Jeremy - thank you for leading us through Christ’s Sermon on the Mount. Even though my posting have been light, I continued to read your summaries and have taken a lot from them. I find myself soften spiritually and lose focus. This typically happens slowly and over time. It is reengaging scripture in a detailed way that helps me regain focus. What I am trying to do is maintain this focus. I am hoping through this my relationship with God will continue to grow which is my ultimate desire. I don’t want to be fake or legalistic about it; truly want to be authentic and humble. I will continue to keep everyone in my prayers. Take care.

I will...

Thanks for participating.  I learned from all of your comments.  I hope it was useful for you too.  I would appreciate your feedback on how to improve this format.  I will likely try this again with a different group.

God has been pushing me to work on my prayer life.  Not just making requests but praying continually and in the Spirit.  Listening to Him and allowing Him to change my thinking and my prayers.  Out of this comes my I  will statement.

I will continue to pray for each of you on a weekly basis for the rest of the summer.  I may check in with you via email this summer to see how life is going.  As always please email me with any thoughts, needs, or specific prayer requests.  Enjoyed it.  Have a great summer.

Week 10 wrap up

I will try to keep this brief.  This last portion of the sermon on the mount Jesus mentions several things that may keep a man from truly committing to a personal relationship with Him.  Specifically false prophets and false disciples will distort the truth and lead a person away from Christ. 

In Acts 20:29-30 Paul warns the Christians in Ephesus that savage wolves will be among you and will not spare the flock.  “From your own number men will distort the truth in order draw away disciples after them.”

There are wolves among us in the church and even in the pulpit.  So how do we recognize them?  I think you have to ask yourself does this teaching have Christ at its center?  Does it place Christ as the only solution to man’s needs and the only way salvation?  If the teaching makes you feel good about yourself and content with who you are then beware.   There message is one of false peace.

Jesus also says you will know them by their fruit.  Good fruit is spiritual fruit that reflects the character of God.  It is the result of a transformed life and only possible through Christ.  It is not good works that man is capable of achieving himself.

False disciple are those who intellectually know of Jesus as Lord and Savior but do not know Him as their personal Lord and Savior.  Scott mentioned this when he commented about “religion”  and it trappings.  Many of these individuals can be dangerous and lead people astray, while others may merely be self deluded. 

Faith is more than believing or even practicing certain Christian doctrines.  It is more than good works.  It is more than believing that Jesus is Lord and Savior.  True faith is costly.  Costly in the sense that it requires you to give up or die to yourself.  It is a true commitment to a personal relationship with Jesus that results in obedience, love, good works, and spiritual fruit.

Finally Christ finishes with “the rock” and application.  What is your foundation?  Are you building your life on the precious rock of Christ or are you building on things that dazzle the world but will rot, rust and pass away?   Do you hunger and thirst for righteousness?  Are you hearing the truths of Christ and allowing His love to transform you?  Are you living for yourself or are you living for Him?

Week 10...

The past 24 hrs I have been trying to comment on the posts for this week but for some reason the blog will not let me comment.  So I will share some thoughts with a new post.

Justin - Nothing to be ashamed of with your goals.  Seeking to be in Christ through prayer and study of the Word are top priority.  They are keys to understanding the Kingdom and becoming more like Christ.  I would encourage you to be intentional and specific with this endeavor.

Josh - Great thoughts.  I agree that it may be difficult to see fruit from afar.  The things we hear from any teacher should be tested against the truth of God's word.  I want to encourage you in the spiritual leadership of your family.  Too many fathers neglect this essential role.  Sharing the truths of Psalms and Proverbs  with your family is a great idea.

Scott -  I like your statement that transformation is an ongoing process and I am thankful for that.  We all need to spend more time practicing our faith by sharing Christ's  love with others.  Knowledge and understanding  are important but without the redeeming love of Christ they are empty and fruitless.  I like your focus...Love God, love others, and make disciples.

I would love to hear from more of you.  I am leaving the country on June 9th and I will officially wrap up this study on Wednesday night June 8th. 

I think it is important that we recognize false teachers because of the destruction they can cause. Jesus says that while they may look like one of us (sheep clothing) they are actually "ravenous wolves." Wolves eat sheep. I believe the biggest reason why many in our world today get lead astray by false teachers is because they don't know the truth of God's Word. So when someone tells them that by coming to Jesus they will be healthy, wealthy, and happy they believe it. Then when it doesn't happen they reject Him instead of the false teacher.

