Shows
Climbing the MountainReflecting on the Climb | Concluding ThoughtsWe finally come to a close on our journey through the Sermon on the Mount with some final questions of reflection for Matt, Tim, Jim and Van.
2024-03-2924 minClimbing the MountainLight of the World | Salt and Light - Part 3In Matthew 5:11-16, Jesus expounds upon our outward ministry as partners with God, our role in the world. Where the beatitudes described the blessings of those who see their need for God and choose to identify with Him through repentance, Jesus now makes the general specific: blessed are “you.” We may face persecution on account of our identification with God; but, we serve a vital role in the world. Jesus describes this role through two examples: salt and light. Here, we discuss the richness of His examples in their historical context to shed light on their meaning for us toda...
2024-03-2235 minClimbing the MountainSalt of the Earth | Salt and Light - Part 2In Matthew 5:11-16, Jesus expounds upon our outward ministry as partners with God, our role in the world. Where the beatitudes described the blessings of those who see their need for God and choose to identify with Him through repentance, Jesus now makes the general specific: blessed are “you.” We may face persecution on account of our identification with God; but, we serve a vital role in the world. Jesus describes this role through two examples: salt and light. Here, we discuss the richness of His examples in their historical context to shed light on their meaning for us toda...
2024-03-1528 minClimbing the MountainEpisode 0This is the intro episode for season 1 of Climbing the Mountain podcast. Our goal with this episode is to explain why we embarked on this deep dive into Jesus's sermon on the mount and how this podcast might differ from others you've heard. We are excited for you to join us on this journey as we learn from one another, wrestle with the scripture, and strive to find practical ways to live out Jesus's teachings.
2024-03-1204 minClimbing the MountainGreat is Your Reward | Salt and Light - Part 1In Matthew 5:11-16, Jesus expounds upon our outward ministry as partners with God, our role in the world. Where the beatitudes described the blessings of those who see their need for God and choose to identify with Him through repentance, Jesus now makes the general specific: blessed are “you.” We may face persecution on account of our identification with God; but, we serve a vital role in the world. Jesus describes this role through two examples: salt and light. Here, we discuss the richness of His examples in their historical context to shed light on their meaning for us toda...
2024-03-0834 minClimbing the MountainPurity, Peacemaking, and Persecution | Beatitudes - Part 6In chapter 4 we see Jesus beginning to preach His message of repentance and good news concerning the Kingdom. The Sermon on the Mount is this teaching in all of its glory and the Beatitudes set the frame by which everything else is recognized. With the Beatitudes we see the heart of Jesus’ teaching. They are both the realization of and the fulfillment of the 10 commandments, which began God’s word from Sinai.These compact 8 verses illuminate what God considers good for us: poverty of spirit, mourning, meekness, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, mercy, purity, peacemaking, and experiencing pers...
2024-03-0135 minClimbing the MountainHunger, Thirst, and Breaking Cycles: Righteousness and Mercy | Beatitudes - Part 5In chapter 4 we see Jesus beginning to preach His message of repentance and good news concerning the Kingdom. The Sermon on the Mount is this teaching in all of its glory and the Beatitudes set the frame by which everything else is recognized. With the Beatitudes we see the heart of Jesus’ teaching. They are both the realization of and the fulfillment of the 10 commandments, which began God’s word from Sinai.These compact 8 verses illuminate what God considers good for us: poverty of spirit, mourning, meekness, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, mercy, purity, peacemaking, and experiencing pers...
2024-02-2333 minClimbing the MountainWho Are the “Blessed” and Why Are They So Sad? | Beatitudes - Part 3In chapter 4 we see Jesus beginning to preach His message of repentance and good news concerning the Kingdom. The Sermon on the Mount is this teaching in all of its glory and the Beatitudes set the frame by which everything else is recognized. With the Beatitudes we see the heart of Jesus’ teaching. They are both the realization of and the fulfillment of the 10 commandments, which began God’s word from Sinai.These compact 8 verses illuminate what God considers good for us: poverty of spirit, mourning, meekness, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, mercy, purity, peacemaking, and experiencing pers...
