Bible Study WELCOME TO AN IN DEPTH STUDY OF MATTHEW'S GOSPEL.
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Desire to be a vessel of honor unto the Lord Jesus Christ?
Join For His Glory for a discussion on how
https://christianforums.net/threads/a-vessel-of-honor.110278/
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Taking the time to pray? Christ is the answer in times of need
https://christianforums.net/threads/psalm-70-1-save-me-o-god-lord-help-me-now.108509/
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Hi my favorite Buddies! I'm back in one piece. When I lift my granddaughters home, it was snowing hard there in So. China, Maine. We ran out of snow when we got into Massachusetts about three and a half hours later. There's no place like home!!
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you Karl. God answered your prayer for safety. We had a great visit and safe travels, thanks Buddy.
Thank you, best Buddy! I glad to be back. Thank you for holding down the store while I was gone. I missed you and the rest of the gang.
Day 50 Monday 11/3/14 Matthew 5:43-48 Be Perfect?
Matthew 5:43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy."
This verse is interesting, in that no where in the O.T. does it say to hate your enemies. Jesus is correcting not the O.T. itself but only misinterpretations of the O.T. God hated evil. Therefore people who embraced evil were God's enemies. He never hated the evil person, He hated what they did. After all, He established a way for them to be saved.
Matthew 5:44 "But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
"love your enemies" There is a term in theology called "common grace" that is when God shows mercy on the just and the unjust, partly to lead unbelievers to repentance. If the child of God is considerate to an unbeliever instead of hostile, even if that person treats you badly, it many times leads that person to Salvation in Christ Jesus.
Matthew 5:45 "So that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."
Matthew 5:46 "For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?"
Matthew 5:47 "And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?"
Matthew 5:48 "You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
V.45 Speaks to me as "works" of the Father in me. It sounds like "So you may act like children of the Father." The Father loves all people, even those who do not love Him. In a strange sort of way to me, He allows everyone to see and experience limited blessings so that they will see the goodness of God. Some, not all, will respond to that goodness by the work of the Holy Spirit, and respond to His drawing power to see the Christ in a favorable light.
V.46 Is a powerful example of love. If I show favors to only the people who favor me, how are those who are outside of my sphere of favors ever feel the goodness of God. God placed in man the need to be loved it seems to me, and I guess that love is the greatest motivational factor that there is. Love is contagious! When others come into contact with a loving person, that causes that person to admire the results that a loving person generates.
V.47 Gives God's expectation for the new life and new purpose of this new life that He has charted for us. "What more are you doing than others." In all things That pertain to life and godliness on the earth, being a Christ One is to step into the ministry of the Holy Spirit which is what the "baptism of the Holy Spirit" is all about. The Holy Spirit demonstrates the image of God thru us as an example to others. In other words, when someone sees me, God's design is for that person to see a reflection of Himself. God help me to be a mirror of Almighty God!
V.48 Calls us into the upward calling of God to His work. The word "as" is not a word of equality says John Gill, but of likeness. Those who profess God as their Father, ought to imitate Him. Oh God, make me an imitator of You!
Matthew 5:43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy."
This verse is interesting, in that no where in the O.T. does it say to hate your enemies. Jesus is correcting not the O.T. itself but only misinterpretations of the O.T. God hated evil. Therefore people who embraced evil were God's enemies. He never hated the evil person, He hated what they did. After all, He established a way for them to be saved.
Matthew 5:44 "But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
"love your enemies" There is a term in theology called "common grace" that is when God shows mercy on the just and the unjust, partly to lead unbelievers to repentance. If the child of God is considerate to an unbeliever instead of hostile, even if that person treats you badly, it many times leads that person to Salvation in Christ Jesus.
Matthew 5:45 "So that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."
Matthew 5:46 "For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?"
Matthew 5:47 "And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?"
Matthew 5:48 "You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
V.45 Speaks to me as "works" of the Father in me. It sounds like "So you may act like children of the Father." The Father loves all people, even those who do not love Him. In a strange sort of way to me, He allows everyone to see and experience limited blessings so that they will see the goodness of God. Some, not all, will respond to that goodness by the work of the Holy Spirit, and respond to His drawing power to see the Christ in a favorable light.