To identify false teachers we have to examine their teaching and their lives. It is difficult to examine the fruit of someone's life from a distance. Obviously the closer you are the better look you can get to see if they live in private what they say in public.

I will read Psalms and Proverbs (with my family) and continue to study Romans every day this summer.

I sort of hate to even post this (sounds like the typical answer to this type of question), but... I will seek to get into God's word more regularly and to be more passionate about my prayer life.

Week 10 questions - Final Week

1.  What is good fruit and bad fruit?  Why is this important in recognzing false teachers?

2.  How can a person recognize Jesus and perform great works in his name but not be saved?  What is true faith?


Since this is the last week and the final verses of the Sermon on the Mount have to do with application of the Word I want each of you to come up with an "I will" statement.  Something that is concrete and requires action.  This might be something that you have learned during this study and Christ is urging you to act on it.  Please share it with the group.

Week 10 Matt 7:15-29

True and False Prophets

    ¹⁵ “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. ¹⁶ By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? ¹⁷ Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

True and False Disciples

    ²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ ²³ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

The Wise and Foolish Builders

    ²⁴ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
 ²⁸ When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, ²⁹ because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

Week 9 wrap-up

I feel like Ch 7 is very concise and self explanatory so I hope my words don’t detract from your learning. 

Verses 1-5 talks about the hypocrisy of our preoccupation with someone else’s sin while overlooking our own failings.  I think this is a natural tendency for us to look at another person’s life or choices and feel we have done better.  The speck of sin in your brother’s eye is not to be overlooked but our responsibility is not to go around pointing out sin and making it public.  Instead we should privately “bear with one another” in love, encouraging and correcting as needed.   If we are filled with love then we will be less interested in pointing out our brother’s sin.

The pearls are the truths found in God’s Word and the pigs are unbelievers who have heard the truth of the gospel but are opposed to it.  Christ calls them “children of the devil”.  Their hearts are hard and they mock the Word and its truths.  Look around and you will find them.  Christ tells us specifically not to share with them what is valuable, (the pearls of the Word).  Instead we should move on to more fertile ground.

Verse 6 also mentions “dogs” and what is “sacred”.  The dogs are unbelievers and what is sacred is the truths of the Word.  They are not ready for all the truth of the Bible until they have accepted the truth of their own sin and their need for salvation.

Generous and loving is how I would describe our Father who wants us to ask, seek and knock.  The great thing about asking is that he knows what we need better than we do.  The Spirit searches our hearts and speaks for us when we pray, (Rom 8:26-27).  He promises to answer  when we are obedient and doing what pleases Him.   Then he will give generously, (1 John 3:22).  Are you lacking wisdom, compassion, vision for your ministry, direction for your family, overcoming problems at work, struggling with sin or difficult relationships?   Are you tired and frustrated with trying to fix it yourself?  Then get praying.   You do not have because you do not ask.

A quick note about the Golden Rule, (verse 12).  I have to give up my selfish needs and interests to obey this great truth.  It actually condemns my own efforts to be good.  It is unattainable unless Christ is the center of my life.  Romans 12:1-2 applies here again.

Luke 13:24 says, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door.”  Matt 7:13, “Enter through the narrow gate”.  John 10:9, “I am the narrow gate whoever enters through me will be saved”.  Everyone must make a decision.  You cannot drift into Christianity.  Step through the narrow gate into salvation or follow man down the broad road that leads to destruction. 

Only a few will find the narrow gate because they may have heard and intellectually believed the truths of the Bible but they have not made it personal.  They just continue to drift down the path of life and fail to actually enter through the gate by accepting Christ as their personal Savior. 

Others will continue to follow the wide path of life that feels good and is full of pleasure.  They never take the narrow fork because they are deceived by this world and unwilling to give up its pleasures, confront their own sin and die to themselves.

Week 9 questions

1.  Verses 1-5 speak about being judgemental or critical of our christian brothers.  What does it mean to take the plank out of your own eye before removing the speck from your brother's eye?  How does this apply to you.

2.  What are your pearls and who are the pigs?  Does this verse change your thinking about sharing the gospel?

3.  After reading verses 7-11  what words would you use to describe God as your Father?  How do these verses change the way you approach Him with your requests?

4. What must you sacrifice or give up in order to obey the "Golden Rule"?  Is it possible for you to live up to this standard?

