(Additional Reading - Mark 4:1-11, Luke 8:1-15, 10:23-24)
Matthew 13:1-23 (NIV)
1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
10 The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”
11 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables:
“Though seeing, they do not see;
though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:
“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
15 For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’
16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
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My Notes:
Father.
I'm sad today. I wish that every seed you had me sow would bear fruit. I wish that I would never see someone choked out by the deceitfulness of wealth and the cares of this world.
But you didn't promise this.
It's heartbreaking.
Open Our Eyes, Lord
Words and music by Robert Cull
C G7
Open our eyes, Lord
C
We want to see Jesus.
Am F
To reach out and touch him
G C
And say that we love him
Dm
Open our ears, Lord
G7 Am
And help us to listen
C/G F
Open our eyes, Lord
G7 C
We want to see Jesus
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Jesus and Evil Spirits - Matthew 12:22-50
(Additional Reading - Mark 3:23-27, Luke 11:17-22)
Matthew 12:22-50 (NIV)
22 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. 23 All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”
24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”
25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
29 “Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.
30 “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
33 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. 35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
The Sign of Jonah
38 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”
39 He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here. 42 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.
43 “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. 45 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”
Jesus’ Mother and Brothers
46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”
48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
++
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My Notes:
12:28-But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
The Kingdom of Heaven is where the authority of the Spirit of God is in operation.
++
++
Thou my great Father
I thy true son
Thou in me dwelling
and I with Thee one
Matthew 12:22-50 (NIV)
22 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. 23 All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”
24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”
25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
29 “Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.
30 “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
33 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. 35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
The Sign of Jonah
38 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”
39 He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here. 42 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.
43 “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. 45 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”
Jesus’ Mother and Brothers
46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”
48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
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++
++
My Notes:
12:28-But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
The Kingdom of Heaven is where the authority of the Spirit of God is in operation.
++
++
Thou my great Father
I thy true son
Thou in me dwelling
and I with Thee one
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath - Matthew 12:1-21
(Additional Reading Mark 2:23-3:6, Luke 6:1-11)
Matthew 12:1-21 (NIV)
1 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. 2 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”
3 He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. 5 Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent? 6 I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. 7 If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. 8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
9 Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, 10 and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”
11 He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”
13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.
God’s Chosen Servant
15 Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. 16 He warned them not to tell others about him. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
18 “Here is my servant whom I have chosen,
the one I love, in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
19 He will not quarrel or cry out;
no one will hear his voice in the streets.
20 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,
till he has brought justice through to victory.
21 In his name the nations will put their hope.”
++
++
My Notes:
Matt 12:7, 9:13, Hosea 6:6
"I desire mercy, not sacrifice."
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
The more I read this gospel, the more radical mercy becomes.
v20- A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory.
Jesus was a man of justice, and mercy, and compassion, and truth. This is a difficult combination of traits to carry.
I want to be like Jesus.
Matthew 12:1-21 (NIV)
1 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. 2 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”
3 He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. 5 Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent? 6 I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. 7 If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. 8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
9 Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, 10 and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”
11 He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”
13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.
God’s Chosen Servant
15 Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. 16 He warned them not to tell others about him. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
18 “Here is my servant whom I have chosen,
the one I love, in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
19 He will not quarrel or cry out;
no one will hear his voice in the streets.
20 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,
till he has brought justice through to victory.
21 In his name the nations will put their hope.”
++
++
My Notes:
Matt 12:7, 9:13, Hosea 6:6
"I desire mercy, not sacrifice."
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
The more I read this gospel, the more radical mercy becomes.
v20- A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory.
Jesus was a man of justice, and mercy, and compassion, and truth. This is a difficult combination of traits to carry.
I want to be like Jesus.
Monday, March 28, 2011
John the Baptist; Jesus' yoke - Matthew 11:1-30, Luke 16:16-17
(Additional Reading Luke 7:18-35, 10:13-22)
Matthew 11:1-30 (NIV)
1 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written:
“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’
11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 Whoever has ears, let them hear.
16 “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:
17 “‘We played the pipe for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
and you did not mourn.’
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”
20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
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++
Luke 16:16-17
16 “The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it. 17 It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.
++
++
++
My Notes:
Father, make me like a child. Help my unbelief. Let me see the world through your eyes. Please give me faith for miracles.
Thankyou for your easy yoke.
Matthew 11:1-30 (NIV)
1 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written:
“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’
11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 Whoever has ears, let them hear.
16 “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:
17 “‘We played the pipe for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
and you did not mourn.’
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”
20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
++
++
Luke 16:16-17
16 “The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it. 17 It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.
++
++
++
My Notes:
Father, make me like a child. Help my unbelief. Let me see the world through your eyes. Please give me faith for miracles.
Thankyou for your easy yoke.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
What Ryan (and Kat) Missed this Sunday & the notes for Matthew 8-10
(Notes after the letter)
Hey Ryan. Hey Kat.
Hey Joel. Hey Sergio. Hey Jay.
We're thinking of you. We miss you. We had a good service this week. It was pretty intense. It's been getting pretty intense lately.
When you come back, you may be surprised at the congregation you return to. There were twenty people here this morning. This is with a few weekly regulars missing. It seems like every week we have someone new joining us right now. We're way past capacity. I'll be honest, it feels pretty awesome. We're on arms of chairs and all over the floor.
Joel J hosted today. He had very little sleep, and a lot of coffee, so he was a little bit like Woody Woodpecker as a radio talk show host.
We had vegan sausages and vegan french toast. Yup. The brunch team has really been raising the bar on the food around these parts. It was incredibly good. I kind of like it when my food tricks me. They're a well-oiled machine on cleanup, too. The whole community has been getting good at working together, actually.
We missed our skype date, Kat. You are loved.
Joel read your letter this morning, Ryan. It was very good to hear from you.
Announcements - The Easter Sunday service is going to be special. Stay toon'd.
There is a women's conference at the end of April. Most of the women want to go, and about half the men.
Brandon led communion. He kept it very beautifully simple. Jesus is beautiful, isn't he?
Kate led worship in song. The songs she picked were very Jesus-heavy. My favourite was "How Deep the Father's Love For Us".
We talked as a community for almost forty minutes before my message about the nature of authority and our relationship to it.It got a little hot. The truth is that all of us have emotional memories attached to words like "authority", "rebel", "obedience", and "submission". It was real, and prepared us to engage with what scripture says about these things and submit our feelings to each other.
Then I preached. The message was pretty fun to deliver, as I've been finding all of them fun for a while now.
After the message, we sang the doxology and dismissed. The assignment for next week is to consider and be in contact with someone who is living in obedience to the Kingdom of God, and in disobedience to a kingdom in this world. Or, we could try to contact someone who has been put in prison for righteousness' sake.
People stuck around for a good half hour after we were done. The women left for Remedy to have a small group meeting. I made sandwiches with people that remained. It's quarter after 4pm, and the last person is just leaving now . . .
. . . and at the exact same moment, the ladies are returning through the back door.
Bless you. We love you.
-Shawn
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Mar 27, 2011 – Shawn Birss – LTTX
Matthew part 7 (ch8-10) – The Second Discourse
The Authority of The Kingdom
REVIEW/INTRO
The Sermon on the Mount (ch 5-7)- Describing how YOU as an individual will change as who you are becoming looks more like who you belong to.
5 Extraordinary Citizens of an Extraordinary Kingdom
On the cross, Jesus took on himself all evil, and the punishment for it. On the cross he became the poor, the grieving, the meek, the hungry, the thirsty, the righteous, the merciful, the pure, the peacemaker, and the persecuted. From the cross, he gave every piece of clothing, took every second beating, and walked every second mile when he took the greatest violence ever committed into himself and called out for his Father to forgive. Through faith in him, we can now become the comforted, the filled, be shown mercy, inherit the earth, become citizens the kingdom, see God, and be called his children.
Through faith in him we live as disciples, walking in the image of that same radically forgiving love.
Disciples live changed lives that change lives. Their good works will be seen. And God will be glorified.
Jesus’ interpretation of God’s law challenges all disciples to love unconditionally in every relationship, from their partner, to the bagger at the grocery store, to an oppressive government that would abuse or imprison them. In every case, love means to unconditionally commit to bring that relationship to God’s intended purpose.
6 Hidden Citizens of a Hidden Kingdom
Jesus makes clear that the extraordinary, bright, and world changing life of the disciple will be found in the most ordinary, common, and even hidden of lives.
Our good works are fruits of righteousness, displayed as naturally a result of a disciple’s life as a beating heart which continues its’ essential work quite separately from our conscious thought.
We only seek the approval of our Heavenly Father, not people. We serve God, not earthly treasure. We trust a permanent God, we don’t worry about impermanent things.
7 Citizens Wise and Rare of a Kingdom Living and True
Here Jesus gives us two choices again. Two gates. Two foundations.
He makes it clear that he is the final judge, and the highest authority (vv23,26).
If we judge, we cannot be living the extraordinary life of unconditional love described in chapter five. We commit to bring every relationship to God’s intended purpose - reconciliation and forgiveness.
We are also forbidden to be hucksters of cheap grace, trying to force upon the world a gospel that it does not want.
Finally, Jesus makes the challenging invitation for us to enter the Kingdom through him, and build our lives on obedience to our King, the King over every other king.
Conclusion
Before giving his invitation, Jesus ends his sermon by sharing with us the only power by which we can accomplish it – by faith in his resurrection life living in us through the Holy Spirit. Ask and it will be given. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened.
The gate to discipleship is as narrow as Jesus. This gate comes first, before the road of discipleship. He is the beginning of the path, and there is no hard path to reach him. It starts with Jesus. It ends with life.
Be encouraged. The gate is the king, the difficulty is temporary, and the benefits are eternal.
+
Matthew 8:18-27
18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 19 Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
21 Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
22 But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
(Matthew 16:24-27
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.)
