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

Matthew 4 Study Guide PT. Four

We did not finish Matthew 4 last Wednesday. We finished somewhere around Matthew 4:20ff. Continue to study and think about Jesus call of discipleship. Consider the example of Simon, Andrew, James, and John with their "immediate" following of Christ. Take some time also to consider Matthew's summary statement of Jesus threefold ministry of teaching, preaching, and healing in Matthew 4:23-25. I look forward to seeing you on Wednesday.

Andrew

Only One Life

A Christian disciple is more than a believer. A disciple is more than a learner, at least, a learner in the ordinary sense of the word. A disciple is more than a follower and imitator of Christ, more than a holy enthusiast for Christ, yea even more than living a life of full devotion to the Lord. A disciple is a believing person living a life of conscious and constant identification with the Lord in life, death, and resurrection through words, behavior, attitudes, motives, and purpose, fully realizing Christ’s absolute ownership of his life, joyfully embracing the Saviorhood of Christ, delighting in the Lordship of Christ and living by the abiding, indwelling resources of Christ according to the imprinted pattern and purpose of Christ for the chief end of glorifying his Lord and Savior. There is divine fullness and content in the concept of discipleship which we must not limit. Larson, referring to a study by A. Friedrichsen, points out the fact that the expression cross-bearing was a contemporary metaphor indicating “radical social isolation and humiliation.”

The call to Christian discipleship must always be interpreted to involve a call to humble fellowship, constant fellowship, sanctified openmindedness, undisputed obedience, ready submission, heroic faith, arduous labor, unselfish service, self-renunciation, patient suffering, painful sacrifice, and cross-bearing. It is the bringing of all of life under the Lordship of Christ. This is not only the purpose of salvation, but this is the fullness of salvation—redemption from self and devotion to the Lord. And to this every Christian is called.

Too often, however, Christian discipleship has been detached from the everyday life of every believer and thought of in terms of the great, the heroic, and a peculiar sense of saintliness is being attached to it, instead of being lived out daily in the ordinary affairs of life and relationships.


The preceding has been taken from Dallas Theological Seminary, Bibliotheca Sacra Volume 120 (Dallas Theological Seminary, 1963; 2002), 120:327.

Matthew 4 Study Guide PT. Three

This Wednesday, April 18th, we will discuss the remaining few verses of Matthew 4, specifically, Matthew 4:17-25. Notice Matthew 4:17 begins with "from that time," we will see this phrase again in Matthew 16:21, suggesting a significant break or shift in thought. Matthew has established that Jesus is qualified to be the Messiah by his "fulfilling all righteousness" through his baptism and temptation, not this section of Matthew introduces the beginning of Jesus ministry. It begins with the calling of his disciples and is characterized by his threefold ministry of teaching, preaching, and healing (cf 9:35). Matthew expounds on this threefold ministry of Jesus in Matthew 5-9. In Matthew 5-7 we are given an example of his teaching and preaching ministry and in Matthew 8-9 we have recorded 10 miracles that include healing.

I trust to see you this Wednesday

Andrew

Preaching the Word

This Sunday I have been asked to preach at Wayside Gospel Chapel in Greentown, Pa. The title for my message is "The Tempter and the Tempted." The text for this message is Matthew 4:1-11. I ask that you will right now as you read this blog post pray for me and for those who will hear the message.

A Servant of Christ,
Andrew Manwarren

Matthew 4 Study Guide PT. Two

This Wednesday, April 11th, we will continue with our study of Matthew 4. Last week we got through Matthew 4:7 and this Wednesday I would like to conclude our thoughts on the temptation of Jesus and proceed as far as Matthew 4:17. Please come prepared to discuss these verses.

Let me also take advantage of this opportunity to encourage you to keep reading through the entire book of Matthew. The more you read through the book of Matthew the more you will appreciate its themes and motifs. More importantly, the more you read through the book of Matthew the more you will know of our dear Savior the Lord Jesus Christ and desire to serve him with all your undivided attention.

Repetition is the mother of all learning.

Resurrection Song "Arise My Love" by NewSong

I found this video on You Tube and thought it appropriate. You can view it in its original here. Enjoy, and remember every day is resurrection day for a believer in the King Lord Jesus.