2024-02-2034 minClimbing the MountainEmbracing the Uncomfortable: Mourning and Meekness | Beatitudes - Part 4In chapter 4 we see Jesus beginning to preach His message of repentance and good news concerning the Kingdom. The Sermon on the Mount is this teaching in all of its glory and the Beatitudes set the frame by which everything else is recognized. With the Beatitudes we see the heart of Jesus’ teaching. They are both the realization of and the fulfillment of the 10 commandments, which began God’s word from Sinai.These compact 8 verses illuminate what God considers good for us: poverty of spirit, mourning, meekness, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, mercy, purity, peacemaking, and experiencing pers...
2024-02-1630 minClimbing the MountainWho Are the “Blessed” and Why Are They So Sad? | Beatitudes - Part 3In chapter 4 we see Jesus beginning to preach His message of repentance and good news concerning the Kingdom. The Sermon on the Mount is this teaching in all of its glory and the Beatitudes set the frame by which everything else is recognized. With the Beatitudes we see the heart of Jesus’ teaching. They are both the realization of and the fulfillment of the 10 commandments, which began God’s word from Sinai.These compact 8 verses illuminate what God considers good for us: poverty of spirit, mourning, meekness, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, mercy, purity, peacemaking, and experiencing pers...
2024-02-0934 minClimbing the MountainWhat are the Beatitudes for? | Beatitudes - Part 2In chapter 4 we see Jesus beginning to preach His message of repentance and good news concerning the Kingdom. The Sermon on the Mount is this teaching in all of its glory and the Beatitudes set the frame by which everything else is recognized. With the Beatitudes we see the heart of Jesus’ teaching. They are both the realization of and the fulfillment of the 10 commandments, which began God’s word from Sinai.These compact 8 verses illuminate what God considers good for us: poverty of spirit, mourning, meekness, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, mercy, purity, peacemaking, and experiencing pers...
2024-02-0227 minClimbing the MountainTeaching to the Disciples or the Crowd? | Beatitudes - Part 1In chapter 4 we see Jesus beginning to preach His message of repentance and good news concerning the Kingdom. The Sermon on the Mount is this teaching in all of its glory and the Beatitudes set the frame by which everything else is recognized. With the Beatitudes we see the heart of Jesus’ teaching. They are both the realization of and the fulfillment of the 10 commandments, which began God’s word from Sinai.These compact 8 verses illuminate what God considers good for us: poverty of spirit, mourning, meekness, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, mercy, purity, peacemaking, and experiencing pers...
2024-01-2632 minClimbing the MountainTwo Houses and A Teacher with Authority | Closing Exhortations - Part 5We’re closing in on the end of the Sermon on the Mount now, and it’s all coming together here. Like any good sermon, we have a closing and a call to action; but, it’s such a different ending than you and I may be accustomed to and it was certainly different for His hearers. He’s calling them to listen to Him. He’s not like any other teacher in the way He points so squarely to Himself as the ultimate authority.What makes Jesus our best judge and hope?We’re going to exp...
2024-01-0545 minClimbing the MountainThe Will of the Father | Closing Exhortations - Part 4We’re closing in on the end of the Sermon on the Mount now, and it’s all coming together here. Like any good sermon, we have a closing and a call to action; but, it’s such a different ending than you and I may be accustomed to and it was certainly different for His hearers. He’s calling them to listen to Him. He’s not like any other teacher in the way He points so squarely to Himself as the ultimate authority.What makes Jesus our best judge and hope?We’re going to exp...
2023-12-2921 minClimbing the MountainWhat is Good Fruit and Who is an Evildoer? | Closing Exhortations - Part 3We’re closing in on the end of the Sermon on the Mount now, and it’s all coming together here. Like any good sermon, we have a closing and a call to action; but, it’s such a different ending than you and I may be accustomed to and it was certainly different for His hearers. He’s calling them to listen to Him. He’s not like any other teacher in the way He points so squarely to Himself as the ultimate authority.What makes Jesus our best judge and hope?We’re going to exp...
2023-12-2230 minClimbing the MountainThe Easy, Difficult Road + Two Trees | Closing Exhortations - Part 2We’re closing in on the end of the Sermon on the Mount now, and it’s all coming together here. Like any good sermon, we have a closing and a call to action; but, it’s such a different ending than you and I may be accustomed to and it was certainly different for His hearers. He’s calling them to listen to Him. He’s not like any other teacher in the way He points so squarely to Himself as the ultimate authority.What makes Jesus our best judge and hope?We’re going to exp...
