Download DAY FIVE: Matt 7:1-29 Topical: Jesus Teaches on True

Matthew 5 to 7
Sept 16, 2007
This week we begin the first of 5 discourses in the book, covering chapters 5-9. In this long “sermon”
Jesus will teach what constitutes the “true” standards for entrance into His kingdom and how one may enter. Matt
7:29 says that when Jesus had ended this sermon, the people were astonished [ekplessonto = overwhelmed, a strong
sense of being astounded]. The people now knew and they realized that the righteousness standards that God
required had not been taught by their religious leaders, and thus they came away convicted of where they had fallen
short of the glory of God. [Rom 3:23] Our question for today is: Do you come away from the time you sit and listen
to a sermon astonished because the one teaching teaches as one having authority? Is your heart convicted by the
standards God requires? Does the conviction lead to a changed heart and action?
PRINCIPLES: Right heart motivation is rewarded by God; Christ shows true religion by using contrasts; What
you say is one thing but what you do proves what you believe.
AIM this week is to be a true disciple of the One who is The Way, The Truth, and The Life, able to do what HE
commands and what HE has empowered me to do through the Holy Spirit.
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DAY ONE: Matt. 4:12-25 Jesus Calls Disciples, Preaches, Teaches, Heals
1. What OT prophecy was fulfilled in vs 12-17? Isaiah wrote [9:1-2 and 42:7] that those who lived in
spiritual darkness in the land of Zebulun and Naphtali would see a great light, meaning Jesus.
Isa 9:1 Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly
afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her
by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.
Isa 9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the
shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
Isa 40:7 The grass dries up, the flowers wither, when the wind sent by the LORD blows on them.
Surely humanity is like grass.
2. What are some of the events that likely took place between 4:12-4:15. (Mk1:14-15; Luke 4:14-15; Jn
1:35-51)
(The writers of the NT were not as concerned with the chronology as they were with the events
themselves. Taking that into consideration, these are some of the things that perhaps took place… not
necessarily in this order)
1. John preaches and two of his disciples follow Jesus, one of them being Andrew (Jn 1)
2. John was imprisoned (Mt 4)
3. Jesus in power of HS returned to Galilee and entered the synagogue of Nazareth, forced to leave
there by the people—He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief (Luke 4, Mt 4)
4. Jesus settled in Capernaum (Mt 4)
5. Jesus began to preach John’s message--- but He did not baptize with water as John had (Mt 4)
6. Jesus called His first disciples (Andrew, Peter, James, John, Phillip, Nathanael) (Luke 4)
7. a webpage that attempts to put events into a chronological order:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Jesus
3. In the message that Jesus preached (Mt 4:17); what does He tell the people that God requires for one to
be a part of the “kingdom”? One must repent.
4. The disciples show us what it means to follow Jesus. What did they do? Mt 4:19-20, 22 When one
chooses to follow Jesus, they leave “all” and follow Him, Note that Peter and Andrew left their nets (their
occupation) and John and James left not only their nets but also their family (their father vs 22)
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dis·course definition: A formal, lengthy discussion of a subject, either written or spoken.
Matthew 5 to 7
Sept 16, 2007
DAY TWO: Matt 5:1-20 Jesus Defines True Blessedness
5. What does the original word “blessed” mean? Do a Word Study to determine by using your
www.nextbible.org and www.e-sword.net sites. [many people think it means happy, what did you find
out?]
makarios <3107> Definition:1) blessed, happy
Zodhiates writes: Blessed, possessing the favor of God that state of being marked by fullness from God. It
indicates the state of the believer in Christ. The believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit because of Christ
and as a result should be fully satisfied no matter the circumstances. Makarios differs from the word
“happy” in that the person is happy who has good luck (from the root hap meaning luck as a favorable
circumstance) To be makarios, blessed, is equivalent to having God’s kingdom within one’s heart (Matt
5:3,10). Makarios is the one who is in the world yet independent of the world. His satisfaction comes
from God and not from favorable circumstances. 2
6. The Beatitudes (5:3-10) reflect the standards of what constitute a “true” believer. As you read
through them, picture what God desires in one who “truly” knows Him and has the privilege of being
called His child. In which area are you excelling and in which area do you note a lack? What will you
choose to do about those areas in which you see yourself as lacking? Choose at least two and describe
what you think it means for you personally.
Ex. Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Jesus said repentance was “the” key
to being a part of His kingdom. If I have seen my depraved heart, repented of my sin, and accepted God’s
plan, I can without a doubt know that I am a part of His kingdom.
