Illuminate Community Church

Judge Not - Matthew 7:1-6

It is often quoted "Judge not, that you be not judged." What did Jesus mean when he said that? Pastor Jason Fritz explains the difference between condemning and observing, the importance of living a holy life in this regard, and the importance of living in community. Matthew 7:1-6 "Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. 6 "Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

"How to Fast and Pray" - Matthew 6:5-18

Prayer and fasting is one of the most essential Christian disciplines. Through it, one comes to grips with the magnitude and omnipotence of the Lord we serve. Those who pray find doors that are opened in their lives, ones that are inexplainable in any other sense and can only be credited as a God-ordained event. But how are we supposed to pray? Well, in a sense... the same way Jesus prayed. Fortunately for us, Jesus gives us a step by step guideline on how one should both pray and fast, and be effective in doing so. This keeps a direct line open with God. This line is, in fact, our lifeline as Christians. Listen in as Pastor Jason Fritz shares the richness of this passage on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.

"You Can't Take It With You, But You Can Send It Ahead" - Matthew 6:1-4; 19-24

As we continue in this passage on the greatest sermon ever preached - the Sermon on the Mount - we find Jesus talking about generosity and about how we view our treasures. How does God want us to give, in what manner, and how does He want us to view our possessions on earth? Listen in as Pastor Jason Fritz draws a clearer picture on this topic

Going the Extra Mile - Matthew 5:38-48

This week, we continue into Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, as He talks about the power of loving others in action above and beyond what anyone else would do. By loving those who hurt you you are showing God's love to them. Listen in as Pastor Jason Fritz elaborates on these verses.

"The Power of Words" - Matthew 5:33-37

This week, we continue into Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, as He talks about the power of our words. The book of Proverbs has a number of things to say about the benefits and blessings that our words are capable of giving, as well as the destruction it can leave in its path. Jesus warns us that everybody will be held accountable for every careless and idle word we speak. But aside from merely speaking the truth, which in itself takes courage, Jesus also calls us to speak truth to each other... in love. Listen in as Pastor Jason Fritz elaborates on these verses.

"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!!