The Man Among The Lampstands: Turn To See The Voice

R.A. Martinez preaches about one thing which is nonnegotiable for a life in Christ.

The Sermon of the Mount, recorded in Matthew 5-7, is Jesus’ first public sermon and longest recorded in the gospels. Jesus’ main focuses in these chapters is what we belong to (the Kingdom), who we belong to (the Father), and how we interact with both (love and obedience). It is the constitution of the “upside-down Kingdom”. Here, losing is winning, suffering is joy, and enemies are loved. When people persecute us they get blessed. When there is division and strife, we stand as peacemakers. When we are struck with insults, we refuse to retaliate but instead manifest a crucified lamb. It is a kingdom where our time is not devoted to how much money we can make but how obedient we can be to the Father. It is where the meek inherit the earth not the strong and the politically savvy. In this kingdom, we give, pray and fast in secret and there is no need for anxiety concerning tomorrow. This is the only way of life for the Church and what it looks like to be a disciple of Jesus.

The Sermon of the Mount, recorded in Matthew 5-7, is Jesus’ first public sermon and longest recorded in the gospels. Jesus’ main focuses in these chapters is what we belong to (the Kingdom), who we belong to (the Father), and how we interact with both (love and obedience). It is the constitution of the “upside-down Kingdom”. Here, losing is winning, suffering is joy, and enemies are loved. When people persecute us they get blessed. When there is division and strife, we stand as peacemakers. When we are struck with insults, we refuse to retaliate but instead manifest a crucified lamb. It is a kingdom where our time is not devoted to how much money we can make but how obedient we can be to the Father. It is where the meek inherit the earth not the strong and the politically savvy. In this kingdom, we give, pray and fast in secret and there is no need for anxiety concerning tomorrow. This is the only way of life for the Church and what it looks like to be a disciple of Jesus.

R.A. Martinez shares a message at February's First Friday expressing the relevance of heaven to us today. 

This morning, we prayed for and laid hands on nine missionaries, sending them to the largest unreached Muslim nation on the earth. These ones have been so captured by the worth of Jesus, so convinced of power of the gospel, and so motivated by the urgency of the hour that they have decided to do what very few in history have done: preach the Gospel to those who haven’t heard. Listen to R.A. Martinez’s captivating message about "Option three" and the prescription for laborers to be sent to the nations.

Option Three: We save up money to help our kids go to college, we throw parades when our kids want to join the military, but we ask questions when they desire to carry the gospel among the unreached. To pursue a career and be a productive member of society is good; to serve one’s country is noble; but to spend a season of life in an unreached nation for the sake of the Gospel? What is that worth?

The Sermon of the Mount, recorded in Matthew 5-7, is Jesus’ first public sermon and longest recorded in the gospels. Jesus’ main focuses in these chapters is what we belong to (the Kingdom), who we belong to (the Father), and how we interact with both (love and obedience). It is the constitution of the “upside-down Kingdom”. Here, losing is winning, suffering is joy, and enemies are loved. When people persecute us they get blessed. When there is division and strife, we stand as peacemakers. When we are struck with insults, we refuse to retaliate but instead manifest a crucified lamb. It is a kingdom where our time is not devoted to how much money we can make but how obedient we can be to the Father. It is where the meek inherit the earth not the strong and the politically savvy. In this kingdom, we give, pray and fast in secret and there is no need for anxiety concerning tomorrow. This is the only way of life for the Church and what it looks like to be a disciple of Jesus.

MAPS Community Director Joseph Workman explains how to follow the way of Jesus in both solitude and community as we are shaped into arrows who will hit their marks. 

Aaron Custalow shares a message about rekindling love for Jesus to kick off 2023. 

As 2023 comes to a close, Sherrie Moore shares a powerful word of encouragement to our spiritual family. She exhorts us to lean into the Lord, simplify our lives, and establish memorial stones in this new year.