Are we left out of the Kingdom of God? He was defending God. Jesus emphasized that the law condemns both, without saying that the law says they are the same things. Mark 9:50 says, "Be at peace with one another.". 3:7-10) Moses tried to decline. Persecution can come in the form of others who stop talking to you because you share your faith or don't participate in their sinful activities. Do I seek power, praise, possessions, pleasure or righteousness? Jesus does not speak of casual sorrow for the consequences of our sin, but a deep grief before God over our fallen state. 4. This beatitude is first, because this is where we start with God. That being in our souls a settled matter, we can go on to peaceableness towards men.” (Spurgeon). No wonder persecution is inevitable for the true Christian. Blessed are those who hunger: This describes a profound hunger that cannot be satisfied by a snack. “Jesus was not monastic in spirit, and He had not two doctrines, one for the many, another for the few, like Buddha. Why do you think this is mentioned right after being told that we will suffer persecution? Johannine Writings The sense of this is much the same as in Matthew; that this sermon was spoken to the disciples of Jesus, but disciples in a broad sense of those who had followed Him and heard Him; not in the narrow sense of only the Twelve. Major Prophets General Epistles “Sitting was the accepted posture of synagogue or school teachers (Luke 4:20; cf. We often assume that those inner qualities can only be developed or displayed in isolation from the world, but Jesus wants us to live them out before the world. 22. He completed it in himself by submitting to its types with an exact obedience, and verifying them by his death upon the cross. “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. c. Whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: The teaching of the scribes and Pharisees (“You shall not murder”) was true enough. Rejoice and be really glad (jump, skip and shout for joy) that God will reward us some day for standing firm and responding correctly to persecution. “And he sometimes putteth himself between the two, when they are very angry, and taketh the blows from both sides, for he knows that so Jesus did, who took the blows from his Father and from us also, that so by suffering in our stead, peace might be made between God and man.” (Spurgeon). The point of entry into the kingdom of God is when a person becomes poor in spirit and admits that he is a sinner in need of the forgiveness of Jesus Christ. The mourning in this verse is not human sorrow which may be caused by the conditions of life. We can also say that no one was ever blessed more than Jesus; He knows what goes into a blessed life. In this world you will have tribulation, but I have overcome the world. d. Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two: Positively, we are told to take command of evil impositions by making a deliberate choice to give more than we are required. Day 1. 12:1) God afflicted her with leprosy (v. 10). b. Whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart: Jesus explains that it is possible to commit adultery or murder in our heart – or mind, and this also is sin and prohibited by the command against adultery. Let your light so shine before men: The purpose of light is to illuminate and expose what is there. They never get beyond a vague wish to be better. The first portion of the Sermon on the Mount is known as the Beatitudes, which means “The Blessings” but can also be understood as giving the believer his “be – attitudes” – the attitudes he should “be.” In the Beatitudes, Jesus sets forth both the nature and the aspirations of citizens of His kingdom. Because the persecuted will have great reward in heaven, and because the persecuted are in good company: the prophets before them were also persecuted. i. And taught them, saying: What they heard was a message that has long been recognized as the sum of Jesus’ – or anyone’s – ethical teaching. I have a fountain of sin within my heart, and bitter waters continually flow from it. 1. A merciful person will not hold grudges, retaliate, be vengeful, or recite the failures and the sins of others. Abraham, A continual strong desire that knows no end. a. John 5:30 Can Christians forget this and begin living otherwise? Considering Matthew 5:14-15, are you hiding the light Jesus has given you or living as a city on the hill so all can see? If we want God to be merciful to us we must confess our sins and turn from them. The New Testament Pentateuch i. 1. i. They don't fit in anymore, but they should never stop loving and praying for these people. 