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A Look At The Savior's Mind
– Matthew Five –
Matthew
chapter five is part of that section of Scripture known as the "Sermon on
the Mount." This is the longest continuous sermon from Jesus that is in
our Bible. The Sermon on the Mount deals with practical things concerning every
day living. We learn from Jesus' sermon that there must be a willingness on our
part to be a doer of the word of God.
The mind of Christ is revealed in this great sermon. The Sermon on
the Mount is recorded in Matthew five, six and seven. The teaching of Jesus was
done with love and authority. In Matthew chapter four Jesus had declared that
the kingdom of heaven is at hand. In Matthew five He began to give a
description of what kingdom actions are to be like. Those in the kingdom must
(1) have certain character, (2) obey certain commands, (3) face certain
challenges, and (4) make certain choices. You can find the teachings of the
Sermon on the Mount in all the gospels but only Matthew records it as a continuous
message.
Jesus'
teachings about blessedness – Matthew 5:1-12: "And seeing the
multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came
to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying." (Matthew 5:1-2)
Jesus used a mountain as a pulpit
for this great sermon. His teaching was simple, powerful and tender. He spoke
to the hearts of His hearers. His message was designed to change people from
the inside out. He was wonderful in name, life, and message. (Isaiah 9:6)
Truly, He was and is the Son of God. The teachings of Jesus were pure
teachings, showing people how to have pure thoughts and how to live pure lives
The multitude was there but the lesson was given specifically to
the disciples of Jesus. A disciple is a learner. In some countries, those that
are learning to drive must have an "L" on the windshield of their
car. Followers of Christ need an "L" written on their heart.
Disciples are willing to receive instructions and humble enough to learn and
obey.
The attitudes of the
beatitudes make one teachable and useful to God. These attitudes will result in
a humble, serving life. The type of person that will inherit the kingdom of God
is (1) poor in spirit – one that constantly knows they are struggling spiritually,
(2) a mourner – one that is brokenhearted over spiritual failure, (3) the
meek/humble – those that accept and grieve over their failures, (4) hunger and
thirst for righteousness – in that hunger satisfaction comes, (5) merciful – we
become able to extend mercy to others, (6) pure in heart – authenticity all the
way through, (7) peacemakers – seek to end conflict, and (8) persecuted and
reviled – put down by the world.
Jesus' teaching about
influence and law – Matthew 5:13-20: Those that exhibit the characteristics of the beatitudes become the salt of the
earth and the light of the world. Those with humble and pure hearts can change
their world in a positive way for God. Those that hunger for righteousness and
show mercy are a bright light for a dark world. God's people are called on to
stand out from the world.
Concerning the Law Jesus said, "Think not that I am come to
destroy the law, or the pro-phets: I am not come to
destroy, but to fulfill." (Matthew 5:17) The purpose of Jesus was to
"fulfill or accomplish what was in the law and the prophets"
concerning the Messiah. In the Old Law there were many predictions concerning
the coming, birth, life and death of the Christ. These were all to be fulfilled
by Jesus, His sufferings and death. Jesus said that not "one jot or one
tittle" (something like a period or comma) would disappear from the Law until it
all was fulfilled in Him. The righteousness of the Christian comes from their
heart, and is therefore genuine. This righteousness
must exceed that of the Pharisees and Scribes. Their righteousness was
external, and was not true holiness.
Jesus' teaching about murder, adultery and swearing – Matthew 5:21-37:
In Matthew 5:21-26 we learn that the thought of hatred produces the act of
murder. Therefore, the thought is the act in the heart. Right actions grow out
of right thinking. Attitudes can be just as wrong as actions. (Matthew 5:27-30)
Lust is adultery in the heart. Our hearts must be brought into submission to
Christ. Wrong thoughts are just as evil as the wrong act. That is why
Christians must "bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of
Christ." (II Corinthians 10:5)
Attitudes also affect marriage relationships. (Matthew 5:31-32)
Divorce for any reason except sexual immorality leads to or causes adultery.
Right attitudes build good marriages. Today instead of respecting God's law of
marriage and divorce many in the church accept divorce and remarriage upon the
most foolish and frivolous pretenses. Did Jesus mean what He said? "But I
say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife,
saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and
whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery." (Matthew
5:32)
Our attitudes also affect our words. (Matthew 5:33-37) There will be no swearing
from the faithful child of God. You can trust their words completely. Rash
swearing, about trivial matters must be avoided by God's children. As Christians
we must not forswear ourselves, but we should simply declare that a thing is
so.
Jesus' teachings about
retaliation and love – Matthew 5:38-48: Having the right attitude will
cause us to go the second mile. (Matthew 5:38-42) Do anything and everything
within your power to show the world what Christ is like. Go the second mile.
Right attitudes will cause love for enemies. (Matthew 5:43-48)
Those that learn to love learn to forgive. The only acceptable disposition for
the Christian in any circumstance of life is love. By inspiration Paul
expressed it this way, "If thine enemy hunger, feed him: if he thirst,
give him drink." (Romans 12:20) As a Christian you must love your enemies
and pray for anyone that mistreats you. When you love your enemies and pray for
those that mistreat you, "then you will be acting like your Father in
heaven. He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And He sends rain
for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong."
