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Section Introduction
Matthew 5-7

Section Two walked through the ministry of John the Baptist; the baptism, temptation, and early ministry of Jesus; the calling of the disciples; the first public miracle; the cleansing of the temple; the conflict with religious leaders; and the sermon on the plain.

Section Three will focus on Matthew chapters 5-7, within which Jesus teaches beatitudes
in His sermon on the mountain, provides a wide-range of teaching for the righteous
Christian, and disciples His followers regarding their relationship to both God and others.

Sunday

Matthew 5:1-12

The Beatitudes

5:1 "When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain. After he sat down his disciples came to him.

5:2 "Then he began to teach them by saying:

5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.

5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.

5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.

5:10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.

5:11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things about you falsely on account of me.

5:12 "Rejoice and be glad because your reward is great in heaven, for they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way."

Prayer

Lord, Your new covenant of Grace is both an incredibly freeing gift and an incredible challenge to every Believer to live righteously before You from a Holy Spirit-informed heart of love. I pray that I may be, with Your help, ever mindful of this.

Commentary

The opening verses of Matthew 5, as the NET Bible translator's notes record, set the stage for a "new Moses": "The genre of the Sermon on the Mount seems to be that of a new Moses giving a new law." Note that Jesus is not presenting a replacement set of laws, He is defining the nature of the personal relationship God desires with His children.

Verses 1 and 2 describe four elements of the context of Jesus' teaching: First “He saw the crowds”, second “He went up the mountain” (NET translator's notes observe that this may be as rhetorical as literal, implying that Jesus' purpose was to recast the Ten Commandments, also given on a mountain, in the new covenant of Grace), third “His disciples came to Him”, and fourth “Then He began to teach them.” His comments appear to have been addressed to His disciples, whereas the crowd merely listened.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them” (vs. 3). The "poor in spirit" are those humble in spirit, who recognize their spiritual poverty and are open to being abundantly filled with the Holy Spirit. Note that God says His kingdom belongs to those who are "poor in spirit" not will belong to them. However, some blessings are conditional upon one first showing the right spiritual attitude or action by which then blessing follows (e.g., the "merciful" will be "shown mercy," vs. 7).

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (vs. 4). This fallen world is filled with loss, thus one is constantly mourning the loss of what was enjoyed in Eden, the comfort of the immediate presence of God in the absence of sin before the Fall. Those who do not mourn the loss of the ever-present God in them (due to the presence of unconfessed, unrepented, unforgiven sin) do not avail themselves of the comfort of God.

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (vs. 5). To be “meek” means 'to have ones power under control,' and in the case of the Christian, under the control of God. This complements other Scripture passages which discuss human interactions in a world inclined toward anger and rage. We are capable of lashing out in power verbally, physically, or otherwise; but God's desire is that we control that power and choose instead to be meek, in keeping with His teaching “revenge is Mine” (Rom. 12:19).

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied” (vs. 6). If we understand what Jesus meant by “righteousness,” then we would better understand why He honors those who “hunger and thirst” for it. Righteousness, simplified, is having our thoughts and deeds in 'right standing before God' ― this speaks of the condition and expression of our heart. The humble Believer, who knows they are unable to live righteously before God by their own effort, hungers and thirsts for the refining work of the Holy Spirit which draws them toward having a pure heart.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (vs. 7). This blessing is conditional ― be merciful and you will receive mercy. The act of being merciful is giving up the worldly notion of fairness and in its place living the Godly law of love, so as to be a powerful witness of and for Christ.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (vs. 8). This, in a literal sense, is impossible; however, “nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37). All pureness comes from the Holy Spirit. When we get out of God's way and allow Him through the power of His Holy Spirit to be Lord in some area of our life, He blesses us and at the same time others through us — we then "see" through our spiritual eyes the pure heart of God.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God” (vs. 9). A peacemaker is not necessarily a pacifist; the Bahai religion teaches pacifism, Biblical Christianity does not. A Biblical Christian peacemaker is one who lovingly seeks to avoid conflict, but does not allow thugs to abuse him or her (thus enabling their sin).

When we are righteous in service to God we are living “in the kingdom of heaven,” although we may also be “persecuted”: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things about you falsely on account of me. Rejoice and be glad because your reward is great in heaven, for they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way” (vss. 10-12).

Interaction

Consider

When Jesus describes the boundaries for a blessed relationship with Him are we at once encouraged and challenged, excited and chastised?

Discuss

Do we read in His words His loving desire to bless us, His awareness of our struggles, and His provision ready to be poured out when our hearts are turned toward Him?

Reflect

Define and illustrate the difference between a “peacemaker” and a “pacifist.”

Share

A practical example of at least one of the principles from the Beatitudes you have experienced in having a right-relationship with God or with others.

Faith in Action

Prayer

Ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you have successfully surrendered a part of your life and where He has used it to bless others through you.

Action

Today I choose to celebrate my surrender with Him and celebrate that with others. I also choose to ask Him to reveal to me something He'd have me surrender which blocks His blessing and to ask others to pray in agreement for God to sustain me in that surrender, giving them permission to hold me accountable.

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

Monday

Matthew 5:13-20

Salt and Light

5:13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people. 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. 5:15 People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.

Fulfillment of the Law and Prophets

5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have not come to abolish these things but to fulfill them. 5:18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth pass away not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter will pass from the law until everything takes place. 5:19 So anyone who breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever obeys them and teaches others to do so will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 5:20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness goes beyond that of the experts in the law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Prayer

Lord, when I remember that Jesus was the fulfillment of the purpose of the law and the prophets, may I not be found shy about proclaiming His message of salvation.

