THE ELEVATION OF THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT……by Robert Russell
In the last several weeks I
have suggested that the Sermon on the Mount is the cornerstone of all the
teaching Jesus and His apostles gave us. It, to me, is the hub in the middle of
the wheel. It presents a promise of blessing while challenging us to live
deeper and go further than any cause ever expected from its adherents.Many leaders of nations and movements of
people have appealed to the Sermon on the Mount as their “magna carta,” relying
on its teachings to chart the course for their lives.The following comment by author Jack Lundbom
attests to the universal admiration of this foundational teaching of the
Christ:
“The world many times has been transformed by this
Sermon. It profoundly influenced Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. in
their efforts to achieve freedom and social justice. For them, Jesus' Sermon
embodied not simply lofty ideals but teachings capable of being put into
practice and capable of bringing about substantive change. Gandhi was particularly
impressed with the Sermon on the Mount, saying, "it went straight to my
heart." Quoting Matthew 5:39-40 about not returning a smite on the cheek
and giving up one's cloak along with his tunic, he said that renunciation was
the highest form of religion, for which reason Jesus' Sermon appealed to him
greatly. He went on to say: 'The message of Jesus, as I understand it, is
contained in the Sermon on the Mount ... It is that Sermon which has endeared
Jesus to me." But, he added: "The message, to my mind, has suffered
distortion in the West ... Much of what passes as Christianity is a negation of
the Sermon on the Mount. When Germany
in the last century began experiencing deep crisis after Hitler came to power,
one of its Lutheran pastors and theologians, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, wrote a book
titled The Cost of Discipleship, which was based on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.
It was published in 1937, and had a great impact in its day as well as in the
years subsequent to World War II.”
We owe it to scripture and to
ourselves to “elevate” these teachings to
a place in our hearts that gives them supremacy.We may find frustration in attempting to live
by their lofty ideals; however, we will also find freedom from the confines of
an existence that is flat and lifeless.The “climb” necessary to embrace the view from the Mount where Jesus
preached His first sermon will invigorate and refresh us.This is not a call to be “pew potatoes,”
rather a call to the Mt.Everest of all
revelation.Until you and I embark on
this journey we will never know the true “elevation” of the Sermon on the
Mount.
Spanish Ministry
9:00 a.m. – Speaker: Bob Perez
Theme:
It isn’t magic and it’s not on sale
Acts: 8: 4-25
10:45 a.m. – Bible Study
NEWS YOU CAN
USE
By Patty
Castillo
CPR / FIRST AID CLASS
A few months ago it was suggested on one
of our church business meetings to have a CPR / First Aid Class for our members
and the community, since the American Red Cross Blood Drive was a success, we thought
it would be a good idea to have a
CPR/First Aid class, well with that
being said I just want to inform everyone who is interested in participating
for this event that we now have a date -
WHEN: March 20, 2010
TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
(6 hours)
WHERE: Santa PaulaChurch
of Christ
A sign up sheet has been posted in the
lobby. Please invite your friends and family. If you have any questions, you
may speak with Liz Perez.
NOTE: minimum age to attend the CPR/First Aid class is 18 years old
Benevolence Committee Meeting
The Benevolence Committee will
be meeting this Wednesday, March 10TH after our Bible study. We will
be meeting on a monthly basis on the 2nd Wednesday of the month.
Those who signed up to be a
part of the committee are the following:
Ken Ary, Gloria Ary, Patsy
Carroll, Patty Castillo, Mike Marlow, Kristie Marlow, Liz Perez, and Bob
Russell. Thank you
* Please check the “Ministries of the Santa Paula Church of Christ”
pamphlet.
RELAY FOR LIFE EVENT
This year’s event is titled…. “Lights..Camera..Action..Cure!”
Everyone who is interested in
participating please remember to Sign Up for our team, Santa Paula Church of
Christ online at: www.RelayForLife.Org/SantaPaulaCAIf you have any questions, you may speak with Lupe Jimenez or Patty
Castillo.
Dedicate A Luminaria
The Luminaria
Ceremony is the opportunity for people to come together to remember loved ones
lost to cancer and honor those who have won their battle. This is one of the
most parts of the event that you will not want to miss. Honor or remember
someone at Relay for Life with a Luminaria.
PRAYER LIST
Please keep Mike Lang in your prayers. He will be
having knee surgery soon.
Please continue to pray for
Servando & Yolanda Torres granddaughter, Jessica Torres (6 yrs old).
Lori Dennison
is a friend of Gloria Ary, Gloria would like your prayers for spiritual growth
for her friend.
Warren
Heath is doing better and recovering from surgery, please continue to keep him
and the children in your prayers during this time of grieving.
Please continue to pray for Helen Gunderson (a
friend of Maria Jimenez) who was diagnosed with breast cancer and going thru
chemotherapy.
SPECIAL PRAYERS
Please add my father Ken Mattson to your prayers,
he is having neck surgery on March 10th and is having difficulty
walking and using his hands. We hope this surgery will give him some mobility.
Thank you, Kristie Marlow
Long Term Illness
Russell Fox- Bone
Cancer
Maudie Perkins-chronic
leg pain
Louise Henderson- lower back problems due to auto accident
Marcella Thompson- Twin Pines, room 10
Shirley McCalister- severe back pain & foot pain
Emalene Morisoli – medical problems
Ladies Work Group
March: Virgilio & Martha Garcia
April: Kristie Marlow & Shawn Peck
2010
THIRD SUNDAY
SINGING SCHEDULE
March 20, 2010
OjaiChurch of Christ
April 17, 2010
OPEN
Pepperdine
Lectureships
FAMILY FUN
Pepperdine
welcomes families to the Bible Lectures, May 4-7, 2010. We encourage the entire
family to participate in the conference. Many families plan vacations to take
advantage of this week of spiritual growth, learning, and fellowship with
others. From young children to senior saints, we offer plenty of exciting and
inspiring events. We provide childcare for children ages 6 months to 6 years.
Come for the renewal and enjoy fun for the entire family. Call (310) 506-4270
or visit
