Jesus taught us to get rid of what makes us sin.
Matthew 5:29-30 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to get rid of the things about us that keep us from the Kingdom of God?
Note: The things he tells us to get rid of are parts (eye, hand) of "us" not other people.
Note: Sin, in the kingdom of heaven, is no longer about breaking a set of rules, but not following Jesus. And Jesus is showing us here that his way is more stringent (real truth, real justice, real righteousness, real love) than any list of rules.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Have thoughts that match right actions
Jesus taught that we are as accountable for our thoughts as for our actions
Matthew 5:27-28 27 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that we are as accountable for our thoughts ar as for our actions?
Matthew 5:27-28 27 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that we are as accountable for our thoughts ar as for our actions?
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Quickly make things right with others
Jesus taught us to react with urgency in making things right with others
Matthew 5:25-26 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that making things right with others should be an urgent priority?
Matthew 5:25-26 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that making things right with others should be an urgent priority?
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Reconcile with others before offering gifts to God
Jesus taught us to reconcile with others before we offer our gifts to God
Matthew 5:23-24 23 So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.
Do we ingore Jesus' teaching to reconcile with others before offering our gifts to God?
Note: Offering a gift at the altar takes on new meaning in the Kingdom of God. Since Jesus was offered on the altar for us, we no longer make animal sacrifices to God in order to hide our offenses. But we still take the blessings that God has given us and 1) offer them back to God and 2) use them to bless others. Jesus wants us to realize that if we are offending others instead of sharing our blessings them, we need to reconcile before we offer our blessings to God.
Note: He doesn't say try to reconcile. He says reconcile.
Matthew 5:23-24 23 So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.
Do we ingore Jesus' teaching to reconcile with others before offering our gifts to God?
Note: Offering a gift at the altar takes on new meaning in the Kingdom of God. Since Jesus was offered on the altar for us, we no longer make animal sacrifices to God in order to hide our offenses. But we still take the blessings that God has given us and 1) offer them back to God and 2) use them to bless others. Jesus wants us to realize that if we are offending others instead of sharing our blessings them, we need to reconcile before we offer our blessings to God.
Note: He doesn't say try to reconcile. He says reconcile.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Have hearts that match righteous actions
Jesus taught that God judges our hearts not just our actions.
Matthew 5:21-22 21 "You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not murder'; and 'whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.' 22 But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, 'You fool,' you will be liable to the hell of fire.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that God judges our hearts and not just our actions?
Note: "You have heard... but I say." Jesus constrasts what humans are able to judge (murder - an outward crime) with what God is able to judge (anger, insults - what goes on in the heart, what seems minor in comparison to anger).
Note: The expression "hell of fire" refers to the "Valley of Hinnom," a ravine south of Jerusalem once associated with the pagan god Moloch and his disgusting rites, prohibited by God. When King Josiah abolished the practices, he defiled the valley by making it a, dumping ground for filth and the corpses of criminals (2 Kings 23:10). Late traditions suggest that in the first century it may still have been used as a rubbish pit, complete with smoldering fires.
Matthew 5:21-22 21 "You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not murder'; and 'whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.' 22 But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, 'You fool,' you will be liable to the hell of fire.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that God judges our hearts and not just our actions?
Note: "You have heard... but I say." Jesus constrasts what humans are able to judge (murder - an outward crime) with what God is able to judge (anger, insults - what goes on in the heart, what seems minor in comparison to anger).
Note: The expression "hell of fire" refers to the "Valley of Hinnom," a ravine south of Jerusalem once associated with the pagan god Moloch and his disgusting rites, prohibited by God. When King Josiah abolished the practices, he defiled the valley by making it a, dumping ground for filth and the corpses of criminals (2 Kings 23:10). Late traditions suggest that in the first century it may still have been used as a rubbish pit, complete with smoldering fires.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Follow Jesus for a new way of being
Jesus taught that because he fulfilled the law and the prophets, we have a new way of being.
Matthew 5:17-20 17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that because he fulfilled the law and the prophets we have a new way of being?
