A New Culture - Kingdom

The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) “The Way of the Kingdom” I. The Character of Kingdom People — Matthew 5 A. The Blessed Life (5:1–12) • The Beatitudes as a portrait of kingdom citizens • Blessing rooted in God’s favor, not circumstances • The paradox: the lowly are lifted, the persecuted are honored B. The Influence of Kingdom People (5:13–16) • Salt: preserving, purifying, creating thirst • Light: revealing truth, exposing darkness • The call to visible, embodied faith C. The Fulfillment of the Law (5:17–20) • Jesus as the true interpreter and fulfiller • Righteousness that surpasses the Pharisees: internal, not performative D. Six Transformations of the Heart (5:21–48) 1. Anger → Reconciliation 2. Lust → Purity of Heart 3. Divorce → Covenant Faithfulness 4. Oaths → Simple Honesty 5. Retaliation → Radical Non‑Vengeance 6. Hate → Love for Enemies Teaching emphasis: Jesus moves from external compliance to internal transformation. II. The Practices of Kingdom People — Matthew 6 A. Worship Without Hypocrisy (6:1–18) • Giving, praying, fasting: done for the Father, not for applause • The Lord’s Prayer as a pattern of kingdom-centered devotion • God’s name • God’s kingdom • God’s will • Daily dependence • Forgiveness • Deliverance B. Treasure and Loyalty (6:19–24) • Earthly vs. heavenly treasure • The eye as the lamp of the body • Serving God vs. serving wealth C. Freedom From Anxiety (6:25–34) • Birds and lilies as kingdom illustrations • Worry replaced by trust • “Seek first the kingdom and His righteousness” III. The Relationships of Kingdom People — Matthew 7 A. Judging and Discernment (7:1–6) • Avoiding hypocritical judgment • Removing the plank before addressing the speck • Discernment with “holy things” and “pearls” B. Confidence in Prayer (7:7–11) • Ask, seek, knock • God as a generous Father C. The Golden Rule (7:12) • The ethic of the kingdom in one sentence • “This sums up the Law and the Prophets” D. The Final Warnings (7:13–27) 1. Two Gates — narrow vs. wide 2. Two Trees — true vs. false prophets 3. Two Claims — true vs. false disciples 4. Two Foundations — wise vs. foolish builders Teaching emphasis: The sermon ends with a call to decision—hearing and doing. IV. Key Themes for Application • Kingdom identity shapes kingdom behavior • True righteousness flows from the heart • Spiritual practices are relational, not performative • Kingdom people trust God rather than anxiety or wealth • Jesus demands not admiration but obedience

“The Ministry of Listening” James 1:19 — “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” I. The Call to Listen Well A. Listening is a Biblical Command • Scripture doesn’t merely suggest listening — it commands it. • God ties listening to spiritual maturity (Prov. 18:13; James 1:19). • Jesus repeatedly said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” B. Listening Reflects the Character of God • God is the One who “inclines His ear” to His people (Ps. 116:1–2). • He listens before He responds. • When we listen well, we mirror His heart. C. Listening Is an Act of Love • Love “does not insist on its own way” (1 Cor. 13:5). • Listening is humility in action. • People feel valued when they feel heard. II. The Barriers to True Listening A. The Noise Around Us • Constant distraction: devices, busyness, multitasking. • We hear words but miss meaning. B. The Noise Within Us • Forming our response before they finish. • Defensiveness, assumptions, impatience. • Pride that says, “I already know.” C. Emotional Reactivity • Quick anger shuts down understanding. • When emotions rise, listening falls. III. The Practices of Godly Listening A. Be Fully Present • Put aside distractions. • Give your face, your eyes, your attention. • Presence communicates worth. B. Listen to Understand, Not to Reply • Slow down your internal reactions. • Seek meaning, not ammunition. • Ask: “What is this person really saying?” C. Attend to the Heart, Not Just the Words • Notice tone, emotion, and body language. • People often speak from pain, fear, or hope. • Reflect back what you hear: “It sounds like…” D. Ask Clarifying Questions • “Help me understand…” • “Can you say more about that?” • Clarifying prevents conflict and builds trust. E. Respond with Grace and Patience • Validate before you advise. • Speak gently. • Create a safe place for honesty. IV. The Fruit of Listening A. Stronger Relationships • Listening builds bridges. • It disarms conflict and deepens connection. B. Greater Wisdom • Proverbs: “The wise listen and add to their learning.” • Listening expands perspective and sharpens discernment. C. A More Christlike Witness • Jesus listened to the hurting, the broken, the confused. • When we listen well, people experience His compassion through us. V. The Ultimate Listener: Jesus Christ A. He Heard the Cry of the Blind Man • Others told him to be quiet; Jesus stopped and listened. B. He Heard the Woman at the Well • He listened beyond her words to her wounds. C. He Hears Us Still • “Before they call, I will answer; while they are yet speaking, I will hear” (Isa. 65:24). • His listening invites our trust. Conclusion: A Call to Practice • Who in your life needs you to listen with fresh grace? • Where have you been quick to speak and slow to hear? • What would change in your home, workplace, or church if you listened like Jesus? Listening is not weakness — it is leadership, love, and Christlikeness.