Blessed are those that mourn; for they will be comforted: These are the ones that recognize their needs,
(no matter the area) and seek the One who can provide for them.
Blessed are they that are meek, but they will inherit the earth (this is the dogma that the Jehovah’s
Witnesses spout but what does it really mean? How does one obtain it or know if they have it? One test is
to look at the Fruit of the Spirit in Gal 5. If you are demonstrating that in “love” to your fellow man you
are exhibiting it. Now the land probably means a place of security, the Promised Land was to be that for
the Israelites.)
praus <4239> Definition:1) mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit, meekness. It has the idea of
of not our outward behavior but of that of the soul, and how we express that towards God, it is the attitude
of the spirit, the synonyms are gentle, of a soothing disposition, moderate, forbearing. In contrast the
antonyms are: irascible (easily provoked by anger); prone to anger, savage, fierce.
Blessed are those that hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled (or satisfied). It begins
with that dissatisfaction with life, dissatisfaction with your walk with God; a desire to know Him in the
most intimate way possible, to know Him and His character and to then when you hunger you
demonstrate it in how you live and move and have your being. It is a practical method of having an
insatiable and unquenchable desire to know and live life by the standards of God. It means that you are
obeying the 2 Tim 2:15 verse daily…not once a week but daily. If you choose not to do this daily, you are
no better than the hypocrites and might as well cut that verse out of your Bible much as Thomas Jefferson
cut out the miracles of Jesus. What will you do with this?
2
Zodhiates, Spiro “The Complete Word Study Dictionary, New Testament”
Matthew 5 to 7
Sept 16, 2007
Blessed are the merciful for they will obtain mercy: The best way to understand this is to look at its
contrast as seen in James. Jam 2:13 For judgment is merciless for the one who has shown no mercy. But
mercy triumphs over judgment.
Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. The pure in heart are those that can as Ps. 15 says
“abide in His holy hill”. Or as in 1 Chron 28:9 “a perfect heart”. What constitutes perfection in a heart?
Those that are inwardly clean from sin which is a moment by moment consciousness of it and falling
prostrate before a Holy God seeking forgiveness and cleansing. 1Jo 1:9 But if we confess our sins, he is
faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness.
1 Chron 28:9….serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts,
and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if
thou forsake him, he will cast thee off forever.
When do you see God? Your eyes being pure can see Him in His creation, in His work in your life, in your
attitude and actions as well as the future promise of actually seeing Him in eternity.
Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God: a peacemaker is one who seeks
peace between they and their fellow man; they are also those that actively seek peace amongst difficulties.
They demonstrate the Fruit of the Spirit to others about them. Being called a son of God is God’s highest
honor to mankind. 1Jo 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we
should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Rom 8:14
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Rom 8:15 For ye have not received
the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba,
Father. Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven. Note it is past tense: have been persecuted as well as future tense for those that choose to walk
the way of the Savior. Following God will entail opposition as John the Baptist learned all too well when
he spoke against Herod. In the OT, the prophets were persecuted (ex. Jeremiah) for not just their faith
but also for their message and the same holds true today.
Note that Jesus began and ended with the phrase “kingdom of heaven”. In this simple section of 8
“blessed’s”, He has given us the blueprint of what a true believer looks like and how the world will
perceive them. He has given us the way to present Himself to a fallen and depraved world. No wonder
then that he followed this up with the salt and light section.
7. Are you salt and light? What does that mean practically speaking?
After hearing this section of the sermon, many would be wondering and perhaps even considering
choosing to either relinquish this ‘disciple’ label or become what we today call a ‘closet Christian’. That
is we say we are, but we do not openly choose to demonstrate that or talk about that before the world. The
price is ‘too high’ and thus we choose to be ‘silent Christians’. Jesus then challenged them to think
radically. You are to be salt: a preserver, a taste of heaven before those who are not believers. You are to
be light: you reveal the truths of who God is to the unsaved and darkened world. He then challenged them
to “think outside the box” as we say in contemporary 21st century: if you become tasteless…that is lose
your impact, you will experience only the opposite. You will find yourself thrown out, trodden under foot
of men…not a leader or even a follower, but one that is useless and without any impact at all. The world
does not see you as a Christ follower, you blend in with the ‘darkened’. Or to use another parable to
explain this: You are growing in the field with the tares but only God knows if you are wheat or a tare. If
you choose to be a candle that is hidden, you have willingly chosen to not glorify God.