In the narrative preceding the Sermon on the Mount (ch1-4), we see Rabbi Jesus calling disciples to come and follow him. In the Sermon on the Mount, he defines and describes their calling as disciples concerning their inner life, their relationship to Jesus, and their place in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Having completed his first sermon in Matthew (7:28 – “When Jesus had finished saying these things…”), Matthew leads us down the mountain and into a new narrative. These next two chapters (chapters 8 and 9)begin immediately to illustrate the foundation for Jesus’ second sermon, the disciple’s first commission (chapter 10).
Jesus ends his first sermon with the ultimate conclusion that he is the only judge, and the final authority. He is the Rabbi that calls, and he is the king of the kingdom that has come and is coming. “the crowds (are) amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who (has) authority…” (7:28,29). Chapters eight and nine see Jesus demonstrating that authority.
Jesus has clearly defined the boundaries of true discipleship. Some from the crowd respond to the invitation and become disciples. Some Pharisees and even members of the Sanhedrin are convicted, repent, and become disciples (ie. Joseph of Arimathea - Matt 27:57-60; Mark 15:43). Even notorious hated sinners and tax collectors may have heard Jesus’ call to truly follow (ie. Zacchaeus - Luke 19:2-10).
Jesus comes down the mountain, and explicitly and dramatically begins to demonstrate his authority for those disciples who have committed to follow.
1. Jesus is King of the Kingdom of Heaven
Jesus is King of kings. Every other kingdom bows to the authority of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Chapter 8 – Jesus’ Authority Demonstrated
Each demonstration teaches us about the nature of Kingdom authority.
1. Jesus has authority over sickness (8:1-17)
He heals three types of marginalized people first – a leper, a gentile, and a woman (possibly a widow). Jesus makes way through all possible barriers to the Kingdom of Heaven.
8:1-4 – Jesus has authority to cure leprosy (uncleanness). Jesus crosses purity boundaries.
8:5-13 – Jesus has authority to command paralysis to go. Jesus crosses ethnic boundaries.
8:14-15 – Jesus has authority to heal with a touch. Jesus crosses gender boundaries.
8:16 – Jesus has authority to heal or cast out demons with a word.
2. Jesus has authority to call disciples, and keep them in their calling (8:18-22)
8:19-20 – The call to discipleship is only by his authority.
8:21-22 – No other authority legal or cultural will hinder Jesus’ authority to call.
3. Jesus has authority over the natural world (8:23-27)
v18 - Jesus commanded them to go across the lake. By his authority, they will make it across. This is why they didn’t need to be afraid in v26. See Acts 27:13-44 for a similar incident with Paul.
8:23-27 – Wind and waves obey Jesus’ authority.
4. Jesus has authority over the supernatural world (8:28-34)
8:28-34 – Jesus has authority to command demons to go.
Chapter 9:1-17 – Jesus’ Authority Questioned and Vindicated
5. Jesus has authority to forgive sin, call sinners, and empower sinners to change (9:1-13)
9:1-8 – Jesus demonstrates his authority to forgive a paralytic by healing him in front of his critics.
9:9-13 – Jesus justifies his authority to call sinners to repentance to his critics through the scriptures.
6. Jesus has authority to guide his disciple’s spiritual practices (9:14-17)
9:14-17 – Jesus has authority to interpret and apply God’s law for his disciples.
Response to Jesus’ Authority (9:18-34)
The second half of chapter nine (verses 18-34) shows us five examples of people’s response to Jesus’ authority. It is the final setup for Jesus second sermon to his disciples.
1. A ruler submits to Jesus’ authority. His child is healed (vv18, 25).
2. A woman has faith in Jesus’ authority. She is healed. (vv21-22).
3. Two blind men recognize Jesus’ authority as Messiah. They are healed (vv27, 30).
4. The crowd is amazed at Jesus’ authority (v33).
5. The Pharisees discredit Jesus’ authority, calling it demonic (v34).
Nobody denies that Jesus does have authority to do miracles after seeing his authority demonstrated.
2. Disciples are Ambassadors of the Kingdom of Heaven
The Sermon on the Mount introduced disciples to life as CITIZENS of the Kingdom of Heaven.
The second discourse describes life as AMBASSADORS of the Kingdom of Heaven, representing and carrying the message of the king with his authority. (plenipotentiary–diplomat fully authorized to represent their government)
Chapter 10 – The Second Discourse – The Sending of the Twelve
v1 – The short term mission was for these apostles at this time. However, when Jesus gives AUTHORITY to them, Matthew identifies them as DISCIPLES, inviting all disciples (including us) to be challenged by the same call to life as ambassadors of the Kingdom, and the greater mission described in this sermon.
Matthew 10:16-20
16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
There is no course on evangelism or apologetics or missions or missiology that will adequately "prepare" me for how God intends me to respond to every situation as I share my faith in this lifetime.
It's not up to me to get it all figured out before I'm qualified to incarnate the gospel in the world.
It's up to me to be obedient. It's up to me to go. And speak. And bless. And minister healing.
It's up to God to do with me whatever he wants in my obedience.
To give me the words. To manifest blessing. To heal. To set free.
And while on this mission, in every circumstance, whether wealthy or poor, free or in court, God is faithful and will provide whatever I need to accomplish his purpose through me until he takes me home.
The nature of Kingdom Authority – (the authority of Kingdom ambassadors) - Matthew 8:1-13 - The centurion understood, accepted and expected authority to work in a certain way.
v9 - This man understood that Jesus was a man under authority and because He was under authority He had authority. ALSO The centurion honoured those over him and felt responsibility for those he had been given authority over. Therefore, he came to Jesus on behalf of his servant for healing.
Kingdom authority flows from submission to the King (Jesus). King Jesus is submitted to the Father.
Kingdom authority is compassionate and serving, not controlling or oppressive.
Kingdom authority is received, not demanded or forced.
“He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward” (Matthew 10:40-41a)
Jesus commissions us to go with the message of the gospel, but he does not promise the gospel will be received.
When we walk in (submission to) Jesus’ authority, and go out on the mission he has sent us, nothing can hinder us.
3. No Other Authority can Hinder the Mission of a Kingdom Ambassador
Just as Jesus has paved the way for discipleship through any and all obstacles, so also has he given us authority to accomplish his mission on Earth when we are walking in his intended purpose.
Nature – Paul and the Shipwreck - Acts 27
Finances – “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13
Our Emotional State – “In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry” – Ephesians 4:26 (Jesus was sad, and fed 5000 men)
Worldly Pleasures - “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.”
– 1 Corinthians 6:12
Our Imperfection – “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:12-14
The Demonic Realm – Acts 16:16-18
Worldly Authority – Acts 4:16-20 (read); Acts 5:28-33, 38-42
“Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!” – Acts 5:29
v42 – You can’t stop us. We’re on a mission from God.
18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. (also see Luke 21:15)
Acts 4:1-22, 12:1-4, 14:5 – These events were prophesied by Jesus, and ordained as a means of spreading the gospel. A disciple’s goal is to be just like his Rabbi.
vv19-20 – Opposition is guaranteed, but the Holy Spirit will empower disciples to be wise and to endure.
(Jude 8; 2 Peter 2:9-10. This is not a game. Rebellion will not be tolerated.)
Why might disciples be brought before authorities? Because they are breaking the law.
For breaking the law for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven, more Christians have died at the hands of government in the last one hundred years than ever before in the last 2000 years of Christian history.
Jesus said that we are blessed when we are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.
God’s justice is always legal.
God’s authority is always transcendent.
When you act according to the law of God, whatever the consequences, you are acting legally.
This is not rebellion.
Jesus is not a punk. Jesus is not a rebel against authority.
Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords. When the laws of this world are not congruent to the Kingdom of Heaven laws of love, righteousness, peace, grace and justice, it is the authorities of the world that are rebelling against Jesus.
Jesus doesn’t need to be a rebel. It’s the kingdoms of the world that rebel against him.
Obedience to the Kingdom of Heaven is always legal. Jesus didn’t promise that if we obey him we will not face opposition, or imprisonment, or even death from the kingdoms of this world. But what he does promise is that his Kingdom will not be stopped.
The Kingdom of Heaven is coming.
The Kingdom of Heaven is already here.
The only thing that can stand between you and God's intended purposes for you is your disobedience.
(In the case of Jonah, not even that.)
(We can disobey – 9:27-32)
(Jesus can fully restore us when we sin- John 21:15-19 – Peter after his denial)
We have no excuses.
Matthew 10:38-39
Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
Nothing can stop us. We’re on a mission from God.
Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
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Pray with me: Our Father, who art in Heaven. Hallowed be your name. Your Kingdom come. Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation. Deliver us from evil. Yours is the Kingdom. And the Power. And the Glory. Forever and ever. AMEN
Matthew 8-10
Chapter 8
1 When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. 4 Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”
7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”
8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.
14 When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.
16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
“He took up our infirmities
and bore our diseases.”
18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 19 Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
21 Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
22 But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
28 When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 29 “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”
30 Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. 31 The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”
32 He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. 33 Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.
Chapter 9
1 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”
3 At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”
4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” 7 Then the man got up and went home. 8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.
9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
14 Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”
15 Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.
16 “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. 17 Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”
18 While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.
20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”
22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.
23 When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, 24 he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. 25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. 26 News of this spread through all that region.
27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”
28 When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”
“Yes, Lord,” they replied.
29 Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; 30 and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” 31 But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.
32 While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. 33 And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”
34 But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.”
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Chapter 10
1 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
9 “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— 10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. 11 Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!
26 “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.
34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn
“‘a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’
37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
40 “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”
Hey Ryan. Hey Kat.
Hey Joel. Hey Sergio. Hey Jay.
We're thinking of you. We miss you. We had a good service this week. It was pretty intense. It's been getting pretty intense lately.
When you come back, you may be surprised at the congregation you return to. There were twenty people here this morning. This is with a few weekly regulars missing. It seems like every week we have someone new joining us right now. We're way past capacity. I'll be honest, it feels pretty awesome. We're on arms of chairs and all over the floor.
Joel J hosted today. He had very little sleep, and a lot of coffee, so he was a little bit like Woody Woodpecker as a radio talk show host.
