are they different?
  • What one word would you choose to summarize v7-12? What one word would you choose to summarize v13-14?
  • How do these passages challenge your understanding of faith?
]]> http://christchurchfw.org/2009/11/the-sermon-on-the-mount-day-43/feed/ 0 The Sermon on the Mount, Day 42 http://christchurchfw.org/2009/11/the-sermon-on-the-mount-day-42/ http://christchurchfw.org/2009/11/the-sermon-on-the-mount-day-42/#comments Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:00:33 +0000 Ben http://christchurchfw.org/?p=491 Today is our day to practice worship together. Christ Church gathers at 5pm on Sunday evenings, and tonight we’ll read Matthew 7:1-12 in the context of worship together. If you’re not part of Christ Church, get together with a group of friends and practice the following exercises:

  • Eat together
  • Receive communion together (choose a reading from John 6:43-58, or 2 Cor 11:23-26, a liturgical book like the Book of Common Prayer)
  • Read Matthew 7:1-12 together and share your experiences from your exercises this week
  • Pray for anyone in need
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