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Nationwide Christian Trust MINISTRY NEWS
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT: IT IS WRITTEN BUT I SAY...!
Rev. Ian Moore
EDITOR
Jesus’ revolutionary spiritual and moral teaching has transformed the world more than any other. It’s power continues to
challenging and radical, He proclaimed it with such overwhelming love that people followed and believed in Him. This starkly contrasted with the heart and attitude of the religious elite who sought to manipulate and control in order to preserve their pseudo-status.
I pray that each day the very words of Jesus will become life to you; not to control you nor bring condemnation, but to liberate you bringing you into the freedom that is yours in Christ.
With every blessing. Ian Moore
turnaround lives, families and communities two thousand years on. 1500 years earlier, God gave Moses Ten Commandments; 10 ‘rules’ for the people to live by, which if adhered to would bring blessing and intimacy with God. The laws were inscribed by the finger of God (Deuteronomy 9:10) and considered sacred by the people, treasured in the Ark of the Covenant.
For some who listened to Jesus, His teaching was transformative, but for the Scribes and Pharisees it was heretical. Jesus was raising the bar, above God’s written law. On seven occasions Jesus said, “It is written, but I say ...” whether it was addressing murder, adultery, divorce, oaths or loving others, Jesus elevated the expectation of God beyond minimal legalistic requirements. The Word had become flesh; Jesus’ tongue was and is equal to the finger of God.
Jesus is the only one who could speak with such authority about these things because He is divine. The people were amazed and drawn by His gentle yet firm authority. Although His teaching was
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