This Wednesday, May 16, we will continue with our study of the "sermon on the mount." Last week we left off our discussion at the end of Matthew 5:6, so this Wednesday we will begin our study with Matthew 5:7. Here are some initial thoughts/observations/comments.
1. Matthew 5:7 says, "blessed are the merciful..." What does "merciful" mean? What is the difference between being "gracious" and "merciful?"
2. Matthew 5:8 says, "blessed are the pure in heart..." We see and read "heart" all the time in Scripture yet I wonder how many of us have stopped and pondered over what is meant by this word. Does it mean ones feelings, ones emotions, ones actual physical heart, or ones whole inner state, etc?
3. Matthew 5:8 says, "blessed are the peacemakers..." Notice it does not say, "blessed are the peaceful..." This verse, and several others in the "sermon on the mount," have been used to support the doctrine of pacifism. What are your thoughts regarding "pacifism" and using this verse in its defense?
Andrew
Showing posts with label Matthew 5. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Matthew 5. Show all posts
Monday, May 14, 2007
Monday, May 7, 2007
Matthew 5 Study Guide PT 2
This Wednesday, May 9th, we will continue with our study of Matthew chapter five. Last Wednesday we concluded at Matthew 5:4, "blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Here are some observations, thoughts, suggestions for our upcoming study.
1. Let me again encourage you to sit down and read carefully through the entirety of the "sermon on the mount" (Matthew 5:1-8:1). You will benefit tremendously from this exercise. Nothing else you read or watch or listen to concerning the "sermon on the mount" will benefit you more than your disciplining yourself to sit and read through the entirety of the sermon. I want you to know what Jesus actually said, not what others say he said.
2. Remember the definition we are using from "BDAG" for what "blessed" means, "pertaining to being especially favored, blessed, fortunate, happy privileged." These are not quaint sayings but rather formal pronouncements of great grace and privilege bestowed upon the disciples of Christ who are practicing these qualities.
3. The "sermon on the mount" is full of proverbial sayings. Ridderbos defines a "proverb" as "unexpected, paradoxical, absolute manner of speaking that sharply accentuates a particular side of truth without considering the possible exceptions to the rule."
4. The sermon on the mount, especially Matthew 5:1-12, eliminates complacency. It eliminates a disciple from saying, "I have done all I should; I am the complete servant of God." No matter how far we have come in our Christian life, we can go farther. Indeed, we must go farther.
5. I am increasingly appreciating the connections between the "Beatitudes" and Isaiah 61. Clearly Isaiah 61 is the backdrop to the "Beatitudes." One would do well to read and compare Isaiah 61 to Matthew's "blessings." One would also do well to consider the relation of the person of Christ to both of these portions of Scripture.
6. Central theme I thought of this morning concerning the "Beatitudes" (even the entire sermon) is "living with a view of Christ and his kingdom, both in the here and now."
Andrew
1. Let me again encourage you to sit down and read carefully through the entirety of the "sermon on the mount" (Matthew 5:1-8:1). You will benefit tremendously from this exercise. Nothing else you read or watch or listen to concerning the "sermon on the mount" will benefit you more than your disciplining yourself to sit and read through the entirety of the sermon. I want you to know what Jesus actually said, not what others say he said.
2. Remember the definition we are using from "BDAG" for what "blessed" means, "pertaining to being especially favored, blessed, fortunate, happy privileged." These are not quaint sayings but rather formal pronouncements of great grace and privilege bestowed upon the disciples of Christ who are practicing these qualities.
3. The "sermon on the mount" is full of proverbial sayings. Ridderbos defines a "proverb" as "unexpected, paradoxical, absolute manner of speaking that sharply accentuates a particular side of truth without considering the possible exceptions to the rule."
4. The sermon on the mount, especially Matthew 5:1-12, eliminates complacency. It eliminates a disciple from saying, "I have done all I should; I am the complete servant of God." No matter how far we have come in our Christian life, we can go farther. Indeed, we must go farther.
5. I am increasingly appreciating the connections between the "Beatitudes" and Isaiah 61. Clearly Isaiah 61 is the backdrop to the "Beatitudes." One would do well to read and compare Isaiah 61 to Matthew's "blessings." One would also do well to consider the relation of the person of Christ to both of these portions of Scripture.
6. Central theme I thought of this morning concerning the "Beatitudes" (even the entire sermon) is "living with a view of Christ and his kingdom, both in the here and now."
Andrew
Monday, April 30, 2007
Matthew 5 Study Guide PT 1
This Wednesday, May 2, we will begin studying the "sermon on the mount." We will focus on introducing this "sermon" and then move on to discussing the first few pronouncements of "blessed." Here are some initial suggestions, thoughts, and observations:
1. Please read all of Matthew 5-7 together in one sitting! Do this several times if you have not already! Time spent in the word of God is not wasteful but beneficial! Please spend more time reading what Christ actually says in the "sermon on the mount" than what others say he said (I say this in light of my next point.)
2. The literature and interpretations available for the "sermon on the mount" are mountainous! Clarence Bauman in "The Sermon on the Mount: The Modern Quest for its Meaning" has itemized 36 different interpretations! If you have not already read and come to some sort of understanding and agreement in your own mind on what Christ says before you start reading other literature you will be lost.
3. Matthew provides a summary statement of Jesus Christ ministry in Galilee in Matthew 4:23-25. Specifically, Matthew 4:23 says, "Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom...." Matthew 5-7 then gives us a good view of what Christ was teaching and preaching about!
4. This is the first of five discourses provided by Matthew. Can you list the other four?
5. What does "blessed" mean in Matthew 5:2-11?
Andrew
1. Please read all of Matthew 5-7 together in one sitting! Do this several times if you have not already! Time spent in the word of God is not wasteful but beneficial! Please spend more time reading what Christ actually says in the "sermon on the mount" than what others say he said (I say this in light of my next point.)
2. The literature and interpretations available for the "sermon on the mount" are mountainous! Clarence Bauman in "The Sermon on the Mount: The Modern Quest for its Meaning" has itemized 36 different interpretations! If you have not already read and come to some sort of understanding and agreement in your own mind on what Christ says before you start reading other literature you will be lost.
3. Matthew provides a summary statement of Jesus Christ ministry in Galilee in Matthew 4:23-25. Specifically, Matthew 4:23 says, "Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom...." Matthew 5-7 then gives us a good view of what Christ was teaching and preaching about!
4. This is the first of five discourses provided by Matthew. Can you list the other four?
5. What does "blessed" mean in Matthew 5:2-11?
Andrew
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