Posts Tagged ‘ Love ’

Sermon on the Mount study notes – Matthew 6:19-24

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 10

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?
• Giving to the needy
• Love your neighbor as yourself
o We are serving Christ when we serve others.

Matthew 6:19-21:
But isn’t wealth a sign of blessing?

  • As usual, what is our focus?
  • 1 Timothy 6:1-10
    • Why vv. 1-2?
      • Be good servants – good employees!
      • Be good masters – good managers!
      • Don’t just focus on the money of work, rather doing the best work (as for the Lord – Colossians 3:23)
    • False teachers focus on money and lustful, covetous, earthly desires.
    • It is the love of money that leads to so many problems.

Matthew 6:22-24:
What is Jesus saying?

  • How do we view the world and Scripture?
    • With Holy Spirit-eyes or worldly eyes?
  • Mark 7:14-23
    • The darkness comes from our sinful desires

What does it look like to serve two masters?

  • Matthew 12:22-32,43-45
    • How many teachers, preachers, prophets(?), apostles(?) claim to be casting out demons and performing healings in the name of Jesus without the full gospel or for money?
    • Many of these people say it is demanded we speak in tongues and heal, and even claim to be super-apostles, all while claiming to regularly visit heaven and speak with angels as they bind and rebuke demons.
      • 2 Corinthians 11:1-15
  • 2 Peter 2:17-22 (paraphrase vv.10-16)

Jesus always takes us deeper.

  • It’s not just about money and budgeting and not merely seeking money as an idol.
  • Beware the false teachers and false christs (anointed ones) who only want your money – or being one of those yourself!
2021
11/04
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
Bible
Bible reading
Gospel
Jesus
Lifestyle
TAGS
















3 comments

VerseD: James 1:19

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger

James 1:19, ESV

Do not assume you know what a person is thinking or where they are coming from. Everyone is more willing to talk when we are willing to hear.

Just as God hears His people, even though He sees our sin.

2021
10/24
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
Bible
Bible reading
Judging
Lifestyle
Truth
TAGS


















1 comment

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
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
Bible
Bible reading
Gospel
Hands and feet
Jesus
Lifestyle
TAGS

















Leave a comment

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.

2021
10/16
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
Bible
Bible reading
God
Gospel
Lifestyle
Love
Proverbs
TAGS



















1 comment

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.

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)
  • 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.

2021
10/12
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
Bible
Church
Love
TAGS























Leave a comment

VerseD: Revelation 4:11

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

Revelation 4:11, ESV

God deserves all our praise, worship, and love, because He is our Creator.

2021
10/09
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
Bible
Bible reading
God
Lifestyle
Truth
TAGS



















Leave a comment

VerseD: John 15:12

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

John 15:12, ESV

The world will see the love we have for the Church and want it.

Are we loving each other in Christ’s love?

2021
10/08
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
Bible
Bible reading
Church
Jesus
Lifestyle
Love
TAGS













Leave a comment

VerseD: Proverbs 17:28

Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

Proverbs 17:28, ESV

“If you can’t say nuthin’ nice, don’t say nuthin’ at all.”

Sometimes, the best thing to say is nothing. It can be the most loving and intelligent thing to say so that no one gets hurt.

Including yourself.

2021
09/26
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
Bible
Bible reading
Lifestyle
Proverbs
TAGS



















1 comment

VerseD: 1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

1 John 4:18, ESV

We no longer need to fear God’s wrath after we come to Christ. Instead, we should fear for those who do not know Him and share the Gospel with them.

2021
09/15
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
Bible
Bible reading
Fear
Gospel
Lifestyle
Love
TAGS


















1 comment

VerseD: Matthew 7:12

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

Matthew 7:12, ESV

Kindness and mercy are definitely important, but we should not forget grace and forgiveness as well as sharing God’s Word with all people. There is nothing more loving than pointing each other to God.

2021
09/13
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
Bible
Bible reading
Die daily
Gospel
Jesus
Lifestyle
Love
TAGS




















1 comment