He ended this section by saying: I came not to change or nullify the Law but to fulfill it. What did He
mean? He meant that He was standing before them as the True Messiah and they must choose Him or the
traditions of the Pharisees, which ultimately would mean that their righteousness then would fall far short
Matthew 5 to 7
Sept 16, 2007
of what God’s standards were. He then warned them that if they so chose to teach or respond otherwise,
they would be called the least in the kingdom. Jesus warned his audience that unless their righteousness
exceeded that of the scribes and Pharisees they would not enter the kingdom of heaven. He placed the
challenge before them as John did in Revelation to the Laodicean church: beware that we do not hear
these words echoing in our ears: Rev 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I
will spew thee out of my mouth. The choice was theirs and is ours today. He then in essence said as
Joshua had said many centuries earlier: “choose you this day whom ye will serve.” (Josh 24:15)
DAY THREE: Matt 5:21-6:34 Jesus Defines and Gives Evidence to True Law – Attitude
8. In this first section, Jesus will point to having the right attitude, which is demonstrated in right actions.
Fill in this chart: Jesus says “you have heard” = what Pharisees had taught, “but I say” = what God’s
standard is, followed by the “how or why” evidence. In this section, Jesus begins to point out the
problems that existed due to the self-righteousness of the Pharisees who said one thing but did another.
This pointed out their hypocrisy. Jesus in His teaching showed that the heart attitude would lead one to
demonstrate to the world in actions that they had chosen the righteousness of God and not of the religious
leaders.
Ye have heard
But I say
Evidence
V 21 thou shalt not commit
V 22 anyone angry without cause V24 reconcile with brother, make
murder
has already committed murder in friends with opponents whether
Ex 20:13; Deut 5:17
their heart and is in danger of
you are the “hurter” or the
judgment; “raca” guilty before
“hurtee” – use Mt 18 as your
supreme court, “fool” danger of
guide
hell fire
V27 Thou shalt not commit
V28 if you look to lust you have
V29 deal drastically with sin
adultery
already committed adultery
Ex 20:14, Deut 5:18
V31 Divorce is “ok”: Moses gave V32 if you do it for any other
Mal 3 God hates divorce, divorce
us permission
reason than defilement/ sexual
an evidence of a hardened heart
Mar 10:5 And Jesus answered
immorality you may cause your
and said unto them, For the
self to commit adultery or you
hardness of your heart he wrote
may be cause for another to
you this precept.
commit adultery
V33 Thou shalt not swear falsely
Lev 19:12; Num 30:2
V34 do not swear at all
V37 Let yea be yea and nay be
nay
V39 do not resist an evil
person—in other words what is
used in a court of law and is just,
is not to be used for personal
retaliation.
V39-42 turn other cheek; give
cloak, do not turn away, i.e.
surrender all rights
Lev: You must not swear falsely
in my name, so that you do not
profane the name of your God
Num: must not break his word,
but must do whatever he has
promised.
V38 eye for eye, tooth for tooth;
Lev 24:20; Deut 19:21
Lev: just as he inflicts an injury
on another person that same
injury must be inflicted on him.
Deut: You must not show pity;
Rom 12:20 Rather, if your
enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him a
drink; for in doing this you
will be heaping burning
coals on his head.
Matthew 5 to 7
V43 love neighbor but hate
enemy
Sept 16, 2007
V44 love enemies, bless them
that curse you
V44 Love, bless, PRAY for them
that despitefully use you
DAY FOUR: Matt 6:1-32 Jesus Defines and Gives Evidence to the True Law - Practice
9. Jesus now turns from attitude to the actuality. What practices did Jesus elevate? Find out what they had
been taught to do, and what God requires, followed by how you will practice it. Jesus now turns His
attention to how each of the hypocrisies of the scribes and Pharisees was seen and known by God. He first
shows what they were teaching by what they were doing, then shows what God originally and
continuously desires, and the why or how true Law can be demonstrated and obtained.
Pharisaical teaching
God’s Standard
“why” and/or “how”
V1 practice what you preach
V2 if you do this you are no
V4 The Father will reward you
openly to the world—
better than a hypocrite, instead do openly – if you do it to be seen,
Barnes: or the purposes of
your practicing secretly so only
you have your reward – thus
ostentation and to seek their
God sees and knows
challenging the Pharisees desire
praise.
to see and be seen
V5 pray in the synagogue and on
the street corners, let others see
you praying
Barnes: that they sought
V6&8 pray in your “closet”; pray
about your needs only to the
Father in secret
Clarke: Prayer requires more of
publicity, and regarded it as
proof of great piety.
the heart than of the tongue
[is this not like the present day
Muslims?]
