I mentioned last week that I teach Men's Bible Study because I have stories I can't tell on Sunday. Some of you wondered what I meant. Here are some stories which get close to the line.

"Cash, check or charge?" the clerk asked. As the woman fumbled for her wallet, the clerk noticed a television remote control in her purse. "Do you always carry your TV remote?" "No, my husband refused to come to the store with me, so I figured this was the most evil legal thing I could do to him." Speaking for all men everywhere, I can tell her that she's right.

A man said to his wife, "I don't know how you can be so dumb and so beautiful at the same time." "It's easy to explain," she said. "God made me beautiful so you would be attracted to me; and he made me dumb so I would be attracted to you."

It's always appropriate to work on our relationships. President Bush has been in Europe this week, strengthening ties with our allies. Israel has released 500 Palestinian prisoners, and has determined to leave Gaza and four settlements in the northern West Bank. Syria will withdraw from Lebanon, in hopes of expediting peace there.

Relationships come first. As C. S. Lewis reminds us, you have never met a mortal. The next person you see will exist long after this church is gone, this city is no more, this planet is history. Relating to others biblically is a subject of eternal significance.

So, what does the greatest sermon in Christian history have to say on the subject? As we survey the Sermon on the Mount relative to the sixth Covenant value, let's make this personal. Who is your problem person today? What relationship do you most need to improve? Where do you need to hear from the Father this morning?