5. What is the narrow gate and why will only a few find it?  Why is the road to destruction broad and the gate wide?

Week 9

Matthew 7

Judging Others

 ¹ “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. ² For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
   ³ “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴ How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? ⁵ You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
   ⁶ “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

Ask, Seek, Knock

    ⁷ “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
   ⁹ “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹ If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! ¹² So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

The Narrow and Wide Gates

    ¹³ “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴ But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Week 8 Wrap-up

Thanks for the input this week.   I will be the first to admit I am a poor question writer so I hope the question was not confusing.  It was meant to help you focus on this section of the Sermon on the Mount.  Please continue to comment on this section as you feel lead.

I can identify with all the competing “things” that were mentioned this week.  For me, a busy life and the constraints of time lead me to focus on my own selfish needs.  My need to feel rested, refreshed, and the need to protect my exercise time.  I can easily be too focused on the mileage goals I have each week for my running.  That seems silly when I think about it but it can be a source of tension. 

Scott’s point about compartmentalization is well taken.   We all need to set aside specific time to focus on God, to seek His counsel and increase our understanding of his ways, but in reality God does not fit into only those times we set aside for him.  He goes with us although it is convenient for us to consciously or unconsciously separate from him at certain times.  As we grow, mature and become more like Him it becomes harder to separate ourselves from him.

These verses ask the question, “What is obstructing you from a lifetime of effective service for Christ?”  Are you spending your life accumulating earthly “things” or are you focused on following Christ?  Read 1 Cor  3:12-15.  This does not mean we should cast aside the “things” that God has given us to enjoy but put them in proper perspective.   They are gifts from God.  Enjoy them and use them under His direction and for His purposes whenever possible.

The next section has some special meaning for me.  It is hard for us to understand what it means to worry about food, clothing, or shelter but at some point we all have had some anxiety about what “tomorrow may bring.”  From about age 10-15 I can remember some tough financial times and God used these verses to comfort and teach me.  My Dad’s business was slow, heavily in debt, and the bank was threatening to close the business and take our house.  The stress level was high and my parent’s relationship was strained.  We always had food, shelter and clothing but a trip to the grocery store only happened when some money was available.  Occasionally we depended on support from family and friends.  More than anything I worried about my parents during those times.  It was difficult and humbling for them.  I grabbed hold of these verses and it was an opportunity to see how God loved and provided for us.   My instincts are always to “fix” things, or work harder to make things work out but that experience has taught me to depend on Him in times of uncertainty.   

Who do you lean on in times of stress, anxiety, or worry?  Can you trust Him to provide?  Is worry or anxiety limiting your effectiveness for service in the Kindgdom?

Week 8 Challenge

I am going to try something new this week to encourage participation.  Please reply to the following question with at least a three sentence response.

What is competing with Christ for the "throne" of your life?

Week 8 - Matt 6:19-34

Treasures in Heaven

    ¹⁹ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
   ²² “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,^[c] your whole body will be full of light. ²³ But if your eyes are unhealthy,^[d] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
   ²⁴ “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Do Not Worry

    ²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life^[e]?
   ²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Week 7 Wrap-up

There are a lot of points to be made in these verses so feel free to add to my comments.  

Giving, prayer and fasting are essential disciplines of our faith.   Christ is clearly concerned about how we practice these disciplines and what motivates us.  Giving should be inspired by God and from an overflow his love that is within us.  It is an act of obedience seeking to please Him.  See Galatians 6:6-10.  If we sow to please the Spirit we will reap spiritual rewards.  

Prayer is something that I struggle with on a daily basis.  Usually it is the first thing that gets pushed aside when life gets busy.  Often I pray out of duty or desperation.   This is not necessarily bad but in those situations it usually leads to self directed prayer.  I thrust my own interests to the forefront.  It is more about me and less about having a conversation with God. 

How would my prayers change if I was truly focused on Christ as my audience?  Certainly I would see it more as a privilege than a duty.  It is an opportunity to glorify Him, seek forgiveness, listen to Him and know His will for me.  This does not exclude your own needs.  In fact, He encourages us to pray for daily needs. It is also an opportunity to pray for others, placing their needs before mine.    

Is prayer a duty or a privilege for you?  What are the barriers that are keeping you from spending time in prayer?  Are your prayers directed toward yourself or toward God?   Are your prayers for the benefit of those watching or hearing, or is your focus on God as your audience.

