SERMON REVISITED 4
Nearing the end of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, we find valuable instruction! Do you take a humble view toward others, and see the need to rely upon God? Do you know how to apply the Golden Rule, and do you recall the concluding illustration showing how much we need this counsel? How we benefit!
Sermon on the Mount Revisited 4
1. What counsel do we find as Jesus' Sermon on the Mount concludes as found in Matthew chapter 7?
1. As we consider Matthew chapter 7, nearing the end of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, we find several gems of Scripture to ponder. We begin with counsel against having a prideful, judgmental attitude toward others, yet with a caution, then we have counsel on our view of prayer or looking to God for the things we need, desiring to please Him. Next is the Golden Rule, followed by counsel helping us identify the road we should take leading to life, and who we can trust based on the kind of fruitage ones are producing. A concluding powerful illustration motivates us to apply the fine counsel we receive from God's Son. Let's begin considering such counsel in more detail!
2. What counsel of Jesus can help us avoid having a prideful, judgmental view of others, and see how to give humble, loving counsel to others who really need it?
2. Let's pick up with verse 1: “Stop judging that you may not be judged; 2 for with the judgment you are judging, you will be judged, and with the measure that you are measuring out, they will measure out to you." What incentive to avoid a prideful attitude toward others--we will be judged in the way we're judging others. Shouldn't this move us to be more merciful and considerate or thoughtful in our view toward others? Therefore the Sermon continues: "3 Why, then, do you look at the straw in your brother’s eye but do not notice the rafter in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Allow me to remove the straw from your eye,’ when look! a rafter is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the rafter from your own eye, and then you will see clearly how to remove the straw from your brother’s eye." What fine counsel! Elsewhere God's word cautions: "Let the one who thinks he is standing beware he does not fall" (1Cor 10:12). If we find we're focusing upon the flaws of others, we likely are failing to maintain a humble view of ourselves. Let's make sure we're working hard to address our own flaws, that we may maintain the ability to lovingly address the flaws of others.
3. What caution does Jesus give regarding the sharing of divine truth with others, revealing that we still need to use good judgement in our ministry?
3. While avoiding a harsh, judgmental attitude toward others, we still need to exercise good judgement in our ministry. Notice how Jesus makes this clear in his next words: "6 Do not give what is holy to dogs nor throw your pearls before swine, so that they may never trample them under their feet and turn around and rip you open." Therefore we need to do our best to ascertain who it is we're speaking to, to choose to reveal divine truth to sincerely appreciative ones. The unclean, biting dogs could turn what is holy into something slanderous or in some other way harmful to God's name and people, while the unclean swine are unappreciative of clean pearls, happy to mash them in the mud, treating them as commonplace, at best.
4. How should we go about searching for the things we're needing to please God fully?
4. Let's continue with Jesus' next words, as regards looking to God for the things we need, as we serve Him: 7 “Keep on asking, and it will be given you; keep on seeking, and you will find; keep on knocking, and it will be opened to you; 8 for everyone asking receives, and everyone seeking finds, and to everyone knocking, it will be opened." We need to work at things, not simply lay back and expect everything to come to us. We are to be persistent. One scriptural example is our request for divine wisdom, as we read in James 1:5,6: "So if any one of you is lacking in wisdom, let him keep asking God, for he gives generously to all and without reproaching, and it will be given him. 6 But let him keep asking in faith, not doubting at all, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and blown about." Notice we are to "keep" asking, revealing the depth of our persistence and determination to acquire it. Also, how generous Jehovah God is revealed to be! "He gives generously to all and without reproaching," not shaming us for any lack of wisdom on our part, but instead happy to share with us what we are needing. Notice God's generosity as Jesus' words continue: "9 Indeed, which one of you, if his son asks for bread, will hand him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, he will not hand him a serpent, will he? 11 Therefore, if you, although being wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more so will your Father who is in the heavens give good things to those asking him!" How generous is our loving heavenly Father! Let us be moved out of appreciation for our God to continue asking for what we need, "seeking as for silver," and knocking on doors of opportunity to serve God fully (Prov 2:4).
5. How can we practice the "Golden Rule?"
5. We next find what has come to be called the "Golden Rule." Notice how it is expressed by God's Son: "12 All things, therefore, that you want men to do to you, you also must do to them. This, in fact, is what the Law and the Prophets mean." Recall that Jesus came, not to destroy, but to fulfill the Law and the Prophets (Mt 5:17,18). Now we see the spirit behind the Law and the Prophets. Jesus exemplified this in his manner and teaching, as "the image of the invisible God" (Col. 1:15). Notice this is a rule promoting positive actions toward others, actually doing to others what "you want men to do to you." So true love goes out of its way to benefit people, reflecting the genuine spirit of our generous God. We should be an extension of God's hand toward others, as He himself is a God of love, compassion and mercy, overflowing with acts of kindness. Let’s treat others in the same way we ourselves wish to be treated.
