As we continue our look at the Sermon on the Mount. The next passage comes very timely as we enter into a new election session in the United States of America. Even as this session passes us we can still heed the warning in this passage as we conduct our lives in the wake of a culture bent of not telling the truth and saying whatever it pleases not matter how true, or false, it is. Lets look first Matthew [...]
There is so much hatred in the body of Christ today. Its enough to make you wonder if we are any different then the world around us. The Bibles tells us that the world will know we are Christians by our love for one another. Yet we tend to gravitate to the old testament and an old understanding (dare I say more humanistic) of what that love should look like. Perhaps it is becuase the concept of loving our enemy [...]
Our Becoming Transparent is an excellent article by Wade Talyor …”We are not called to just become “polished” on the outside (religious). But rather, to be so changed within, that we become the expression of the life of Jesus (spiritual). If we squeeze a grape, grape juice results. When we are squeezed, Jesus should result; not an angry response or a threat.” …“The Sermon on the Mount expresses the rules of qualification for the Kingdom Age, which must be personally [...]
21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. 23 “Therefore, if you [...]
As long as I have ministered I have gotten this question? Seems that though many have lived and and grown up in the Church many still do not know what it means to be a true follower of Christ. It does take a great deal of self examination but the criteria are clear. Jesus tells us that He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. In Matt 5-7 in His most noted sermon Jesus outlines for [...]
Matthew 5: 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. 18I tell you the truth, 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. 19Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called [...]
Matthew 5: 13“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. 14-16“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city [...]
As we conclude the Beatitudes part of the Sermon we get to what is perhaps the least favorite one. Think about when you last read Matthew 5:10-12. Did you hear yourself saying something like, “good to know but I hope it does not happen to me”. If you did you are not alone, but that does not make it the correct response. Lets read it now in both the NASB and Message versions. Matthew 5:10“Blessed are those who have been [...]
This has been a difficult text to write about. Each time I sit to write either the Lord tells me its not the time or I just don’t know what to say. I have been for what seems like for ever for an authentic understanding of this passage. I believe I now understand it to some degree and it is not what I thought and perhaps this blog will cause you to seek the Lord and ask Him to reveal [...]