Fasting is another important spiritual discipline which can be misunderstood.  In the OT fasting was part of mourning and repentance for sin.  In the NT fasting was used to set aside the distractions of life while waiting on Him to reveal his will.   Christ is concerned with the motives of fasting.  The purpose should be to seek a clear direction from him and draw closer to him.  If you are seeking input from God, then put aside one of the distractions in your life and use that time praying or studying the bible.  This could be fasting for a time from “things” like TV or the internet.  I will admit this is not a natural thing for me to do.  Fasting does not seem to fit into the reality of life but notice that Christ says “when” you fast not “if” you fast.  The expectation is that His followers will seek direction from Him through fasting and prayer.

Tom’s words about narcissism are appropriate.  We can be so wrapped up in ourselves that we don’t even recognize that our motives may be misguided.  Are you seeking an audience with God when you pray? Do give to the needy out of love that overflows from God and without desiring recognition for your good deeds?  Are you seeking to please your own ego and seek the recognition of men or are you seeking to please God? 

Are your prayers a duty or a privilige? I think that this question hits home a little bit with me. I think that sometimes when I pray, I do so because I feel like I should, or because it is the right thing to do. I need to do a better job of looking at prayer as an opportunity to talk to God. I don't know about you guys, but I need to do a better job with my prayer life. I pray, but do I really praise God? I need to do a better job of going to God like it is a privilige!

I read this verses and I reflect on the fact that God desires our full attention. When we attempt to gain attention from others by our “righteousness,” we loss the connection with God and the actions become fruitless. Spiritual disciplines are ways to connect with God and we should not lose that focus. Whether it is tithing or fasting we need to do this not for the approval and attention of others but to drawl closer to God. I have seen this play true in my life. God has interacted with me in very personal ways when I maintain this focus. I must say that it is not easy. I battle internal desires to be recognized and have to work on dismissing them. I desperately what to hear from God and enjoy when I do, and I find the enemy looks ways to keep this from happening. I find for men that we must keep our narcissistic tendencies in check which sabotage humility. It doesn’t take much from the enemy to break this connection or highlight this tendency. I have been trying over the years to see it for what it is and refocus. I wish it was a one time battle, but it seems to be an on going one. Sorry for the babbling – these are just my initial thoughts.

Week 7 Questions

1.  Two words come to mind when I read these verses.  Motive and audience.  This week reflect on these 2 words when you read through these verses.

2.  Are your prayers a duty or a privilege?

3. What is the purpose of fasting and does it have a role in your life?

4.  Is this format working for you?  Any suggestions or changes to make this work better?  Is anyone having problems with the login or posting?  The questions are meant to stimulate discussion but are not intended to limit the conversation.  Please share what is important to you.

Week 7 Matt 6:1-18

Giving to the Needy

 ¹ “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
   ² “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ³ But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Prayer

    ⁵ “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ⁶ But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. ⁷ And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. ⁸ Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
   ⁹ “This, then, is how you should pray:
   “‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
¹⁰ your kingdom come,
your will be done,
   on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us today our daily bread.
¹² And forgive us our debts,
   as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³ And lead us not into temptation,^[a]
   but deliver us from the evil one.^[b]’
   ¹⁴ For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Fasting

    ¹⁶ “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ¹⁷ But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, ¹⁸ so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Week 6 Wrap-up

The themes I see in these verses are love and submission.  A life lived in Christ means submitting to his authority in every aspect of our lives.  As Paul says this is the transforming and renewing of our minds.  This allows us to love others beyond our own capabilities.  I like Tom’s description of having compassion and love for difficult people.  This is more than emotional love.  It is an act of the will that is accomplished when we have the love of Christ in us.  We are commanded to love God and love others.   There are no exceptions for difficult or even spiteful people.  It is easy to love when we are loved in return.  How much more is it to love those that are hurtful to us?

Submission to Christ also involves truth telling.  The people during Christ’s time were abusing the use of oaths.  They would swear by lesser things than God and therefore their words would not be binding. They could speak in partial truths and not fulfill the contract of their words.   It is similar for us.   Is it ever okay to speak anything less than the truth?  I find myself wanting to hedge on this one.  It is easy to rationalize telling partial truths when it seems insignificant, (e.g. white lies), to protect a family member or protect my own interests.  I would be taking a part of my life and making it exempt from the truth and therefore God’s authority.  Christ clearly speaks against this.

Submitting to Christ also means giving up “our rights”.  We have no right to retaliate, no right to our money or possessions, and no right to our time.   Read 1 Cor 9:19-23.  Paul was willing to give up his own rights and identity for the sake of the gospel.  What does this mean for us?  How we respond to a personal attack, use our time, money, and resources is evidence of our willingness to submit to Him.  Are you looking for opportunities to use what God has given you for the purpose of growing His kingdom?

