Illuminate Community Church

"Lust Kills Love" - Matthew 5:27-32

Our society and culture has an increasingly easier access to hyper-sexualized things. It seems that those things which were meant for good - from God - have been counterfeited with a more base, perverse interpretation of intimacy. Satan has taken the beauty of a sexual union meant for the marriage between man and woman, and has turned lust into a snare which is a real minefield. Listen in as Pastor Jason Fritz gives insight on this trap which seeks to destroy anything in its path.

"True Greatness" - Matthew 18:1-14

Greatness. For most people, finding oneself in the midst of great people could be an alluring joy in life. For others, being great in this world could be all there is to life. Great with your finances, great with others, great influence in your workplace, with associates, with friends and family. This isn't a concept that was foreign in Jesus' day. In fact, Jesus had some very powerful things to say about greatness itself. As His disciples began asking what and who would be great in the Kingdom of Heaven, His answer was - and is - a complete contrast to the world's definition. Jesus never disappointed in showing us how different - and relevant - it means to be a Christian in a world where so many people are trying to promote their own self-interest and hierarchical paradigms... instead, Jesus says, have the humility of a child. Listen in as Pastor Jason Fritz elaborates.

"Restoring Broken Relationships" - Matthew 5:21-26 - Pastor Jason Fritz

Jesus confronts the very core of the human condition, and the way to both restore and renew relationships as one does who is from the Kingdom of Heaven. We read about Jesus' appeal to not regard either oneself as superior to others, or others as inferior to oneself. Rather, we're called to see both ourselves as dependent on God's abounding mercies, and others as having exceeding worth, first to Christ, and then to us. The heart of the matter? It's our hearts in the matter. Listen in as Pastor Jason Fritz elaborates this rich sermon that Jesus preached. Be blessed!

"That Old Time Self-Righteous Religion" - Matthew 5:17-20

Thank you for tuning in this week! This week we see Jesus correcting one of the greatest obstacles that prevent people from attaining godliness: man-made religion, man-made righteousness. Listen in as Pastor Jason Fritz discusses in detail how Jesus confronted the Pharisees and Saducees, the stout religious leaders of their time. Learn why it's our relationship and heart that God wants, as opposed to our religion, and why our own works are worthless in light of our God who has already set the path for us.

Salt and Light - Matthew 5:13-16 - Pastor Jason Fritz

As we continue in our study of the Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes that are taught by Jesus, we draw on two analogies that we are to be. We are called to be the "salt of the earth" and "the light of the world." What does this mean? What does it mean to be a Christian that is both salt and light, and how would it affect the world around us? Pastor Jason Fritz challenges us to understand that we - as believers - have been both entrusted with and given the resources to be a revolutionary agent of change in a world that so desperately needs new life. Be encouraged as you listen and watch, know that you were called to do good, and to speak and live out life so that others could see God in you!!

"The Upside Down Kingdom" - Matthew 5:1-12

In these verses, Jesus takes the world's view of living and turns it upside down. It's here that Jesus describes the lifestyle of one who is committed to God's kingdom. This is the kind of character that pleases the king who graciously rules over us and it is a very different character than that of his worldly kingdom we live in. Listen in as Pastor Jason Fritz breaks down the first 12 verses of the Sermon on the Mount.

Greatest Sermon Ever: Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 5-7 - Pastor Jason Fritz

This week we begin our series on the Sermon on the Mount. The subject? What it means to be a citizen of the Kingdom of God. News flash: It's completely different from how the kingdom of this world operates. Listen in as Pastor Jason Fritz discusses the inner workings - the posture - of a citizen of God's Kingdom, and how he/she sees the world through an accurate view of godliness.

"The Parable of the Sower" - Matthew 13:1-9; 18-23 - Pastor Jason Fritz

In this passage of parable of the sower, Jesus likens the Kingdom of God to a seed. Though small in initial size, with a potential for producing great fruit and harvest, the process of this growth is often overlooked. In this case, the focus is not on merely what can become of a seed, but the ways in which that seed can be disrupted, stolen, suffocated, or... how that seed can flourish beyond compare. Listen in as Pastor Jason Fritz preaches.

"The Parable of the Talents" - Matthew 25:14-30 - Pastor Jason Fritz

God has given us each gifts He intended for us to use. In The Parable of the Talent Jesus talks about 3 men who were given talents. The men who received 3 and 5 talents doubled what they were given while the man who relied one talent. Pastor Jason Fritz talks about how we all are given talents and our responsibility to use those talents.

"The Parable of the Beggar" - Luke 16:19-31

In the book of Luke, Jesus tells the story of the rich man and Lazarus. We see a picture of the temporal contrast between rich and poor, and how - in the grips of eternity - such differences are merely conditions that reveal the status of the heart. One man who is rich on earth can struggle with closeness to God, where one man who is poor in spirit can only depend on His grace and mercies. Likewise, one who is rich on earth can also be rich in spirit, and one who is poor on earth can also be poor spiritually. The difference is in the heart! Listen in as Pastor Jason Fritz draws on the parable that Jesus speaks of.