V.46 Is a powerful example of love. If I show favors to only the people who favor me, how are those who are outside of my sphere of favors ever feel the goodness of God. God placed in man the need to be loved it seems to me, and I guess that love is the greatest motivational factor that there is. Love is contagious! When others come into contact with a loving person, that causes that person to admire the results that a loving person generates.
V.47 Gives God's expectation for the new life and new purpose of this new life that He has charted for us. "What more are you doing than others." In all things That pertain to life and godliness on the earth, being a Christ One is to step into the ministry of the Holy Spirit which is what the "baptism of the Holy Spirit" is all about. The Holy Spirit demonstrates the image of God thru us as an example to others. In other words, when someone sees me, God's design is for that person to see a reflection of Himself. God help me to be a mirror of Almighty God!
V.48 Calls us into the upward calling of God to His work. The word "as" is not a word of equality says John Gill, but of likeness. Those who profess God as their Father, ought to imitate Him. Oh God, make me an imitator of You!
Day 51 Tuesday 11/4/14 Matthew 6:1-4 Secret Service Christians.
Matthew 6:1 "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven."
Matthew 6:2 "Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward."
Matthew 6:3 "But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing."
Matthew 6:4 "So that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
The title of todays study may bring a smile or two, but it is the true way of Christian service. The big question in these four verses is why are we doing what we're doing? Is it to impress others, or to meet a need?
V.1 "Before other people in order to be seen by them." IMO this is the biggest problem facing a pastor who is a candidate for the position of pastor for a church or being the pastor or missionary, especially if the missionary is on deputation. For these people, it is almost impossible to obey these instructions of Jesus. In the church that I attend occasionally, in the Wednesday Bible study, people can ask the Pastor questions about the study. It never surprises me at the profound questions that people as him. IMO those questions are meant by the person asking to impress the rest of the folk how biblically intelligent he/she is. There are many good Christians who rehearse a prayer in their mind with the intent to impress others of their spirituality. Pastors are not immune to this action. It is very hard for a pastor to only be focused on God's message to His children in His Church.
V.2 I often wonder why we want to be recognized by our peers that we have done or given to the needs of another person. I guess it's pride. There seems to be a basic need in everyone to be loved and appreciated. The desire of Jesus, since He accomplished the impossible on the Cross, and brought us into the family of God, His desire is for us to work His work so that all we do is to glorify His Father thru us and not to glorify ourselves. I wonder if any of you have a comment on this problem of why we do these things to draw attention to ourselves.?
V.2 carries God's judgment. If I function in whatever design the great Master of my life has chosen, and if I make the focus of that life to make me great, God says that He will not reward me when I face Him at the reward seat of Jesus....that will be tragic.
V.3,4 Picture a Secret Service Christian. All we do in the realm of Christian works must be done in secret. What is done in the Name of Jesus must not be seen by others for their applause, it must be an act of obedience to the glory of our Father in Heaven.
Matthew 6:1 "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven."
Matthew 6:2 "Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward."
Matthew 6:3 "But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing."
Matthew 6:4 "So that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
The title of todays study may bring a smile or two, but it is the true way of Christian service. The big question in these four verses is why are we doing what we're doing? Is it to impress others, or to meet a need?
V.1 "Before other people in order to be seen by them." IMO this is the biggest problem facing a pastor who is a candidate for the position of pastor for a church or being the pastor or missionary, especially if the missionary is on deputation. For these people, it is almost impossible to obey these instructions of Jesus. In the church that I attend occasionally, in the Wednesday Bible study, people can ask the Pastor questions about the study. It never surprises me at the profound questions that people as him. IMO those questions are meant by the person asking to impress the rest of the folk how biblically intelligent he/she is. There are many good Christians who rehearse a prayer in their mind with the intent to impress others of their spirituality. Pastors are not immune to this action. It is very hard for a pastor to only be focused on God's message to His children in His Church.