I want to make an additional point about retaliation.  In today’s culture we have a perceived right to retaliate when we have been disrespected.  It takes enormous effort and self control not to fight back.  It does not mean we are to be doormats but our conduct should be consistent with a Christ-like life that is expected of us.  Read Romans 12:19-21.  “Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good”.  This is not possible with our own strength but only with the love of Christ working in us.

This leads us to verse 48.  We are called to a standard of perfection but we all have fallen short, (Rom 3:23).  It is obvious we can’t do this on our own.   Christ’s sacrifice on the cross perfected our record but we will continue to sin, and he will continue to perfect us throughout life.  This is the hunger and thirsting for righteousness mentioned in the beatitudes and turning to him for daily forgiveness and cleansing.  We will continue to sin and may even enjoy doing it but He will continue to work on us.  Initially, it may be a gentle prodding, but it may be harsh if we continue to ignore him.  You can be sure He will continue shape us for his purposes.  See Phil 1:6.

The bottom line is our conduct is very important.  People come to know Christ as they see Him in the scriptures and in our conduct.  We may be the closest someone may ever get to Christ.  Is Christ’s love evident in your conduct?

I read these verses and questions and what comes to mind for me is compassion. I have tried to love difficult people and it is very tough. I get caught up in my hurt and anger which leaves little room for love. I pray to God to extend the compassion He uses to love me in spite of my hurt towards Him. I pray that God allows me to see the person as He sees them giving me the ability to step outside of myself. If I can do this, I sense compassion building and love trailing closely behind. I reflect on Christ hanging on the cross and asking God to forgive the people because they do not know what they are doing. What compassion Christ shows in light of these people killing Him. I pray for just a sliver of this.

Week 6 Questions

Give us your thoughts about these verses as God speaks to you this week.  Here are some questions to think about.

1.  Are there situations or an area of your life that is exempt from the truth?

2.  What rights do we have as Christians?

3.  What does it mean to be perfect?

Week 6 Matt 5:33-48

Oaths

    ³³ “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ ³⁴ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; ³⁵ or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. ³⁶ And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. ³⁷ All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.^[a]

Eye for Eye

    ³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’^{[b] 39} But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. ⁴⁰ And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. ⁴¹ If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. ⁴² Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Love for Enemies

    ⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor^[c] and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Week 5 Wrap-up

No responses this week.  I hope this is useful and God is speaking to you through this study.  This portion of scripture gives us three great moral illustrations.  Victory over anger, purity in sexual matters, and faithfulness in marriage.  It should be noted that these verses are speaking to true believers in Christ.  The non-christian certainly may benefit from following these principles but he is not capable of truly fulfilling them on his own without a heart that is controlled by God.

It is easy for us to compare ourselves to another person and come to the conclusion that we are somehow “better” because our sins are lesser than theirs.  I may be verbally abusive to my wife but at least I don’t hit her like that guy, or maybe I had one extra-marital affair but that guy has had several affairs.  I may drink a little too much on occasion but “Joe” drinks way more than I do.  The point is you can always find someone that appears worse than you.

The principle that Christ is expressing  is not the concern for external righteousness but what is inside the heart.    We feel good about ourselves because no one can see the anger or sexual impurity that is hidden in our thoughts.  God is as concerned about anger as much as murder, impure sexual thoughts as much as actual adultery.   He is concerned about what is in our hearts.  The external righteousness or goodness that is part of our image means nothing when there is unconfessed sin in our hearts.  It is easy to substitute the ceremonial aspects of religion, (e.g. attending church or bible study), for the demands of a clear conscience before God.  Only God can provide this “divine” righteousness over time through the transformation of our minds and our hearts. 

I had an “ah ha” moment with my reading this week on marriage.  What is the purpose of marriage?  Love, happiness, security, and producing a family come to mind.  These are good reasons, but I think the central reason is to illustrate the relationship between Christ and his bride, the church (us).  When a person is joined to Christ through salvation and in love, this creates a permanent bond that endures forever.   So it is when Christ joins a Christian man to a Christian woman.  This should be a permanent bond between two believers.

