Posts Tagged ‘ Blessed ’

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:
  • Philippians 2:12-13
    • Matthew 25:31-46
2021
10/19
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Sermon on the Mount study notes – Matthew 5:32-37

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. (A focus on why we’re blessed from 5:3-11)

[Jesus always takes us deeper]

What is an oath?
What was discussed last time?
• Lust and Divorce
• What are the most important promises we make in this life?
o Faith in Christ
o Marriage

Matthew 5:33:
What is Jesus saying?
• Once again, “an archaic saying”
o Said of old means: The Old Testament, specifically the Torah, more specifically Leviticus 19:11-12
▪ Essentially a rehashing of the 10 Commandments, but deeper
• Is He saying “Don’t cuss”?
o No, but also a good idea. Look back at vv. 21-22 – words spoken in anger
▪ OMG
▪ “I swear [to God], if you …”
o It becomes an issue of “Lord’s name in vain” then, as well
• Based on Lev. 19, don’t drag God into your lying and false promises
But what else is He saying?

Matthew 5:34-37:
What is Jesus saying?
Did Jesus abolish this law?
[Not exactly, but He also says “Just do it. Say you will, and then do.”]
• In other words, do not make oaths:
o That drag God into your failures or make your deeds seem good (Matthew 12:22-32)
o Based on Creation
o Based on your own abilities – James 4:13-17
• James 5:12 – Jesus’ brother reiterates “Let your yes be yes and your no be no.
o Notice the context: James 5:7-16
▪ He reiterates that we will suffer for Christ.
▪ Don’t grumble/complain/get angry
• We remember Christ is coming soon
• Do we really believe Christ is coming soon (swear to God), or do people see us squabbling and
assume we doubt His return?
▪ Actually pray for people when you say you will! (This keeps coming up in these lessons)
▪ Confess sins
• Do we really believe God has forgiven us, or do people see us hold sins against each other and
assume we doubt His forgiveness?

Are all oaths/promises bad?

Not necessarily:

  • Intent matters:
    • Do you promise beyond ability? Then oaths and promises are stupid.
    • “As much as I can … if the Lord wills …”
  • It would rule out … covenants!
    • Remember: God swore by Himself with Abraham (Hebrews 6:13-14)
    • Covenants can be one-sided or two-sided (yes, sometimes more), but are commitments/promises between parties to fulfill obligations
  • Oaths/Promises can display sincerity (i.e. marriages, court trials, desperate pleas)
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10/04
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Sermon on the Mount study notes – Matthew 5:27-32

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!] (And I just realized I forgot to publish this earlier in the week!)

Sermon on the Mount – Part 7

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.

Can God see into our hearts and minds?
• 1 Samuel 16:7 – “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but
the Lord looks on the heart.”
• Psalm 44:21 – Would not God discover this? For he knows the secrets of the heart.
• Proverbs 21:2 – Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.
• Jeremih 17:9-10 – “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can
understand it? I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his
ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”

Mormons believe God can’t see into human hearts.

What is that old, archaic word for wanting something badly (found in the 10 Commandments)?
Covet – What does this mean? [To want more than God, to desire to the harm of others]

Is it the same as lust? What is lust?
[e.g. disordered desire for someone or something, usually sexual in nature]

Matthew 5:27-28:

What is Jesus saying?
[Is it okay to look? “It’s not hurting anyone!”]

Matthew 5:29-30:

What is Jesus saying?
[“STOP IT!” It is severely serious how bad sin is.]
• Matthew 18:7-9 – Our own temptations can lead others into temptation
o Will we actually enter eternity mutilated and deformed? (Remember, Jesus has His scars!)

Matthew 5:31-32:

• Jesus refers to Deuteronomy 24:1-4
o Sometimes a woman was given a second dowry if she remarried.
▪ What is the abomination in God’s sight?
• Remember that brothers were to give their widowed sisters-in-law a child, so is it purely sexual?
• If there is a second dowry, the first husband may be taking her back just for the money.
• We see the seriousness of divorce.
o Matthew 19:1-9 (Genesis 2:24)
• Does this mean a divorcee can never remarry?
o Consider 1 Timothy 3:2
o What if it was before they became a Christian?
o Consider Israel through Hosea: Israel was His unfaithful wife. The Church is not a new wife, rather a
renewed wife, for Israel is still included. In fact, we have been grafted into Israel (Romans 11)

2021
10/02
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Sermon on the Mount study notes – Matthew 5:17-20

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.