2023-12-1529 minClimbing the MountainTwo Roads | Closing Exhortations - Part 1We’re closing in on the end of the Sermon on the Mount now, and it’s all coming together here. Like any good sermon, we have a closing and a call to action; but, it’s such a different ending than you and I may be accustomed to and it was certainly different for His hearers. He’s calling them to listen to Him. He’s not like any other teacher in the way He points so squarely to Himself as the ultimate authority.What makes Jesus our best judge and hope? We’re going to exp...
2023-12-0832 minClimbing the MountainThe Golden Rule | Prayer and the Golden Rule - Part 5In this episode, we continue discussing Jesus’ “ask, seek, knock” teaching in Matthew 7:7-12.
2023-11-1731 minClimbing the MountainHonesty in All Things | Prayer and the Golden Rule - Part 4In this episode, we continue discussing Jesus’ “ask, seek, knock” teaching in Matthew 7:7-12.
2023-11-1025 minClimbing the MountainGood Gifts | Prayer and the Golden Rule - Part 3In this episode, we continue discussing Jesus’ “ask, seek, knock” teaching in Matthew 7:7-12.
2023-11-0326 minClimbing the MountainEarthly and Heavenly Fathers | Prayer and the Golden Rule - Part 2In this episode, we continue discussing Jesus’ “ask, seek, knock” teaching in Matthew 7:7-12.
2023-10-2725 minClimbing the MountainPersistence in Prayer | Prayer and the Golden Rule - Part 1In this episode, we start discussing Jesus’ “ask, seek, knock” teaching in Matthew 7:7-12. We ask why Jesus repeats and even escalates his call to prayer, and why he places no provisions or conditions on the promise to receive what we ask. Along the way, we unpack the role of persistence in prayer and how God uses prayer to teach us about what is good.Scriptures referenced:Matthew 7:7-12Luke 11:5-13Daniel 10:12-14Luke 18:1-8Genesis 4:6-7Rev 3:20Luke 15:1-7Luke 18:9-14Romans 8:26-27
2023-10-2025 minClimbing the MountainTalking to the Dogs | Do Not Judge - Part 5In this episode, we discuss the troubling-to-many “dogs and pigs” passage. Is Jesus being too harsh here? Who does Jesus mean by “dogs and pigs,” and how are we supposed to interpret this in light of the immediate context that speaks so sternly against judging others’ value and worth?
2023-09-1530 minClimbing the MountainGentleness in Judgment | Do Not Judge - Part 4In this episode, we talk about the crucial role gentleness plays when we address sin in another person. “With people, fast is slow, and slow is fast.”
2023-09-0124 minClimbing the MountainSelf-Evaluation and Acting Generously in Community | Do Not Judge - Part 3In this episode, we discuss Jesus’ order of operations in addressing sin in a community: evaluate yourself, and then talk to your brother or sister. We discuss some practical ways we can evaluate ourselves appropriately with the humility we need. We then pick up the “good eye” metaphor Jesus developed in Matthew 6 and discuss what it looks like to act generously towards each other as we deal with conflict or disagreement.
2023-08-2529 minClimbing the MountainBarriers to Self-Evaluation | Do Not Judge - Part 2In this episode, we continue our discussion on Jesus’ discourse on judgment. We talk about how easy it is to judge other people before we evaluate ourselves. We share examples of ways that holding other people to a higher standard than we hold ourselves creeps into our ”lives and the impact this can have on our perception of others.
2023-08-1829 minClimbing the MountainDiscernment, Not Judging Someone’s Value | Do Not Judge - Part 1In this episode, we begin our discussion of Jesus‘s famous teaching to not judge one another. We talk about the different definitions of the word “judge” and the fact that many other scriptures seem to require that we actually do judge other people. How do we balance these scriptures and learn to discern what is right and wrong while keeping a humble posture?
2023-08-1126 minClimbing the MountainRefocusing on What Counts | Do Not Worry - Part 5We end our discussion on Jesus’ teaching to not worry by looking at His concluding words to seek first the kingdom and not worry about tomorrow. We talk about our refocusing our priorities on the kingdom both helps us see our problems with clearer perspective and is an expression of trust in God that he will take care of us. We also discuss about the freedom we can experience in releasing the future to God instead of worrying about all the possible things that may happen.
