Matthew 7:12-14 - The Road to the Kingdom (Part 15)

I. The Golden Rule
            1. The rule is the ultimate principle of God’s revealed will
2. Properly executing the “rule” requires us to engage with the Law of God
II. The Broad and Narrow paths
            1. Jesus concludes that there are only two paths in life
            2. The Narrow gate challenges the heart of man
3. The Broad gate comforts man in his depraved state
4. Jesus invites us to a life He will empower us to live


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Matthew 7:7-11 - Our Pursuit, God's Promises (Part 14)

Title - Our Pursuit, God's Promises
Scripture - Matthew 7:7-11

The Message: Pursue God Persistently (Matt. 7:7-8)
The Motivation: God is a Faithful Father (Matt. 7:7-11)

- Why We Pursue - We need grace.
- What We Pursue - God and His Will (Heb. 4:16, Psalm 27:4)
- How We Pursue - Consistently and Persistently (Phil. 3:12-14, Psalm 73:28)

- He promises that we'll find Him (Matt. 7:7-8, Jeremiah 29:13)

- He is a trustworthy and good Father (Matt. 7:9-11, 2 Pet. 1:3, Rom. 8:32, Psalm 84:11, 2 Cor. 1:20)


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Matthew 7:1-6 - Judging with Humility Not Hypocrisy (Part 13)

7:1 “Judge not, that you be not judged”:

First, let us understand what this verse does not say:

A. It does not mean you cannot have an opinion about something or someone

B.  It does not say you cannot say anything critical to someone

C.  It does not say that our court system which includes having Judge is wrong:

Romans 13:1 “ Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God”.

Deuteronomy 16:18“You shall appoint judges and officers in all your towns that the Lord your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment. 19 You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality, hand you shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and subverts the cause of the righteous. 20 Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land that the Lord your God is giving you”.

D. It does not say that we are not to implement church discipline:

Matthew 18: 15“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector”.

II. Thessalonians 3: 14 “If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother”.

E. So what does verse 2 teach us:

It is meant to emphasize the appropriate attitude and lifestyle of those who have been so freely forgiven. In other words, God will use the same standard we use to evaluate others.

In Matt 5:7 Jesus says, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.”

In Matthew 6: 14 “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses”.

We must realize that we are saved by His grace.

Verse 3 to 5:

Jesus was warning disciples not to make the mistake like Pharisees! Jesus is teaching us first to become qualified to judge.

By, “First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye” (7:5).

So believers when judge errors and sins of others, they must be gracious.

Verse 6:

So who are these dogs and pigs? Jesus is talking about people who openly reject the gospel, Jesus is referring to the enemies of the gospel.

We have to share the Gospel with those who are receptive and hungry for hope.

Matthew 10:14, “And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town”.

Acts 13:51 and Acts 18: 5-6



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Matthew 6:25-34 - King Jesus Claims Your 'NOW'! (Part 12)

INTRODUCTION

     Matthew 6:24

I.  Jesus commands Kingdom citizens, "DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT YOUR LIFE"  (6:25-32)

    A.  How does a believer know if he/she is living the anxious life Jesus forbids?

    B.  What are the results of living an anxious life?

          1.  False World View (6:26-30)

          2.  Little Faith (6:30)

          3.  Indistinguishable life from the Heathen (6:31-32)

II.  Jesus commands Kingdom citizens, "SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS" (6:33)

     A. "SEEK"

     B. There is no second thing to seek.

     C. God's Promise

     D. How does the believer repent from living a life of anxiety to living a life of faith?

          Answer these questions:

                        1. Are you a follower of Jesus Christ?

                       

                        2. Do you believe that Christ abides in you?

• Through Christ, I am dead to sin and spiritually alive (Romans 6:11).
• Through Christ, I am forgiven (Colossians 2:13-14).
• Through Christ, I am crucified with Him (Galatians 2:20).
• Through Christ, I am declared righteous (1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
• Through Christ, I am God's possession (Titus 2:14).
• Through Christ, I am heir of God (Romans 8:17).
• Through Christ, I am blessed with all spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3).
• Through Christ, I am a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20).
• Through Christ, I am victorious over Satan (Luke 10:19).
• Through Christ, I am secure in Him (1 Peter 1:3-5).
• Through Christ, I am loved by God (1 John 4:10).