Sermon on the Mount – Part 5

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.

Matthew 5:17-20

What is the Law?

  • The books of Moses, the Pentateuch, the Torah (Genesis-Deuteronomy)
  • Jewish leadership of Jesus’ day would have included the writings of teachers that expounded on and added to the Law.
  • The Prophets (the rest of the OT) were highly regarded, too, except by the Sadducees.

What is the purpose of the Law?
Romans 3:19-20 – points out our sin

What is antinomianism?
Anti = against, removed. Nomian (Deutero-nomy) = law. Therefore, against the Law or the Law
removed.
In other words and in a summation: antinomianism teaches that we are not under any part of the Law,
even the Moral Law (summarized as the 10 Commandments).
• Deuteronomy 6:1-2, 12:1 – Laws for the Promised Land

Matthew 5:17:
Pretty clearly says “not abolish but fulfill”:
• What does Jesus mean by fulfill?
o 1 Peter 2:22-25 – Perfectly obey and bring about what was prophesied.

Matthew 5:18:
• How do antinomians interpret this verse?
   o John 19:30 – They say He meant the Law is accomplished (after all, that entire passage speaks of how
His crucifixion fulfills Scripture, i.e. the Law and Prophets.)
• What is the better interpretation?
   o John 17:4 – accomplish the work the Father gave
   o Luke 19:10
• Also, “until heaven and earth pass away …” The Law stands until all of God’s plan is complete, i.e.
the renewal of all things.

Matthew 5:19:
• Relaxes one of the least of these commandments?
o Matthew 23:23-24
▪ The leaders stressed things like the tithe (meant for the Temple and priests, Numbers 18) but
showed a lack of compassion and justice and faithfulness to God’s intent.
• But we don’t obey all of those laws, right?
o Acts 15:22-29 – We an understand this as “do not worry about the Law for Israel, just obey the
Ten Commandments as has been revealed.”
o But what about the Sabbath?
▪ Hebrews 4:1-13
All other Commandments are repeated in the New Testament except the Sabbath (we await the full rest
of our souls and renewed bodies in eternity)

The tithe is also not expressly demanded in the NT. The tithe was supposed to supply the priests with food and necessary means for Temple operations and upkeep.

Matthew 5:20:
Jesus rarely said the Jewish leaders were flat out wrong about their teachings. They understood God’s
Word really well!
• Matthew 23 explains the 7 woes of Jesus against the Scribes and Pharisees
o Basically, they made themselves look good on the outside, but they were hypocrites.
• We are to work out of love of God and people: Romans 13:14; 2 Corinthians 5:14-17

2021
09/14
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VerseD: Matthew 5:4

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

Matthew 5:4, ESV

We are blessed when we realize our wretchedness compared to God, and we mourn the sin the separates us from God – our own sins and the sins of others.

For only then can we seek the blessing of forgiveness and eternal life in Jesus Christ.

2021
09/12
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Sermon on the Mount study notes – Matthew 5:13-16

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.

Sermon on the Mount – Part 4

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.

Matthew 5:13-16:

Matthew 5:13:
Properties of salt:
• Made from stuff that can kill us (chloride, as in chlorine, which is poisonous to us; sodium is not very good for us by itself)
   o No one can see God’s face and live (Exodus 33:20), yet we shall see God face to face through Christ (1 Corinthians 13:12)
• Enriches flavor
   o 1 Peter 2:12 – We make life better as we point others to God’s Hugh standards.
• Preserves
   o 2 Peter 3:9 – God withholds His wrath until all who will be saved are saved.
• Can melt ice
   o Romans 10:13-14; Ezekiel 11:19 – The preaching of the gospel can change people’s hearts (via the Holy Spirit) from hardness to receptivity (see also Parable of the Sower/Seeds [Matthew 13:1-23], implying God may change the soil of the heart)
• Is used to make soap
   o 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 – We help cleanse the world through defending and spreading truth over lies of evil spirits/demons/Satan
• Has a high melting point (it is not easily melted/burned: paradoxically lowering the boiling point of water while making it harder for water to boil)
   o Isaiah 43:1b-3a – We hold back God’s wrath (see “Preserves” earlier) as the world gives more reason for His wrath to come. Further, we pull people from the fires of damnation (see Jude)