We had vegan sausages and vegan french toast. Yup. The brunch team has really been raising the bar on the food around these parts. It was incredibly good. I kind of like it when my food tricks me. They're a well-oiled machine on cleanup, too. The whole community has been getting good at working together, actually.
We missed our skype date, Kat. You are loved.
Joel read your letter this morning, Ryan. It was very good to hear from you.
Announcements - The Easter Sunday service is going to be special. Stay toon'd.
There is a women's conference at the end of April. Most of the women want to go, and about half the men.
Brandon led communion. He kept it very beautifully simple. Jesus is beautiful, isn't he?
Kate led worship in song. The songs she picked were very Jesus-heavy. My favourite was "How Deep the Father's Love For Us".
We talked as a community for almost forty minutes before my message about the nature of authority and our relationship to it.It got a little hot. The truth is that all of us have emotional memories attached to words like "authority", "rebel", "obedience", and "submission". It was real, and prepared us to engage with what scripture says about these things and submit our feelings to each other.
Then I preached. The message was pretty fun to deliver, as I've been finding all of them fun for a while now.
After the message, we sang the doxology and dismissed. The assignment for next week is to consider and be in contact with someone who is living in obedience to the Kingdom of God, and in disobedience to a kingdom in this world. Or, we could try to contact someone who has been put in prison for righteousness' sake.
People stuck around for a good half hour after we were done. The women left for Remedy to have a small group meeting. I made sandwiches with people that remained. It's quarter after 4pm, and the last person is just leaving now . . .
. . . and at the exact same moment, the ladies are returning through the back door.
Bless you. We love you.
-Shawn
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Mar 27, 2011 – Shawn Birss – LTTX
Matthew part 7 (ch8-10) – The Second Discourse
The Authority of The Kingdom
REVIEW/INTRO
The Sermon on the Mount (ch 5-7)- Describing how YOU as an individual will change as who you are becoming looks more like who you belong to.
5 Extraordinary Citizens of an Extraordinary Kingdom
On the cross, Jesus took on himself all evil, and the punishment for it. On the cross he became the poor, the grieving, the meek, the hungry, the thirsty, the righteous, the merciful, the pure, the peacemaker, and the persecuted. From the cross, he gave every piece of clothing, took every second beating, and walked every second mile when he took the greatest violence ever committed into himself and called out for his Father to forgive. Through faith in him, we can now become the comforted, the filled, be shown mercy, inherit the earth, become citizens the kingdom, see God, and be called his children.
Through faith in him we live as disciples, walking in the image of that same radically forgiving love.
Disciples live changed lives that change lives. Their good works will be seen. And God will be glorified.
Jesus’ interpretation of God’s law challenges all disciples to love unconditionally in every relationship, from their partner, to the bagger at the grocery store, to an oppressive government that would abuse or imprison them. In every case, love means to unconditionally commit to bring that relationship to God’s intended purpose.
6 Hidden Citizens of a Hidden Kingdom
Jesus makes clear that the extraordinary, bright, and world changing life of the disciple will be found in the most ordinary, common, and even hidden of lives.
Our good works are fruits of righteousness, displayed as naturally a result of a disciple’s life as a beating heart which continues its’ essential work quite separately from our conscious thought.
We only seek the approval of our Heavenly Father, not people. We serve God, not earthly treasure. We trust a permanent God, we don’t worry about impermanent things.
7 Citizens Wise and Rare of a Kingdom Living and True
Here Jesus gives us two choices again. Two gates. Two foundations.
He makes it clear that he is the final judge, and the highest authority (vv23,26).
If we judge, we cannot be living the extraordinary life of unconditional love described in chapter five. We commit to bring every relationship to God’s intended purpose - reconciliation and forgiveness.
We are also forbidden to be hucksters of cheap grace, trying to force upon the world a gospel that it does not want.
Finally, Jesus makes the challenging invitation for us to enter the Kingdom through him, and build our lives on obedience to our King, the King over every other king.
Conclusion
Before giving his invitation, Jesus ends his sermon by sharing with us the only power by which we can accomplish it – by faith in his resurrection life living in us through the Holy Spirit. Ask and it will be given. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened.
The gate to discipleship is as narrow as Jesus. This gate comes first, before the road of discipleship. He is the beginning of the path, and there is no hard path to reach him. It starts with Jesus. It ends with life.
Be encouraged. The gate is the king, the difficulty is temporary, and the benefits are eternal.
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Matthew 8:18-27
18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 19 Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
21 Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
22 But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
(Matthew 16:24-27
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.)
In the narrative preceding the Sermon on the Mount (ch1-4), we see Rabbi Jesus calling disciples to come and follow him. In the Sermon on the Mount, he defines and describes their calling as disciples concerning their inner life, their relationship to Jesus, and their place in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Having completed his first sermon in Matthew (7:28 – “When Jesus had finished saying these things…”), Matthew leads us down the mountain and into a new narrative. These next two chapters (chapters 8 and 9)begin immediately to illustrate the foundation for Jesus’ second sermon, the disciple’s first commission (chapter 10).
Jesus ends his first sermon with the ultimate conclusion that he is the only judge, and the final authority. He is the Rabbi that calls, and he is the king of the kingdom that has come and is coming. “the crowds (are) amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who (has) authority…” (7:28,29). Chapters eight and nine see Jesus demonstrating that authority.
Jesus has clearly defined the boundaries of true discipleship. Some from the crowd respond to the invitation and become disciples. Some Pharisees and even members of the Sanhedrin are convicted, repent, and become disciples (ie. Joseph of Arimathea - Matt 27:57-60; Mark 15:43). Even notorious hated sinners and tax collectors may have heard Jesus’ call to truly follow (ie. Zacchaeus - Luke 19:2-10).
Jesus comes down the mountain, and explicitly and dramatically begins to demonstrate his authority for those disciples who have committed to follow.
1. Jesus is King of the Kingdom of Heaven
Jesus is King of kings. Every other kingdom bows to the authority of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Chapter 8 – Jesus’ Authority Demonstrated
Each demonstration teaches us about the nature of Kingdom authority.
1. Jesus has authority over sickness (8:1-17)
He heals three types of marginalized people first – a leper, a gentile, and a woman (possibly a widow). Jesus makes way through all possible barriers to the Kingdom of Heaven.
8:1-4 – Jesus has authority to cure leprosy (uncleanness). Jesus crosses purity boundaries.
8:5-13 – Jesus has authority to command paralysis to go. Jesus crosses ethnic boundaries.
8:14-15 – Jesus has authority to heal with a touch. Jesus crosses gender boundaries.
8:16 – Jesus has authority to heal or cast out demons with a word.
2. Jesus has authority to call disciples, and keep them in their calling (8:18-22)
8:19-20 – The call to discipleship is only by his authority.
8:21-22 – No other authority legal or cultural will hinder Jesus’ authority to call.
3. Jesus has authority over the natural world (8:23-27)
v18 - Jesus commanded them to go across the lake. By his authority, they will make it across. This is why they didn’t need to be afraid in v26. See Acts 27:13-44 for a similar incident with Paul.
8:23-27 – Wind and waves obey Jesus’ authority.
4. Jesus has authority over the supernatural world (8:28-34)
8:28-34 – Jesus has authority to command demons to go.
Chapter 9:1-17 – Jesus’ Authority Questioned and Vindicated
5. Jesus has authority to forgive sin, call sinners, and empower sinners to change (9:1-13)
9:1-8 – Jesus demonstrates his authority to forgive a paralytic by healing him in front of his critics.
9:9-13 – Jesus justifies his authority to call sinners to repentance to his critics through the scriptures.
6. Jesus has authority to guide his disciple’s spiritual practices (9:14-17)
9:14-17 – Jesus has authority to interpret and apply God’s law for his disciples.
Response to Jesus’ Authority (9:18-34)
The second half of chapter nine (verses 18-34) shows us five examples of people’s response to Jesus’ authority. It is the final setup for Jesus second sermon to his disciples.
1. A ruler submits to Jesus’ authority. His child is healed (vv18, 25).
2. A woman has faith in Jesus’ authority. She is healed. (vv21-22).
3. Two blind men recognize Jesus’ authority as Messiah. They are healed (vv27, 30).
4. The crowd is amazed at Jesus’ authority (v33).
5. The Pharisees discredit Jesus’ authority, calling it demonic (v34).
Nobody denies that Jesus does have authority to do miracles after seeing his authority demonstrated.
2. Disciples are Ambassadors of the Kingdom of Heaven
The Sermon on the Mount introduced disciples to life as CITIZENS of the Kingdom of Heaven.
The second discourse describes life as AMBASSADORS of the Kingdom of Heaven, representing and carrying the message of the king with his authority. (plenipotentiary–diplomat fully authorized to represent their government)
Chapter 10 – The Second Discourse – The Sending of the Twelve
v1 – The short term mission was for these apostles at this time. However, when Jesus gives AUTHORITY to them, Matthew identifies them as DISCIPLES, inviting all disciples (including us) to be challenged by the same call to life as ambassadors of the Kingdom, and the greater mission described in this sermon.
Matthew 10:16-20
16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
There is no course on evangelism or apologetics or missions or missiology that will adequately "prepare" me for how God intends me to respond to every situation as I share my faith in this lifetime.
It's not up to me to get it all figured out before I'm qualified to incarnate the gospel in the world.
It's up to me to be obedient. It's up to me to go. And speak. And bless. And minister healing.
It's up to God to do with me whatever he wants in my obedience.
To give me the words. To manifest blessing. To heal. To set free.
And while on this mission, in every circumstance, whether wealthy or poor, free or in court, God is faithful and will provide whatever I need to accomplish his purpose through me until he takes me home.
The nature of Kingdom Authority – (the authority of Kingdom ambassadors) - Matthew 8:1-13 - The centurion understood, accepted and expected authority to work in a certain way.
v9 - This man understood that Jesus was a man under authority and because He was under authority He had authority. ALSO The centurion honoured those over him and felt responsibility for those he had been given authority over. Therefore, he came to Jesus on behalf of his servant for healing.
Kingdom authority flows from submission to the King (Jesus). King Jesus is submitted to the Father.