2023-07-2828 minClimbing the MountainA Faith That Can Grow | Do Not Worry - Part 4Jesus calls his disciples “you of little faith” or more literally “little faiths”. We continue our discussion on Matthew 6:25-34 by showing how this is more an invitation to trust instead of a condemnation for failing to not measure up. God is worthy of our trust, and he is inviting us to remember it so we can rest in confidence.
2023-07-2125 minClimbing the MountainConsider the Flowers | Do Not Worry - Part 3What can we learn from the flowers of the field? In this episode, we explore how Jesus invites us to trust in the midst of need, and how we can partner with God to be a blessing to others.
2023-07-1425 minClimbing the MountainLessons from Nature and Reality | Do Not Worry - Part 2Jesus uses multiple “arguments” to show us why we don’t need to worry. In this episode, we tackle two of them, meditating on what we can learn from the birds and the reality of the clock. We discuss worries both imagined and real and practical steps we can take in the midst of worry.
2023-07-0728 minClimbing the MountainA Master We Can Have Confidence In | Do Not Worry - Part 1This episode kicks off our discussion of Matthew 5:24-34. We consider how Jesus’ teaching of not worrying connects to the previous teaching that “we cannot serve both God and money.” We discuss the way money and material possessions can serve as a replacement for God when we are anxious or worrying about our future, and how the life Jesus calls us to is filled with much more than just food and clothes.
2023-06-3027 minClimbing the MountainWho is Your Master? | Treasures in Heaven - Part 5“You cannot serve both God and money.” We close out our discussion of Matthew 6:19-24 with this mic drop from Jesus. We consider the commands in the Old Testament and how God had intentionally built a system to teach his people to be generous, care for the poor, and deal with prosperity. We reflect on the impossibility of living of life acquisition and a life of the cross at the same time, and how we can shift our perspective to live more like the latter.
2023-06-1627 minClimbing the MountainFull of Light | Treasures in Heaven - Part 4What does it mean for us to be “full of light?” What do we have to gain from being generous, as individuals and a community? What is the connection between generosity and trust? What prevents us from being generous? We discuss these questions as we continue our mediation on Jesus’ teaching on treasures in heaven.
2023-06-0924 minClimbing the MountainGood Eyes | Treasures in Heaven - Part 3In this podcast, we draw out the connection between “good eyes” and generosity. We look at examples of generosity in the Old Testament and ways we can be generous other than our money, including hospitality, compassion, kindness, and mercy.
2023-06-0224 minClimbing the MountainThe Cost of Stuff | Treasures in Heaven - Part 2In this episode, we begin considering how we might interpret Jesus’ teaching on money in our modern lives. We discuss the cost of maintaining and caring for material possessions, the connection between money and idolatry, and what it takes to maintain a given standard of living.
2023-05-2626 minClimbing the MountainAn Inescapable Issue | Treasures in Heaven - Part 1In this episode, we welcome Jim Garten, a dear friend who has a wealth of knowledge to share from his study of the sermon on the mount. We begin our discussion on Jesus’ teaching on wealth and money by considering how the different groups Jesus was speaking to may have heard this. Money is an inescapable reality in our own lives, so we must wrestle with Jesus’ words as we consider they apply to us, not just someone else.
2023-05-1924 minClimbing the MountainA Prayer That Brings Change | The Lord’s Prayer - Part 3Is grace conditional on forgiveness? Why are we asking God to not lead us into temptation: would he ever do that? How does Jesus draw on this prayer in other parts of his life? We meditate on these questions and more in our last episode on the Lord’s Prayer.
2023-04-2826 minClimbing the MountainGod’s Kingdom, God’s Will, and Our Daily Needs | The Lord’s Prayer - Part 2What do our petitions say about our prayers? In this episode, we see how Jesus teaches us to turn our attention to God’s purposes and plans, teaching us to trust in his provision in the same way the Israelites were called to trust in God for manna in the desert.
2023-04-2127 minClimbing the MountainOur Father in Heaven | The Lord’s Prayer - Part 1Is the Lord’s Prayer a template or a formula? How should we address God, and what can we learn about prayer if we consider Jesus’ address of “Our Father in Heaven?” We consider these questions and more in our first episode on the Lord’s Prayer.
2023-04-1431 minClimbing the MountainHe Must Become Greater, I Must Become Less | Righteousness is Not for Show - Part 2What is the reward for obeying Jesus’ teaching to practice our good deeds “in secret”? In this podcast, we talk about the benefits of this practice, both in this life and the next, for what it gives us and what dangers it helps us avoid.