Clarke: reward which they had
in view: viz. the esteem and
applause of the multitude. This is
nothing more than hypocritical
pretension
V16 Fast with a drawn
countenance, ashes on head, torn
clothes, gloomy face
Clarke: A hypocrite has always
V17 anoint head, wash your face
Barnes: not to attract attention,
but as an expression of feeling
toward God
V18 Father sees in secret, He will
reward your fasting
Our hearts cannot conceal from
God what is true about us, if we
are true, then He will see and
reward us.
V20&25 lay up treasures in
heaven where moth nor rust can
take them from you
Contrary to public opinion, we
can send our treasures ahead to
eternity: souls won to the
kingdom through our witness,
V21;24;26;27;32
Vs 21 where treasure is there is
your heart
V24 no man can serve 2 masters
V26 Father knows your needs
V27 worry can’t change the
circumstances
a difficult part to act: when he
wishes to appear as a penitent,
not having any godly sorrow at
heart, he is obliged to counterfeit
it the best way he can, by a
gloomy and austere look.
V19 accumulate treasures on
earth
Three kinds: garments which
decay due to moths; food which
spoils due to disease or insect
infestation; jewels/money which
thieves can steal.
V6&7 God will provide your
needs, He will even provide
before you ask, HE will reward
you openly
Prayer is not to inform God of
our needs, He already knows
them, but instead it is to focus
our hearts and mind on who God
is… the provider.. the Jehovah
Jireh, the El Elyon, the Jehovah
Sabaoth etc.
Matthew 5 to 7
etc. Look back through the
Beatitudes to see which treasures
you are sending.
Sept 16, 2007
V32 these accumulations are
what Gentiles (or unbelievers)
seek for fulfillment
DAY FIVE: Matt 7:1-29 Topical: Jesus Teaches on True Religion and the “Two’s”
10. Again Jesus uses this opportunity to teach the people on what God requires and the how’s and why’s.
What is the topic, what is the biblical principle; and lastly the “why”.When we know the biblical
principles that God lays up in His Word, then we can know how to act/react to each situation that is
presented to us. There are several wise and just principles in the OT but the Pharisees had altered in some
way, such as adding to them etc. to achieve structure. Jesus makes life “simple” as God desired it to be.
God gave a principle and He expects it lived out in daily life.
Topic
Biblical Principle
Reason
Judgment
V 5 Remove own sin before you
V6 God’s doctrines are holy and are not to be
judge another’s sin
used in the judgment of another’s sin
especially if they are willfully ignorant of
God’s standards
Righteous Steps V7 Ask, Seek, Knock – go to the
V11 God is the giver of all gifts to His
source of Giving, the True Father
children and just as you would seek to provide
Jam 1:17 Every good gift and every
the best gift for your child, so God seeks to
perfect gift is from above, and
provide what is best for you…so Ask! Seek!
cometh down from the Father of
Knock! And God will open His windows of
lights, with whom is no
heaven with His goodness, more than you can
variableness, neither shadow of
even imagine! There is a biblical principle
turning.
taught in Malachi which fits in here: prove me
now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I
will not open you the windows of heaven, and
pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be
room enough to receive it.
Righteous Living V12 Live by the “Golden Rule”
Two Gates
Jn 14:6, Just as there was just one
gate entrance to the Tabernacle,
Jesus is the “one” way to God; I am
the way, the truth, and the life: no
man cometh unto the Father, but
by me.
Two Trees
V15 Trees are known by the fruit
they produce,
V12 This is the real test of the Law and the
Prophets to the world when we treat others the
way God would expect us to treat them, and it
will return to us in the same manner as given.
V13&14 There are two gates; one is narrow
which leads to life and the other gate is wide
and leads to destruction
Deu 30:19 Today I invoke heaven and earth
as a witness against you that I have set life and
death, blessing and curse, before you.
Therefore choose life so that you and your
descendants may live!
V16 False prophets produce false doctrine and
teaching and lead many astray; they will be cut
down;
Good trees being the example of the true
doctrines and teaching lead many to God and
peace and righteousness; they will bear much
fruit; Mat 13:8 But other seeds fell on good
soil and produced grain, some a hundred
times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.
Two Builders
V 24 Wisdom leads to a sound
V26 If you hear these words, heed them you
Matthew 5 to 7
Sept 16, 2007
foundation on “the Rock”
will be ready for the “flood”, if you choose to
ignore them, then you will perish.
Thus: heeding leads to life; ignoring leads to
death
11. APPLICATION: Are you “astonished”? Are you a true disciple? If not, what do you need changing?
It is hoped that many will be astonished and seek to demonstrate the truth of the gospel to a lost and dying
world. May the Holy Spirit challenge us all to re-evaluate our lives in terms of what the True standard of
righteousness is.