Kingdom authority is compassionate and serving, not controlling or oppressive.
Kingdom authority is received, not demanded or forced.
“He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward” (Matthew 10:40-41a)
Jesus commissions us to go with the message of the gospel, but he does not promise the gospel will be received.
When we walk in (submission to) Jesus’ authority, and go out on the mission he has sent us, nothing can hinder us.
3. No Other Authority can Hinder the Mission of a Kingdom Ambassador
Just as Jesus has paved the way for discipleship through any and all obstacles, so also has he given us authority to accomplish his mission on Earth when we are walking in his intended purpose.
Nature – Paul and the Shipwreck - Acts 27
Finances – “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13
Our Emotional State – “In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry” – Ephesians 4:26 (Jesus was sad, and fed 5000 men)
Worldly Pleasures - “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.”
– 1 Corinthians 6:12
Our Imperfection – “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:12-14
The Demonic Realm – Acts 16:16-18
Worldly Authority – Acts 4:16-20 (read); Acts 5:28-33, 38-42
“Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!” – Acts 5:29
v42 – You can’t stop us. We’re on a mission from God.
18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. (also see Luke 21:15)
Acts 4:1-22, 12:1-4, 14:5 – These events were prophesied by Jesus, and ordained as a means of spreading the gospel. A disciple’s goal is to be just like his Rabbi.
vv19-20 – Opposition is guaranteed, but the Holy Spirit will empower disciples to be wise and to endure.
(Jude 8; 2 Peter 2:9-10. This is not a game. Rebellion will not be tolerated.)
Why might disciples be brought before authorities? Because they are breaking the law.
For breaking the law for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven, more Christians have died at the hands of government in the last one hundred years than ever before in the last 2000 years of Christian history.
Jesus said that we are blessed when we are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.
God’s justice is always legal.
God’s authority is always transcendent.
When you act according to the law of God, whatever the consequences, you are acting legally.
This is not rebellion.
Jesus is not a punk. Jesus is not a rebel against authority.
Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords. When the laws of this world are not congruent to the Kingdom of Heaven laws of love, righteousness, peace, grace and justice, it is the authorities of the world that are rebelling against Jesus.
Jesus doesn’t need to be a rebel. It’s the kingdoms of the world that rebel against him.
Obedience to the Kingdom of Heaven is always legal. Jesus didn’t promise that if we obey him we will not face opposition, or imprisonment, or even death from the kingdoms of this world. But what he does promise is that his Kingdom will not be stopped.
The Kingdom of Heaven is coming.
The Kingdom of Heaven is already here.
The only thing that can stand between you and God's intended purposes for you is your disobedience.
(In the case of Jonah, not even that.)
(We can disobey – 9:27-32)
(Jesus can fully restore us when we sin- John 21:15-19 – Peter after his denial)
We have no excuses.
Matthew 10:38-39
Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
Nothing can stop us. We’re on a mission from God.
Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
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Pray with me: Our Father, who art in Heaven. Hallowed be your name. Your Kingdom come. Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation. Deliver us from evil. Yours is the Kingdom. And the Power. And the Glory. Forever and ever. AMEN
Matthew 8-10
Chapter 8
1 When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. 4 Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”
7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”
8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.
14 When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.
16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
“He took up our infirmities
and bore our diseases.”
18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 19 Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
21 Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
22 But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
28 When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 29 “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”
30 Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. 31 The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”
32 He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. 33 Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.
Chapter 9
1 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”
3 At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”
4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” 7 Then the man got up and went home. 8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.
9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
14 Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”
15 Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.
16 “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. 17 Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”
18 While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.
20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”
22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.
23 When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, 24 he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. 25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. 26 News of this spread through all that region.
27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”
28 When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”
“Yes, Lord,” they replied.
29 Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; 30 and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” 31 But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.
32 While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. 33 And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”
34 But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.”
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Chapter 10
1 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
9 “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— 10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. 11 Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!
26 “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.
34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn
“‘a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’
37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
40 “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”
The Gospel of Matthew Movie part 6 - 8:4-9:5
It's been a couple of weeks since I posted a clip from this film. We've really burned ahead in Matthew this week, though, so there's a lot to show.
This film is a word for word adaptation of the NIV translation of the book of Matthew. These clips illustrate the readings from the last week
Matthew 8:4-9:5
This film is a word for word adaptation of the NIV translation of the book of Matthew. These clips illustrate the readings from the last week
Matthew 8:4-9:5
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Preaching the Kingdom - Matthew 10:11-42
(additional reading Mark 6:8-11, 13:11-13, Luke 9:1-11, 10:4-12, 12:2-9, 51-53, 21:12-17)
Matthew 10:11-42 (NIV)
11 Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!
26 “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.
34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn
“‘a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’
37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
40 “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”
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My Notes:
Luke 21:14,15 - But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
Matthew 10:18-20 - On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Matthew 6:31-34 - So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
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There is no course on evangelism or apologetics or missions or missiology that will adequately "prepare" me for how God intends me to respond to every situation I will find myself in as I share my faith in this lifetime.
It's not up to me to get it all figured out before I'm qualified to incarnate the gospel in the world. It's up to me to be obedient. It's up to me to go. And speak. And bless. And minister healing.
It's up to God to do with me whatever he wants in my obedience. To give me the words. To manifest blessing. To heal. To set free.
And in every circumstance I find myself in while on this mission, whether wealthy or poor, free or in court, God is faithful and will provide whatever I need to accomplish his purpose through me until he takes me home.
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Philippians 4:11-13 - I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
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Father,
Please be with Kat today. Please give her your words. Bless those she ministers among through her. Fulfill whatever she needs today.
AMEN
Matthew 10:11-42 (NIV)
11 Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!
26 “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.
34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn
“‘a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’
37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
40 “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”
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My Notes:
Luke 21:14,15 - But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
Matthew 10:18-20 - On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Matthew 6:31-34 - So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
+
There is no course on evangelism or apologetics or missions or missiology that will adequately "prepare" me for how God intends me to respond to every situation I will find myself in as I share my faith in this lifetime.
It's not up to me to get it all figured out before I'm qualified to incarnate the gospel in the world. It's up to me to be obedient. It's up to me to go. And speak. And bless. And minister healing.
It's up to God to do with me whatever he wants in my obedience. To give me the words. To manifest blessing. To heal. To set free.
And in every circumstance I find myself in while on this mission, whether wealthy or poor, free or in court, God is faithful and will provide whatever I need to accomplish his purpose through me until he takes me home.
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Philippians 4:11-13 - I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
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Father,
Please be with Kat today. Please give her your words. Bless those she ministers among through her. Fulfill whatever she needs today.
AMEN
Friday, March 25, 2011
The Authority of the Kingdom - Matthew 9:35-10:10
(additional reading Mark 3:16-19, Luke 6:14-16, Acts 1:13)
Matthew 9:35-10:10 (NIV)
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Matthew 10
1 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,[a] drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
9 “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— 10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep.
++
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My Notes:
This section of scripture (chapters 8-10) is really coming alive to me.
There is such an urgency in this passage. There is more to do than even Jesus will do alone. He's multiplied himself, and he's sending those disciples out to minister immediately.
Don't pack your bags. Don't bring tools or money. Just go. Now.
He defines the boundaries of their mission, describes the plan, gives a vision, gives a command, and off they go.
Matthew 9:35-10:10 (NIV)
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Matthew 10
1 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,[a] drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
9 “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— 10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep.
++
++
++
My Notes:
This section of scripture (chapters 8-10) is really coming alive to me.
There is such an urgency in this passage. There is more to do than even Jesus will do alone. He's multiplied himself, and he's sending those disciples out to minister immediately.
Don't pack your bags. Don't bring tools or money. Just go. Now.
He defines the boundaries of their mission, describes the plan, gives a vision, gives a command, and off they go.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Faith in Jesus' Authority - Matthew 9:14-34
(additional reading Mark 2:18-22, 5:22-43, Luke 5:33-39, 8:41-56)
Matthew 9:14-34 (NIV)
14 Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”
15 Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.
16 “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. 17 Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”
18 While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.
20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”
22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.
23 When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, 24 he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. 25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. 26 News of this spread through all that region.
27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”
28 When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”
“Yes, Lord,” they replied.
29 Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; 30 and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” 31 But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.
32 While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. 33 And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”
34 But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.”
++
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My Notes:
Jesus touches Jairus' daughter, and she is healed.
The woman touches Jesus, and she is healed.
The people laugh at Jesus.
The crowds are amazed.
The Pharisees accuse him of using the authority of demons.
Nobody suggests that the miracles didn't occur.
Though they question its' source, nobody questions that Jesus has authority.
+
Just like the leprous man, or entering the Gentile's home in chapter 8, it would be forbidden for a righteous Jewish man to touch a dead girl. But when Jesus touches her, she isn't dead anymore. He doesn't become unclean at her touch, she becomes alive at his.
Matthew 9:14-34 (NIV)
14 Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”
15 Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.
16 “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. 17 Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”
18 While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.
20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”
22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.
23 When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, 24 he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. 25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. 26 News of this spread through all that region.
27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”
28 When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”
“Yes, Lord,” they replied.
29 Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; 30 and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” 31 But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.
32 While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. 33 And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”
34 But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.”
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My Notes:
Jesus touches Jairus' daughter, and she is healed.
The woman touches Jesus, and she is healed.
The people laugh at Jesus.
The crowds are amazed.
The Pharisees accuse him of using the authority of demons.
Nobody suggests that the miracles didn't occur.
Though they question its' source, nobody questions that Jesus has authority.
+
Just like the leprous man, or entering the Gentile's home in chapter 8, it would be forbidden for a righteous Jewish man to touch a dead girl. But when Jesus touches her, she isn't dead anymore. He doesn't become unclean at her touch, she becomes alive at his.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Jesus' Authority to Forgive Sin and Love Sinners - Matthew 9:1-13
(additional reading Mark 2:3-17, Luke 5:18-32)
(See also Jesus calls the first disciples)
Matthew 9:1-13 (NIV)
1 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”
3 At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”
4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” 7 Then the man got up and went home. 8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.