2023-04-0738 minClimbing the MountainWho Gets the Glory? | Righteousness is Not for Show - Part 1In this episode we discuss Jesus’ extended discussion on performative religion. We talk about how this creeps into our own lives, and what the point of “good deeds” may be after all.
2023-03-3131 minClimbing the MountainBe Perfect? | Matthew 5 Wrap-UpIn this episode, we conclude Matthew 5 and share thoughts and reflections from the the first section of the sermon on the mount.
2023-03-2438 minClimbing the MountainCan Christians Serve in the Government? | Retaliation and Enemy Love Revisited - Part 2We close out our discussions on retaliation and enemy love by wrestling with the role of Christians and the government in advancing God’s purposes. Can Christians serve in government or military positions and still keep Jesus as their master? After this discussion, we end by summarizing rock-solid convictions we’ve come to through the past 7 episodes.
2023-03-1741 minClimbing the MountainHow Should Christians Respond to Physical Assault? | Retaliation and Enemy Love Revisited - Part 1In this episode, Tim leads us in a discussion as we revisit the question of retaliation: what should Christians do when we are physically assaulted? Note: this episode and the one following are excellent examples of how we can wrestle with the scriptures as a community even when we may disagree on our interpretations.
2023-03-1346 minClimbing the MountainLove, Justice, and the Armed Forces | Enemy Love - Part 3Can Christians join the armed forces? What is the role of the government and its institutions in bringing and upholding justice? How can Christians be a light when participating in the effort to bring justice? This episode looks at one side of this discussion - continue to part 4 of our series on enemy love for our discussion on a different perspective.
2023-03-0334 minClimbing the MountainWhat Happens When We Hate? | Enemy Love - Part 2In this episode, we focus primarily on two questions: what can happen when we ignore Jesus’ words to love our enemies? What is the scale and scope of Jesus’ words here: is he thinking about interpersonal relationships or broader groups? How would someone in Jesus’ audience define an enemy? We are joined in this episode by Darryl Owens, an elder in the Boston Church of Christ and a police officer who specializes in training other officers in the use of force.
2023-02-2428 minClimbing the MountainLove Overcomes Enmity | Enemy Love - Part 1As we start our discussion of Jesus’ command to love our enemies, we welcome Darryl Owens, an elder in the Boston Church of Christ and a police officer. Darryl shares his background and experience both as a police officer and a use of force instructor for other officers. We discuss the contagious nature of both love and hate, the way that love overcomes enmity, and begin to draw connections between our previous discussion on retaliation and loving our enemies.We are joined in this episode by Darryl Owens, an elder in the Boston Church of Christ and a...
2023-02-1729 minClimbing the MountainHow Should We Respond to Evil? | Retaliation - Part 2How did Jesus call us to respond to evil? In this episode, we look at the subversive nature of Jesus’ teaching on retaliation. We discuss the implications of this teaching on giving to (anyone??) who asks, and how Jesus modeled the behavior he calls us to on the cross.
2023-02-1030 minClimbing the MountainInsult or Assault? | Retaliation - Part 1This episode opens our extended discussion on Jesus’ teachings on retaliation and loving our enemies. We start by examining Matthew 5:38-42, where Jesus calls us to not resist an evil person. How does this command relate to existing commands in the Old Testament? Is Jesus talking about how we respond when we or insulted, or when we are physically assaulted? Note: this episode and the ones following are an excellent example of how we can wrestle with the scriptures as a community even when we may disagree on our interpretations.
2023-02-0332 minClimbing the MountainRadical Integrity in a Fallen World | Oaths - Part 2 In this episode, we continue our discussion on oaths and vows by exploring whether Jesus is saying that oaths and vows are always bad. We discuss what it looks like to live a life of radical integrity in a world filled with deceit and dishonesty and how our integrity is a lens to who our true father is.Scriptures Referenced: Matthew 5:33-37Galatians 1:20Hebrews 6:16-18Genesis 3:1-4Romans 12:1-2John 8:44
2023-01-2730 minClimbing the MountainIntegrity in our Relationships with God and People | Oaths - Part 1 In this episode, we dive into Jesus’ teaching on the topic of oaths and vows. We look at a number of passages from the Old Testament to help us distinguish these two closely related ideas and the various ways that they show up in our society. We discuss the lack of integrity and honesty that is endemic in our daily lives and the opportunity for the people of God to be a light if we take Jesus’ words on this issue to heart.Scriptures Referenced: Matthew 5:33-37Numbers 30:2Deuteronomy 23:21-22Judges 11:302 Samuel 15:7Exodus 22:10-11Jame...