43. In Matthew 5:10 they are persecuted for righteousness’ sake; in Matthew 5:11 they are persecuted for the sake of Jesus. One very popular assumption was that the Roman yoke would be shattered and there would be political peace and mounting prosperity.” (Carson). Jesus never challenged us to become salt or light. He is humble, riding on a donkey-riding on a donkey's colt, In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus says he in gentle & humble in heart (meek) "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Yet he does know, for he is no blind deity. And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? i. 2:14). What does the world think will make a person happy? They receive the kingdom of heaven, because poverty of spirit is an absolute prerequisite for receiving the kingdom of heaven, and as long as we harbor illusions about our own spiritual resources, we will never receive from God what we absolutely need to be saved. b. iii. Abraham - He mercifully helped deliver his nephew Lot (Gen. 14:8- 16) after Abraham had been wronged by him (Gen. 13:5-11). It would draw the world’s attention to them, and so expose them to the ill will of such as hate the light.” (Bruce), ii. What changed as a … One who is poor in spirit is so desperate that he will give up everything to obtain Christ. v. “In a word, Christ completed the law: 1st. Pentateuch The teaching of Jesus on marriage and divorce is further explained in Matthew 19, but here we see the intent of Jesus: getting back to the intent of the law, instead of allowing it to be used as easy permission for divorce. “A strong word of Hellenistic coinage, from to leap much, signifying irrepressible demonstrative gladness…It is the joy of the Alpine climber standing on the top of the snow-clad mountain.” (Bruce), ii. -------------------- ", Our Lord's promise to peacemakers is that "they shall be called the sons of God" (Matt. But over time religious teachers moved this command out of its proper sphere (a principle limiting retribution for the civil government) and put it in the wrong sphere (as an obligation in personal relationships). He desires greater purity and will never get to the point in this life where he thinks he has arrived. Bible Study and Sermon Preparation for the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5-7 is the last of three articles on the 'Power of Kingdom Living' series. Through the first three beatitudes we notice that the natural man finds no happiness or blessedness in spiritual poverty, mourning or meekness. -------------------- 4. Jesus has demonstrated that we need a righteousness that is apart from the law (Romans 3:21-22). iv. He completes this law, and the sayings of his prophets, in his members, by giving them grace to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and their neighbour as themselves; for this is all the law and the prophets.” (Clarke). 1. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”. It is good to remember that Jesus said this in a day and to a culture that really knew what it was to be hungry and thirsty. Put Your Faith in God - 1 John 1:7 says, "The blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin." Purity of heart cleanses the eyes of the soul, making God visible. The only way a right relationship to Christ is established, is when we confess our unrighteousness and inability to meet God's standard. God allows this grief into our lives as a path, not as a destination. Matthew 5:1-12 Questions and Answers. 24. It isn’t loving to give in to someone’s manipulation without our transforming it into a free act of love. MATTHEW BIBLE STUDY LESSON SHEETS. Poverty of spirit cannot be artificially induced by self-hatred; the Holy Spirit and our response to His working in our hearts bring it about. God doesn't lower His standards to accommodate us but we can ask Christ to enable us to meet God's standards. They will be willing to wait for His timing. a) What will my focus be on? (Mat 5:48) The conclusion to the true interpretation of the law: be perfect. 20 Read Matthew 5:7. The heart of this devotion to God is shown by modern-day Orthodox Jews. Paul responded, "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. He bears with our weaknesses and sin, accepts our imperfect service, provides for our needs, and shields us from danger. No matter how much you love, you should love more. Matthew 5:13-48 Questions and Answers, Jesus expains His relationship to the Law. “Note, also, with delight, that the blessing is in every case in the present tense, a happiness to be now enjoyed and delighted in. What does it mean to hunger & thirst for righteousness? The character traits described in the Beatitudes are not valued by our modern culture. What promise is made to the pure in heart? A Christ like life will produce the same reaction Christ received during His earthly ministry. God doesn't lower His standards to accommodate us but we can ask Christ to enable us to meet God's standards. When you become a Christian the God of peace, the Prince of Peace (Christ), and Spirit of peace come to live in your life. Will listen to others, etc. General Epistles Johannine Writings Now that you understand what each of the beatitudes means, let's go to the chart on the first page and do a personal checklist to see how we are doing. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point “A hard task, I must needs say, but, hard or not hard, it must be done, be it never so contrary to our foul nature and former practice.” (Trapp). Read Matthew 5:10-12. In. “One day, at an hotel dinner table, I was talking with a brother-minister about certain spiritual things when a gentleman, who sat opposite to us, and who had a serviette tucked under his chin, and a face that indicated his fondness for wine, made, this remark, ‘I have been in this world for sixty years, and I have never yet been conscious of anything spiritual.’ We did not say what we thought, but we thought it was very likely that what he said was perfectly true; and there are a great many more people in the world who might say the same as he did. Matthew 5:11 - says they will suffer for Christ's sake. In Matthew 5:5 Christ was saying His kingdom will be occupied with people who are submissive to God. Can never have enough of Christ. is a deep inner sense of well-being regardless of what is happening around us and to us. Do I react meekly? Are we sharing with others how to receive this wonderful peace with God? d. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand: The idea of a lampstand gives the sense that we are to be intentional about letting this light shine. God testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.' i. His attitude was one of subservience, trust, and submission towards God's will. “So the King adds an eighth beatitude, and that a double one, for those who because of their loyalty endure suffering.” (Morgan). ii. Blessed are the pure in heart: In the ancient Greek, the phrase pure of heart has the idea of straightness, honesty, and clarity. 5:9). Ultimately, this intimate relationship with God must become our greatest motivation for purity, greater than a fear of getting caught or a fear of consequences. ii. We must have a greater concern than only ourselves, and we cannot live only to ourselves; we must have someone to shine to, and do so lovingly. Instead, it expresses the spiritual implications of the rule of Jesus in our lives. iii. This emphasis of Jesus on the permanency of marriage and the wrong of unjustified divorce went against the thinking of many in both the Jewish and the Gentile cultures. Paul, 1 Peter 3:3-4 says not to spend so much time beautifying yourself externally if you want to glorify God. 44. A person who is poor in spirit has no sense of self-sufficiency and recognizes he is spiritually bankrupt and needs to get bailed out by Christ. What are some Biblical examples of mercy? Even if you did cut off your hand or gouge out your eye, you could still sin with your other hand or eye. “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”. Bruce comments on this first reference to God as Father: “God, we learn, as Father delights in noble conduct; as human fathers find joy in sons who acquit themselves bravely.”. Jesus pointed to a breadth in the impact of disciples that must have seemed almost ridiculous at the time. ii. How can we experience God's peace? What a fantastic exchange! “Moses insisted upon ‘a writing of divorcement,’ that angry passions might have time to cool and that the separation, if it must come, might be performed with deliberation and legal formality. i. 13. iii. It is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell: Jesus simply stressed the point that one must be willing to sacrifice to be obedient. Historical Books C. Where Jesus wants His disciples to display their discipleship. 5. All he'll think about is glorifying God and meeting the needs of others. May we not suppose that Christ alludes to this city, in these words of his, A city set on a hill cannot be hid?” (Maundrell, cited in Clarke). 24, 26). “It is the devil who is a troublemaker; it is God who loves reconciliation and who now through his children, as formerly through his only begotten Son, is bent on making peace.” (Stott). You have nothing to offer to God, yet the greater your needs the more abundantly He provides. For it is from within, out of a person's heart, that evil thoughts come-sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. What are some Biblical examples of the kind of mourning talked about in Matthew 5:4? Those who express sorrow for their sins will receive comfort. Our Lord wept with those who were in sorrow, and made the lonely feel loved. David may have failed at times but his heart was set toward God. What is meant by being a "peacemaker"? Pentateuch What about the rest of us? Our first love for God will not grow cold. Things that hinder us from mourning are: love of sin, despair, pride, hardheartedness, procrastination, think life is one big party, The reason those who mourn over sin are happy is that their sins are forgiven. This blessed one is meek: vii. Share this page using one of these tools: Email / username or password was incorrect! What am I hungry for? The result of recognizing our spiritual poverty, and that we are not sufficient in trying to receive God's approval in our own strength, is to mourn or repent of this condition, meaning we turn away from relying on our human strength. In the vocabulary of the ancient Greek language, the meek person was not passive or easily pushed around. Jeremiah 15:16 - I will devour God's Word. It has been said, “Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce”: In Jesus’ day, many people interpreted the Mosaic permission for divorce (Deuteronomy 24:1) as granting virtually any reason as grounds for divorce. “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”. 31. When Jesus speaks of a slap on your right cheek, it was culturally understood as a deep insult, not a physical attack. He mourned for the lost. God created us to glorify Him, and this is why we do good works – not to be seen or praised (Matthew 6:1-17), but so that we and those around us will “ give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Christian, YOU ARE MEANT TO SHINE BY DOING WORKS THAT GLORIFY GOD. “We are made sons by regeneration, through faith in the Son; but we are called to make our calling and election sure – to approve and vindicate our right to that sacred name. Matthew 5:10 - those who follow Christ will suffer "for righteousness' sake,". a. 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