V.2 I often wonder why we want to be recognized by our peers that we have done or given to the needs of another person. I guess it's pride. There seems to be a basic need in everyone to be loved and appreciated. The desire of Jesus, since He accomplished the impossible on the Cross, and brought us into the family of God, His desire is for us to work His work so that all we do is to glorify His Father thru us and not to glorify ourselves. I wonder if any of you have a comment on this problem of why we do these things to draw attention to ourselves.?
V.2 carries God's judgment. If I function in whatever design the great Master of my life has chosen, and if I make the focus of that life to make me great, God says that He will not reward me when I face Him at the reward seat of Jesus....that will be tragic.
V.3,4 Picture a Secret Service Christian. All we do in the realm of Christian works must be done in secret. What is done in the Name of Jesus must not be seen by others for their applause, it must be an act of obedience to the glory of our Father in Heaven.
I believe most folks deal with life from their insecurities .. often we are looking for support from our peers... we all can use a pat on the back...
Below is a link which explains in so many words a jewish perspective on charity (giving to the needy). It briefly goes into its origin found in Leviticus and how that commandement was expounded upon by rabbis. Additionally there is a realy good link to a young Muslim woman Amani and her understanding of giving.
The thoughts of these two people are I think, sound, informative, and good for all and I hope seen as in keeping with Choppers latest lesson.
http://ajewishvoice.wordpress.com/tag/alms-giving/
The thoughts of these two people are I think, sound, informative, and good for all and I hope seen as in keeping with Choppers latest lesson.
http://ajewishvoice.wordpress.com/tag/alms-giving/
One gift the LORD has given gifted to me with, second only to my wife is the gift of giving. Deeter was a Machine Operator before we married and continued to work until her Osteoporosis became evident and was forced to retire. As a result we had two living wages and God made neither of us to be greedy. As a result we did secret blessings, some of which we were suspected of but we always assured them that we did not do it, that it was an act of God but we knew not the instrument He had used.
We never have let any of those that were in need of the blessings know but we had more fun than most can ever understand. Now that we are old, if I did not, completely, rely on God I would be scared out of my wits of the idea that I will, likely, pass before my wife but instead, we are without, for the greater part, but still God provides and I have absolutely no reason to believe He will not continue to do so when I'm gone home. Having never put money away for retirement I feel ever confidence that my most preciouses is not in need of anything.
Seeking to do God's bidding in a manor that glorifies only God has a reward we can never earn. My prayer for this forum is that every member would pick up this mantel and be blessed of God as He has blessed me and mine.
We never have let any of those that were in need of the blessings know but we had more fun than most can ever understand. Now that we are old, if I did not, completely, rely on God I would be scared out of my wits of the idea that I will, likely, pass before my wife but instead, we are without, for the greater part, but still God provides and I have absolutely no reason to believe He will not continue to do so when I'm gone home. Having never put money away for retirement I feel ever confidence that my most preciouses is not in need of anything.
Seeking to do God's bidding in a manor that glorifies only God has a reward we can never earn. My prayer for this forum is that every member would pick up this mantel and be blessed of God as He has blessed me and mine.
Day 52 Wednesday 6/5/14 Matthew 6:5-7 Secret Prayer.
Matthew 6:5 "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward."
Matthew 6:6 "But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
Matthew 6:7 "And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words."
These verses paint a picture for us. The setting is a Synagogue which is the place in a City where the Jewish people went for prayer and the public reading of the Scriptures and teachings. Some writers say that the word synagogue is used for any large gathering of Jewish people along with the Scribes and Pharisees presence.
The actors are the Scribes and Pharisees, here called hypocrites, the word means actors.
So, here is the scene. There is a very large City square in front of a Synagogue where there are several streets that come together. The City dwellers are going about their daily business in the market place.
There is a standard from the Hebrew Canons that the proper position for prayer is standing. So here we have all these people moving about and all of a sudden a Pharisee stops as if struck by the hand of God to pray. The more dramatic the better, after all, he is an actor. He stands where he stopped, even in the door way of a shop and begins to pray out loud so folks can hear him. He hopes that the people notice how holy and pious he is. Where two streets meet there are usually lots of people going to and fro which makes for a wonderful place for a Scribe to put on a show of piety by stopping and praying standing in the middle of the throng.
