Effective communication requires an understanding of context, particularly regarding the concerns being expressed. In certain historical situations, such as during the Roman occupation, people lived in a relatively stable environment compared to other tumultuous times. This allowed communicators like Jesus to address audiences without the constant fear of extreme scarcity or insecurity dominating their experiences. While some individuals may face genuine insecurities like hunger or lack of shelter, many worry about issues that may not be as pressing. It's essential to discern when concerns are valid and when they are unnecessary, as excessive worry can detract from the ability to engage in meaningful discourse. Acknowledging both the stability of the time and the audience's varied experiences can lead to more resonant and purposeful communication.
Sermon on the Mount E29 – In Jesus' fourth and final teaching on money, he offers his listeners an antidote to the worry that accompanies life’s daily troubles. Jesus teaches that the path to a peaceful mindset is found in what we pay attention to or seek. And seeking the Kingdom of the skies leads to trusting in God's abundance. In this episode, Jon, Tim, and Michelle explore how communities who understand God's character can live without worry, knowing that even death does not separate us from God’s generosity.
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Timestamps
- Chapter 1: With Your Whole Self (00:00-7:31)
- Chapter 2: Live Like the Birds (07:31-14:24)
- Chapter 3: A Conversation on Merimnao With Brittany Kim and Stephanie Tam (14:24-22:35)
- Chapter 4: Even Death Cannot Separate Us From the Generosity of God (22:35-33:37)
- Chapter 5: “We Become What We Pay Attention To” with Curt Thompson (33:37-54:05)
- Chapter 6: The Highest Values (54:05-57:12)
- Chapter 7: The Harmony of the Cosmos (57:12-1:03:17)
Referenced Resources
- Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen
- Anatomy of the Soul: Surprising Connections between Neuroscience and Spiritual Practices That Can Transform Your Life and Relationships by Curt Thompson, M.D.
- Check out Tim’s library here.
- You can experience our entire library of resources in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.
Show Music
- “Shambles” by When Mountains Move
- Original Sermon on the Mount music by Richie Kohen
- BibleProject theme song by TENTS
Show Credits
Stephanie Tam is the lead producer for today’s show, and Tim Mackie is the lead scholar. Production of today’s episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer; Cooper Peltz, managing producer; and Colin Wilson, producer. Frank Garza and Aaron Olsen edited today's episode. Tyler Bailey also edited this episode, provided our sound design and mix, and served as supervising engineer. Nina Simone does our show notes, and Hannah Woo provides the annotations for our app. Special thanks to Brittany Kim and Curt Thompson. Today’s hosts are Jon Collins and Michelle Jones.
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