VerseD: Proverbs 4:23
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
Proverbs 4:23, ESV
Our hearts are deceitful and wicked, so only the Lord of Life can cleanse us. Therefore, protect it by trusting in our God and Savior.
a simple man of God
Hopefully making theology simpler to understand! (2 Corinthians 1:12)
Sermon on the Mount study notes – Matthew 6:1-4
I have started a small group series on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). I am sharing my notes in case anyone else wants to use them with their group. [Reminder that these are only notes!]
Sermon on the Mount – Part 9
Matthew 5:1-2:
Jesus wants to teach the crowds: Who are they? Jewish disciples: People who understand the
Scriptures (at least to a point). Notice from 7:28 the crowds still came along, but this teaching is for His disciples.
What does “blessed” mean?
Based on the first twelve verses, blessed means realizing our own wretchedness and need for a Savior. In other words, it is becoming/being a Christian.
What was discussed last time?
- Retaliation
- Love your enemies
- “Would you give the Antichrist food and water …?”
Matthew 6:1:
Beware practicing where other people can see? What about “let your light shine that they may see”
(5:16)?
Matthew 6:2-4:
What is Jesus saying?
Beware by making sure your motives are right. Are you seeking glory and people liking you, or are you actually loving others?
- Compare (“Said of old”):
- Proverbs 11:24-25 (gives and gets, is refreshed)
- Proverbs 22:9, 16 (oppresses poor, gives to rich)
- Proverbs 25:14 (boast of non-gift)
- Proverbs 28:27 (who gives will not want, hides eyes is cursed)
- First thing to remember:
- Proverbs 29:13 – We are all created by God (Made in His image; God gives sight to both)
- Proverbs 19:17 – We work to serve the Lord (He is kind to the poor in spirit, rewarded by Lord)
- Love God, love others
- We are reminded and admonished:
- Proverbs 3:27-28 – 1 John 3:16-18 – James 2:14-17(, 18-26) (have but don’t give, wicked – faith without works is dead)
- Ephesians 2:8-9 – Does Paul contradict James?
- No! Paul explains we are not saved by works, James explains our salvation pushes us to good works. In fact:
- Proverbs 3:27-28 – 1 John 3:16-18 – James 2:14-17(, 18-26) (have but don’t give, wicked – faith without works is dead)
- Philippians 2:12-13
- Matthew 25:31-46
VerseD: Revelation 5:13
And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
Revelation 5:13, ESV
We can get distracted and dismayed by this world, but we know that even rocks will cry out for God’s glory, let alone the loving things.
If Creation itself can trust Him, so can we.
This Sunday at Church: Consider a Meal Train for a Mom who recently gave birth
Our little church is pretty good at meal trains. Hallelujah!
Daniel
For this Sunday here’s what you can do: Consider a Meal Train for a Mom who recently gave birth. For this week’s post I admit this isn’t my original idea; I had help from my church with this. That’s because I’ve seen our church the last few months been so gracious to organize a meal […]
This Sunday at Church: Consider a Meal Train for a Mom who recently gave birth
VerseD: Ecclesiastes 7:9
Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools.
Ecclesiastes 7:9, ESV
It is easy to get upset with this world, but it helps to remember “they know not what they do.”
Be better than this world, having the grace and patience of our Lord.
VerseD: Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Proverbs 17:17, ESV
We fight and divide, but God stepped down to reconcile us and call us friends and adopted brothers in Christ.
VerseD: Isaiah 54:10
“For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:10, ESV
We break God’s Law and covenants all the time, but He never will forsake us. We are found in Christ by grace through faith, and He is faithful.
VerseD: 1 John 4:15
Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
1 John 4:15, ESV
We must believe and confess that belief that Jesus is the living, incarnate Son of God – God in flesh – to be saved.
VerseD: Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV
Our Creator knows what’s best for us. Trust Him to guide in all of life.
Sermon on the Mount study notes – Matthew 5:38-48
I have started a small group series on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). I am sharing my notes in case anyone else wants to use them with their group. [Reminder that these are only notes!]
Sermon on the Mount – Part 8
Matthew 5:1-2:
Jesus wants to teach the crowds: Who are they? Jewish disciples: People who understand the
Scriptures (at least to a point). Notice from 7:28 the crowds still came along, but this teaching is for His disciples.
What does “blessed” mean?
Based on the first twelve verses, blessed means realizing our own wretchedness and need for a Savior. In other words, it is becoming/being a Christian.
What was discussed last time?
- Making oaths – lying, cursing, doing things for God
- What was one oath we discussed?
- “I swear, if you …”
Matthew 5:38:
What is Jesus saying?
- Once again (as seen in earlier passages), “an archaic saying”
- Said of old means: The Old Testament, specifically the Torah, more specifically Exodus 21:23-25; Leviticus 24:19-20; Deuteronomy 19:21
- Retribution by Law: The same price of what was taken
Matthew 5:39-42:
What is Jesus saying?
Did Jesus abolish this law?
[Not exactly, but He is also saying “Out-give, out-forgive, over-love others … especially when they mistreat you!”]
- So, we have to take abuse?
- Sometimes, yes! [5:10-12]
- Sometimes, no. Acts 16:16-39 (as well as Acts 21-22)
- Rely on the Holy Spirit
- It is not always easy. When in doubt, the sake of the Gospel is more important than our rights.
- “But it might mean …!” Yep. It might.
- We might be disadvantaged, mistreated, abused, arrested, maligned, disavowed
- 2 Corinthians 4:7-11; Romans 5:2-6; James 1:2-8
- Consider the example of an ancient saint dealing with an ancient antichrist:
- A ruler who:
- destroyed the Temple
- commanded people to worship him and his statue
- killed people who disobeyed and refused to worship
- Daniel, who faithfully served such a tyrant (and series of tyrants, Nebuchadnezzar and two more after), yet even when punished was still loved by his rulers.
- A ruler who:
In fact …
Matthew 5:43-48: (Leviticus 19:18)
Notice what is Jesus saying in v. 43:
Did Jesus “you have read” or “it is written”?
NO! He said “You have heard that it was said ..” – This is an example of how people added to Scripture
- We see Jesus saying that God shows His grace on all people (v. 45)
- Are we better than the world? (vv. 46-47)
- We are to love our enemies!
- If you saw the Antichrist suffering or hungry, would you help him?
Romans 12:14-21 (Proverbs 25:21-22)
- If you saw the Antichrist suffering or hungry, would you help him?
- Our example: v. 48 – Be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect.
- WHAT?!
- “For God so loved the world …”
- “Be completely mature, completely upright …”
Be completely satisfied in the Holy Spirit. As Jesus and the Father are one and united also with the Holy Spirit, we, too, can find our contentment in Him.
a simple man of God
Do we truly love the Lord our God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths? Maybe I can help with the mind part, at least! This is Daniel M. Klem, apparent poet, reluctant yet passionate Disciple (Peter?), and foolish man attempting to understand theology!
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