This Sunday at Likewise

Blessed - “The Resolve of a Fisher of Men”

Matthew 5:21-26

“The cross is where reconciliation is provided and the church is where reconciliation is to be proclaimed.” - Alistair Begg

As we have been going through the Sermon on the Mount, we have seen how Jesus calls His disciples, how He identifies His disciples, what characteristics His disciples should have and the purpose of His disciples, and last week we heard Jesus say that all Scripture is about Him - and that He came to fulfill all of Scripture.

Like any recipe, there is a list of ingredients and directions - So far Jesus, through the Sermon on the Mount, has been pulling in all the ingredients necessary to create us into “Fisher’s of Men”. He has been sharing what is necessary, and Who is doing the ‘making’. Now we start to get the directions.

Jesus takes six different angles to come to the same solution, and over the next few weeks we will take a look at each one. The solution that Jesus is highlighting is that the Law was meant to point us to Jesus and to change our heart - it was never about rule following and simply changing our actions. Jesus has been, is about, and always will be about having relationship with us - and that starts with changing our hearts. The change in action is always a byproduct of the heart change.

I am looking forward to opening up and looking at each way that Jesus is showing how He followed the Law - while also giving us the perfect example of how He lived and loved so that we can do likewise.

See you this Sunday at Likewise,

Pastor Josh

HEAD: What we need to know

Challenge: Jesus makes it clear that the commandment “You shall not murder” was never just about the physical act — it’s about the attitudes and thoughts that take root long before any action is taken. He calls us to think differently, to see anger, insults, and contempt as violations of God’s holiness. This means shifting from a rule-based mindset to a heart-aware understanding of God’s law.

Encouragement: In His teaching, Jesus gives us a new lens for understanding the Law — one that is both deeper and more freeing. As you let His Word shape your thinking, you’ll find that God’s ways are not about restricting life, but about protecting it and restoring relationships.

HEART: What we need to feel

Challenge: Anger, grudges, and unspoken bitterness are not harmless feelings — they damage our souls and distance us from God and others. Jesus challenges us to let Him do the difficult work of rooting these things out of our hearts before they grow into something destructive. This means inviting God to search the hidden places where resentment hides.

Encouragement: You are not left to battle these emotions alone. Jesus, who reconciled you to the Father at the cross, offers His Spirit to transform your heart. As He changes you from the inside out, your capacity to forgive, love, and seek peace grows beyond what you thought possible.

HANDS: What we need to do

Challenge: Jesus is so serious about reconciliation that He says to stop in the middle of worship if you remember someone has something against you, and go make it right first. That means taking the first step, even when it’s uncomfortable, costly, or humbling.

Encouragement: Every time you choose reconciliation over resentment, you are living out the heart of the gospel in real time. These moments become powerful testimonies — visible reminders to the world of what God’s kingdom looks like when His people live and love like Jesus.

Likewise Sermons

Blessed - The Resolve of a Fisher of Men

Date: Aug 17, 2025

Category: The Church, Bible, Blessed, Sermon on the Mount

Speaker: Josh Burt

Passages: Matthew 5:21-26

As we have been going through the Sermon on the Mount, we have seen how Jesus calls His disciples, how He identifies His disciples, what characteristics His disciples should have and the purpose of His disciples, and last week we heard Jesus say that all Scripture is about Him - and that He came to fulfill all of Scripture.

Like any recipe, there is a list of ingredients and directions - So far Jesus, through the Sermon on the Mount, has been pulling in all the ingredients necessary to create us into “Fisher’s of Men.” He has been sharing what is necessary, and Who is doing the ‘making.’ Now we start to get the directions.

Jesus takes six different angles to come to the same solution, and over the next few weeks we will take a look at each one. The solution that Jesus is highlighting is that the Law was meant to point us to Jesus and to change our heart - it was never about rule following and simply changing our actions. Jesus has been, is about, and always will be about having relationship with us - and that starts with changing our heart. The change in action is always a byproduct of the heart change.

I am looking forward to opening up and looking at each way that Jesus is showing how He followed the Law - while also giving us the perfect example of how He lived and loved so that we can do likewise.