This is illustrated in the story of Hosea and his marriage to Gomer, the harlot.  God told Hosea  that he was to remain faithful to her despite her unfaithfulness to him.  They had 3 children together and Gomer had many lovers.  She eventually left Hosea and lived with other men.  Each lover was more of a loser than the last one.  They could not provide for her.  Hosea continued to give money to these men in secret so that Gomer, whom he loved so much, would have clothing, silver, oil, and wine.  Gomer did not know that Hosea was paying the bills and she would give her lover the credit.  How hurtful that must have been to Hosea to see his wife embracing her lover and thanking him for the gifts she received.  Certainly no one would have faulted Hosea for making a dramatic scene in the midst of his hurt.  He just continued to be faithful in his love toward her. 

Finally Gomer sank to even greater depths and was put on the slave block for sale.  She was naked and exposed to the community.  God told Hosea to buy her and he did.  After he had won the bidding he went to her, clothed her, and then took her home.  As instructed by God he continued to love her and demanded her faithfulness.  He did not punish her or even give her what she may have deserved in our eyes.  He redeemed her out of slavery and committed to love and remain faithful to her.

There are two points I gleaned from this.  First, I am the adulterous wife in this story.  Seduced by the world in so many ways.  Seeking satisfaction in life’s pleasures.  Christ is the faithful husband paying my bills.  I may run from Him and do things that hurt Him deeply but He continues to love me and pursue me.  He redeemed me from the slavery of this world.  He wants me for himself.

The second point is this is the example of true love in marriage.  I need to love my wife in this manner.  Loving her unconditionally, placing her needs before mine without expecting anything in return.  I should be encouraging her spiritual growth, lifting her up with praise and being careful not to criticize her in public.  I am called to love her as Christ loved the church.  Christ gave himself for the church, not criticizing it, but cleansing it with the word so that it may be presented to himself holy and blameless.  (Eph 5:25-28)

There are many other points of discussion in regards to marriage, divorce and re-marriage but obviously we won’t be able to cover all of them.  I am still interested in your thoughts about the topics of this past week.  You can always email me with questions or prayer requests if you don’t want to publish them on the blog.

Week 5 Questions

We will be tackling some bigger chunks of the sermon on the mount over the next few weeks.  I recommend reading throught the selected verses as many times as you can throughout  the week.

1. What general principles is Jesus emphasizing in these passages?

2.  Is there something specific in these verses that speaks to you personally?

The subject matter in these verses can be very personal and even uncomfortable.  The purpose of this discussion is not to judge, but rather encourage, love, and learn from each other.  I would encourage you to be real and share as you feel comfortable.

Week 5 - Matt 5:21-32

Murder

    ²¹ “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,^[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ ²² But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister^[b][c] will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’^[d] is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
   ²³ “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
   ²⁵ “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. ²⁶ Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

Adultery

    ²⁷ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’^{[e] 28} But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ²⁹ If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. ³⁰ And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

Divorce

    ³¹ “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’^{[f] 32} But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Week 4 Detour 2 Cor 8:9

With Easter coming next weekend I want to take a detour this week.  I want to look at 2 Cor 8:9.

⁹ For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

I know the context of this passage relates to giving but I want to focus on the sacrifice Christ made for us.  What does it mean to you?  Meditate on this verse this week and share your thoughts with the group during the week.

Week 3 wrap-up

The verses for this week are very challenging.  How do we interact with family, acquaintances, or friends who are unbelievers?   Do we hide our relationship with Christ?  Do our actions match up with what we believe?  And finally, are you Kingdom material?

Let’s talk about salt.  Aggie makes some good points about preserving, flavoring, and seasoning.  These all apply to our interactions with unbelievers.  The characteristics we talked about in the beatitudes are to be practiced in our daily lives.  Meekness, merciful, thirsting for righteousness, poor in spirit, pure in heart.   We live in a world rotten with sin and we, as disciples of Christ, are called to help preserve and purify a decaying world.

We are called to be in the world and influencing others through relationships with friends, co-workers, neighbors, and family.    Too many Christians sit on the sidelines waiting for the next guy to do it, or even afraid of injecting anything spiritual into their relationships.  As a result the saltiness is lost and their influence for Christ trampled by the masses looking for the next thing to satisfy them.  Notice that verses 13 and 14 are directed at “you” not the next guy. 

I will be the first to admit that I fail at this regularly.  It is easy to let the urgings of the Spirit pass by because I am too busy or lack the self confidence to speak up.  There is also pressure to blend in with the group, to be one of the guys.  This can be a good thing unless it leads to compromise in my actions and eventually lose my “saltiness”.  In I Cor 9:19-23 Paul basically says he became all things to all people so that he might opportunity to influence some with the gospel.  Paul was blending with the world, seasoning it, like salt being rubbed into the meat, so he might be able to save a few.