Note: The Kingdom of heaven is not a place we go to after we die. It is a way of being - living as Jesus taught. Jesus is saying that neither the scribe's way of being (working hard to have a correct theology) and the Pharisee's way of being (keeping a strict religious/moral code) is in keeping with Jesus' teachings. Focusing on having a correct theology and keeking a strict religious/moral code falls way short of Jesus' way of being. The kingdom of heaven is a new completely different radical way of living.
Matthew 5:17-20 17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that because he fulfilled the law and the prophets we have a new way of being?
Note: The Kingdom of heaven is not a place we go to after we die. It is a way of being - living as Jesus taught. Jesus is saying that neither the scribe's way of being (working hard to have a correct theology) and the Pharisee's way of being (keeping a strict religious/moral code) is in keeping with Jesus' teachings. Focusing on having a correct theology and keeking a strict religious/moral code falls way short of Jesus' way of being. The kingdom of heaven is a new completely different radical way of living.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Do good works to be a light to the world.
Jesus taught us to let our good works be a light to the world.
Matthew 5:14-16 14 "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to do good works as a light to the world?
Note: Good works is not personal righteousnes, but meeting the needs of others.
Matthew 5:14-16 14 "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to do good works as a light to the world?
Note: Good works is not personal righteousnes, but meeting the needs of others.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Don't lose your saltiness
Matthew 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to keep salty?
Note: Scientifically, pure salt, can't lose its saltiness. But impure salt can... most salt in the ancient world derived from salt marshes contained many impurities. The actual salt, being more soluble than the impurities, could be leached out, leaving a residue so dilute it was of little worth.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to keep salty?
Note: Scientifically, pure salt, can't lose its saltiness. But impure salt can... most salt in the ancient world derived from salt marshes contained many impurities. The actual salt, being more soluble than the impurities, could be leached out, leaving a residue so dilute it was of little worth.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Rejoice when people wrong you on Jesus' account
Jesus' encourages us to rejoice when people wrong us on Jesus' account
Matthew 5:11-12 "Blessed are you when people 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 in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Do we ignore Jesus' teach to rejoice when people give you a hard time on Jesus account?
Note: The persecution of those following Jesus are neither new (go back to the Old Testament prophets), nor accidental (vast conspiracy), nor absurd (promise of reward the Kingdom of Heaven).
Matthew 5:11-12 "Blessed are you when people 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 in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Do we ignore Jesus' teach to rejoice when people give you a hard time on Jesus account?
Note: The persecution of those following Jesus are neither new (go back to the Old Testament prophets), nor accidental (vast conspiracy), nor absurd (promise of reward the Kingdom of Heaven).
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Accept persecution for the sake of the kingdom
Jesus taught that a righteous person who is engaging the world will be persecuted. But within the kingdom of heaven, righteousness is the norm.
Matthew 5:10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that a righteous person engaged in the world will be persecuted. However, within the kingdom of heaven, righteousness is the norm.
Note what it means to be blessed on the Oct 9th post.
Matthew 5:10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that a righteous person engaged in the world will be persecuted. However, within the kingdom of heaven, righteousness is the norm.
Note what it means to be blessed on the Oct 9th post.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Let peacemaking be your way of life
Jesus taught that peacemaking would be a way of life for the children of God.
Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to be peacemakers? Do we settle for cheap appeasement or work for costly reconciliation (where humanity is reconciled through Jesus not only to God, but also to each other)?
Peacemaking is costly reconciliation not appeasement: "All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 18
Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to be peacemakers? Do we settle for cheap appeasement or work for costly reconciliation (where humanity is reconciled through Jesus not only to God, but also to each other)?
Peacemaking is costly reconciliation not appeasement: "All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 18
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Seek God with a pure heart
Jesus taught that we see God through a heart that is 100% focused on him and free of deceit. And from this vision of God, we can bless others.
Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to see God through a heart that is 100% focused on him and free of deceit? Then do we bless others what what we have seen?
Jesus might have been referencing Psalms 24:3-4: "Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? 4 Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully. 5 They will receive blessing from the LORD..."
Pure in heart: 1) singlemindedness in purpose (a heart 100% set on God and the things of God 2) utterly sincere (free of deceit). Seeing God: Ascending the hill of God and standing in his holy place.
Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to see God through a heart that is 100% focused on him and free of deceit? Then do we bless others what what we have seen?