Faithful Dad

Well Dad, its been 22 years when Diana and I, Hilda and Gene said our goodbyes. The day before you left us, I told you that it was only the medications keeping you on this planet. You told me, “I’m tired and I’m ready, so please let me go.” That morning, I signed the papers telling the doctors and medical staff to stop the drips, remove the restraints, and prepare for departure. Your favorite gospel song was, “Keep on the firing line”. Well Dad, you were, and you did. Perfect? Shoot no way. But, faithful, OH YES! Mistakes? Yes, don’t we all have them. But I remember that Thursday night at a revival at First Church of Christ, Lake Charles, LA, when you walked down that aisle and you gave your life to HIM. I remember as if it were today, when you and Bro. Hollins, dressed in white robes up in the baptistry, you were baptized into Jesus. So, on that day 22 years ago, when you gave your final breaths on this planet, to walk that golden stairway to see the one who you have only seen by faith, but then on that day, face to face with the King of kings and Lord of lords…well done, faithful Father. Oh, how I miss you! But one day, when I too will breathe my last, what a great reunion that will be. A plaque on my wall says, “Every father should remember, that one day his son will follow his example instead of his advice”. Well for me, it was your example AND your advice, John W Navarre, that I follow on this Father’s Day!!!

Strawberry Cake and my Mom

Strawberry Cake and my Mom! My Mom wasn’t perfect my any means, like most moms. She was the worry wart champion of the world in my opinion. If she wasn’t worrying about my Dad, her kids, she would involve the entire neighborhood or our church in her high level worry. My Mom played the piano by ear…that means she had no formal note classes but could play just about anything. She was our church pianist and organist. She played for our church youth rallies, monthly church wide singspirations and informal singing around our home piano. In my mind I can still hear those grand old songs and see my Mom at the piano. I remember much about my Mom, but one thing really stands out. She died in 1985 at the age of 60. Very young for then and in terms of today’s medical community, very young. Her epitaph reads “born to serve”. And, boy she did. Whether playing the piano/organ, making gumbo for the church socials or sandwiches when our church hosted the monthly singspiration. She was ever busy in serving. However, I believe her most famous “born to serve” activity was her famous strawberry cake. Whenever there was a family that lost a loved one whether in our church or not, like magic, a strawberry cake would appear at the house of the bereaved. Or if someone was celebrating a birthday or anniversary, yep, there was the strawberry cake. Serving was her middle name. She didn’t ask for or seek out praise or gratitude from the recipients for the strawberry cake but simply, out of love for her community, she did it. And of course, I got to lick the spoon. Ha. I can still drool today thinking about those luscious strawberry cakes. I remember Jesus saying he didn’t come “to be served but to serve”. (Matthew 28:20) I believe most moms fall in the category of serving others. Love does that to folks. When we love we want to serve and help meet the needs of others rather than our own. So, as we celebrate Mother’s Day, may each of us take on this servant quality. Not to be served but to serve. Love does that. Serves others. My Mom, Marie Berneice Granger Navarre, pictured at the very top, has been gone now 39 years…oh how I still love and miss her. Happy Mother’s Day. Honor and love our moms.

