“What are you looking for?”

Uncertain times. Or so the world says. The Christian knows otherwise. He knows that God is in control of all things and the end is certain. This is not NLP; it’s confidence in God.

Matthew 6:32-34

All these things, food and clothing  (v. 32)

• the Gentiles seek them
• God, your Father, knows that you need them

Don’t prioritize like Gentiles (v. 33)

• you seek the kingdom of God
• you seek God’s righteousness
• you receive by divine addition all these things

Don’t worry (v. 34)

• Proverbs 27:1. James 3:13-17
• Don’t you have enough to worry about today without worrying about tomorrow?
• Don’t forsake God’s gift of the very real present for an unknown future. Enjoy today!

[print_link]

Negativity In The Sermon On The Mount

Having discussed the wrong and right ways to read the Bible, Jesus now turns to explain the wrong and right ways to perform holy duties. In a world gone mad with positive thinking, Jesus’ teaching seems out of place. But pleasing social planners and being politically correct were never his priorities. Instead, he was always about his Father’s business; and he teaches how to please God, how to be right with God.

Matthew 6:1-34

• Don’t give alms as “they” do (v. 1-4)
• Don’t pray as “they” do (v. 5-15)
• Don’t fast as “they” do (v. 16-18)
• Don’t have carnal goals as “they” do (v. 19-24)
• Don’t worry about the future as “they” do (v. 25-34)

Meditation Points:

1. Charity, prayer and fasting are good. But they have no eternal value if done for the recognition and applause of men.
2. If you would learn how to pray, the “Lord’s prayer” (v. 9-13) teaches proper attitude and subject matter for praying.
3. Jesus does not forbid bank accounts and planning for the future. He does condemn obsession with possessions and worry.

[print_link]

Perjury, Vengeance and Love

Jesus used “law and prophets” to mean the scriptures. In His first 2 examples of exceeding righteousness Jesus referred to the Law proper, the 10 commandments. In examples 3-5 He referred to the broader law. And in the final example, Jesus showed that the Jews had combined a truth with a tradition. Today, we consider the last 3 examples…

Matthew 5:33-48; Luke 6:27-36

Perjury

• Yes,  Leviticus 19:12, Deuteronomy 23:23, Ecclesiastes 5:4-6 and other scriptures forbad lying under oath and failing to keep one’s vows to God.
• Some believed that if their oath were to be affirmed on some part of God’s creation that would be guarantee that what they said was true (with the understanding that all else might be, more or less, other than the whole truth).
• Jesus corrected this “cross my heart and hope to die” mentality with “always tell the truth.” Gangsters show their ignorance of God’s ways when they “swear on my mother’s eyeballs.”

Vengeance

• Yes, Exodus 21:22-27 and Leviticus 24:20 speak of social justice.
• But Jesus warns against demanding our “pound of flesh.”
• Vengeance belongs to God. Let us not take it upon ourselves.
• Specific examples are given relative to interpersonal relations, legal matters, and government service.

Love

• Who hasn’t believed or practiced this one: love your neighbor (Leviticus 19:8), and hate your enemy (for which no Bible reference can be found)?
• Modern departures from Biblical truth often follow this example of taking a part of scripture and adding human reasoning to it. How often have your heard (or said), “I just can’t believe…” something that’s plainly written in the Bible?
• To this Jesus re-emphasizes the truth of the teaching: love your enemies.
• Don’t be like all of the unsaved folks who love their friends and hate their enemies. You be like God.
• God is good, and He does good to all men.  You be like God.
• God is perfect. You be like God.

[print_link]