Two other things about salt…it is a common substance and it makes you thirsty.  God uses common things powerfully to glorify His name.  Don’t think you are not worthy of being used.  You need to get in the game.  Is your life pointing your friends and co-workers to Christ?  Your life in Christ should make others thirsty.  Thirsty for the peace, love, mercy, and grace that only comes through relationship with Him.  John 7:37-38 “If a man is thirsty let him come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me…streams of living water flow from within him”.

You are the light of the world.  Obviously, our light only exists because of Christ. We are a reflection of Christ to the extent we want to be.   Don’t shield it or try to hide it.  Your light will illuminate the darkness that exists wherever you have influence.  Many will not like it.  Others will see Jesus in your character as you spend time with Him and will want know Him too.  Don’t be satisfied with the knowledge you have gained.  Continue to “hunger and thirst” for righteousness and your light will not grow dim.

Verses 17-20 spell out the bottom line.   What does it mean that Christ came to fulfill the law?  Some might say he fulfilled it by keeping it perfectly.  The “bottom line” is he came to die and therefore cancel any claim the law has on us, who believe in Him.  So what does that mean for us?  As is apparent in the beatitudes we could never keep the whole law and therefore have no righteousness of our own that would guarantee eternity in heaven. 

Are you kingdom material?  Does your goodness qualify you for heaven?  Human goodness certainly can accomplish a lot.  It may lead to success at work, recognition in the community and at home.  We all would rather be neighbors with a person who gives back to the community, cares for the poor, has integrity, honesty, and loves his family.  They don’t lie, cheat, or gossip.  Is that good enough?  In verse 20 Christ says that unless you are more righteous than the Pharisees you will not enter the kingdom.  The people of that time considered the Pharisees the supreme keepers of the law.  He is saying that human goodness is not enough.  We need the righteousness that comes as a free gift from God.  Read Phil 3:4-9 where Paul, a former Pharisee, calls all his human assets rubbish, not having a righteousness of his own that comes from the law, but righteousness that comes from God, by faith.

We are the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world". Wow, am I really a good example of Christ to others? God has given me gifts, but do I use them for HIS glory? I don't know about you guys, but I catch myself looking for the right time to witness to others. I don't just come out and get right to it, I have to make sure the time is right so that I don't offend. Also, it is easy to be a Christian on Sunday morning, but what about at work, during a football game, or on a night out with friends? I have some work to do!

The best way for me to learn is through others, so thank you Jeremy, and all for your thoughts. Salt and Light - A few years ago a pastor friend of mine told me, " if you want to know the Bible better then think Hebrew." In other words put yourself in the time, place, and culture of the Hebrew people. I have tried to do this as best as I can. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn't, and sometimes things explode with greater meaning or several layers of meaning. What I've learned is Jesus is very intentional about everything he says and does. Often there is an immediate meaning in what ever interaction is going on and a second meaning often symbolic referring to his greater plan in the kingdom of God. Jesus calls us to be salt and light. His followers, His nation, His representatives of his love and goodness for all to see. This call still stands, but this call was also offered repeatedly to the nation of Israel through out the old testament only to be rejected. What Israel and Jerusalem (the city on the hill) could not do Jesus did. He became the picture of God to all nations. We know God by knowing his son. The Fulfillment of the Law - Jesus ultimately completes the law in a grand act of love by dieing for our sins. As Christians we know this, but I think very few of us understand the law. I don't claim to have the answers, just a few thoughts. The law was given to show the people what salt and light looked like, what God looked like. The law was not meant to be a set of rules to simple be obeyed (to do so only breeds contempt. Think elder son in the parabel of the prodical son). They were to show love and respect to a people and a world that only knew of chaos and survival. It was a time of every family and every person for themselves. God comes in and lifts them up always promoting love, relationship, and community. Instead of an eye for a life He elevates the people to an eye for an eye. God's plans are revealed over time and each time patiently lifting us up. Jesus will again do this with the message of turning the other check revealing even more the true character of God. Jesus is the fulfillment of the law because he was the fulfillment of love.

Questions to think about this week…

Why are we called salt of the earth?

What does it mean to lose saltiness and not be made salty again?

How can a "lamp on a stand" be the light of the world?

What does Christ mean when he says he came to fulfill the Law?