Jesus might have been referencing Psalms 24:3-4: "Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? 4 Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully. 5 They will receive blessing from the LORD..."
Pure in heart: 1) singlemindedness in purpose (a heart 100% set on God and the things of God 2) utterly sincere (free of deceit). Seeing God: Ascending the hill of God and standing in his holy place.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Change the world by giving and recieving mercy.
Jesus taught us to change the world by giving and receiving mercy.
Matthew 5:7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Do we ingore Jesus' teaching to change the world by giving and receiving mercy?
Note the many meanings of mercy: 1) Showing compassion (or lenient treatment) to someone who has offended 2) Showing compasasion (or lenient treatment) to someone you are in authority over 3) An act of compassion to someone who has not earned it 4) helping someone in distress. And most importantly... Jesus uses Mercy as an action word not a feeling.
Note what it means to be blessed on the Oct 9th post.
Matthew 5:7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Do we ingore Jesus' teaching to change the world by giving and receiving mercy?
Note the many meanings of mercy: 1) Showing compassion (or lenient treatment) to someone who has offended 2) Showing compasasion (or lenient treatment) to someone you are in authority over 3) An act of compassion to someone who has not earned it 4) helping someone in distress. And most importantly... Jesus uses Mercy as an action word not a feeling.
Note what it means to be blessed on the Oct 9th post.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Create abundance with justice and righteousness
Jesus taught that those who desire righteousness (justice) will be filled ... and in turn they are meant to bless others with the abundance righteousness (justice) achieves.
Matthew 5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."
Do we ingore Jesus' teaching to desire righteousness (justice)... and in turn bless others with the abundance righteousness (justice) achieves?
Note what it means to be blessed on the Oct 9th post.
Matthew 5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."
Do we ingore Jesus' teaching to desire righteousness (justice)... and in turn bless others with the abundance righteousness (justice) achieves?
Note what it means to be blessed on the Oct 9th post.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Make your strength gentle
Jesus taught that those whose strength has been made gentle by God will inherit the land... and in turn they are meant to bless others with the land.
Matthew 5:5 "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Note: “Meek” is the Greek word "praus". It brings to mind the modern word "prowess". It denotes strength brought under control - gentleness. It was used to describe a wild horse tamed to the bridle. "Earth" could also be translated "land" - maybe meaning "the covenant" which included the land. Also see the note on what it means to be blessed on the Oct 9th post. Given all this... we might translate/interpret this verse to mean, "Those whoes power is under the control of God will not only inherit the covenant, but will use the covenant to bless others."
Do we ingore Jesus' teaching to allow God to make our strength gentle so that he can give us the land... (of course it follows, that we are to then bless others with the land)?
Matthew 5:5 "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Note: “Meek” is the Greek word "praus". It brings to mind the modern word "prowess". It denotes strength brought under control - gentleness. It was used to describe a wild horse tamed to the bridle. "Earth" could also be translated "land" - maybe meaning "the covenant" which included the land. Also see the note on what it means to be blessed on the Oct 9th post. Given all this... we might translate/interpret this verse to mean, "Those whoes power is under the control of God will not only inherit the covenant, but will use the covenant to bless others."
Do we ingore Jesus' teaching to allow God to make our strength gentle so that he can give us the land... (of course it follows, that we are to then bless others with the land)?
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Use your saddness to relieve the afflicted
Jesus taught that those who mourn have been blessed with a new way of being – comfort (relief from their afflictions). So we are to bless others by comforting them (relieving their afflictions).
Matthew 5:4 4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Do we ignore Jesus’ teaching to bless others by comforting them (comfort = relieving afflictions)?
See note about what it means to be "Blessed" on Oct 9th post.
Matthew 5:4 4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Do we ignore Jesus’ teaching to bless others by comforting them (comfort = relieving afflictions)?
See note about what it means to be "Blessed" on Oct 9th post.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Be changed by recognizing your spiritual poverty
Jesus taught that those who recognize their spiritual poverty have been blessed with a new way of being (the Kingdom of God). And by living in this new way of being, they will change the world (bless others)
Matthew 5:3 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that by recognizing our spirit's impoverished condition we are enabled to bless others (to change the world) by living out the Kingdom of Heaven?
