NMC Audio Podcast Nappanee Missionary Church

Regardless of your faith (or lack of faith) in Jesus, we experience pressure, strain, loss, and struggle. We face "trials of every kind." The invitation from James is to welcome wisdom. But what kind of wisdom? The result of that choice will make all the difference in our world, our communities, and our closest relationships.

Jesus was abundantly clear with His followers when He said, “In this world, you will have trouble.” Jesus is telling His followers to brace themselves, there will be resistance to those who align themselves with Christ and His kingdom. Here, James offers significant insight into how followers of Jesus are to understand and face trials of many kinds.

Throughout the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave clear instruction on living as a citizen of the kingdom. He ends with a strong warning to those who believe they are following Jesus. Many will miss it. As the rain falls on the just and the unjust, the foundations will be exposed and what is in our hearts will be revealed. Listen to the words of Jesus and put them into practice.

When one kingdom rises, others will react. Jesus brings His kingdom toward the kingdoms of our world and our personal lives. He knows there will be resistance – but resistance can become the very thing Jesus uses to bring God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Jesus, the revolutionary, is advocating for a profound and transformative love! Through Jesus, we find a compelling example of embracing love for our enemies as the most compassionate way to live. In Matthew 5:43-48, Jesus had something to say to the Pharisees of His days about this problem, and His words are specifically relevant to us today when God’s people have once again developed a reputation for hating other people.

Living in two worlds is challenging. Swimming upstream is difficult. Riding against the wind can be brutal. Jesus, in the Greatest Sermon Ever Preached, challenges His followers to do exactly that. In what’s known as The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus lays out the tension between living in the world yet walking in His ways. It’s all about “Kingdoms In Conflict!” Which one will you choose?