9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
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My Notes:
Father make me a man of mercy. Let me see people as you see them before I see them with judgment.
Forgive me for making requirements of people that you have not made.
Remind me today that you called me, even though I am a sinner, so that I will extend the same grace.
(See also Jesus calls the first disciples)
Matthew 9:1-13 (NIV)
1 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”
3 At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”
4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” 7 Then the man got up and went home. 8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.
9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
++
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My Notes:
Father make me a man of mercy. Let me see people as you see them before I see them with judgment.
Forgive me for making requirements of people that you have not made.
Remind me today that you called me, even though I am a sinner, so that I will extend the same grace.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Jesus' Authority Natural and Supernatural - Matthew 8:14-34
(additional reading Mark 4:36-5:17, Luke 8:22-37, 9:57-62)
Matthew 8:14-34 (NIV)
14 When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.
16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
“He took up our infirmities
and bore our diseases.”
18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 19 Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
21 Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
22 But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
28 When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 29 “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”
30 Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. 31 The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”
32 He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. 33 Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.
++
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My Notes:
Father,
I want a house built on the rock, not on sand.
You said, "Let their be light"
and it was so.
You said, "Let their be a firmament"
and it was so.
You said, "Let the earth bring forth seed bearing plants"
and it was so.
You said, "Let us make man in our image"
and you did so.
You told man, "Don't eat from the tree"
and man said no.
May I not be so arrogant. I want to live in the light of the one who commands sickness to leave and the wind and waves to cease.
Make my calling sure, Father.
AMEN
Matthew 8:14-34 (NIV)
14 When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.
16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
“He took up our infirmities
and bore our diseases.”
18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 19 Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
21 Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
22 But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
28 When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 29 “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”
30 Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. 31 The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”
32 He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. 33 Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.
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My Notes:
Father,
I want a house built on the rock, not on sand.
You said, "Let their be light"
and it was so.
You said, "Let their be a firmament"
and it was so.
You said, "Let the earth bring forth seed bearing plants"
and it was so.
You said, "Let us make man in our image"
and you did so.
You told man, "Don't eat from the tree"
and man said no.
May I not be so arrogant. I want to live in the light of the one who commands sickness to leave and the wind and waves to cease.
Make my calling sure, Father.
AMEN
Monday, March 21, 2011
Jesus' Authority over Sickness - Matthew 8:1-17
(additional reading Mark 1:29-34, Luke 4:38-41, 5:12-14, 7:1-10)
Matthew 8:1-17 (NIV)
1 When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. 4 Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”
7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”
8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.
14 When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.
16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
“He took up our infirmities
and bore our diseases.”
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My Notes:
Authority. The word of God.
Jesus words contain a command to be obeyed, but also the enabling power by God's Spirit to carry out that command.
He is willing.
He touched a man with leprosy. This is forbidden in the law of Moses, because according to the law, to touch an unclean man would make Jesus unclean. But it this case, it is the cleanness of Jesus that makes the leprous man clean.
He is willing to go to the Gentile Roman Centurion's house to heal his servant. He is not so offended by the occupation of the Roman empire that he cannot help this man. For him to enter the home of a Gentile is also forbidden in the law of Moses. If this is the same as the leprous man, the righteousness in Jesus would cleanse this home of uncleanness (as the law would describe it).
Jesus does not become unclean by touching the unclean or the dead. The unclean becomes clean at his touch; the dead, alive.
This is no ordinary centurion. He knows that he is unworthy to have Jesus come to his home. He respects the law of Moses, and believes that Jesus is the Messiah. This is even more clear in the more detailed parallel passages in Luke 7:1-10. He has faith.
Like light displaces and dispels darkness, and is never overcome by it, with a word, all circumstances contrary to the will of God for his people are subject to change, and without resistance.
His kingdom come.
His will be done.
Matthew 8:1-17 (NIV)
1 When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. 4 Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”
7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”
8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.
14 When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.
16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
“He took up our infirmities
and bore our diseases.”
++
++
++
My Notes:
Authority. The word of God.
Jesus words contain a command to be obeyed, but also the enabling power by God's Spirit to carry out that command.
He is willing.
He touched a man with leprosy. This is forbidden in the law of Moses, because according to the law, to touch an unclean man would make Jesus unclean. But it this case, it is the cleanness of Jesus that makes the leprous man clean.
He is willing to go to the Gentile Roman Centurion's house to heal his servant. He is not so offended by the occupation of the Roman empire that he cannot help this man. For him to enter the home of a Gentile is also forbidden in the law of Moses. If this is the same as the leprous man, the righteousness in Jesus would cleanse this home of uncleanness (as the law would describe it).
Jesus does not become unclean by touching the unclean or the dead. The unclean becomes clean at his touch; the dead, alive.
This is no ordinary centurion. He knows that he is unworthy to have Jesus come to his home. He respects the law of Moses, and believes that Jesus is the Messiah. This is even more clear in the more detailed parallel passages in Luke 7:1-10. He has faith.
Like light displaces and dispels darkness, and is never overcome by it, with a word, all circumstances contrary to the will of God for his people are subject to change, and without resistance.
His kingdom come.
His will be done.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
We Missed Kat on Sunday, Matthew 7 Sermon, The Sermon on the Mount
Kat lives far away in Mae Sot, Thailand. She has a blog. We love Kat. We want her to feel connected to our community. Here's what she missed on Sunday. Maybe if you weren't here, this will help you catch up, too.
The first is a letter from Alysha, the one who made the video for Kat for us a couple of weeks ago. I decided a couple of weeks ago that I don't need to always write these, because it's all of us that miss Kat, not just me.
But I do miss her, too. After Alysha's letter is a much shorter one from me. And then it's my sermon notes.
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Hey Kat, this is Alysha, Shawn asked me to update you on what you missed at church this week, so here goes. I got here late, but when I came in Katie had just finished reading a letter from Jay and Sergio, they’re just about to embark on a super intense part of the Life Teams program so we prayed for them. It’s cool that this community is spread all over the world and that we can continue to uphold each other in prayer even though we might not even know one another. It’s a sweet picture of the body of Christ.
So, after a delicious brunch of giant vegan pancakes we shared anonymously about our homework this past week…to give away five things that 1) exist only to please people at the expense of God, 2) are hoarded rather than used or 3) are being used as an insurance policy instead of trusting God. It was sweet to hear what people gave away and how people were coming into greater freedom by letting go of things that aren’t needed or aren’t life giving. Brandon led us in communion and Ben led worship. Shawn’s message today was the last of his series on the Sermon on the Mount and was definitely super challenging. We were challenged to ask ourselves, who are we in this message? Are we the disciples who are being instructed in the ways of God’s beautiful kingdom, the crowds who are receiving an invitation to participate in God’s kingdom or are we the Pharisees who are receiving a word of correction? I kind of felt like all three. I also really liked how Shawn talked about the very familiar passage of building our house on the Rock of Jesus. We can’t build our lives on the shifting sand of our outer righteousness, rather, the only firm foundation is that deep place of our inner relationship with God by which we are transformed more and more into His image.
Also, the babies were super extra cute and fun today, so that was cool. We ended by reading your letter which we all were really challenged and encouraged by. So thanks for keeping us in the loop, we’re excited to Skype with you next week. Bless you tons! You’re in our prayers.
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Dear Kat,
We missed you at church this weekend. We haven't heard from you for a while. We're still thinking of you and praying for you, and hope to hear from you again soon.
Yes, we want to Skype next week.
Love,
Shawn and the Monk Punks and the LTTX crew
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Here's the conclusion to the Sermon on the Mount series
Mar 20, 2011 – Shawn Birss – LTTX
Matthew part 6 (ch7) – Sermon on the Mount part 3
Citizens Wise and Rare of a Kingdom Living and True
REVIEW/INTRO
The Sermon on the Mount (ch 5-7)- Describing how YOU as an individual will change as who you are becoming looks more like who you belong to.
The Sermon on the Mount reveals results of participating in Kingdom life, not the means of attaining it.
WHAT WE DO does not determine WHO WE ARE.
WHOSE WE ARE (our own or Christ's) determines WHO WE BECOME.
Because we identify with Christ, his life becomes evident through us.
Who is present? (Ask yourself during this message, are you a . . .)
Disciples – An instructional sermon.
Crowds – An invitational sermon.
Pharisees – A correctional sermon.
Chapter 5 – Extraordinary Citizens of an Extraordinary Kingdom
Chapter 6 – Hidden Citizens of a Hidden Kingdom
Chapter 7 – Citizens Wise and Rare of a Kingdom Living and True
Chapter 5 – Extraordinary citizens. Extraordinary Kingdom. Jesus describes a people that are fit only for heaven, but then says that it is for the earth that they are salt.
After his disciples have renounced all earthly power, earthly wealth, and earthly recognition, they are now sent to earth.
These meek disciples will inherit this earth they’ve been sent to.
God intends for our lives to be changed lives that change lives.
We are not just passing through.
This world is our home.
We are light, and the property of our life is to shine. We cannot be hidden. We are a city on a hill. We look like Jesus. Our lives of service to Jesus will bring us to the most unlikely and obscure and dark places on earth, and yet we will shine. We cannot be hidden.
The cross was the darkest and most obscure place and time that ever has or will exist, and yet it has been displayed for all the world to see. We are on a lampstand as well.
On the cross, Jesus took on himself all evil, and the punishment for it. On the cross he became the poor, the grieving, the meek, the hungry, the thirsty, the righteous, the merciful, the pure, the peacemaker, and the persecuted. From the cross, he gave every piece of clothing, took every second beating, and walked every second mile when he took the greatest violence ever committed into himself and called out for his Father to forgive. Through faith in him, we can now become the comforted, the filled, be shown mercy, inherit the earth, become citizens the kingdom, see God, and be called his children.
Through faith in him we live as disciples, walking in the image of that same radically forgiving love.
We are ALWAYS on mission. We are ALWAYS sent. We are ALWAYS salt and light. The kingdom is now. We live as citizens of it now.
WE ARE THE TEASER TRAILER OF THE KINGDOM TO COME
We are the extraordinary, and we will be seen. And God will be glorified.