Week 3 Matt 5:13-20

Salt and Light

    ¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

   ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

The Fulfillment of the Law

    ¹⁷ “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ¹⁸ For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. ¹⁹ Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰ For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Thank you Jeremy for setting this up. I am interested in learning with all of you and it is very good to reconnect with some of you.

We did a series on the Beatitudes last year in church, so it will be good to spend some more time reflecting on these versus.

I am a week behind (now 2 weeks behind, it appears) and feel compelled to make a few short comments on last week’s dialog.

I enjoyed keaner’s post. Right down to business and squarely what I take away from these versus. I don’t reflect on this enough.

I really appreciate the contextual perspective Scott gave us. As I age, I enjoy the history lessons around many of these versus – much of which was too complex in our first round of learning (grade school).

Thanks for the different translation Aggie! I’ll read versus like these in as many translations I can.

Jeremy’s wrap-up comments 5:6 are particularly compelling. Hunger & thirst. Admittedly my thirst for truth and knowledge wanes. I wish I felt this primal hunger and thirst for truth and knowledge daily. I have obsessive/compulsive traits (ask my wife). Fortunately I’ve been able to apply these traits mostly for the good: obsessing about studying and my grades got me through engineering school, obsessing about fitness program has attributed some success as a runner and triathlete. I don’t feel these same obsession, often enough, about learning God’s word. Something to reflect on and work on.

Week 2 Wrap-up

Sorry for the delayed posting.  I usually try to get this posted by Monday morning.  Our internet went down during the storm last night and we are still waiting for it to be fixed.  Thanks for the posts.  It is always great to read your thoughts.

The verses we looked at the first week focused on our relation to Christ as sinners.  Spiritual poverty, mourning for our sins, meekness in humility, and a promise from God to “fill us” as we seek Him.  This past week the focus was on our conduct, personally and towards others.  These verses describe qualities we are to exhibit in all areas of our lives.

Some questions to think about as you are reading…

1.        Does my faith affect my conduct?

2.       How do I exhibit purity, mercy and peace on a consistent basis?

3.       What does persecution look like for us today?

4.       How often do I make decisions to avoid pain or persecution?

The three qualities…

Mercy is in love helping those who are unable to help themselves.  The ultimate example is Christ’s death as the payment for our sins.  Because of our sin we could not help ourselves.  This is different than grace.  It is grace in action.

We are not capable of purity on our own.  Jer 17:9 says the heart is deceitful and beyond  cure.  How can we be pure in heart when we are impure?  In Psalms David asks God to create in him a pure heart.   God is faithful to do that from the moment of salvation.  This an ongoing process and occurs as we yield  to Him and allow Him to change us as we walk through life.

A peacemaker makes peace at home, school, work, and in relationships.  It is placing the needs of others before our own needs.  We can never be at peace if we are constantly putting ourselves first.  This makes a lot sense to me when I think about relationships, especially with my wife.  If I am always putting myself first then there are turf battles and relatively little peace.  This does not say you cannot disagree but forces you to examine your motives.

Back to the questions.  My conduct is not changed by my faith if I continue to see myself as more important than others.  Only when I yield to Christ and the nudging of the Holy Spirit will I be changed and others will see Christ through me.  He will also be faithful to reveal more of Himself to me.  My conduct is only changed when I allow Him to live through me.    Then, as a result of a changed heart, I can extend mercy, peace, and love consistently to others.  

Rom 12:1-2  “Therefore, I urge you, brothers in view of God’s mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-which is your spiritual worship.   Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

In this country we don’t generally encounter severe persecution.  Our culture is fairly tolerant of Christianity.  The bigger problem might be that we have become too tolerant of our culture and our lives do not look much different than those who don’t know God. 

If your life is reflecting the light of Christ you will experience persecution in some form.  It may be subversive and likely not life threatening but it may affect your livelihood.  You may be loyal and hardworking  but your refusal to manipulate a situation in your favor may cost you a promotion or a new contract.  You may feel pressure to choose work over family and lose favor with your employer or clients.  Your friends or co-workers may think you are judgmental for not participating in some social activities your don’t agree with.  These situations seem small when compared to threats on your life but you might have to deal with the “small” persecutions on a daily basis for years at a time.  This is not pleasant or easy .  

Notice that verse 10 is not talking about persecution because you may be annoying, judgmental, or unfriendly.  Happy are those that are persecuted because of righteousness.  Rejoice in the fact the your conduct is evidence that your are united with Christ and He is at work in you.  Our prayer should be that our conduct is a reflection of Christ and it will attract those who are being drawn toward Him or repel those who are looking for life within themselves.