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." Colossians 3:1-4 NIV

And He Made The Stars Also....

I recently saw a version of this over on www.theologica.blogspot.com and I was impressed with it so I thought I would put the fuller version here. If you like this, on the bottom of the post there is another link with a view of the Milky Way 10 million miles from Earth.

Want more? Then follow this link.

What the Devil?

The Devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.

An evil soul, producing holy witness,

Is like a villain with a smiling cheek;

A goodly apple rotten at the heart.

O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!

Matthew 4 Study Guide PT. One

This Wednesday we will wrap up any thoughts concerning the baptism of Christ in Matthew 3 and we will consider the temptation of Jesus Christ in Matthew 4:1-11. To try and do any more than that this Wednesday would be to much. Jesus Christ's baptism and temptation go together. They are unique yet crucially connected and this bible study we will explore some of those connections. Here are some suggestions/thoughts/comments...

1) Read Deuteronomy 6-8. If you do nothing else, please read this portion of Scripture.

2) Did you notice who led him up into the wilderness? Does this strike you as odd? Is God leading his son Jesus into temptation? Who does the tempting here in this passage?

3) Why is he tempted in the wilderness? Why not in the city, or in a garden, etc? What is the significance of "wilderness" in biblical theology? See Numbers 20:5; Hosea 2:14-23

4) Jesus Christ fasted "forty days and forty nights." Is there any significance to this? Can you think of any other examples in Scripture of 40 days and nights?

5) Twice Satan says to Jesus Christ, "If you are the Son of God..." This is an important connection with God saying to his Son, "This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:17; cf Matthew 4:3, 6).

6) Consider 1 John 2:16, "...lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, pride of life..." in relation to the three temptations offered by Satan to Jesus, indeed, even to Adam and Eve.

7) In relation to the previous point, consider Hebrews 2:17-18 and Hebrews 4:18. Do these verses in connection with the temptation of Jesus comfort you?

Hopefully this will jump start you for this Wednesday.

Sadducees and Pharisees

In Matthew 3:7 one encounters the Pharisees and Sadducees for the first time in Matthew. Josephus sheds some helpful light on what these two religious sects believed and practiced. In fact, most of what we know concerning the Sadducees comes from Josephus. For those interested, there was also in the days of Jesus another religious sects known as the Essenes and Josephus discusses this sect more than any other. It is interesting to note the Pharisees doctrine of the soul's immortality, and that while on earth we receive rewards or punishments according to our deeds, and to the bad is allotted an eternal prison, and that the good are permitted to live again in this world are nearly agreeable to the doctrines of Christianity. We should perhaps be less quick to judge the Pharisees as hypocrites and false teachers every time we come across them in the Scriptures and might I even dare to say see them in ourselves as we read and study the Scriptures!


Here is some of what Josephus says regarding the Pharisees and the Sadducees.

The Jewish War

2.8.14

14. But then as to the two other orders at first mentioned, the Pharisees are those who are esteemed most skillful in the exact explication of their laws, and introduce the first sect. These ascribe all to fate [or providence], and to God, and yet allow, that to act what is right, or the contrary, is principally in the power of men, although fate does co-operate in every action. They say that all souls are incorruptible, but that the souls of good men only are removed into other bodies, - but that the souls of bad men are subject to eternal punishment. But the Sadducees are those that compose the second order, and take away fate entirely, and suppose that God is not concerned in our doing or not doing what is evil; and they say, that to act what is good, or what is evil, is at men's own choice, and that the one or the other belongs so to every one, that they may act as they please. They also take away the belief of the immortal duration of the soul, and the punishments and rewards in Hades. Moreover, the Pharisees are friendly to one another, and are for the exercise of concord, and regard for the public; but the behavior of the Sadducees one towards another is in some degree wild, and their conversation with those that are of their own party is as barbarous as if they were strangers to them. And this is what I had to say concerning the philosophic sects among the Jews.