Can we lose our saltiness? (Refer, again, to Parable of the Sower – holding to the understanding that the first three refer to unsaved people [“churchians”?]) (Short answer: not really. Salt does not become not salt. It either is salt or is not.)

But how do “we” save them?

Matthew 5:14-16
• Firstly, v. 16: what does it mean to shine our light?
• It is there: “see your good works and glorify …”
• Secondly, What does it mean to glorify God?
• Mark 12:32-34; 1 Samuel 15:22; Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:8
• Glorifying God means obeying Him and showing love and mercy.
• We share the Gospel – Romans 10:13-17; Matthew 28:18-20
• Hebrews 11:6 – It is impossible to please God, to glorify God, if we do not believe in Him properly if at all. So we share the Gospel. Our greatest good work.

How we shine:

• Ephesians 5:1-21
• Philippians 2:12-16
• 1 Peter 4:1-11

2021
09/07
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Sermon on the Mount study notes – Matthew 5:10-12

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.

Sermon on the Mount – The Beatitudes: Part 3

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? How do you understand it?
The word “blessed” appears 306 times in the ESV Bible (in 288 verses; 302x in 287 vv. in KJV)
Happy (definitely deeper than this), Revered, Content, Worshiped, Made holy, Fortunate, Well-off

Matthew 5:3-12: The Beatitudes

Matthew 5:10-12:
The first several verses tell us it is blessed (brings joy, contentment, peace) to find salvation in Christ

  • We realize our wretchedness (v. 3)
  • We lament our sinful rebellion against God (v. 4)
  • We realize our need for help and salvation (v. 5)
  • We see a growing desire for God’s Word & presence (v. 6)
  • We realize our fallen neighbors need the same mercy we receive from God (v. 7)
  • We let God renew our hearts and minds to seek His goodness for others (v. 8)
  • We desire to bring others to the peace of God (v. 9)

What then happens in the life of the Christian?
Now we read:

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Matthew 5:10-12, ESV

v. 10-11: Firstly, notice the first phrase to be repeated: “theirs is the kingdom of heaven?” (from v. 3)
• We mourn their sin as we mourn our own. It is no longer “me vs. the world” but “Here am I, send
me!” (Isaiah 6:8)
• We are letting God change us – Romans 12:1-2

When we allow God to change the way we see, think about, and interact with our world, it becomes
easier to live out these qualities and not act like the world.

What is righteousness?

(Doing/believing/teaching what is right – by GOD’S STANDARD)

[READ 2 Timothy 2:22-26]

  • Respect – This world has a lack of true respect for others, to the point even children are sing parents. (2 Timothy 3:1-7)
  • Racism – “We evolved into different races.” No respect for the other people, even though there is only 1 human race (with different ethnicities and cultures, sure. See Acts 17:26)
  • Marriage – “Anyone can love who they want. Love is love.” (Matthew 19:4-6)
  • Gender – (Matthew 19:4)
  • Drugs
  • Abortion
  • Climate Change – (Technically true. The creation is cursed due to human sin – Genesis 3)
  • Truth – “Follow your truth” “What is truth?” (Pilate, John 18:38)

[READ 2 Timothy 2:22-27]

Taking a stand for truth (The Gospel and God’s standard) forces the world to face their sins. Do we like being told we’re wrong?

Seeing their sin results in lashing out: verbally, physically, emotionally
• 2 Timothy 2:8-12; 1 Peter 4:12-19 (Romans 1:16-17)

So, we show compassion. What does compassion mean? (Feeling with others, joining in their experience. “I was you. I, too, rejected God and sinned.”)

