Apr
30
Matthew 5:21–26
21“You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ 22“But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. 23“Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. 25“Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26“Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there...
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29
Matthew 5:21–26
21“You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ 22“But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. 23“Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. 25“Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26“Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there...
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28
Matthew 5:19–20
19“Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20“For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Focused Thinking: (19–20) What is the precise meaning of “annuls”? Whoever BREAKS one of the LEAST of these commandments… Whoever DISSOLVES one of the LEAST of these commandments… Whoever INVALIDATES one of the LEAST of these commandments… The Word of God must be preeminent in our lives. We must not minimize any commands of God. Every Word God speaks is an important word. Personal Application: I must discipline myself to know, love and obey the Word of God. I must discipline myself to be a great teacher of God’s Word. I must maintain my commitment...
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27
Matthew 5:17–20
17“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18“For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19“Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20“For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Focused Thinking: What prompted Jesus to make this statement? What were people thinking? What questions were people asking prompted this respond? 17“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18“For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away,...
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26
Matthew 5:17–20
from saturday night prayer… 17“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18“For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19“Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20“For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Interactive Prayer: Father, I pray that Your Spirit will blow through our services tomorrow in a powerful way. Give us the fullness of Your Spirit tomorrow. I am very confident in Your Word for tomorrow, but unless You give me the ability to preach in the power and demonstration of the...
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25
Matthew 5:13–16
13“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. 14“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15“nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Focused Thinking: (5:13) How is Jesus using the metaphor of salt here? Salt protects things from spoiling or decaying. Salt also makes people thirsty. Christians should have a preservative effect upon the world. Christians should make people thirst for the truth. Salt must maintain its purpose in order for it to be valuable. Christians must fulfill their purpose of salt and light. Christians must prevent decay...
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23
Matthew 5:9–12
9“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Focused Thinking: What does “peacemakers” mean? “Peacemakers” speaks to those who share the gospel of peace, thus bringing peace between people and God and between those who are at odds with each other. They should bring peace wherever they go (Eph 6:15). They don’t bring peace through compromise; they bring peace through Christ. What do the “peacemakers” receive? 9“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Personal Application: Where do I possess these qualities? I build invest and invite relationships for the purpose of bringing peace. My friendship with Byron is an example of bringing peace. I have other friendships for the purpose of peace right now. Where do I need to develop these qualities? I need to be sensitive to additional opportunities. I need to be sensitive to new invest and invite friendships. How...
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22
Matthew 5:8
8“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Focused Thinking: What does “pure in heart” mean? “Pure in heart” speaks to those who live inwardly clean from sin. They have positional and practical holiness. They have a focused and undivided heart. What do the “pure in heart” receive? “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Personal Application: Where do I possess these qualities? The answer to this question isn’t about me and my desires; it is about the Holy Spirit changes my desires and giving me the desire to be pure in Spirit. The Holy Spirit convicts me of sin, judgment and righteousness. The Holy Spirit teaches me all truth and brings me into remembrance of truth. The Holy Spirit is my counselor to correct me and redirect me. My spiritual disciplines are an expression of being pure in heart. Where do I need to develop these qualities? I need to be more sensitive to the moment-by-moment...
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21
Matthew 5:7
7“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Focused Thinking: What does the ”merciful” mean? The “merciful” speaks to our forgiving spirit and ability to love. Definition— Mercy is not giving others what they do deserve. The ability to give mercy begins with receiving mercy. If you’ve not received mercy then it will be difficult for you to be merciful. The more you see your need for mercy; the more you will be merciful. What do the merciful receive? Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Personal Application: Where do I possess these qualities? I believe I am merciful because I’ve experienced a lot of pain in life. I’ve experienced the death of my brother. I’ve witnessed my sister’s struggles with drugs. I’ve experienced my parent’s divorce (twice). I’ve experienced my own failures in golf. I’ve experienced my own failures in ministry. I am merciful toward hurting...
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20
Matthew 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Focused Thinking: What does “hunger and thirst for righteousness” mean? “Hunger and thirst for righteousness” speaks to our attitude toward God. They have a desire for God, for personal righteousness. They have an appetite for God and His Mission What will they receive? Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Personal Application: Where do I possess these qualities? My commitment to God’s Word. My commitment to spiritual disciplines. My commitment to life-change in me and others. Where do I need to develop these qualities? I need more growth and development in prayer and fasting. How do I develop the “hunger and thirst for righteousness” qualities? The more I’m in the Word and worship, the more I hunger and thirst for righteousness. The more I’m connected to God’s people, the...
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