2023-01-2026 minClimbing the MountainThe Sanctity of MarriageWhat does Jesus desire for marriage? In this episode, we look at Matthew 5:31-32 to understand Jesus’ teaching on divorce. We talk about the importance of faithfulness, how marriage mirrors our covenant relationship with God, and the beautiful work that God does in our hearts and spirits when we commit ourselves to growing and loving our spouse.Scriptures Referenced: Matthew 5:31-32Deuteronomy 24Matthew 5:27-30Ephesians 5:21-331 Corinthians 13:4-6Matthew 19:4-6Malachi 2:16
2023-01-1350 minClimbing the MountainAn Introduction to Hermenutics | Wrestling with the Word - Part 3In this episode, we conclude our discussion on wrestling with the word by discussing the topics of spiritual discernment and Biblical interpretation (hermenutics). We discuss how our spiritual discernment grows as we submit ourselves to God and his Spirit through the word. We then spend most of the episode discussing several practical tips for biblical interpretation, introducing principles, steps, and resources that can help you on your own journey.Scriptures Referenced:Hebrews 5:11-6:3Romans 12:1-3Romans 11:33-36Mark 9:14-29
2023-01-0629 minClimbing the MountainWhat’s Essential and What’s Debatable? | Wrestling with the Word - Part 2In this episode, we explore how we can know whether a particular opinion or conviction is a debatable matter that can differ from person to person or an essential matter that all Christians must agree on. We discuss specific steps in our processes that we use to help answer that question, acknowledging the need to be Spirit-led and seek support from the community of believers, both in our local congregations and across history.Scriptures Referenced: Romans 14:20-23Galatians 1:10Matthew 7:24-27Philippians 2:5-11
2022-12-3027 minClimbing the MountainConviction with Humility | Wrestling with the Word - Part 1In this episode, we pause from our study on the Sermon on the Mount to start a discussion on wrestling with the word. Different Christians can approach the same passage and come away with different interpretations—how do we develop convictions based on the word of God without succumbing to division? We discuss how an emphasis on basing our individual convictions from the Bible can actually aid unity in a church if we approach the Word and one another in a spirit of humility.Scriptures Referenced: Romans 14:1-15Acts 15:1-351 Corinthians 8:1-13Revelation 1:10Romans 13:11-1
2022-12-2323 minClimbing the MountainOvercoming Lust | Lust - Part 3In this episode, we circle back and try to define what lust actually is! We draw connections between lust and greed and higlight the importance of a deeper and more passionate desire for God that can fight against our desire to lust. We then talk about various practicals that each of us have used in our battle against lust, including key scriptures that we cling to in the moment of temptation.Scriptures Referenced: Colossians 3:51 Thessalonians 4:3-8Matthew 5:82 Corinthians 4:6Hebrews 4:12-13Proverbs 5Proverbs 4:252 Peter 1:3-4
2022-12-1629 minClimbing the MountainTrue & False Intimacy | Lust Part 2In this episode, we continue our discussion of lust. We explore our society’s complex relationship with lust — approving of it in principle but disliking many of its ramifications and manifestations. We then spend most of our time talking about masturbation based on Jesus’ reference of “if your right hand causes you to sin.” We discuss what relationship may exist between masturbatio and lust, if masturbation is ever OK, and God’s desire for sex to be a part of a deeply intimate relationship.Scriptures Referenced: Matthew 5:27-302 Samuel 13 - Amnon and Tamar
2022-12-0925 minClimbing the MountainWhat’s the Big Deal? | Lust - Part 1Why does Jesus care about lust? In this episode, we dive into Matthew 5:27-30, exploring Jesus’ vivid language on the topic of lust. We highlight the differences between Jesus’ characterization of this issue compared to our society, including the importance of our thought life on the “real world” and lust as a war waging in our hearts.Scriptures Referenced: Matthew 5:27-30Mark 7:20-23Matthew 15:11-20Romans 7:18-251 Peter 2:11
2022-12-0228 minClimbing the MountainIs All Anger Bad? | Anger - Part 3 Is all anger bad? If not, what does it look like to handle it in a productive way? This episode focuses on these questions, looking at Jesus’ own life for examples of dealing with anger. We also talk about how to weed out anger and bitterness from our hearts. This episode concludes our discussions on anger from Matthew 5:21-26.Scriptures Referenced: Matthew 5:21-26Matthew 24:9Romans 12:17-21James 1:19-21John 2:13-25Matthew 5:5Mark 3:1-6John 8:1-11
2022-11-2531 minClimbing the MountainAs Far as it Depends on You | Anger - Part 2 In this episode, we pick up where we left off. We begin by talking about the relationship between the command to offer our lives and bodies as a sacrifice with Jesus’ command to “leave our gift at the altar” if our brother has something against us. We then discuss the need to be right with others for us to be right with God. We finish by wrestling with the question: “if being reconciled is so important, am I held hostage to other people’s feelings and opinions?”Scriptures Referenced: Matthew 5:21-26Ephesians 4:25-321 Corinthians 6:18-20Romans 12...