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Chapter 6 – Hidden Citizens. Hidden Kingdom. Jesus makes clear that the extraordinary, bright, and world changing life of the disciple will be found in the most ordinary, common, and even hidden of lives.
To our spontaneous joy in seeing the exciting life of the extraordinary disciple, Jesus responds by asking us to be humbly considerate and reflective of every action we take. The visible life of the believer is not visible for visibility’s sake, but for the glory of God alone. It is not us that is seen, but our good works, so that God is glorified (5:16).
Of a disciple’s publicly demonstrated faith (vv1-18), Jesus challenges us to act rightly to glorify God alone, and not ourselves. In prayer, in fasting, and in generosity our lives are given as a sacrifice to God daily, but completely unconscious of the approval of others, or even ourselves (v3). Jesus condemns anything else as hypocrisy. He makes it perfectly clear that God is not impressed by our good works.
vv2, 5, 18 –Hypocrite literally means “two-faced”, and refers to an actor in a mask. Hypocrites played several roles, and wore a different mask for each. We can mask our depravity even from ourselves (23:25-26).
Our good works are fruits of righteousness, displayed as naturally a result of a disciple’s life as a beating heart which continues its’ essential work quite separately from our conscious thought.
We do not seek the approval of people. We only seek the approval of our Heavenly Father.
Concerning the private life of the disciple (vv19-34) Jesus continues to lay two paths before us.
Will we serve God, or earthly treasure? Will we serve God, or worry?
Our heart follows our treasure. Here is the point. Jesus is concerned first of all with where our heart is when it comes to our acts of righteousness. Anything at all which becomes a barrier between us and obedience to Jesus is earthly treasure, it is idolatry, and it is forbidden.
v24 - No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
- Jesus is talking about slavery here. We’re either owned by God, or owned by money. Both demand exclusive service.
Deliver us Father from any of our stuff that would replace you.
If God is my sole master, at the expense of wealth and earthly treasure, I must also trust that he will also be my sole provider. - vv25-34
If earthly treasure is my master, I will be a slave to worry. If God is my master and provider, I will have nothing to worry about. God gave us life. He gave us a body. Of course he can sustain it. Clothes and food are nothing compared to lungs and breath. Both come from God. Do not worry.
Anxiety always exists in tomorrow, while our things are only to be used for today (daily bread). There is no insurance in our things.
v33 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Jesus expects an extraordinary life from his disciples, not a common one. He is our example and standard. If we believe this, we will not need to seek approval from people (vv1,5). God is our total satisfaction. We are simply obedient. God is our provider.
Thankyou Father for providing for me today. Help me to see the provision that you’ve already given.
The extraordinary and hidden life of a disciple is…
Honest. Disciplined. Daily.
Free of Hoarded Wealth and Lived for the Treasure of Heaven
Free of Anxiety about Tomorrow and Trusting in God Today
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Matthew 7:13-27 (NIV)
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
In chapter six, Jesus asked us to consider who our master is. Who do we live our life for?
God or People?
God or Stuff?
God or Worry?
In no uncertain terms he gives us no options but two in each case, and in each case the choices are mutually exclusive.
Here Jesus gives us two choices again. Two gates. Two foundations.
He makes it clear that he is the final judge, and the highest authority (vv23,26).
vv24-27 tells us that our lives must be lived in demonstrative obedience to the commands of Jesus. Anything else is less than discipleship, less than faith, and doomed to destruction. Jesus does not intend for his teachings to be studied and understood, but believed and obeyed. He intends for us to get on with it. This is the error of the crowds.
In the verses before it, he describes the even more insidious error of those living a life that appears obedient, but is not truly submitted in faith to the life and work of Jesus Christ, the King. If we look to ourself and our own works instead of to the cross and resurrection, those works are worthless. Even the most righteous pharisee has nothing to offer Jesus. This is their error.
From the attractive beginning of chapter five to the challenges of chapter six, Jesus now brings his sermon to a screaming conclusion with this confrontation in chapter seven. Will you believe, submit, and follow, or will you disbelieve, rebel, and disobey?
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(vv1-6) (see vv15-20 for an example of good judgment)
The beginning of chapter seven shows us more of this dichotomy.
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” (v1)
The first five verses is more often the error of the Pharisees. Judgmentalism makes us blind.
When we humbly see ourselves as God does, allowing him to judge us and receiving his grace, we will be gracious to others. Since our extraordinary life (chapter 5) is hidden even from ourselves (chapter 6, especially v3), we cannot use it as a standard of judgment. Those we would judge are judged by the same standard by which we fall short. Our legal righteousness does not give us the authority to judge someone as unrighteous.
If we judge, we cannot be living the extraordinary life of unconditional love described in chapter five. We commit to bring every relationship to God’s intended purpose - reconciliation and forgiveness.
We do not need to condemn sin in others. Jesus’ love for sinners on the cross was in itself a condemnation of their sin, and he took that condemnation upon himself. This is the jujitsu of love in Matthew 5:38-48, and is the opposite of judgmentalism.
It is not for us to set standards of good and evil. Jesus is the only judge, and the highest authority (vv23, 26). To condemn someone’s evil actions is also to imply a standard of goodness to their good works.
Neither our good or evil works reach God’s standard of holiness, so we must not discriminate according to earthly standards. All of our former righteousness is rubbish. The judgment of Jesus is total.
Judgmentalism makes us blind to our own sin, and blind to the grace offered to others. Love illuminates.
If we’re on the lookout for evil, we should only look where we know it can be found, which is in our own hearts. If we’re looking for it in others, it can only be because we are trying to justify ourselves, ignoring the sin that dwells in us. Jesus is the judge, not us.
The only occasion by which I should judge someone’s actions as evil, is so that I may forgive them, as I have been forgiven for my sin by Jesus, the only one with the authority to do so.
This is true discipleship.
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“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” (v6)
Verse six is more often the error of the crowds.
Just as we are forbidden to judge others, we are also forbidden to be hucksters of cheap grace, trying to force upon the world a gospel that it does not want. If we cheapen or water down the gospel to something we believe is sure to be acceptable to the world, it will bore the world to disgust.
The world that has rejected the gospel is even more likely to see through the cheap copy we try to offer them instead. If the offer to join the family of God has been rejected, any attempt to hook or bait past that point will be even more offensive still.
The gospel is not a mere idea to be accepted or rejected, and to try to reason or force or cajole the world into believing it reduces it to just that, and the world would be perfectly justified in trampling it.
(Dogs and pigs both referred to unbelieving gentiles (15:26). Pearls can represent the kingdom of heaven – see 13:46. It would be appropriate to interpret this as meaning we should not share the holy and faith-necessary parts of our lives with those who do not believe. ie. Praying with someone who does not pray as though they do, or sharing communion with someone who does not believe in Jesus sacrifice and atonement.)
If we are tempted to water down the hard truths of the gospel, we should judge carefully whether it is for the benefit of others that we do so, or for ourselves. To chase people down with Jesus is neither gracious or kind. But if we have seen our own lives as insufficient in the light of the gospel, it is not the gospel which must change. The correct response to this conviction is to repent and change our own lives to become congruent with God’s word.
This is true discipleship.
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Before giving his invitation, Jesus ends his sermon by sharing with us the only power by which we can accomplish it – by faith in his resurrection life living in us through the Holy Spirit.
Jesus has fulfilled the law. He sums up the law for us in verse 12 – do to others what you would have them do to you. His sermon describes what he means by this, and gives us no opportunity to rest easy in its’ demands, as though it is simply a pithy saying to be placed on a plaque or pen or Hallmark card. On the contrary, the disciple who will accomplish this is carved out of wood, dead to the world, and wholly and desperately committed to Jesus.
How do we fulfill these commands? By the gifts of the indwelling Holy Spirit. When we receive Jesus, the life of his resurrection fills us and we can walk in the righteousness he has commanded. Jesus says here and in Luke 11:13 that the Father is pleased to empower us to accomplish everything he called us to do.
ASK – Have the humility to realize you need him.
SEEK – Act in faith according to the gifts he has given you.
KNOCK – Persevere in faith, with a single eye toward the goal for which Jesus called you.
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Conclusion
Jesus is King of the Kingdom of Heaven
Disciples of Jesus are the Citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven
The Disciples are extraordinary, hidden, wise and rare
The Kingdom of Heaven is extraordinary, hidden, living, and true.
Jesus the King is the only example of a perfect extraordinary disciple, the only gate by which the Kingdom may be entered, the only authority by which the citizens may build their life, and the highest authority of all in Heaven and earth.
(Philippians 2:3-11)
vv24-27 – The Wise and Foolish Builders on the Sand and the Rock
In Galilee, you had to dig past the surface of the ground to get to solid rock (basalt stone) that was about ten feet below it. For half the year, during the dry season, the sand appeared hard. In the rainy season, the Jordan river would shift the sand on the surface and any houses on it. Skipping the process of digging would be easier, but if you didn’t dig past the surface to build your house, you were a fool.
We build our lives on what Jesus is doing underneath, not on what we appear to be doing on the surface. Our surface righteousness is no sure foundation. Only Jesus can change our hearts.
The gate to discipleship is as narrow as Jesus. This gate comes first, before the road of discipleship. He is the beginning of the path, and there is no hard path to reach him. It starts with Jesus, and it ends with life. Be encouraged. The gate is the king, the difficulty is temporary, and the benefits are eternal.
(Ask yourself) Are you a . . .
Pharisee (to be corrected)?
Self-Righteous. You will try to understand and disseminate the sermon, adding it to your toolbelt of good philosophical advice. You feel good about your performance in it, especially when compared to others, who aren’t as good at it as you. You judge and condemn those around you by your own standard of righteousness.
Repent, you hypocrite. Get the log out of your eye so that you can see that you have no authority in yourself to use these teachings as building material in your own kingdom. Your house is going to fall.
Only by humble faith in the person Jesus and his righteousness can you enter the Kingdom.
Crowdmember (to be invited)?