6. How is it that the road to life is challenging, but why is this reasonable?
6. Next we find an illustration of the path leading to endless life: "13 Go in through the narrow gate, because broad is the gate and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are going in through it; 14 whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are finding it." In this way God's word encourages us to be careful not simply to follow the crowd, but to "make sure of the more important things." (Phil. 1:10) The broad road seems to offer freedom but leads to destruction, while it is actually the narrow road that holds the promise of true freedom for those receiving eternal life in God's new world. For instance, some laws are necessary to promote true happiness, as in traffic laws to make smooth transit possible in general. What chaos if there were no traffic laws, lights or signs! God is the One who knows which laws are truly necessary to promote true happiness among humans. The cramped road requires us to acknowledge God's right to guide us in life, to realize He knows what's best for us. As God appeals to us in Isaiah 48: "17 This is what Jehovah says, your Repurchaser, the Holy One of Israel: “I, Jehovah, am your God, The One teaching you to benefit yourself, The One guiding you in the way you should walk. 18 If only you would pay attention to my commandments! Then your peace would become just like a river And your righteousness like the waves of the sea." The broad road to destruction has its problems and troubles, especially not having the blessing of God. The road to life has God's blessing, and "it is the blessing of Jehovah that makes one rich, and He adds no pain with it" (Prov. 10:22).
7. While accounting for imperfections of brothers, what should we look for to discern between true and false worshippers of God?
7. Where can we find trustworthy servants of God? Jesus offers warning counsel to assist in identifying false worshippers: 15 “Be on the watch for the false prophets who come to you in sheep’s covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves. 16 By their fruits you will recognize them. Never do people gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles, do they? 17 Likewise, every good tree produces fine fruit, but every rotten tree produces worthless fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear worthless fruit, nor can a rotten tree produce fine fruit. 19 Every tree not producing fine fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Really, then, by their fruits you will recognize those men." Those like a good tree would produce Christian fruitage in harmony with the fruitage of the holy spirit, such as genuine love, joy, and peace (Gal. 5:22,23). On the other hand, false worshippers would produce works like the "works of the flesh," "plainly seen," such as "uncleanness, brazen conduct, idolatry, spiritism, hostility, strife, jealously, fits of anger," and other such things as found at Galatians 5:19-21. Those practicing such things will not inherit God's kingdom. Such ones must truly repent of such things and sincerely turn to God, and seek to live in harmony with the fruitage of God's holy spirit.
8. How important is it that one chooses to do the expressed will of God?
8. Jesus continues with strong encouragement for wrongdoers to repent, by citing another standard of judgement between true and false worshippers--whether one is actually doing the will of our heavenly Father: "21 Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of the heavens, but only the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will. 22 Many will say to me in that day: ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them: ‘I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!’" How important, then, to know accurately what is the will of our heavenly Father! One important aspect of God's will we find in 1Timothy chapter 2. After mention of living a life of godly devotion, we read: "3 This is fine and acceptable in the sight of our Savior, God, 4 whose will is that all sorts of people should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth." Thus we should have a strong desire to reveal the truth about God and His worship to others as we have opportunity, seeking to save lives by the knowledge of God. As Proverbs 11:9 reveals: "By his mouth the apostate brings his neighbor to ruin, But by knowledge the righteous are rescued." May we continue to be sharing the knowledge that rescues the righteous. Let's also be eager to find other aspects of the will of God, as revealed in His word, that we may be living in full harmony with it.
9. What powerful illustration concludes Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, and how should we apply it?
9. We've reached the conclusion of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. Notice his powerful concluding illustration: "24 Therefore, everyone who hears these sayings of mine and does them will be like a discreet man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain poured down and the floods came and the winds blew and lashed against that house, but it did not cave in, for it had been founded on the rock. 26 Furthermore, everyone hearing these sayings of mine and not doing them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain poured down and the floods came and the winds blew and struck against that house, and it caved in, and its collapse was great.” Therefore all have a choice to prove whether they wish to be as the discreet man, or the foolish one. How seriously do you take Jesus' counsel in the Sermon on the Mount? It has been said that this Sermon, as found in the three chapters of Matthew 5-7, contains about one third of all that is required of true Christians. Let us review and ponder this Sermon periodically that we may not forget the important godly principles contained therein. Let us also work very hard to apply every lesson the Sermon reveals, happily making the application to our everyday lives, and thereby receive the blessings of faithfulness, looking forward to the promised reward for genuine Christian servants of Jehovah God.
