But it was the doctor who really shook him up. He got his rooms confused and came in to tell this man's wife that, "in spite of best efforts, your husband is dead."

"No I'm not," said the supposed corpse, opening his eyes.

"Shut up, Henry," said his wife. "You never would listen to the doctor."

We can side with poor Henry here, but the truth is, most people don't listen as they should. And very often we Christians only halfway listen to Jesus.

That's why I started a sermon series centering on the teachings of our Lord in his Sermon on the Mount (Matt. Chapters 5-8). Here is the very heart of that Good News that be brings us.

It may have been a mistake starting the series, because I may not be able to turn it loose.

In fact, I have spent three weeks on just the first 20 verses of Matthew 5. Sermons just keep filling my mind as I deal with this material.

Sure, I've read the Sermon on the Mount a thousand times.

Sure, I have preached from its passages often.

But suddenly, as I read it now, a whole new world of glory has opened before me.

There are insights here I never noticed before, beauty and meaning that I had overlooked.

This is the wonder of the Bible. It's riches are never exhausted.

The Sermon on the Mount is the most astounding, shattering, moving, uplifting series of utterances in all of world literature.

Do I sound like I like it?

I can't tell you how much.

And if we will listen - and I mean really listen, to our Lord, our lives will be changed, transformed, enriched by his grace!