About the word "blessed": The concept of "blessed" was first introduced to Abraham (Gen 26:3 - "The LORD had said to Abram... 'I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing... all peoples on earth will be blessed through you'."). Blessed does not mean that if we do "x,y,and z" that God will do something nice for us. It means that we have already been blessed with "x,y, and z". BUT being "blessed" doesn't end there. Blessed means we are to bless others with our blessing. Just like God's blessing on Abraham meant that he was to bless others. We are to use our blessings to change the world.
Matthew 5:3 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that by recognizing our spirit's impoverished condition we are enabled to bless others (to change the world) by living out the Kingdom of Heaven?
About the word "blessed": The concept of "blessed" was first introduced to Abraham (Gen 26:3 - "The LORD had said to Abram... 'I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing... all peoples on earth will be blessed through you'."). Blessed does not mean that if we do "x,y,and z" that God will do something nice for us. It means that we have already been blessed with "x,y, and z". BUT being "blessed" doesn't end there. Blessed means we are to bless others with our blessing. Just like God's blessing on Abraham meant that he was to bless others. We are to use our blessings to change the world.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Live a lifestyle in sync with future kingdom.
Jesus teaches his followers to live a lifestyle in tune with his future kingdom.
Matthew 4:25 - 5:2 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan. 1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to live a lifestyle in tune with his future kingdom?
Matthew 4:25 - 5:2 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan. 1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to live a lifestyle in tune with his future kingdom?
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Attend to both spiritual and physical needs.
Jesus attended to both spiritual and physical needs.
Matthew 4:23-25 23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought to him all the sick, those who were afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, and he cured them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.
Do we ignore Jesus' example of attending to both spiritual and physical needs?
Matthew 4:23-25 23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought to him all the sick, those who were afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, and he cured them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.
Do we ignore Jesus' example of attending to both spiritual and physical needs?
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Be on a team that does God’s ministry together
Jesus built a team to do God’s ministry together
Matthew 4:18-22 18 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea-- for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.
Do we ignore Jesus’ example of “building a team to do God’s ministry together?”
Matthew 4:18-22 18 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea-- for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.
Do we ignore Jesus’ example of “building a team to do God’s ministry together?”
Call humanity to Jesus' way of being.
Jesus was a great light calling humanity out of the darkness of our world to his way of being.
Matthew 4:12-17 12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15 "Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles-- 16 the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." 17 From that time Jesus began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."
Do we ignore Jesus' example to “be a great light calling humanity out of the darkness of our world to his way of being?”
Matthew 4:12-17 12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15 "Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles-- 16 the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." 17 From that time Jesus began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."
Do we ignore Jesus' example to “be a great light calling humanity out of the darkness of our world to his way of being?”
Accept the rest and renewal of Sabbath
Jesus accepted the rest and renewal of Sabbath
Matthew 4:11 11 Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.
Do we ignore Jesus' example of accepting the rest and renewal of Sabbath?
Matthew 4:11 11 Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.
Do we ignore Jesus' example of accepting the rest and renewal of Sabbath?
Don't comprimise your relationship with God
Jesus didn't achieve God's kingdom by compromising his relationship with God.
Matthew 4:8-10 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; 9 and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." 10 Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! for it is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'"
Do we ignore Jesus's example that we do not achieve God's kingdom by compromising our relationship with God?
Matthew 4:8-10 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; 9 and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." 10 Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! for it is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'"
Do we ignore Jesus's example that we do not achieve God's kingdom by compromising our relationship with God?
Don't claim God’s promises if they don’t apply.
Jesus did not flippantly claim God’s promises when and where they don’t apply.
Matthew 4:5-7 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'" 7 Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
Do we ignore Jesus's example by flippantly claiming God’s promises when and where they don’t apply?
Matthew 4:5-7 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'" 7 Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
Do we ignore Jesus's example by flippantly claiming God’s promises when and where they don’t apply?
Prioritize God’s will ahead of life's comforts
Matthew 4:1-4 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3 The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." 4 But he answered, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
Do we ignore Jesus' example of prioritizing God’s will ahead of the comforts of our life?
Do we ignore Jesus' example of prioritizing God’s will ahead of the comforts of our life?
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