Curious. You think Jesus and his description of the Kingdom and the citizens within it are beautiful. You are even “amazed” at Jesus’ teaching. You’d like to experience the benefits of this kingdom. You are willing to hang around the citizens who have paid the price, but you recognize the cost of discipleship as high, and are not sure you’re ready to pay. You prefer a gospel of cheap grace, and would even impose your gospel on those who have rejected it in order to lower the price to what you are willing to pay.
Give up and commit. It’s time to realize that what you’re holding in your hand is nothing, and what you’re being offered is everything. Time to trade your handful of sand for the Rock of Jesus.
Only by faith filled obedience to the King can you enter the Kingdom.
Disciple (to be instructed)?
Dead to the world, and born again to the Kingdom. You hear the words of Jesus, and they read you. You’ve recognized the, beauty and the cost of this Kingdom, and the beautiful King that paid for it in your place. You’ve seen that any life but this one is no life at all, and that the only life that’s lived it is Christ.
You’ve gladly forsaken all for the cross and the resurrection, throwing your weak and broken self on the rock of the King. In him you live and move and have your being. You humbly follow daily as you allow his life to become evident through yours.
You are fully sustained by and satisfied in your King daily, and daily you give your time, your energy, and your resources for a Kingdom to come.
You’re not your own. You’re bought with a price. You are a slave to nothing but love, and love has set you free.
Be encouraged. Yours is the Kingdom of Heaven.
You are the salt of the earth. You are essential l to God’s mission on earth. Your changed life will change lives. You are light and will shine. God is glorified through you. The Holy Spirit empowers you to follow.
Press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of you. Do not consider yourself yet to have taken hold of it, brothers and sisters. But still do this one thing:
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called you heavenward in Christ Jesus. (from Phil 3:12-14)
Matthew 7 (NIV)
1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
The first is a letter from Alysha, the one who made the video for Kat for us a couple of weeks ago. I decided a couple of weeks ago that I don't need to always write these, because it's all of us that miss Kat, not just me.
But I do miss her, too. After Alysha's letter is a much shorter one from me. And then it's my sermon notes.
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Hey Kat, this is Alysha, Shawn asked me to update you on what you missed at church this week, so here goes. I got here late, but when I came in Katie had just finished reading a letter from Jay and Sergio, they’re just about to embark on a super intense part of the Life Teams program so we prayed for them. It’s cool that this community is spread all over the world and that we can continue to uphold each other in prayer even though we might not even know one another. It’s a sweet picture of the body of Christ.
So, after a delicious brunch of giant vegan pancakes we shared anonymously about our homework this past week…to give away five things that 1) exist only to please people at the expense of God, 2) are hoarded rather than used or 3) are being used as an insurance policy instead of trusting God. It was sweet to hear what people gave away and how people were coming into greater freedom by letting go of things that aren’t needed or aren’t life giving. Brandon led us in communion and Ben led worship. Shawn’s message today was the last of his series on the Sermon on the Mount and was definitely super challenging. We were challenged to ask ourselves, who are we in this message? Are we the disciples who are being instructed in the ways of God’s beautiful kingdom, the crowds who are receiving an invitation to participate in God’s kingdom or are we the Pharisees who are receiving a word of correction? I kind of felt like all three. I also really liked how Shawn talked about the very familiar passage of building our house on the Rock of Jesus. We can’t build our lives on the shifting sand of our outer righteousness, rather, the only firm foundation is that deep place of our inner relationship with God by which we are transformed more and more into His image.
Also, the babies were super extra cute and fun today, so that was cool. We ended by reading your letter which we all were really challenged and encouraged by. So thanks for keeping us in the loop, we’re excited to Skype with you next week. Bless you tons! You’re in our prayers.
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Dear Kat,
We missed you at church this weekend. We haven't heard from you for a while. We're still thinking of you and praying for you, and hope to hear from you again soon.
Yes, we want to Skype next week.
Love,
Shawn and the Monk Punks and the LTTX crew
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Here's the conclusion to the Sermon on the Mount series
Mar 20, 2011 – Shawn Birss – LTTX
Matthew part 6 (ch7) – Sermon on the Mount part 3
Citizens Wise and Rare of a Kingdom Living and True
REVIEW/INTRO
The Sermon on the Mount (ch 5-7)- Describing how YOU as an individual will change as who you are becoming looks more like who you belong to.
The Sermon on the Mount reveals results of participating in Kingdom life, not the means of attaining it.
WHAT WE DO does not determine WHO WE ARE.
WHOSE WE ARE (our own or Christ's) determines WHO WE BECOME.
Because we identify with Christ, his life becomes evident through us.
Who is present? (Ask yourself during this message, are you a . . .)
Disciples – An instructional sermon.
Crowds – An invitational sermon.
Pharisees – A correctional sermon.
Chapter 5 – Extraordinary Citizens of an Extraordinary Kingdom
Chapter 6 – Hidden Citizens of a Hidden Kingdom
Chapter 7 – Citizens Wise and Rare of a Kingdom Living and True
Chapter 5 – Extraordinary citizens. Extraordinary Kingdom. Jesus describes a people that are fit only for heaven, but then says that it is for the earth that they are salt.
After his disciples have renounced all earthly power, earthly wealth, and earthly recognition, they are now sent to earth.
These meek disciples will inherit this earth they’ve been sent to.
God intends for our lives to be changed lives that change lives.
We are not just passing through.
This world is our home.
We are light, and the property of our life is to shine. We cannot be hidden. We are a city on a hill. We look like Jesus. Our lives of service to Jesus will bring us to the most unlikely and obscure and dark places on earth, and yet we will shine. We cannot be hidden.
The cross was the darkest and most obscure place and time that ever has or will exist, and yet it has been displayed for all the world to see. We are on a lampstand as well.
On the cross, Jesus took on himself all evil, and the punishment for it. On the cross he became the poor, the grieving, the meek, the hungry, the thirsty, the righteous, the merciful, the pure, the peacemaker, and the persecuted. From the cross, he gave every piece of clothing, took every second beating, and walked every second mile when he took the greatest violence ever committed into himself and called out for his Father to forgive. Through faith in him, we can now become the comforted, the filled, be shown mercy, inherit the earth, become citizens the kingdom, see God, and be called his children.
Through faith in him we live as disciples, walking in the image of that same radically forgiving love.
We are ALWAYS on mission. We are ALWAYS sent. We are ALWAYS salt and light. The kingdom is now. We live as citizens of it now.
WE ARE THE TEASER TRAILER OF THE KINGDOM TO COME
We are the extraordinary, and we will be seen. And God will be glorified.
+
Chapter 6 – Hidden Citizens. Hidden Kingdom. Jesus makes clear that the extraordinary, bright, and world changing life of the disciple will be found in the most ordinary, common, and even hidden of lives.
To our spontaneous joy in seeing the exciting life of the extraordinary disciple, Jesus responds by asking us to be humbly considerate and reflective of every action we take. The visible life of the believer is not visible for visibility’s sake, but for the glory of God alone. It is not us that is seen, but our good works, so that God is glorified (5:16).
Of a disciple’s publicly demonstrated faith (vv1-18), Jesus challenges us to act rightly to glorify God alone, and not ourselves. In prayer, in fasting, and in generosity our lives are given as a sacrifice to God daily, but completely unconscious of the approval of others, or even ourselves (v3). Jesus condemns anything else as hypocrisy. He makes it perfectly clear that God is not impressed by our good works.
vv2, 5, 18 –Hypocrite literally means “two-faced”, and refers to an actor in a mask. Hypocrites played several roles, and wore a different mask for each. We can mask our depravity even from ourselves (23:25-26).
Our good works are fruits of righteousness, displayed as naturally a result of a disciple’s life as a beating heart which continues its’ essential work quite separately from our conscious thought.
We do not seek the approval of people. We only seek the approval of our Heavenly Father.
Concerning the private life of the disciple (vv19-34) Jesus continues to lay two paths before us.
Will we serve God, or earthly treasure? Will we serve God, or worry?
Our heart follows our treasure. Here is the point. Jesus is concerned first of all with where our heart is when it comes to our acts of righteousness. Anything at all which becomes a barrier between us and obedience to Jesus is earthly treasure, it is idolatry, and it is forbidden.
v24 - No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
- Jesus is talking about slavery here. We’re either owned by God, or owned by money. Both demand exclusive service.
Deliver us Father from any of our stuff that would replace you.
If God is my sole master, at the expense of wealth and earthly treasure, I must also trust that he will also be my sole provider. - vv25-34
If earthly treasure is my master, I will be a slave to worry. If God is my master and provider, I will have nothing to worry about. God gave us life. He gave us a body. Of course he can sustain it. Clothes and food are nothing compared to lungs and breath. Both come from God. Do not worry.
Anxiety always exists in tomorrow, while our things are only to be used for today (daily bread). There is no insurance in our things.
v33 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Jesus expects an extraordinary life from his disciples, not a common one. He is our example and standard. If we believe this, we will not need to seek approval from people (vv1,5). God is our total satisfaction. We are simply obedient. God is our provider.
Thankyou Father for providing for me today. Help me to see the provision that you’ve already given.
The extraordinary and hidden life of a disciple is…
Honest. Disciplined. Daily.
Free of Hoarded Wealth and Lived for the Treasure of Heaven
Free of Anxiety about Tomorrow and Trusting in God Today
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Matthew 7:13-27 (NIV)
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
In chapter six, Jesus asked us to consider who our master is. Who do we live our life for?
God or People?
God or Stuff?
God or Worry?
In no uncertain terms he gives us no options but two in each case, and in each case the choices are mutually exclusive.
Here Jesus gives us two choices again. Two gates. Two foundations.
He makes it clear that he is the final judge, and the highest authority (vv23,26).
vv24-27 tells us that our lives must be lived in demonstrative obedience to the commands of Jesus. Anything else is less than discipleship, less than faith, and doomed to destruction. Jesus does not intend for his teachings to be studied and understood, but believed and obeyed. He intends for us to get on with it. This is the error of the crowds.