Jewish Antiquities

18.1.3-4

3. Now, for the Pharisees, they live meanly, and despise delicacies in diet; and they follow the conduct of reason; and what that prescribes to them as good for them they do; and they think they ought earnestly to strive to observe reason's dictates for practice. They also pay a respect to such as are in years; nor are they so bold as to contradict them in any thing which they have introduced; and when they determine that all things are done by fate, they do not take away the freedom from men of acting as they think fit; since their notion is, that it hath pleased God to make a temperament, whereby what he wills is done, but so that the will of man can act virtuously or viciously. They also believe that souls have an immortal rigor in them, and that under the earth there will be rewards or punishments, according as they have lived virtuously or viciously in this life; and the latter are to be detained in an everlasting prison, but that the former shall have power to revive and live again; on account of which doctrines they are able greatly to persuade the body of the people; and whatsoever they do about Divine worship, prayers, and sacrifices, they perform them according to their direction; insomuch that the cities give great attestations to them on account of their entire virtuous conduct, both in the actions of their lives and their discourses also.
4. But the doctrine of the Sadducees is this: That souls die with the bodies; nor do they regard the observation of any thing besides what the law enjoins them; for they think it an instance of virtue to dispute with those teachers of philosophy whom they frequent: but this doctrine is received but by a few, yet by those still of the greatest dignity. But they are able to do almost nothing of themselves; for when they become magistrates, as they are unwillingly and by force sometimes obliged to be, they addict themselves to the notions of the Pharisees, because the multitude would not otherwise bear them.

Matthew Three Study Guide PT. 1

This Wednesday, March 21, we will begin studying Matthew 3. From Matthew 2:23 to Matthew 3:1 we jump nearly 30 years in time; We jump from the birth narrative, to the ministry of John the Baptist, and his baptism of Jesus Christ. Scripture tells us nothing concerning these childhood and young adult years of Jesus life from two to thirty, save Luke's account in 2:41-52 when Jesus is twelve years old. We are not to worry ourselves over this. The childhood and young adult years are of no concern in reference to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Here are some thoughts/observations/comments that may be helpful for you as you study this portion of Scripture and prepare for Wednesday night.

1) We are immediately confronted with one named John the Baptist. This is the first occurrence of his name in Matthew, Luke of course gives us the details concerning his birth, and per usual Matthew has made a connection with this event and the fulfillment of Scripture (Matthew 3:3; Isa. 40:3). Take the time now to pick up a good bible dictionary and read up on John the Baptist.

2) In Matthew 3:2 we see part of the message John the Baptist has been preaching is "repentance." This is a word we do not hear enough of from the pulpits of churches and from the mouths of evangelists around the world. This is an action that is far too often unpracticed in our own lives and in the lives of those all over the world. I say all of this because we live in a world of relativism. We live in a world where we are told everyone is right, and so if everyone is right then what is there to repent from? Contra relativism, repentance is fundamental to the preaching and acceptance of the gospel. Take time now to think about the importance of repentance. How would you define repentance? Consider the connection John the Baptist makes between repentance and the nearness of the kingdom of heaven. What is the significance of that? What does the kingdom of heaven have to do with repentance? Additionally, think of the significance of who he is preaching this message of repentance to! He is telling the Jews to repent! It is not enough to be born a Jew to enter the kingdom of heaven. In application then it is not enough to be born in a christian family, to be baptized, to answer to an altar call to truly be repentant!

3) What is the connection between John the Baptist and Elijah?

4) In Matthew 3:7 we are introduced for the first time to the Pharisees and Sadducees. Take time now to look them up in a good bible dictionary.

5) What does John the Baptist mean by "I baptize you with water....but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire?"

6) John the Baptist's words in Matthew 3:7-12 clearly refer to eternal punishment in fire.

7) What is intended by Jesus words to John the Baptist "for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness?" Does Jesus need to repent? Is Jesus righteous before his baptism?

8) Again the Holy Spirit is shown to be intricately involved in the life of Jesus Christ, first in his birth and now at his baptism in Matthew 3:16. We would do well to stop and be thankful for the powerful role the Spirit has played in the life of Christ and in your life right now! The Spirit often plays a "thankless" role in our lives.

This weekend I will post some concluding thoughts concerning Matthew 2 since we are now moving on to Matthew three.