Paragon Church Matt Sellers

Throughout our entire history, we humans have been inspired, moved, confused, intrigued and motivated by love; trying, somehow, to understand and experience it. It is a part of us. Love is at the very core of our being and our existence.

Truth is, Gods love, is woven through the story of our lives... and it is woven throughout all of HIS STORY.... When God stepped down from Heaven to Earth for us, we see His Love on full display.

The Classic Christmas Hymn "O Holy Night" has that amazing phrase... "A Thrill of Hope" found right in the middle of it... Long lay the world in sin and error pining, till he appeard and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. The text tells us that the world was waiting, longing, pining for something, as it sat entangled in "sin and error." My guess is you can relate to that feeling when you know that your life is off track, when you know youre going the wrong direction, when you know that you arent living either as you or as God wants you to live, when you know that life seems unfulfilling - that you have built your life on that shaky foundation you dont find joy staying where you are. You are longing, hoping, pining for some way to get out of the pit. This is the state of the whole world, waiting on God-in-the-flesh in Jesus Christ. And then a thrill of hope. Were weary, but rejoicing: morning is breaking, and the Light has come to erase the darkness. Advent is a season of hope, but not that passive, wishful hope that is nothing more than a emotional feeling... it is more. It is God with Us.

Jesus, THE TRUTH, is THE ONLY FOUNDATION we should build our lives upon. Matthew 7:24-29.

In Matthew 7:13-23 Jesus brings us to a choice. Live for Him or not. YOUR CHOICE - Narrow gate or broad one? YOUR CHOICE - False Prophets or the Truth? (vs 24-27 - next week) - YOUR CHOICE - build on the rock or build on the sand. As the sermon on the mount comes to a close, application abounds - what will you choose?

"Whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them" (Matthew 7:12) - In response to God's gracious goodness, treat others as you want to be treated.

Matthew 7:1 says... "Do not judge, so that you won't be judged." This is a verse found in the Sermon on the Mount that it seems every sinner knows. Whenever someone needs to be corrected in their life or in their thinking, this is too often the first response, judge not. - but are they right in their interpretation of this teaching of Jesus or have they taken it out of context?