Jesus’ Message of Offense
[audio:http://www.dodgevilleumc.org/pastor/sermonbrowser/?download&file_name=01-31-2010-JesusMessageOfOffense.mp3|width=90%] Back in Matthew 4:17, Jesus began to share the message that said: “The Kingdom of Heaven is near!” In response to that, those who were following him began to ask him about what qualifications they would need to be a part of such a kingdom. That’s when he started into his sermon—the Sermon on the Mount, in answer to that question. Beginning with those Beatitudes (i.e. ‘Blessed are…’), Jesus began sharing with them how they should live, in order to qualify for a kingdom like his, by letting them know how...