In the verses before it, he describes the even more insidious error of those living a life that appears obedient, but is not truly submitted in faith to the life and work of Jesus Christ, the King. If we look to ourself and our own works instead of to the cross and resurrection, those works are worthless. Even the most righteous pharisee has nothing to offer Jesus. This is their error.
From the attractive beginning of chapter five to the challenges of chapter six, Jesus now brings his sermon to a screaming conclusion with this confrontation in chapter seven. Will you believe, submit, and follow, or will you disbelieve, rebel, and disobey?
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(vv1-6) (see vv15-20 for an example of good judgment)
The beginning of chapter seven shows us more of this dichotomy.
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” (v1)
The first five verses is more often the error of the Pharisees. Judgmentalism makes us blind.
When we humbly see ourselves as God does, allowing him to judge us and receiving his grace, we will be gracious to others. Since our extraordinary life (chapter 5) is hidden even from ourselves (chapter 6, especially v3), we cannot use it as a standard of judgment. Those we would judge are judged by the same standard by which we fall short. Our legal righteousness does not give us the authority to judge someone as unrighteous.
If we judge, we cannot be living the extraordinary life of unconditional love described in chapter five. We commit to bring every relationship to God’s intended purpose - reconciliation and forgiveness.
We do not need to condemn sin in others. Jesus’ love for sinners on the cross was in itself a condemnation of their sin, and he took that condemnation upon himself. This is the jujitsu of love in Matthew 5:38-48, and is the opposite of judgmentalism.
It is not for us to set standards of good and evil. Jesus is the only judge, and the highest authority (vv23, 26). To condemn someone’s evil actions is also to imply a standard of goodness to their good works.
Neither our good or evil works reach God’s standard of holiness, so we must not discriminate according to earthly standards. All of our former righteousness is rubbish. The judgment of Jesus is total.
Judgmentalism makes us blind to our own sin, and blind to the grace offered to others. Love illuminates.
If we’re on the lookout for evil, we should only look where we know it can be found, which is in our own hearts. If we’re looking for it in others, it can only be because we are trying to justify ourselves, ignoring the sin that dwells in us. Jesus is the judge, not us.
The only occasion by which I should judge someone’s actions as evil, is so that I may forgive them, as I have been forgiven for my sin by Jesus, the only one with the authority to do so.
This is true discipleship.
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“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” (v6)
Verse six is more often the error of the crowds.
Just as we are forbidden to judge others, we are also forbidden to be hucksters of cheap grace, trying to force upon the world a gospel that it does not want. If we cheapen or water down the gospel to something we believe is sure to be acceptable to the world, it will bore the world to disgust.
The world that has rejected the gospel is even more likely to see through the cheap copy we try to offer them instead. If the offer to join the family of God has been rejected, any attempt to hook or bait past that point will be even more offensive still.
The gospel is not a mere idea to be accepted or rejected, and to try to reason or force or cajole the world into believing it reduces it to just that, and the world would be perfectly justified in trampling it.
(Dogs and pigs both referred to unbelieving gentiles (15:26). Pearls can represent the kingdom of heaven – see 13:46. It would be appropriate to interpret this as meaning we should not share the holy and faith-necessary parts of our lives with those who do not believe. ie. Praying with someone who does not pray as though they do, or sharing communion with someone who does not believe in Jesus sacrifice and atonement.)
If we are tempted to water down the hard truths of the gospel, we should judge carefully whether it is for the benefit of others that we do so, or for ourselves. To chase people down with Jesus is neither gracious or kind. But if we have seen our own lives as insufficient in the light of the gospel, it is not the gospel which must change. The correct response to this conviction is to repent and change our own lives to become congruent with God’s word.
This is true discipleship.
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Before giving his invitation, Jesus ends his sermon by sharing with us the only power by which we can accomplish it – by faith in his resurrection life living in us through the Holy Spirit.
Jesus has fulfilled the law. He sums up the law for us in verse 12 – do to others what you would have them do to you. His sermon describes what he means by this, and gives us no opportunity to rest easy in its’ demands, as though it is simply a pithy saying to be placed on a plaque or pen or Hallmark card. On the contrary, the disciple who will accomplish this is carved out of wood, dead to the world, and wholly and desperately committed to Jesus.
How do we fulfill these commands? By the gifts of the indwelling Holy Spirit. When we receive Jesus, the life of his resurrection fills us and we can walk in the righteousness he has commanded. Jesus says here and in Luke 11:13 that the Father is pleased to empower us to accomplish everything he called us to do.
ASK – Have the humility to realize you need him.
SEEK – Act in faith according to the gifts he has given you.
KNOCK – Persevere in faith, with a single eye toward the goal for which Jesus called you.
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Conclusion
Jesus is King of the Kingdom of Heaven
Disciples of Jesus are the Citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven
The Disciples are extraordinary, hidden, wise and rare
The Kingdom of Heaven is extraordinary, hidden, living, and true.
Jesus the King is the only example of a perfect extraordinary disciple, the only gate by which the Kingdom may be entered, the only authority by which the citizens may build their life, and the highest authority of all in Heaven and earth.
(Philippians 2:3-11)
vv24-27 – The Wise and Foolish Builders on the Sand and the Rock
In Galilee, you had to dig past the surface of the ground to get to solid rock (basalt stone) that was about ten feet below it. For half the year, during the dry season, the sand appeared hard. In the rainy season, the Jordan river would shift the sand on the surface and any houses on it. Skipping the process of digging would be easier, but if you didn’t dig past the surface to build your house, you were a fool.
We build our lives on what Jesus is doing underneath, not on what we appear to be doing on the surface. Our surface righteousness is no sure foundation. Only Jesus can change our hearts.
The gate to discipleship is as narrow as Jesus. This gate comes first, before the road of discipleship. He is the beginning of the path, and there is no hard path to reach him. It starts with Jesus, and it ends with life. Be encouraged. The gate is the king, the difficulty is temporary, and the benefits are eternal.
(Ask yourself) Are you a . . .
Pharisee (to be corrected)?
Self-Righteous. You will try to understand and disseminate the sermon, adding it to your toolbelt of good philosophical advice. You feel good about your performance in it, especially when compared to others, who aren’t as good at it as you. You judge and condemn those around you by your own standard of righteousness.
Repent, you hypocrite. Get the log out of your eye so that you can see that you have no authority in yourself to use these teachings as building material in your own kingdom. Your house is going to fall.
Only by humble faith in the person Jesus and his righteousness can you enter the Kingdom.
Crowdmember (to be invited)?
Curious. You think Jesus and his description of the Kingdom and the citizens within it are beautiful. You are even “amazed” at Jesus’ teaching. You’d like to experience the benefits of this kingdom. You are willing to hang around the citizens who have paid the price, but you recognize the cost of discipleship as high, and are not sure you’re ready to pay. You prefer a gospel of cheap grace, and would even impose your gospel on those who have rejected it in order to lower the price to what you are willing to pay.
Give up and commit. It’s time to realize that what you’re holding in your hand is nothing, and what you’re being offered is everything. Time to trade your handful of sand for the Rock of Jesus.
Only by faith filled obedience to the King can you enter the Kingdom.
Disciple (to be instructed)?
Dead to the world, and born again to the Kingdom. You hear the words of Jesus, and they read you. You’ve recognized the, beauty and the cost of this Kingdom, and the beautiful King that paid for it in your place. You’ve seen that any life but this one is no life at all, and that the only life that’s lived it is Christ.
You’ve gladly forsaken all for the cross and the resurrection, throwing your weak and broken self on the rock of the King. In him you live and move and have your being. You humbly follow daily as you allow his life to become evident through yours.
You are fully sustained by and satisfied in your King daily, and daily you give your time, your energy, and your resources for a Kingdom to come.
You’re not your own. You’re bought with a price. You are a slave to nothing but love, and love has set you free.
Be encouraged. Yours is the Kingdom of Heaven.
You are the salt of the earth. You are essential l to God’s mission on earth. Your changed life will change lives. You are light and will shine. God is glorified through you. The Holy Spirit empowers you to follow.
Press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of you. Do not consider yourself yet to have taken hold of it, brothers and sisters. But still do this one thing:
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called you heavenward in Christ Jesus. (from Phil 3:12-14)
Matthew 7 (NIV)
1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Sermon on the Mount - "The wise man who built his house on a rock" - Matthew 7:24-29
(additional reading Luke 6:46-49)
Matthew 7:24-29 (NIV)
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
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My Notes:
I've been thinking about this passage for a few days now. I knew it was coming.
I've studied this passage of scripture (The Sermon on the Mount, ch 5-7) backward and forward for three weeks now. I have over twenty pages of notes.
But Jesus makes it absolutely clear that this is not what he's concerned about. He didn't give the sermon so that we could dissect it, study it, and figure out what it means.
He gave this sermon so that we would go and do it. He intends for us to go and be the disciples that he described in this sermon. He wants us to get on with it.
The way I keep imagining it is a little girl who listened to this sermon, and then decided to forgive, bless, and love the girl at school who is always cruel to her. If all I do is hang on to my twenty pages of notes, but I do not obey what Jesus says in this sermon, I don't get it at all.
This sermon does not live in books and commentaries on the bookshelves in pastor's offices. It lives in the life of the true disciple.
Father, make me a true disciple.
Matthew 7:24-29 (NIV)
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
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My Notes:
I've been thinking about this passage for a few days now. I knew it was coming.
I've studied this passage of scripture (The Sermon on the Mount, ch 5-7) backward and forward for three weeks now. I have over twenty pages of notes.
But Jesus makes it absolutely clear that this is not what he's concerned about. He didn't give the sermon so that we could dissect it, study it, and figure out what it means.
He gave this sermon so that we would go and do it. He intends for us to go and be the disciples that he described in this sermon. He wants us to get on with it.
The way I keep imagining it is a little girl who listened to this sermon, and then decided to forgive, bless, and love the girl at school who is always cruel to her. If all I do is hang on to my twenty pages of notes, but I do not obey what Jesus says in this sermon, I don't get it at all.
This sermon does not live in books and commentaries on the bookshelves in pastor's offices. It lives in the life of the true disciple.
Father, make me a true disciple.
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