Matthew 6:1-18
Disciples of Jesus serve the Father, who is unseen. Therefore, Christian service is most genuine when only the Father knows about it.
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Matthew 5:43-48
Jesus reveals the keystone for everything he has been preaching so far in the Sermon on the Mount. To be righteous is to imitate the Father in heaven. Since the Father always loves his enemies, those who truly are God's children do the same. Matthew 5:38-42
This "turn the other cheek" teaching from Jesus is correctly recognized as calling Christians to non-resistance. Over the years there has been some controversy over whether this passage means that Christians cannot fight in wars or defend their homes and family from threats to life and property. While it is possible that Christians must consider this passage in such situations, it is also important that Jesus does not include those kinds of threats in his illustrations of how to practice the Christian principle of non-resistance. In this study, we notice that Jesus calls his followers--anyone who wants to practice what is genuine righteousness--to follow his lead in coming alongside others as friends. These others are those who treat one's self wickedly, such as an insulting and belittling slap in the face or a lawsuit to forcibly claim property from you. Jesus earned a reputation as "friend of sinners," and he calls us to do likewise. Matthew 5:27-30
It is tempting for disciples of Jesus to let their eyes wander to things they might never let there hands reach for. Jesus teaches his disciples to recognize this as a sign that the heart continues to need his transforming power for righteousness. This is exactly what he came to provide for all who will believe in him. Matthew 24:6-8
Russia's invasion of Ukraine this week provides an occasion of "Bible prophecy" advocates to speculate that certain End Times prophecies are being fulfilled. They want to say that Putin's actions prove that Jesus is about to return. Faithful Christians must pay careful attention to what Jesus has said about such things. Jesus taught his disciples to always watch and wait for his return, because he will come without warning, "like a thief in the night." Matthew 5:21-26
Jesus teaches that the full understanding of the commandment, "You shall not murder," is that God condemns even our being angry with someone. Therefore, Jesus teaches his disciples to devote themselves to helping one another resolve their anger and make peace as soon as possible. Matthew 5:13-16
Jesus introduced the famous images of "salt of the earth" and "city on a hill" in this early part of his Sermon on the Mount. He uses these images to teach his followers what he has called them to be for this world that is destined for destruction. If Jesus were to teach this lesson again today, rather than salt and lamplight, he might use the image of scented candles. Matthew 4:18-25
Matthew shows disciples of Jesus what it means to catch people by the Kingdom of God. Matthew tells us very little about the circumstances of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus' return to Israel from Egypt. What Matthew wants us to focus on is that their settling in Nazareth in Galilee was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophets about the Christ. What could those things have been, since Nazareth is never mentioned in prophecies about the Christ? Why go to Galilee when no prophet comes from Galilee (John 7:52)? In answering these questions by "people watching" Joseph on his journey, we gain insights into the power and faithfulness of the great God and father of Jesus Christ our savior.
Jesus's humility and obedience and love on display through his cross provides the pattern for the whole life of every Christian.
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