1. As we consider Matthew chapter 7, nearing the end of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, we find several gems of Scripture to ponder. We begin with counsel against having a prideful, judgmental attitude toward others, yet with a caution, then we have counsel on our view of prayer or looking to God for the things we need, desiring to please Him. Next is the Golden Rule, followed by counsel helping us identify the road we should take leading to life, and who we can trust based on the kind of fruitage ones are producing. A concluding powerful illustration motivates us to apply the fine counsel we receive from God's Son. Let's begin considering such counsel in more detail!
2. What counsel of Jesus can help us avoid having a prideful, judgmental view of others, and see how to give humble, loving counsel to others who really need it?
2. Let's pick up with verse 1: “Stop judging that you may not be judged; 2 for with the judgment you are judging, you will be judged, and with the measure that you are measuring out, they will measure out to you." What incentive to avoid a prideful attitude toward others--we will be judged in the way we're judging others. Shouldn't this move us to be more merciful and considerate or thoughtful in our view toward others? Therefore the Sermon continues: "3 Why, then, do you look at the straw in your brother’s eye but do not notice the rafter in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Allow me to remove the straw from your eye,’ when look! a rafter is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the rafter from your own eye, and then you will see clearly how to remove the straw from your brother’s eye." What fine counsel! Elsewhere God's word cautions: "Let the one who thinks he is standing beware he does not fall" (1Cor 10:12). If we find we're focusing upon the flaws of others, we likely are failing to maintain a humble view of ourselves. Let's make sure we're working hard to address our own flaws, that we may maintain the ability to lovingly address the flaws of others.
3. What caution does Jesus give regarding the sharing of divine truth with others, revealing that we still need to use good judgement in our ministry?
3. While avoiding a harsh, judgmental attitude toward others, we still need to exercise good judgement in our ministry. Notice how Jesus makes this clear in his next words: "6 Do not give what is holy to dogs nor throw your pearls before swine, so that they may never trample them under their feet and turn around and rip you open." Therefore we need to do our best to ascertain who it is we're speaking to, to choose to reveal divine truth to sincerely appreciative ones. The unclean, biting dogs could turn what is holy into something slanderous or in some other way harmful to God's name and people, while the unclean swine are unappreciative of clean pearls, happy to mash them in the mud, treating them as commonplace, at best.
4. How should we go about searching for the things we're needing to please God fully?
4. Let's continue with Jesus' next words, as regards looking to God for the things we need, as we serve Him: 7 “Keep on asking, and it will be given you; keep on seeking, and you will find; keep on knocking, and it will be opened to you; 8 for everyone asking receives, and everyone seeking finds, and to everyone knocking, it will be opened." We need to work at things, not simply lay back and expect everything to come to us. We are to be persistent. One scriptural example is our request for divine wisdom, as we read in James 1:5,6: "So if any one of you is lacking in wisdom, let him keep asking God, for he gives generously to all and without reproaching, and it will be given him. 6 But let him keep asking in faith, not doubting at all, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and blown about." Notice we are to "keep" asking, revealing the depth of our persistence and determination to acquire it. Also, how generous Jehovah God is revealed to be! "He gives generously to all and without reproaching," not shaming us for any lack of wisdom on our part, but instead happy to share with us what we are needing. Notice God's generosity as Jesus' words continue: "9 Indeed, which one of you, if his son asks for bread, will hand him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, he will not hand him a serpent, will he? 11 Therefore, if you, although being wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more so will your Father who is in the heavens give good things to those asking him!" How generous is our loving heavenly Father! Let us be moved out of appreciation for our God to continue asking for what we need, "seeking as for silver," and knocking on doors of opportunity to serve God fully (Prov 2:4).
5. How can we practice the "Golden Rule?"
5. We next find what has come to be called the "Golden Rule." Notice how it is expressed by God's Son: "12 All things, therefore, that you want men to do to you, you also must do to them. This, in fact, is what the Law and the Prophets mean." Recall that Jesus came, not to destroy, but to fulfill the Law and the Prophets (Mt 5:17,18). Now we see the spirit behind the Law and the Prophets. Jesus exemplified this in his manner and teaching, as "the image of the invisible God" (Col. 1:15). Notice this is a rule promoting positive actions toward others, actually doing to others what "you want men to do to you." So true love goes out of its way to benefit people, reflecting the genuine spirit of our generous God. We should be an extension of God's hand toward others, as He himself is a God of love, compassion and mercy, overflowing with acts of kindness. Let’s treat others in the same way we ourselves wish to be treated.
