My Friend, Wayne, and I are studying together and he discovered something remarkable. Wayne shared with me, “ It struck me that what identifies Christians today is ‘Gods Mark of Love.’ This mark is not a physical mark such as in “circumcision” (Genesis 17:10-11), but in some ways is similar, the circumcision is a hidden mark cut into the flesh, but it is hidden from the world. The “Mark of Love” is visable to the world, but the (true) mark of LOVE is hidden or invisible to the believer, only! Why?” Read More | Comments
- Sermon On The Mount
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September24th
1 Comment -
May8th
4 CommentsBIBLE DIFFICULTIES:Reconciling The Law- Matthew 5:17-19
Posted in: Bible Difficulties, Sermon On The Mount
A friend asked me me today, “How do you renconcile Matt 5:17-19 in regards to all the Levitical laws and OT teachings of ritualistic behavior?”The first thing we should do is look at the Scripture in context:
Matthew 5:17-20(TNIV)
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 Truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.This is such a great question because there is much contrast between the Old and New Testaments. Let’s first look at verse 17 and 18. Read More | Comments
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January23rd
No CommentsThe Kingdom of Heaven: Matthew 7:21 “The Tree and its Fruit”
Posted in: Kingdom of Heaven, Sermon On The Mount
“The Tree and its Fruit”
Jesus warns us against false teachers. There are many people who claim to speak for God’s only to be seeking money for themselves, or power or prestige. There are others who claim to speak for God who’s methods are of violence and hate. Jesus tells us that we can discern the false prophets by the “fruit” of their labor. Read More | Comments -
January22nd
No CommentsThe Kingdom of Heaven: Matthew 5:19 and 5:20 “Christ Fulfills the Law”
Posted in: Kingdom of Heaven, Sermon On The Mount
“Christ Fulfills the Law”
Jesus taught His followers and disciples about the Law. Next we will look in context at His teaching concerning the kingdom of heaven in the Gospel of Matthew 5:17-20.
God communicated moral and ceremonial law to the Israelites so that they would come closer to Him, know Him, and love Him. He imparted this wisdom about life (after all, He created life so He should know), so that we, as people, could live fulfilled lives. But, what happened, and what I believe often continues to happen even today, is that we take this wisdom that God shared with us and we “legalize” it. The Pharisees and religious leaders of the day took the law and often misquoted and misapplied it. Many religious leaders today do the same. Read More | Comments
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January4th
No CommentsThe Kingdom of Heaven: Matthew 5:3 and 5:10 “The Beatitudes”
Posted in: Kingdom of Heaven, Sermon On The Mount
Next in this study is Matthew 5:3 and Matthew 5:10. In Context we will look at this well known Scripture known as the Beatitudes found in the Gospel of Matthew 5:1-12. I would note that in the Beatitudes, as recounted by Luke in his Gospel, chapter 6, verse 20, we see the “kingdom of God used”. This again, is a clue that the kingdom of God and kingdom of heaven are one and the same. We will look at the Beatitudes in Luke later in our study.To many, these Scriptures are very familiar. Let’s look at them from the “Kingdom” standpoint. Again, remember that John the Baptist announced a new age dawning in which the kingdom of heaven was near. Jesus, in the beginning of His preaching ministry announces the same thing, “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near”. Now, a short time later the apostle Matthew relates to us the first record in his Gospel of Jesus Words explaining the kingdom of heaven. We commonly call this teaching the “Sermon on the Mount”. It takes place near Capernum. The first part of this teaching is the Beatitudes. I would note that the Scripture tells us that when Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountainside and sat down and that His disciples came to Him to learn. A disciple is a follower. I believe that He was primarily speaking to the chosen twelve, however, the crowds were present and listening. We should be listening also and have that opportunity through the Gospel of Matthew. Read More | Comments
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