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Bible Study WELCOME TO AN IN DEPTH STUDY OF MATTHEW'S GOSPEL.

Chopper said:
Thank you so much ezrider. I receive your post with a glad heart. I used to be extremely guilty in this area. I don't like to glorify my sin, so I'll just say that "road rage" was a big, dark hole that I used to fall into without giving it much thought until the incident was over. Then I felt terrible. I found in the past that a spontaneous action of another driver, lets say, cutting me off on the freeway, I went into a rage. I can't tell you of the many times I spent on my knees begging God to deliver me from this terrible sin. I can't remember when, but one day I was headed to work, and a lady almost hit the front of my truck as she tried to merge into traffic right in front of me. I simply slowed down to give her room, she waved to thank me, and did that make me feel good. I praised the Lord that He had worked in my life to deliver me. Ever since that day, I have been a much better driver. I even obey speed limits, come to a full stop at stop signs etc. Boy, when God delivered me from road rage, He threw in a bunch of other laws that He wanted me to obey and gave me the desire to obey them with a glad heart. It feels wonderful to know that I am pleasing my Lord instead of grieving Him.

I say all of this to compliment you on your post. What you said is the absolute truth. Thank you so much for the wisdom God has given to you and your willingness to share it.:hug
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Thank you Chopper my friend. If only you could have seen how hard your road rage story made me laugh and smile. I have been under a tremendous amount of stress at work the last month or so and it has begun to take it's toll. A few weeks back I lashed out at one of our project managers, literally screaming at him on the phone. When I spoke with him later that afternoon, I immediately apologized for venting my frustrations on him and we were all good. But the stress has continued to build, and last week I noticed that I was starting to get frustrated with drivers on the road because they just wouldn't get out of my way. In the evening I would discuss my road rage with my girlfriend, and I would let it go. As Joel Olsteen would say, don't let someone else take your joy from you. Then the morning of the third day I was on my way to work and was making a left turn onto a side street, and the driver waiting for me to turn started pulling out in front of me as I was just beginning to turn. In my rage, I slammed on my brakes and stopped just to stare the guy down. After that I spoke with a few people about my road rage incident, and since my rage has subsided.

I tell you this because I was acutely aware of the frustrations and rage building within me. Although I spoke with others about it, and I meditated on why I was allowing these other drivers and other things that are not in my control to steal the peace from within me; and yet my rage grew more day by day. I understand that these are characteristics that take control over our flesh, and knowing that I was cognizant of it while the rage continued to grow, yet was I seemingly unable to control it within myself. I will have to meditate on this more as I head off to bed: but I think if I were take a lesson from the Lord on this experience, it would be a reminder that it is not by my will that I am able to overcome my flesh, but only by the will of the Lord and the power of his Spirit are we able to overcome the infirmities bound into our flesh.

Praise the Lord for the abundance of his grace and mercy. :pray
 
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ezrider said:
Thank you Chopper my friend. If only you could have seen how hard your road rage story made me laugh and smile. I have been under a tremendous amount of stress at work the last month or so and it has begun to take it's toll. A few weeks back I lashed out at one of our project managers, literally screaming at him on the phone. When I spoke with him later that afternoon, I immediately apologized for venting my frustrations on him and we were all good. But the stress has continued to build, and last week I noticed that I was starting to get frustrated with drivers on the road because they just wouldn't get out of my way. In the evening I would discuss my road rage with my girlfriend, and I would let it go. As Joel Olsteen would say, don't let someone else take your joy from you. Then the morning of the third day I was on my way to work and was making a left turn onto a side street, and the driver waiting for me to turn started pulling out in front of me as I was just beginning to turn. In my rage, I slammed on my brakes and stopped just to stare the guy down. After that I spoke with a few people about my road rage incident, and since my rage has subsided.

I tell you this because I was acutely aware of the frustrations and rage building within me. Although I spoke with others about it, and I meditated on why I was allowing these other drivers and other things that are not in my control to steal the peace from within me; and yet my rage grew more day by day. I understand that these are characteristics that take control over our flesh, and knowing that I was cognizant of it while the rage continued to grow, yet was I seemingly unable to control it within myself. I will have to meditate on this more as I head off to bed: but I think if I were take a lesson from the Lord on this experience, it would be a reminder that it is not by my will that I am able to overcome my flesh, but only by the will of the Lord and the power of his Spirit are we able to overcome the infirmities bound into our flesh.

Praise the Lord for the abundance of his grace and mercy. :pray
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Thank you ezrider for your honesty. There are many men who would not divulge what you just posted. By doing so, you are on the edge of having that taken out of your life by the Spirit of the Almighty. I find that when folk hide their weaknesses and pretend that they don't stumble, it will be a very long time before God delivers them. I can't remember when, but I confessed road rage to someone, and it seemed to release something inside of me. (hard to explain). After that I realized that those incidents became less volatile and frequent until that day on my way to work when I acted opposite from how I used to act. I say that because I know that you are very close to a breakthrough.

