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We move on to study Matthew Chapter 8. Jesus comes from these slopes where he has been teaching The Sermon on the Mount.

A man approaches Jesus and we are told that he is full of leprosy. Think of the pain - isolation - ostracism - lumps - twisted and distorted limbs - lack of physical feelings – which this person would experience.

The man is desperate, and Jesus loves desperation. Does that sound cruel? No, because Jesus can do something with it. Mild interest has its limitations.

He fell at Jesus feet - how undignified! He has been begging, having…  ( Click for more )

We arrive at these concluding verses in what has been called, “The Sermon on the Mount”, and we have read, over these past thirty weeks, of what might be called “The Secret of Holiness”.

This is the secret of being different, and the practical implications are profound and immense, spiritually and physically, and even materially. We come to Matthew Chapter 7 verses 24 to 29. Some of you may recall that I started here for a very specific reason, but let us study this passage one final time.

Just the other day, I was reading that the big word “Sanctification”…  ( Click for more )

In Matthew Chapter 7 and at verses 13,14, Jesus speaks about the two roads which confront and face us in life, and there is that fork in the road and we have to choose which road we are going to take. Which road are you going to take? This is the question Jesus is presenting before the people. Which road – which route – are you going to take?

Many choose the wrong road and make a bad decision.

A decision has to be taken, and acted upon, and a choice has to be made.

This is challenging, and this is as challenging for us too today, as it was for these…  ( Click for more )

We come to Matthew Chapter 7 and verses 13 to 23. This is the final section of what is called The Sermon on the Mount. We have been seeking to understand the text, and how we can apply it to our lives, in these present days, and this takes time.

It is a vital section of teaching from Jesus Christ, for disciples, and it is given near the beginning of His ministry. The scene has changed slightly in nature, in as much as we read of the crowds surrounding Jesus. People have been drawn in, and they are eavesdropping and spellbound and curious, wanting to hear more and learn…  ( Click for more )

We are in Matthew Chapter 7 and we have been dealing with this difficult topic of judgment, and we took time to read what Luke said on the matter in chapter 6 of his Gospel, but is it not interesting that this whole section of teaching the of Jesus is set in the context of Prayer.

Jesus says - Ask - Keep on asking - and it will be given you.

Seek - keep on seeking - shamelessly - with determination - and you will find.

Knock - keep on knocking - boldly and courageously - and the door will be opened.

Persistence and Perseverance are so important when it comes…  ( Click for more )

Before moving on in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew, it is good to take a moment to consider what Jesus has to say regarding judgment in the account which Dr Luke gives us, and in Luke Chapter 6 verses 36,37, where we hear Jesus say, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful”.

In this whole area of teaching we need what is in Luke as well as Matthew.

Remember how you received His mercy - the quality of that love - the joy which came through knowing that your sins were forgiven - that initial experience of the Holy Spirit.

That was what drove these men…  ( Click for more )

As Christians, we have received that extraordinary mercy and forgiveness of God, and His grace and love through Jesus Christ, and we so need to remember that when we are faced with issues of judgment or areas where we have to exercise discipline, always being reminded that we are seeking to train disciples and many do not want training and discipline! They rise up and demonstrate how they remain rebels.

We are in Matthew Chapter 7, in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus gives us this parable of the speck of sawdust and the plank. Did Jesus recall this from His 18 years in the…  ( Click for more )

We read on into Matthew Chapter 7 and verses 1 to 6. Jesus has been mainly speaking to and showing His disciples how there was going to be this new way to live, but there were people overhearing. We never know who is listening to us.

Jesus wants His disciples to be different from others and from the religious norms of the day, and not to be like the Pharisees and Scribes.

Then Jesus speaks about worship – our giving and praying and fasting – and valuables and investing and treasure and vision and light – and what is most important – and then…  ( Click for more )

We are reading and studying the teaching of Jesus Christ in Matthew Chapter 6 and we come to verse 24. Just as an aside – this was one of the first pieces of Scripture I learned by heart in Primary School in Perth, in the days when teachers taught pupils to learn parts of the Bible. Education has moved a long way from that. There have been many changes and not all of them have been improvements!

Who has won your heart? Jesus doesn’t want a little bit of our time or our talents, or of our zeal or our thoughtfulness. He wants the lot. Jesus came to buy and…  ( Click for more )

We have looked in Matthew Chapter 6 at Jesus Christ’s simple yet profound and practical teaching on giving and prayer and fasting. Do not be like the hypocrites, and just go through the motions, in order to get credit from other people.

The heartbeat is not this practice or that practice, but our relationship with God.

There are various references here to doing things in secret – verse 4 – verse 6 – and verse 18. It appears in each of these three activities.

We have almost to disguise these three activities, even allowing fasting to…  ( Click for more )

In Matthew Chapter 6, Jesus addresses three areas of Jewish piety – giving and prayer and fasting, and it is interesting that He begins this whole section with “Be careful”!

When we come to fasting we are catapulted into an area which may be strange to many. It is something mentioned frequently throughout the Bible but it has not been part of our culture.

Saul of Tarsus fasted three days and three nights after he met the risen and living Lord Jesus Christ.

Fasting today is like a lost key. It has been set aside and misplaced by the church.

Jesus…  ( Click for more )

When we read these words of Jesus in Matthew Chapter 6 regarding prayer, what are these claims which God the Father has upon His children?

He expects Reverence – Co-operation – and willing Submission. It is there so simply.

Jesus moves on to what the children can claim from their Father.

Some do think that God is not really interested – that He is too big or too busy – too much to do – and we are not that important – or we are not fit to come to Him or that somehow He is not able to help. We might not always put it like that,…  ( Click for more )

We are in Matthew Chapter 6 and in verses 5 to 15, where we come to prayer. Prayer is similar to giving. For whom are you doing it?