6. How is it that the road to life is challenging, but why is this reasonable?
6. Next we find an illustration of the path leading to endless life: "13 Go in through the narrow gate, because broad is the gate and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are going in through it; 14 whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are finding it." In this way God's word encourages us to be careful not simply to follow the crowd, but to "make sure of the more important things." (Phil. 1:10) The broad road seems to offer freedom but leads to destruction, while it is actually the narrow road that holds the promise of true freedom for those receiving eternal life in God's new world. For instance, some laws are necessary to promote true happiness, as in traffic laws to make smooth transit possible in general. What chaos if there were no traffic laws, lights or signs! God is the One who knows which laws are truly necessary to promote true happiness among humans. The cramped road requires us to acknowledge God's right to guide us in life, to realize He knows what's best for us. As God appeals to us in Isaiah 48: "17 This is what Jehovah says, your Repurchaser, the Holy One of Israel: “I, Jehovah, am your God, The One teaching you to benefit yourself, The One guiding you in the way you should walk. 18 If only you would pay attention to my commandments! Then your peace would become just like a river And your righteousness like the waves of the sea." The broad road to destruction has its problems and troubles, especially not having the blessing of God. The road to life has God's blessing, and "it is the blessing of Jehovah that makes one rich, and He adds no pain with it" (Prov. 10:22).
7. While accounting for imperfections of brothers, what should we look for to discern between true and false worshippers of God?
7. Where can we find trustworthy servants of God? Jesus offers warning counsel to assist in identifying false worshippers: 15 “Be on the watch for the false prophets who come to you in sheep’s covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves. 16 By their fruits you will recognize them. Never do people gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles, do they? 17 Likewise, every good tree produces fine fruit, but every rotten tree produces worthless fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear worthless fruit, nor can a rotten tree produce fine fruit. 19 Every tree not producing fine fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Really, then, by their fruits you will recognize those men." Those like a good tree would produce Christian fruitage in harmony with the fruitage of the holy spirit, such as genuine love, joy, and peace (Gal. 5:22,23). On the other hand, false worshippers would produce works like the "works of the flesh," "plainly seen," such as "uncleanness, brazen conduct, idolatry, spiritism, hostility, strife, jealously, fits of anger," and other such things as found at Galatians 5:19-21. Those practicing such things will not inherit God's kingdom. Such ones must truly repent of such things and sincerely turn to God, and seek to live in harmony with the fruitage of God's holy spirit.
8. How important is it that one chooses to do the expressed will of God?
8. Jesus continues with strong encouragement for wrongdoers to repent, by citing another standard of judgement between true and false worshippers--whether one is actually doing the will of our heavenly Father: "21 Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of the heavens, but only the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will. 22 Many will say to me in that day: ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them: ‘I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!’" How important, then, to know accurately what is the will of our heavenly Father! One important aspect of God's will we find in 1Timothy chapter 2. After mention of living a life of godly devotion, we read: "3 This is fine and acceptable in the sight of our Savior, God, 4 whose will is that all sorts of people should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth." Thus we should have a strong desire to reveal the truth about God and His worship to others as we have opportunity, seeking to save lives by the knowledge of God. As Proverbs 11:9 reveals: "By his mouth the apostate brings his neighbor to ruin, But by knowledge the righteous are rescued." May we continue to be sharing the knowledge that rescues the righteous. Let's also be eager to find other aspects of the will of God, as revealed in His word, that we may be living in full harmony with it.
9. What powerful illustration concludes Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, and how should we apply it?
9. We've reached the conclusion of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. Notice his powerful concluding illustration: "24 Therefore, everyone who hears these sayings of mine and does them will be like a discreet man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain poured down and the floods came and the winds blew and lashed against that house, but it did not cave in, for it had been founded on the rock. 26 Furthermore, everyone hearing these sayings of mine and not doing them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain poured down and the floods came and the winds blew and struck against that house, and it caved in, and its collapse was great.” Therefore all have a choice to prove whether they wish to be as the discreet man, or the foolish one. How seriously do you take Jesus' counsel in the Sermon on the Mount? It has been said that this Sermon, as found in the three chapters of Matthew 5-7, contains about one third of all that is required of true Christians. Let us review and ponder this Sermon periodically that we may not forget the important godly principles contained therein. Let us also work very hard to apply every lesson the Sermon reveals, happily making the application to our everyday lives, and thereby receive the blessings of faithfulness, looking forward to the promised reward for genuine Christian servants of Jehovah God.