We must love our enemies. "For if ye
love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the
same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye
more than others? do not even the publicans so?"
God expects the Christian to do more than others and to be more than others. He
expects us to be perfect. We must be sincere and upright in our love to all
men, as our heavenly Father is in His affections to them.
To become a Christian you must hear the word of God and believe
(Romans
- - -
- Charles Box
News & Notes
1. Prayer List: Baptist South: Wilmer Howell and Romona Newton,
2. Fifth Sunday Meal: Plan to be part of the fifth Sunday fellowship on December 31st following the evening services. There will be singing and games. Please bring finger foods and your favorite game.
3. Please
Pray For: (a)
Sam Sanders, son of Jerry Sanders is serving in the
4. Birthdays: Celebrating birthdays this week are: December 31st Libby Bozeman, January 1st Olivia Reynolds and Cindy Thomas, January 2nd Wallace Murray, and January 4th Darrell Powell.
5. Bridal
Shower/Supper: There will be a bridal shower/supper on January 13th
at
6. Thank
You:
7. Sign-Up List: The 2007 sign-up lists for communion, greeters, secure building, and van drivers are on the bulletin board. Please help by signing up now!
8.
Visitation Program: Our visitation program meets on Tuesday nights at
9. Put These Dates On Your Calendar: (a) January 5th – Area Wide Gospel Singing – Elmore Church of Christ – Time 7:00 p.m. – Finger foods and refreshments afterwards (b) March 1st & 2nd – Marriage Seminar – Walnut Street Church of Christ – Speakers Glenn & Cindy Colley (c) March 5th-8th, 2007 – Faulkner University – Annual Bible Lectures – Theme: Our God, He is Alive (d) September 24th-26th, 2007 – Regions University – Spiritual Enrichment Forum – Embassy Suites, Montgomery.
10. Message
From
How Can A
Young Man Keep His Way Pure?
When the temptation to sin creeps into our lives, I’m sure most of us have wondered, “How can I keep myself pure?” This very question was presented, and answered, by King David in Psalm 119:9-16. Here, David gives several answers to this question. Let’s notice the first 5 things that David determined to do that helped him stay pure.
1. His simple answer to the question was: “By guarding it according to Your word” (v. 9). A guard is alert and watchful. They stand in the way to keep harm from entering or sometimes from getting out. David said we must guard our way, not according to our own plans, but according to God’s word.
2. “With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!” (v. 10). In order to keep your way pure, you must seek God wholeheartedly. When your whole heart is set on something, it affects every aspect of your life. Your simplest decisions are made with that object in mind. When we seek God wholeheartedly we won’t wander from His commandments.
3. “I have stored up Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (v. 11). Here, David stressed the importance of learning God’s word…so that you can always keep His ways on your mind. The more time and devotion that we give to Bible study, the closer we will be to becoming people after “God’s own heart” like David was (Acts 13:22). When the Word is in our hearts, and not just on the pages of our Bibles, it becomes harder for us to sin against God.
4. “Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes!” (v. 12). If you want to keep your way pure, it is necessary for you to desire to know and obey God’s commands. You can’t be like a kid who says “as long as I don’t learn all the rules, I’m not responsible for following them.” We must love God enough that we long to sit at His feet and learn.
5. “With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth” (v. 13). You’ll keep your life pure when God and His word are so important to you that you will be compelled to tell others about them. When you long to tell others of God’s love in the same way you long to tell them about your most prized possessions, you will be on your way to leading a pure life.
6. “In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches” (v. 14). What is your delight…what do you get more joy from than anything else? Hearing from God through His word ought to bring us as much excitement as hearing from a beloved friend or loved one. Nothing should bring us more joy than reading the Bible…our message from our creator.
7. “I will meditate on your precepts...” (v. 15). When you get a moment to stop and think, what is it that you think about? Do you ever meditate on God’s word that you’ve hidden in your heart? Doing this will help you to keep your way pure.
8. “[I will] fix my eyes on your ways” (v. 15). Are your eyes “fixed” on God’s ways? Do you keep your eyes from viewing things that will distract you from serving Him? Job said, “I have made a covenant with my eyes…” Have you? Your thoughts and the things you look at can be hidden from others, but not from God.
9. “I will delight in your statutes;” (v. 16). The word “delight” in this passage literally means “I will skip about and jump for joy” (Adam Clarke's Commentary). So, to keep your self pure, God’s commands must become a source of joy and happiness. When this happens you won’t be likely to forget your commitment to God.
10.
Finally,
David stated, “…I will not forget your word” (v. 16). This statement
almost seems unnecessary in light of his other words. When we grow to love God
the way we should…when His word becomes as much a part of our hearts as our own
thoughts…when our minds, our eyes, and our actions all reflect His will, it
will be next to impossible for us to forget His word. His word will be part of us.
Are you longing to make your soul and your
way of life pure? “Why are you waiting?
Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord”
(Acts
- - - - Darrell Powell