Scio Community Church

Jesus deals with integrity, telling us that our word should be our bond. He also illustrates how we, as children of the kingdom, should not retaliate, but rather how we should live our life, having died to self. (Matthew 5:33-42)

In a day when the sanctity of marriage is under attack and commitment no longer seems to be a high value, Jesus reminds us how serious God is about the marriage relationship. We need to guard our hearts because sin starts in the heart. (Matthew 5:27-32)

Jesus looks at the heart issues, rather than the outward sinful acts. Murder starts in the heart with anger, and therefore, in God’s eyes, the two are equally sinful. (Matthew 5:21-26)

All of Scripture is to be our standard of righteousness, both Old and New Testament. Because Jesus has fulfilled the law, we can now meet God’s standard in Christ. (Matthew 5:17-20)

As we come into the kingdom of God, we have been given the responsibility of being an influence in the world as salt and light. (Matthew 5:13-16)

Jesus wants to be clear that if we follow him and enter into his kingdom, persecution (for his sake and because of lives of righteousness) is inevitable. This is a wonderful proof that we are truly part of his kingdom. (Matthew 5:10-12)

Jesus continues the progression into his Kingdom saying that it’s only the pure in heart who will see God, but then there comes a responsibility: we are called to be his peacemakers in this world. (Matthew 5:8-9)

As we come to God in brokenness and meekness, we hunger and thirst for righteousness. It’s in righteousness, then, that we are truly able to be merciful. It is a result of righteousness. (Matthew 5:6-7)

We need to get to the place of mourning over our sinfulness to find true happiness in the Lord. In our mourning, we then come to the Lord in meekness, realizing the holiness of God, to seek righteousness. (Matthew 5:4-5)

Jesus wants us to experience true, long-lasting happiness, which only comes through realizing we are spiritually empty. It’s only in Jesus that we can be truly happy. (Matthew 5:1-12)

Matthew summarizes Jesus’s plan to reach the people of the area and beyond by what he spoke and the miracles he performed – both pointing to his messiahship and kingship. (Matthew 4:23-25)

As we look to the new year, what would God have us do? The author of Hebrews gives us five New Year’s resolutions, beginning with, “Let us draw near to God.” (Hebrews 10:19-25)

The angel announced to the shepherds that a Savior had been born, He is the Christ and He is Lord. What was/is the significance of those titles to them and to us? (Luke 2:11)

In God’s meticulous timing, the Light of Jesus Christ not only dawned at the right time, but also in the right place – the darkest area that needed the greatest light. (Matthew 4:12-17)

The Light Has Dawned 1