Before you open your Bible: PRAY!

5 Prayers befofre you open your Bible:

1. Ps 119:130 Break open your word within me until revelation-light shines out! Those with open hearts are given insight into your plans.

2. Ps 119:105 Truth’s shining light guides me in my choices and decisions; the revelation of your rd makes my pathway clear.

3. James 1:22 Don’t just listen to the Word of Truth and not respond to it, for that is the essence of self-deception. So always let his Word become like poetry written and fulfilled by your life!

4. I Cor. 2:10-12 But God now unveils these profound realities to us by the Spirit. Yes, he has revealed to us his inmost heart and deepest mysteries through the Holy Spirit, who constantly explores all things.  After all, who can really see into a person’s heart and know his hidden impulses except for that person’s spirit? So it is with God. His thoughts and secrets are only fully understood by his Spirit, the Spirit of God.  For we did not receive the spirit of this world system but the Spirit of God, so that we might come to understand and experience all that grace has lavished upon us.

5. Proverbs3:5-6 Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make. Become intimate with him in whatever you do, and he will lead you wherever you go.

May I Pray for You?

Will you pray for me? This individual had jusr stopped me and asked if I would pray with them about a specific need. So I did. Right then and there. But that was not the end of it. For you see I keep a little prayer book where I list all the names and situations that I come across thru the day. It's important when you agree to pray for an individual or a situation that YOU DO IT. Do not just say you will and then forget about it. DO IT!!! Here's a few thoughs about prayer and praying. 1. Have a specific place. A quiet place. The evil one specializes in distractions. So find that quiet place to really talk to God. 2. I have found digging into God's Word especially the Psalms to be helpful for me to quiet my soul and clear my mind. Remember the devil specializes in division and distractions. 3. Go thru your prayer book. Name after name lifting up your requests and supplications before the Lord. According to Donald S. Whitney, prayer is simply talking with God. It is an opportunity to share our thoughts, feelings, and desires with the divine. Prayer is acceptable to God only in Jesus’s name. All access to God, including prayer, is possible only through the merits of who Jesus is and what he has done Prayer is a lifelong desire in all those indwelled by the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit indwells a person, he gives him or her the voice of a child. The Holy Spirit not only prompts prayer in all believers but also helps us pray rightly. 4. Time. Find a time to adequately give your list the time those requests deserve. Take your time. Slowing go over every name and situation. 5. Remember to whom you are talking. The creator of the universe is in your audience. You are not talking to yourself not to anyone else but to almightly Jehovah God. Remeember, you are in HIS PRESENCE. YOU ARE CONNECTING WITH THE DIVINE! 6. To help center our thoughts on Biblical prayer, here are some scriptures on prayer: Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Mark 9:29 And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” James 5:14-16 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another,that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Matthew 21:21-22 And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” I am praying for you and your families, Leonard

YOU ARE SEEN!

You are seen!! Feeling like an outcast? Depressed? No one cares? Lonely? Disrespected? Remember: “Beer Lahai Roi”. It’s a well named by an Egyptian slave woman. You may remember the story in the Old Testament where Abraham’s wife, Sarah, gave her slave girl, Hagar, to her husband for her to bear children as Sarah was barren. However, after Hagar gave birth, the wife, Sarah, mistreated Hagar and despised her. So, Hagar fled from the house and into the desert. She sat down at a spring in the desert and an angel of the Lord appeared and told her to return and submit to her mistress. The angel promised Hagar that she would give birth to a son and name him, Ishmael, and his descendants would be too numerous to count. So at the well Hagar named it, Beer Lahai Roi - “the living one that sees me”! Read her story in Genesis 16. So friends, take the cue from Hagar; no matter what you are going thru, no matter what desert you are in, remember there is ONE, the God of all creation, who SEES YOU!