Some of these religious leaders ‘loved to pray’ or ‘say prayers’ so that other people would see them and perhaps even hear them.

Jesus teaches a very different attitude. When it comes to praying make your prayer secret.

There is difference between praying and parading.

Daniel prayed at his window. Was he showing off? No. Daniel was just continuing to do what he had been doing before prayer…  ( Click for more )

We are studying these opening verses of Matthew Chapter 6 and they are so refreshingly challenging – are they not? This is basic fundamental teaching for disciples of Jesus Christ from the Sermon on the Mount.

There is no choice about serving. We will either serve Almighty God or Mammon the God of money! It is not whether we serve, but who!

Where your heart goes, your money will follow. People will pay two or three thousand pounds, or dollars, a year to follow their football team, or some other sport or interest, and we have to consider our time too. I understand…  ( Click for more )

Matthew Chapter 6 verses 1 to 4 – where Jesus Christ is speaking to His disciples about giving, and like the previous sentences, He is very practical, and if you look on further Jesus is also very practical regarding praying and fasting and how to handle money and worry.

There is a slight switch in emphasis. Much of Matthew Chapter 5 is ‘hard going’ and this is not any easier, but it is slightly clearer, I hope!

Jesus turns to Worship – and how disciples should live and worship. There is far more to the Christian life than trying to be nice, and…  ( Click for more )

When we come to Matthew Chapter 5 and verse 43Jesus teaches his disciples, “Love your enemies”, but what does this really mean? Will we ever understand it and will we ever be able to put these commanding words of Jesus Christ into practice?

1 - Love your enemies. What does Jesus mean? It is the word ‘agape’. It describes a particular kind of love – a love for those who do not love us – for those who do not deserve our love – it is an unconditional love – it is the love God has for the sinner.

We are not to wait for…  ( Click for more )

Matthew Chapter 5 verses 43 to 48 – We are reading something of the climax about a righteousness which comes from the heart. There is no value in having a superficial Christianity, and we soon see that reality as Jesus challenges us and confronts us regarding the ways in which we live.

It was thrilling to follow Jesus. He was an exciting person to be with, and here he is sitting down and telling the disciples what type of person they were to become and be. He is teaching – no murder, even by what you say – no adultery – not even a lustful look –…  ( Click for more )

We come to this teaching of Jesus Christ in Matthew Chapter 5 and at verse 42. Give to the one who asks. Do not run away from the one who wants to borrow. There may be some unknown reason, as to why someone wants to borrow.

Do not stand on your dignity. Jesus is asking for more than mere non-retaliation. Take positive steps. Be actively generous. It is all so very personal.

This is how we, as disciples of Jesus, can become the salt and the light. We cannot apply this to others.

Jesus is challenging the social trends. These can go against the grain. …  ( Click for more )

We are slowly making our way through the Sermon on the Mount and we reach Matthew Chapter 5 and verses 38 to 42. Are these sections not deeply challenging? They are so relevant and so bang up to date.

Jesus Christ is speaking about how His disciples must be different from everybody else. We are not to do things to be seen – or to be hard or harsh.

Our righteousness – our rightness – is to be from the heart.

This is why these challenges strike so deeply – because they go to the heart.

The Pharisees would go to the Temple and tell…  ( Click for more )

We are reading, and hopefully studying, in Matthew Chapter 5, and we come to this passage beginning at verse 33. We are in what is called the Sermon on the Mount and we have looked at the Beatitudes and Jesus’ speaking about salt and light, and how Jesus came to fulfil the law. We have looked at murder, and settling matters quickly, and adultery, and divorce. These are not ‘easy studies’ but it is Jesus Christ who deals with these topics, when teaching those whom he has called.

Jesus is describing the Christian life – the life of the disciple.

Jesus…  ( Click for more )

When we come to Matthew Chapter 5 and verse 31, Jesus speaks about divorce, and the Church, as I have seen it, has been woolly on this one too. Jesus goes beyond the legal and the superficial.

People were taking the Old Testament law to justify or defend their own wrong doing. The Pharisees and the Scribes were experts at doing this.

This passage could be preached and interpreted hurtfully, if dealt with insensitively.

This passage can raise deep wounds and bring to the surface painful memories.

Now, bear with me. This is not easy, because we do not know the background…  ( Click for more )

When we come to Matthew Chapter and verse 27, Jesus moves on from the 6th Commandment to the 7th Commandment. Do not commit adultery.

Have you noticed how Jesus is dealing with highly relevant and practical issues in the Sermon on the Mount?

We come to a section which could be called – How to avoid sexual sins – and How to avoid divorce. Are we in the moral mess we are in today because these topics have not been taught by the Church of Jesus Christ?

Let us not blame people out there, if we have been silent on these issues.

In heaven, the thoughts of…  ( Click for more )

We come to Matthew Chapter 5 and Verse 21. So we can sit back and think – we are all right on this one – we have not murdered – we have not criminally killed anyone – but, Jesus takes it further. What have your thoughts been – your attitudes – has there been a wrong type of anger in your hearts?

If you say RACA – calling someone a blockhead – or some other seriously negative term – it is this that Jesus is speaking about, as Jesus goes to the heart of the problem – referring to an ill spoken or harsh word. We can…  ( Click for more )

In Matthew Chapter 5 and we come to verse 21, Jesus Christ is speaking. Our Saviour and Lord is teaching. We keep hearing people say – if only we could live by the teaching of Jesus and not have all this ‘church business’ and ‘theology’ – and if only we could live by His teaching on the Sermon on the Mount, it would all be so much easier! Well, as we have seen already, it is not that easy, and as we read on it does not become easier. It is hard to live like this, even with the presence and help of Jesus and His Word and the Power of the Holy…  ( Click for more )