I love you my friend, and I'll keep you in my prayers. May the Holy Spirit hug you on the inside of you every time He sees a road rage coming.
 
Day 43 Saturday 10/25/14 Matthew 5:23,24 When A Gift is unacceptable.

Matthew 5:23 "Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee."
Matthew 5:24 "Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift."

It has been said that the Pharisees loved to tell the people that God loved sacrificial gifts of money. They did that because they coveted money. The word "gift" meant "sacrifice or offering".

In the Baptist Church that I attend, they have, around Thanksgiving, a "sacrificial offering". It is a gift of money above out tithes and offerings to cover the costs of projects slated for the next year. Last years offering amounted to $30,000.00. This is an example, I think, of bringing a gift to the altar.

Another example might be at the Lord's Supper, or communion service. I certainly don't think a person should partake of the "elements" of Communion if they have offended a Brother or Sister in some way.

In V.23, the first word is "therefore", you probably heard that "therefore" is there because of what was said before. In this case, if I have looked my Brother in the eye and said "you fool" I need to immediately go and ask forgiveness, then return, if there is time and resume my worship. Otherwise, my worship is useless and in the case of the Lord's Supper, it could lead to physical ailments if I neglect to make things right.

This reminds me of the "fear of God". To me, the fear of God means that when I sin in this fashion like we're studying, we just don't think God is going to hold us accountable because many times God delays chastisement over sin, but if left unrepented & forgiven, Be sure your sin will find you out. Me as well.
 
If your brother has something against you, there has been a breaking in your relationship for some reason. It may not even be something that you actually did to them. They may have even just heard some ugly untruth about you and believed it. It could have been caused by any number of things. So to me this isn't necessarily saying that you have done something wrong. But it shouldn't matter either way. The scripture says to be reconciled to them.
When we do that we are "loving our neighbor" which I think is the greatest love offering we can give to the Lord. He says to do that first, shine my light on other people. Bless them.
I think reba 's Galatians 6:2 scripture says this clearly.
 
ezrider

I was thinking over our posts about road rage and it came to me that after being so frustrated about not being free from that ugly sin, I started a new way to start my days in the mornings. This was not a result of God telling me to do it, it just came to me sometime after, I can't remember when. Anyway, this is what I do every morning and I know that this was a path that the Lord chose to deliver me. I hope it works for you.

For several years now I start my morning prayer greeting and worship with my Heavenly Father, my Master Owner Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I say, "Good morning Heavenly Father, good morning Master Jesus, and good morning Holy Spirit. Heavenly Father, I present my being to you as a living sacrifice, Your Son has made me holy and acceptable to you of which I have believed on Him as my Lord and Savior....Master Jesus, I surrender my life to You this morning, do with me what will bring honor and glory to you and Your Father....Holy Spirit, I surrender me body, your temple, to you, please perfect that which is lacking in my life. Amen and amen." (sometimes I say in Jesus Name, but not always).
 
Chopper said:
ezrider

I was thinking over our posts about road rage and it came to me that after being so frustrated about not being free from that ugly sin, I started a new way to start my days in the mornings. This was not a result of God telling me to do it, it just came to me sometime after, I can't remember when. Anyway, this is what I do every morning and I know that this was a path that the Lord chose to deliver me. I hope it works for you.

For several years now I start my morning prayer greeting and worship with my Heavenly Father, my Master Owner Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I say, "Good morning Heavenly Father, good morning Master Jesus, and good morning Holy Spirit. Heavenly Father, I present my being to you as a living sacrifice, Your Son has made me holy and acceptable to you of which I have believed on Him as my Lord and Savior....Master Jesus, I surrender my life to You this morning, do with me what will bring honor and glory to you and Your Father....Holy Spirit, I surrender me body, your temple, to you, please perfect that which is lacking in my life. Amen and amen." (sometimes I say in Jesus Name, but not always).
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Thank you Chopper for your thoughts and prayers. Road rage isn't something that normally effects me. I learned a long time ago driving a motor home through the coastal ranges and along the pacific coast highway to slow down and enjoy the scenery, and if others are in a rush just to get out of their way. While I must confess that I do not always obey the speed limit, nor do I always come to a full stop, most of the time I am a courteous driver, and I until the impulse struck me to slam on my brakes at that moment, I had never before reacted in my frustrations other than to cuss up a storm within the confines of my own vehicle.

But you said something that struck me when you mentioned being so frustrated about not being free from that ugly sin. But strangely enough, being free from this sin is not what drives me. I found in the scripture once that flesh is sin; And since I can not free myself from my own flesh body, I can not free myself from its sin. Instead I must accept the provisions the Lord has provided for me, and his answer has always been the same: Is not my Grace sufficient for thee?
 
Mat 5:25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
Mat 5:26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.


Going over these verses slowly is different then reading a chapter..in a good way....
 
