How to Live and Love Pt 3

Matthew 6:1-24

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

“Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  • What does Jesus say about doing your good deeds to be seen by others? Where is the balance between seeking praise from others and being an example to others?
  • This passage speaks to motives and priorities. Which of Jesus’ teachings here challenges you the most?  

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

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How to Live and Love Pt 2

Matthew 5:21-48

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First, be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  • In what way did Jesus’ teachings shift from what his listeners had heard previously? How does that, in turn, shift our view of how we should live?
  • What does Jesus mean when He says that we must be perfect, just as God is perfect? Is He setting too high a bar?   

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

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Focus this Week – Jesus on How to Live and Love

Matthew 5:1-20

“Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

“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. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

A paradox is the combining of two seemingly opposite statements. Like: Wise Fool; Bittersweet; Deep down; If you didn’t get this message, call me.

These are statements that seem to contradict or challenge one another, yet Jesus used them all the time.  Love enemies, be thirsty to be satisfied, get low to be exalted. 

You may wonder why Jesus uses paradoxical language. Why does Jesus make me love my enemies?  How can I be humble to be exalted? 

The reason Jesus’ sermon seems paradoxical or opposite is because they are opposite to us, but ordinary to Him. A poor rich man is not a paradox to Jesus. It is only a paradox to us, because an unbeliever’s life is opposite Jesus’ life.  

Even more awesome is that the life of Jesus is opposite because it surpasses ordinary.  His power goes beyond ordinary.  We cannot live the life of the flesh as a Christian, because it is not fit for His life. It is not worthy of His life. Our life pales in comparison to His.  

The words of Jesus have to be different, because our words do not fit His world. He has a heavenly language. And living what Jesus spoke takes heavenly power that is preeminent.

Jesus wants you to become poor so He can make you rich, because you can only get so rich on your own. The riches of Jesus far surpass your most successful endeavor.  

Jesus wants you to become humble and submissive so He can exalt you, because you can only be so powerful and popular. The power Christ gives far surpasses even the President of the United States.

The life of Jesus seems to be a paradox, but it is preeminent. It is vital that you take time this week to let these passages sink in for the sake of you, others, and the glory of God. What Jesus says is superior, but also extremely practical to every part of your life.

Use the HEAR method as you spend time with today’s scripture.

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Today’s post is by Pastor Stephen Williams

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Sunday Edition

Good morning! We hope you’ll join us for worship today.  

On-Campus – Contemporary worship 9am and 11am, Blended 9:45am. 
Streaming online 9am and 11am at mybelmont.org/sermonsonline or facebook.com/mybelmont/live 

Verses for the week:

  • Monday – Matthew 5:1-20

  • Tuesday – Matthew 5:21-48

  • Wednesday – Matthew 6:1-24

  • Thursday – Matthew 6:25-34

  • Friday – Matthew 7:1-14

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Small Group Discussion

We’ve been reading about the miracles of Jesus this week. These miracles showed his power over spiritual forces, limited resources, the elements, and physical disabilities. As you spend time in your small group this week discuss the areas of Jesus’ power, the people’s reaction to his miracles, and what miracles are supposed to accomplish. And how did the authority of Jesus’ teaching relate to his miracles? 

Share what you’ve learned from your reading and how God has spoken to you. You can also use the HEAR method as a structure for your discussion.

If you aren’t currently in a group we’d love to help you connect with one. Contact jon@mybelmont.org or go to mybelmont.org/smallgroups

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Today’s post is by Jon Price

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Jesus Makes Something out of Your Nothing

Matthew 14:15-21 Jesus Makes Something out of Your Nothing

“Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.”

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  • When looking to solutions to your problems, how often do you look beyond your own power and resources?
  • Jesus took what was available and multiplied it. Have you ever experienced a miracle like this, where God took the little you had and fulfilled your need?    
  • What are reminders you can put in place that God is able to provide in miraculous ways?  

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

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