So, then, what does it mean to be blessed, I light of these 10-12 verses?
To join in Christ’s passion: His suffering, His sacrifice, His love, His grace. It seems Jesus speaks of
those who find contentment in life as they are made holy.

What does it look like to live out this blessing?

Jude 17-25

2021
08/31
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Sermon on the Mount study notes: Matthew 5:6-9

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.

Sermon on the Mount

The Beatitudes: Part 2

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? How do you understand it?
The word “blessed” appears 306 times in the ESV Bible (in 288 verses; 302x in 287 vv. in KJV)
Happy (definitely deeper than this), Revered, Content, Worshiped, Made holy, Fortunate, Well-off

Matthew 5:3-12: The Beatitudes

Matthew 5:3-6

We see the coming of repentance: people who know their wretchedness (poor in spirit), lament their sin (those who mourn), and realize their need to someone to save them (meek).

Matthew 5:6-9:
• v. 6: Hunger and thirst for righteousness = Seeking out God’s strength and righteousness as only
found in and through Christ by the power of the Spirit.
• Psalm 42:1-6a; 2 Timothy 2:20-21
• v. 7: Mercy = not giving what is deserved. Merciful people withhold anger and refuse to retaliate
when wronged.
• Luke 6:36; Proverbs 19:17; 2 Timothy 1:16; Hebrews 6:10
• v. 8: Pure in heart = cleansed of sin and looking on this world as if through God’s eyes. The pure do
not see others as objects (thus, not to be lusted after or “discarded” based on shifting desires nor to
break promises flippantly. Love overflows.
• Psalm 24:3-6; 2 Timothy 2:20-22; James 4:7-10; Titus 2:11-14
• v. 9: Peacemakers = foster order, love, and compassion around them.
• (2 Timothy 2:22-26; Matthew 10:34-36) James 3:13-18

What does it look like to live out this blessing?
We see salvation. We come to faith in Christ. We also become voracious consumers and seekers of God’s Word and
presence. (Bible reading, sermons, Bible studies, Prayer)
We also become ambassadors of Christ.
• 2 Corinthians 5:1-6:1

2021
08/26
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Sermon on the Mount study notes – Matthew 5:1-5

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.

Sermon on the Mount

The Beatitudes: Part 1

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? How do you understand it?
The word “blessed” appears 306 times in the ESV Bible (in 288 verses; 302x in 287 vv. in KJV)
Happy (definitely deeper than this), Revered, Content, Worshiped, Made holy, Fortunate, Well-off

Matthew 5:3-12: The Beatitudes
Matthew 5:3-5
• v. 3: The Poor in spirit = those who realize their own depravity and therefore need for God.
• Jeremiah 17:9; Isaiah 61:1-2; 66:2
• v. 4: Who mourn = Mourning the sin that separates us from God.
• Psalm 51:3-5; James 4:9
• v. 5: The Meek = Meekness is realizing we can do nothing apart from God.
• Mark 10:23-27

What does it look like to live out this blessing?
We see the beginning of repentance. We find contentment in this life knowing that though we are wretched, we find peace in Christ with the hope of eternal life in the age to come.
• Isaiah 61:1-2, 66:2; 2 Corinthians 7:10 – God’s Word reveals The Word, Jesus, who came to show us
He is the Truth. The truth is we are guilty of sin, and it should make us realize our poorness and feel
shame for our sin. Therefore …

• John 16:20-24; Romans 3:10-12 – Because of our sin, we do not seek God. He helps us, and in our
meekness, we see that we need His help to be saved from our sin. Only when we trust Him do we
find our mourning turn to joy.

• Revelation 21:4 – And one glorious day, He will remove all need of mourning when He renews all
things.

• Psalm 35:9-14 – We also lament the sin of others, even when they don’t deserve our love and pity.
(Grace. And a Segway into the next few verses!)

2021
08/24
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VerseD: Psalm 68:19

Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Selah

Psalm 68:19, ESV

This life is not our own. We cannot save ourselves, and we need God’s help each day. (Whether we realize it or not.)

Give me thankful praise.

2021
08/20
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