Trinity Evangelical Free Church, Plainview Minnesota

The Red Letter Challenge

February 5 - March 3, 2012

Our Red Letter Challenge includes some of the most concentrated teaching of Jesus in what is known as the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).

While Jesus speaks to many practical areas of our life (e.g. prayer, relationships, worry) the most important implication of His teaching is our need for the gospel.

Jesus shows us that God's demands cannot be met by mere human effort and that the only way we could truly please Him is through the grace He Himself provides for us--a grace that changes us.

The Red Letter Challenge will press us to consider our need for a true transformation of heart that allows us to live a life pleasing to God.

Key Verses for The Red Letter Challenge

"For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:20 (cf. 7:21)

"Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:48 (cf. 7:13-14)

These verses reveal that the prerequisite for the kingdom of heaven is a perfect righteousness that meets the standard of God's character (5:48), unlike the self-righteous Pharisees (5:20). While it is humanly impossible for sinners to be completely righteous, the gospel exclaims that in "Christ" we receive the perfect righteousness of Jesus (1 Cor. 5:21). "In Christ" we can do the will of the Father (see 7:21).

Red Letter Challenge Memory Verses

"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." Matthew 7:13-14

You may also want to choose verses to memorize from the following topics that correspond to your life: Your witness (5:14-16); God's Word (5:18); Peacemaking (5:23-24; 7:5); Prayer (6:9-13; 7:7-8); Wealth (6:19-21, 24); Worry (6:33-34); Relationships (7:12); Eternal life (7:13-14); etc.

Upcoming Challenges:

March 2 Thessalonians Challenge

April Passion Challenge

May Truth & Love Challenge (2 John, 3 John & Jude)

June Acts Challenge

July Acts Challenge

August 2 Timothy Challenge

September Transformation Challenge (Deut)

October Transformation Challenge (Deut)

November Transformation Challenge (Deut)

December Advent Challenge