This whole scene plays over and over each day as the Actors called Scribes and Pharisees stand praying for the admiration and applause of the people. Every actor lives for the applause and God says, "You have received your reward." I would hope that there were and are today, Jewish men who take prayer very seriously and not for show.
I don't know about you but I have been guilty of wondering how people have accepted a sermon on several occasions. There is nothing wrong with that unless I did the sermon to impress. I have always had to fight against the urge to impress people at some point in making up a sermon. When I have prayed publicly, if I didn't know before, my prayer is genuine. If I'm asked to pray at the end of an event, again I'm fighting against the urge to pray a very impressive prayer. Wow, I have to be very careful in the future.
Matthew 6:5 "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward."
Matthew 6:6 "But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
Matthew 6:7 "And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words."
These verses paint a picture for us. The setting is a Synagogue which is the place in a City where the Jewish people went for prayer and the public reading of the Scriptures and teachings. Some writers say that the word synagogue is used for any large gathering of Jewish people along with the Scribes and Pharisees presence.
The actors are the Scribes and Pharisees, here called hypocrites, the word means actors.
So, here is the scene. There is a very large City square in front of a Synagogue where there are several streets that come together. The City dwellers are going about their daily business in the market place.
There is a standard from the Hebrew Canons that the proper position for prayer is standing. So here we have all these people moving about and all of a sudden a Pharisee stops as if struck by the hand of God to pray. The more dramatic the better, after all, he is an actor. He stands where he stopped, even in the door way of a shop and begins to pray out loud so folks can hear him. He hopes that the people notice how holy and pious he is. Where two streets meet there are usually lots of people going to and fro which makes for a wonderful place for a Scribe to put on a show of piety by stopping and praying standing in the middle of the throng.
This whole scene plays over and over each day as the Actors called Scribes and Pharisees stand praying for the admiration and applause of the people. Every actor lives for the applause and God says, "You have received your reward." I would hope that there were and are today, Jewish men who take prayer very seriously and not for show.
I don't know about you but I have been guilty of wondering how people have accepted a sermon on several occasions. There is nothing wrong with that unless I did the sermon to impress. I have always had to fight against the urge to impress people at some point in making up a sermon. When I have prayed publicly, if I didn't know before, my prayer is genuine. If I'm asked to pray at the end of an event, again I'm fighting against the urge to pray a very impressive prayer. Wow, I have to be very careful in the future.
Tomorrow's Study: Day 53 Thursday 6/6/14 Matthew 6:8 So Why Pray.
I have thought of making this a new thread back a while ago. So please lets have a lot of input from you folks as to why pray if God already knows what we need?
I have thought of making this a new thread back a while ago. So please lets have a lot of input from you folks as to why pray if God already knows what we need?
Chopper,
I would look at this in the context of the previous versus where we are told to not pray openly, but rather to pray in secret. When we pray openly as the hypocrites do, then that prayer is an act of the flesh, and because it is an act of the flesh we are then in tune to hear a response in the flesh as if you were holding a conversation with your wife. So when we pray openly as an expression from our flesh, that prayer is only one directional, from you towards the Lord. But when we pray in secret, our prayer is manifest from the spirit, and because it is manifest from the spirit we are then in tune to listen to the Lord's reply in the spirit, and our prayer becomes more of a conversation in thought. The Lord resides in our secret chamber, it seems only natural then to pray in that secret chamber.
As to why pray if God already knows your needs? I am sure that your wife knows that you need to eat at dinner time, and she faithfully prepares your meals for you each day. But because she does this for you, don't you still enjoy discussing with her what you would like to eat that night. So even though she knows you need to eat, if you were to ask your wife to make you a special dish, I bet she would do it with joy in her heart.
Why? In proverbs it is written "The spirit of man is the candle of Yehovah,..." . Maybe one reason we pray is that tiny little flame in us longs to be reunited with the larger fire.
I like that very much my friend. Thank you because that came from your heart to my heart.
Very good my new friend selihah. I am delighted that you joined with the rest of us in this study, WELCOME!