                        3.What do you really believe about God's sovereignty? Romans 8:28

                   4. Practice your faith.                         (Philippians 4:9)

• (Philippians 4:4)
• (Philippians 4:5; Psalm 46:10; 1 Peter 5:6ff
• (Philippians 4:6-7; Matthew 6:9-15)
• (Philippians 4:8; Romans 12:2a)

     E. The Kingdom citizen's resolve (6:34)

CONCLUSION



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Matthew 6: 19-24 - The Treasure of Earth and Heaven (Part 11)

Matthew 6: 19-24

The Treasure of Earth and Heaven

I. Laying up Treasures – The Kingdom Economy

1. The definition of “earthly treasures”: material possessions as both means and end.
2. Earthly possessions waste away

II. The Eye as the Pathway to Desire

1. We are consumed by what we strive to attain
2. The Vision of the Kingdom Citizen is God

III. Being a Slave to one Master

1. Both God and Money can be influential Masters
2. God is the true Master worthy of full Allegiance
3. The Kingdom Citizen is born into Wealth

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Matthew 6:5-15 - When You Speak with the King (Part 10)

1. HOW NOT TO PRAY (Matt. 6:5-8)
a. Don't pray to earn the praise of men (6:5-6).
b. Don't pray to earn the grace of God (6:7-8).

2. HOW TO PRAY (Matt. 6:9-15)
a. The Frequency of Prayer
- "When You Pray"..."Pray then like this..."
b. The Basis of Prayer
- "Our Father in heaven..."
c. The Content of Prayer
- Acknowledge God's Position
- Ask for God's Provision

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Matthew 6:1-4, 16-18: Reward: public or private? (Part 9)

Matthew 6:1-4, 16-18: Reward: public or private?

Intro: After finishing chapter 5 we have learned:

1  Characteristics of a believer, (verse 1-12)
2. The behavior of a believer to the world, (verse 13-16)
3.  Relationship of the Christian towards law of God (verse,17-48)

Chapter six teaches us about having dependence on God:

V1 starts with a disclaimer: BEWARE: what does this word communicate to us: road closed, danger ahead , i.e beware of dog. In the same way we have to be aware about the way that we portray ourselves as well as being aware about how others portray themselves.

What happens when we ignore sign that say beware, because this means that someone can get hurt or may pay a price by ignoring that sign.

Now Jesus is not saying that we should be not excellent or impressive , what Jesus is saying is that our goal or motif should not be to do everything in order to please people.

What happens when we try to please people?:  the focus is on us, we get an earthly reward when we do everything to please people.

What are we suppose to do?  Our goal, motif should be to do everything to honor and please God.


Reference to Let your light shine before others: Matthew 5:16, " let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Jesus is encouraging us to shine our light in public, however we must do that without excepting rewards from people.

Christians should be interested in rewards as well as blessings from God not from people.

In next few versus Jesus talks about three things: giving, prayer and fasting.

V2: when you give, Jesus is not saying if you give.... Jesus presupposes that believers will give.

So giving is not optional, we are encouraged to give, however how we give is important.

We are to give secretly to avoid showing off to others. Also Jesus is not saying that we are to give in secret to win a heavenly reward. However we are encouraged to avoid the glamour of honor. Our giving should come out of complete reverence to God.

Jesus is not saying that we should not give in public, but we should not do it like hypocrite . English word "hypocrite " is derived from greek word  hypokrinomai or
hypokritēs Pronunciation hü-po-krē-tā's (Key). Which means  stage actor.

Giving in public as part of an act of worship is good,but giving in public to please people is wrong.

The Bible provides many examples of public giving:

Acts 2:45 " and they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need".


Acts 4: 4:36 Joseph who was called Barnabas sold his field and gave money to the apostles.

Also I Chronicles 29 lists how much leaders gave to build temple.

Numbers 7 lists names of donors at the Tabernacle's consecration

V 16- 18: fasting: personal discipline in one's spiritual life:

Old Testament believers fasted
Jesus fasted forty days
It is assumed in NT that believers will fast, as mentioned here when you fast.

We should fast to come close to God, for spiritual reasons Christians should fast.


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