Kingdom of Admission
Pastor Jim Fikkert
People always want to know: who is in (eternally)? Jesus ends the Sermon on the Mount by addressing this question. He does it by process of elimination; by pointing out the people who are NOT part of His kingdom. He begins with the narrow gate, pointing to the fact that His people are not those […]
Citizen Judgment
Pastor Jim Fikkert
If there is any verse that you will have thrown in your face, it is this one: Judge not, that you be not judged. This is usually quoted by someone who has taken offense to your making a moral judgment on their lifestyle and wants you to stop. But Jesus isn’t calling us to accept […]
Kingdom of Security
Pastor Jim Fikkert
The world offers us many good things, but these things can easily become our greatest burden. Jesus warns against placing too much value on the things of this world as He points out numerous different ways that they can become a trap to us. First, he warns that earthly things change our heart; we think […]
Calling for the King
Pastor Jim Fikkert
We have a Father in heaven who wants to hear from us. The only thing that is more magnificent than the glory and grandeur of God is the fact that He has concern for us. Jesus reminds us that God is waiting to hear from us; He also warns us about how we come before […]
Rewriting the Law (Enemies)
Pastor Jim Fikkert
“An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth” was written to protect lawbreakers from excessive punishment—to ensure justice and protect against vengeance. Jesus here “rewrites” the law by encouraging His disciples to go beyond justice to mercy. Anyone who has ever been hurt by anyone would have difficulty hearing this. It is […]
Rewriting the Law (Oaths)
Pastor Jim Fikkert
What is it to live a life of integrity in light of finding our righteousness in Christ alone?
Rewriting the Law – Divorce
Pastor Jim Fikkert
We understand the Bible to teach that marriage is a covenant relationship between a man and a woman and that God designed and ordained the marriage relationship to be permanent (Genesis 2:18-25; Matthew 19:3-6).In this text, Jesus condemns “any reason” divorces where men are twisting the law in order to pursue sin. He does, however, […]
Rewriting the Law – Lust (Graphic)
Pastor Jim Fikkert
Sexual sin has been destroying marriages, families, careers, and churches for centuries. The Jews of Jesus’ day wrongly believe they are righteous because they have not broken the letter of the law with their bodies. Jesus tells them that they have broken it with their minds. Jesus knew that men would try and play games […]
Anointing : Baptism of Jesus
Pastor Jim Fikkert
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. (V.13) Sinless Jesus was the one person in history who had no need for repentance. Yet, His first step in beginning public ministry is a baptism from John. The man most qualified to stand above the crowd calling for repentance […]
Rewriting the Law (Anger)
Pastor Jim Fikkert
The Scribes and Pharisees have abused the Law and twisted Scripture to their own ends. Having made a “god” out of their traditions, and their own narrow interpretations, the Scribes and Pharisees have emptied the law of all its meaning. While they appear “Holy” by their strict devotion to the Law, internally their hearts are […]
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