The series below progresses in an expository manner through Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. In this message, Jesus confronted the superficial religion to which his original hearers and we today too easily fall prey. Jesus calls believers of all generations to a radical change in lifestyle, from superficial religion to whole-hearted devotion. Each individual sermon, following the text in Matthew, expounds on various elements of this radical change.
The "packaging" of the series--the series and sermon titles--piques listeners' interest by relating to the popular television program "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."
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Extreme Makeover: Jesus Edition
Matthew 5-7 (Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount)
Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount describes the lifestyle he demands of his followers—a lifestyle radically different from our natural tendencies. A careful study of the text confronts us with radical changes we must make to follow him faithfully.
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“Values Assessment”
Matthew 5:1-12
Jesus turns earthly values upside down.
Listeners should list what values their behavior most reveals and consider how to replace these with godly values. |
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“Focus Recalibration”
Matthew 5:13-16
We exist to make an impact.
Listeners should commit to at least one concrete way to minister others’ needs. |
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“Mask Removal”
Matthew 5:17-20
Jesus calls us to remove our hypocritical masks and serve him heart-first. |
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Listeners should examine their righteous acts to see if they are based on love or legalism. |
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"Relational Reconstruction”
Matthew 5:21-26, 38-48
Christian relationships ooze with grace.
Listeners should take immediate steps to reconcile hurting relationships. |
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“Eye Lifts and Divorce Reductions”
Matthew 5:27-32
Enduring marriages require great commitment to the marriage covenant. |
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Listeners should vow to live from this day forward in accordance with God’s design for marriage |
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“Integrity Confirmation”
Matthew 5:33-37
Our word needs no bond.
Listeners should examine the integrity of every word spoken in a single day. |
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“Public Piety Peels”
Matthew 6:1-18
God is most concerned about those areas of life that only he sees.
Listeners should attempt at least one suggested way to bolster their private devotion to God. |
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| 8. |
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“Wealth Replacement Therapy”
Matthew 6:19-34
When we focus on the Father, he faithfully furnishes our needs.
Listeners should admit at least one area of life where they worry over earthly matters and in prayer relinquish control of that matter to God. |
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“Eye Plank Elimination”
Matthew 7:1-6
Godly accountability flows from a pure heart.
Before confronting another’s sin, listeners should first examine their own hearts and then proceed out of love. |
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“Prayer Intensification”
Matthew 7:7-12
The Father stands eager to love you.
Listeners should pray with greater assurance of God’s faithfulness. |
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“Directional Reanalysis”
Matthew 7:13-23
Though the world entices, only Christ saves.
Listeners should identify those ungodly aspects of culture (even “church” culture) that most entice them and vow to seek Christ alone. |
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“Foundation Solidification”
Matthew 7:24-29
Stable lives are built on Jesus’ teachings.
Listeners should reflect on the preceding messages from the Sermon on the Mount and choose three specific teachings to act on in the coming year. |