I love your last statement, "And since I can not free myself from my own flesh body, I can not free myself from its sin. Instead I must accept the provisions the Lord has provided for me, and his answer has always been the same: Is not my Grace sufficient for thee?" ez, that statement of yours is one of the most profound I've ever heard. "And since I can not free myself from my own flesh body, I can not free myself from its sin." This would make a great Thread to start.
I'd say more but we are getting close to off-topic, so :topic
 
Day 44 Sunday 10/26/14 Matthew 5:25,26 If You Can't Do The Time, Don't Do The Crime.

Mat 5:25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
Mat 5:26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

There is no mistake here that we are reading about a person who is in debt to someone else, probably money, but it could be property etc. I think this is saying that when the debt holder comes for his money, the debtor should by every honest means pay up. This is what is meant by "whiles thou art in the way with him", like he is at the door. Someone has said, "Give not sleep to your eyes till it be done."

A good many well meaning Christians, including myself, have been in the situation where someone who loaned us some money, or a piece of equipment comes to our door and wants his property, and we don't have it. This is the time to make arrangements to repay. Some people will hide in another room hoping the person will leave, or not answer the phone. Soon, the credit bureau or lawyer will send a threating letter demanding payment, that person just "files 13" the letter.

At long last, the Sheriff appears with a court order. You go to court, loose and wind up in jail. You make license plates at a penny a plate and 5 years later, if you're lucky, you get out of "debtors prison". It simply is not worth it. We must pay the debt early. Better yet, "Owe no man anything but love."

Lets look at these verses in a different light. Lets picture in our mind, a Christian who has a besetting sin. Most of us at one time or another have at least one. It takes a while to get deliverance from it.

Ok, Mr. Christian continues to sin against God. This particular sin "feels good" because his flesh craves it. Mr. Christian asks forgiveness every time he commits this sin, but does not really repent, he keeps on with this "feel good" sin. After all, God wants him to feel joy, right? He thinks.... Mr. Christian fails to "Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him" He fails to get on his knees before God and finally begs for mercy and grace to finally get deliverance from Almighty God and power to repent.

Repent! That's where the rubber meets the road! It's all to easy to ask forgiveness, or to tell the Lord, "I'm sorry" but to repent? Oh my, that means that I'm not going to do that "feel good" thing ever again, NEVER!! Now, if I don't repent, I am exposing myself to be arrested by the Holy Spirit and confined to chastisement jail until I do repent. Why? Because of God's justice, His justice won't let me continue to sin against Him, simple as that.
 
Chopper said:
I love your last statement, "And since I can not free myself from my own flesh body, I can not free myself from its sin. Instead I must accept the provisions the Lord has provided for me, and his answer has always been the same: Is not my Grace sufficient for thee?" ez, that statement of yours is one of the most profound I've ever heard. "And since I can not free myself from my own flesh body, I can not free myself from its sin." This would make a great Thread to start.
I'd say more but we are getting close to off-topic, so :topic
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Chopper, If you would like to start a thread on this, you have my permission to use my quote.

God Bless.
 
reba said:
Mat 5:25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
Mat 5:26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.


Going over these verses slowly is different then reading a chapter..in a good way....
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Isn't that the truth Reba. I have learned so much new theology from these verses, like you said, slowly. It's like we pay more attention to every word. Of course the Holy Spirit is delighted in our method of studying what He inspired these wonderful men to write. I know that you and I just can't praise our Lord enough for His marvelous Word.
 
Day 45 Monday 10/27/14 Matthew 5:27,28 Adultery.

Matthew 5:27 "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery."
Matthew 5:28 "But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."

ADULTERY: There are so many professing Christians who break this Command of God. Many great men of God have fallen because of what Jesus describes as a reason for falling, "looketh on a woman to lust after her." The one who tops my list is King David. David was a man after God's Own Heart. He saw Bathsheba bathing where he could see her body. He probably lusted after her in his heart (not after God's heart) which was a preliminary sin to the actual sin of adultery.

Men in the Church that I attend once in a while, getting way to social club-by for me, have fallen thru lust. One man lusted after the Pastor's Wife. It became known to me from his Wife. Web porno was his problem. He left the church after confessing his sin to the Pastor. It did damage the man and his wife's relationship but they managed to put it behind them thru forgiveness.

It is my opinion that most sins that are actually committed, there was first a mental movie camera at work in the mind showing the lust into an act, the flesh gets all aflame, and the act itself is committed. This goes for any sin.

So this instructional command of Jesus holds true for any sin. The "eye gate" can either see the beauty of God's creation or to see an object that leads to the ugliness of sin.
 
Again we see how important marriage is to God... there are 6 verses here.... 27-32 ... The churches ( in general) justify adultery IMO it is on the same plane as idolatry that view comes from scripture... men are not the only ones guilty
 
Chopper , I don't think King David's heart was lusting after Bathsheba. I think his flesh was. God said David's heart was for Him. He stumbled in his flesh. He did not turn against God.
 
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This might be random, but the instant I read this verse I thought it squashed anyone who tells them God wants them to have more than one wife. I don't know if you can add another wife without lusting first?
 
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