2022-11-1827 minClimbing the MountainLeave Your Gift at the Altar | Anger - Part 1 In this episode, we begin our discussion on Jesus’ teaching on anger. We reflect on why Jesus uses such stark language against anger, and go back to Cain and Abel, the first story of a horizontal relationship, to discuss how anger played a devasting role. We talk about whose anger we should care about (mine? Yours?) and how Jesus’ command to “leave your gift at the altar” relates to communion today.Scriptures Referenced: Genesis 4:1-8Matthew 5:21-26Romans 12:1-31 Corinthians 6:18-20
2022-11-1123 minClimbing the MountainGreater Than the Pharisees | Fulfilling the Law - Part 3Jesus says that unless our righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, we won’t enter the kingdom of heaven. How is this possible, and how can we do this while experiencing a life of abundance instead of fear?
2022-11-0424 minClimbing the MountainIt’s All About (Jesus’ Type Of) Love | Fulfilling the Law - Part 2In this episode, we discuss other scriptures that can help us understand what Jesus means by “fulfilling the law.” We discuss how the Mosaic law is foundational to what Jesus came to do and teach and how there may be more similarities than we might expect at first glance. We end by discussing how both Paul and Jesus agree that the fulfillment of the law is love. Jesus’ definition of what “love” is can be markedly different from our culture’s definition, so we anticipate being challenged by his teachings as he draws out what love looks like in the rest of...
2022-10-2827 minClimbing the MountainCompletion and Culmination | Fulfilling the Law - Part 1 In this episode, we begin our discussion on Jesus’ claim that he came to fulfill the law. We talk about the different meanings of the word law in the Bible and what Jesus might have meant by the word “fulfill”. Along the way, we meditate on how Jesus’ work of fulfillment in us is a continual process and how both Old and New Testaments contain treasures for us to uncover.Scriptures Referenced: Matthew 5:17-20
2022-10-2126 minClimbing the MountainAn Opportunity for Transformation | Laying Down the Law - Part 2In this we ask how our righteousness needs to surpass the Pharisees and teachers of the law. What does Jesus even mean by righteousness, and why would he say that we’ll be persecuted for it if it’s a good thing? We talk about the high calling in the sermon on the mount and how it challenges our thoughts, hearts, actions, and even definitions of what good is. We share scriptures that we cling to when we are convicted by Jesus’ teachings and end with concluding thoughts on the question from our first episode: is the sermon on the mo...
2022-10-1439 minClimbing the MountainIs the Sermon on the Mount a New Law? | Laying Down the Law - Part 1In this episode, we begin our discussion of the Sermon on the Mount by wrestling with the connections between Jesus and Moses. Since Moses gave the law, did Jesus give a new law? We discuss this question, the differences between the old and new covenant, and the importance of the Holy Spirit in bringing change to our hearts.Scriptures Referenced: Hebrews 12:14John 1:11Matthew 23Matthew 4:23Matthew 9:35Luke 22 - Last SupperDeuteronomy 18:15 - Prophet like meGalatians 3 - The law is like a guardian or schoolmasterHebrews 8Hebrews 8:10Matthew 5:19Exodus 19:6 - kingdom of priestsJohn 14 - Holy spiritLuke 5:4
2022-10-0729 min