Commentary

Verses 17-20 summarize our transformation from Old Testament bondage to Law (eternal condemnation) into our New Testament freedom by Grace (eternal life). Jesus qualifies His meaning in verse 20: "Unless your righteousness goes beyond that of the experts in the law...you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." If it is impossible to earn entry into the Kingdom of Heaven without a perfect record of righteousness, this passage then means that we are hopeless without Him, our substitute perfection.

The notion of Christ being our "perfection" is consistent with His teaching that the Law and the Prophets point to Him and He is their fulfillment. Verse 18 reads literally “until heaven and earth pass away” ― those not justified in Christ (who do not have the “kingdom of heaven”) must keep the law perfectly until heaven and earth pass away in order to have any hope of eternal life in heaven. However, for those who already have the kingdom of heaven through faith in the Messiah, everything needed to attain eternal life in heaven has already taken place and they are free in Him.

This is a radical message, one which undermines the teaching of religious leaders and their idolatry of tradition, but which shines light on prophesy of Jesus the Messiah.

Interaction

Consider

“The one who believes in the Son has eternal life. The one who rejects the Son will not see life, but God’s wrath remains on him” (John 3:36). Unless we are both foolish (living in worldly ways) and selfish (failing to tell others), believing in Jesus changes everything ― who we are in Christ and what we do as His children!

Discuss

Our transformation from the Old Testament bondage to law, thereby eternal condemnation before the Law, into our New Testament freedom by grace, therefore the promise of Heaven through the Messiah.

Reflect

The challenge that our purpose in life as His children is to be witness to His powerful transforming Truth and to never drift back into the old self.

Share

A practical example of freedom, as it brings peace and perfection and power to serve in Jesus name, versus the bondage of legalism and the Law without grace.

Faith in Action

Prayer

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you a place in your life where you are allowing yourself to be too distracted by worldly priorities and where you may instead prioritize His call to tell His story.

Action

Today I choose to identify and surrender a foolish worldly way and pray opportunity to boldly share my faith with an unsaved person. I will share with someone the joy and peace I have through faith in the One Who liberated me from the wrath of God.

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

Tuesday

Matthew 5:21-48

Anger and Murder

5:21 “You have heard that it was said to an older generation, ‘Do not murder,’ and ‘whoever murders will be subjected to judgment.’ 5:22 But I say to you that anyone who is angry with a brother will be subjected to judgment. And whoever insults a brother will be brought before the council, and whoever says ‘Fool’ will be sent to fiery hell. 5:23 So then, if you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 5:24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother and then come and present your gift. 5:25 Reach agreement quickly with your accuser while on the way to court, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the warden, and you will be thrown into prison. 5:26 I tell you the truth, you will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny!

Adultery

5:27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ 5:28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to desire her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 5:29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away! It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into hell. 5:30 If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away! It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into hell.

Divorce

5:31 “It was said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a legal document.’ 5:32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Oaths

5:33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to an older generation, ‘Do not break an oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ 5:34 But I say to you, do not take oaths at all – not by heaven, because it is the throne of God, 5:35 not by earth, because it is his footstool, and not by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. 5:36 Do not take an oath by your head, because you are not able to make one hair white or black. 5:37 Let your word be ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no.’ More than this is from the evil one.

Retaliation

5:38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 5:39 But I say to you, do not resist the evildoer. But whoever strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well. 5:40 And if someone wants to sue you and to take your tunic, give him your coat also. 5:41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 5:42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not reject the one who wants to borrow from you.

Love for Enemies

5:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘hate your enemy.’ 5:44 But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you, 5:45 so that you may be like your Father in heaven, since he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 5:46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors do the same, don’t they? 5:47 And if you only greet your brothers, what more do you do? Even the Gentiles do the same, don’t they? 5:48 So then, be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Prayer

Lord, as I read the teaching of Jesus, may my heart and mind be transformed as I begin to see the world – and my purpose in it – through Your eyes rather than mine.

Commentary

Jesus walks His listeners, and us, through a series of examples of what it means to live as a child of the Kingdom rather than as a hopeless slave to Law. As He does He notes that, while the Law focuses upon narrow external conduct, His expectations for us point to what flows from a Holy Spirit transformed heart (and in the process of transformation).

Jesus mentions the most emotionally and sociologically powerful issues of the day:

Anger & Murder – Whereas the Ten Commandments include the act of murder (selfish killing, not all killing), Jesus narrows it down to any instance where the heart bears a seed of anger, bitterness, distain, or unforgiveness ― such pollutes a righteous heart.

Adultery – The Ten Commandments specified the physical act of sexual immorality (relations with a person not ones own spouse) as "adultery"; Jesus expands that to include any thought which even contemplates such an act. This was the failure of King David when he viewed Bathsheba bathing and failed the test by failing to turn away, allowing it temptation as he looked longer and contemplated a wrong relationship. Jesus advises us to stop the downward slide when being tested by not allowing the opportunity to be tempted; not allowing opportunity requires us to protect our hearts with our actions. Jesus illustrates the importance of resisting temptation with the extreme rhetorical example of plucking out ones own eye if it causes one to stumble.

Divorce – The Old Testament's legalistic application (see Deut. 24:1) was designed to constrain the carelessness by which men were discarding ones wife for another woman merely for convenience or pleasure; Jesus narrows the context and describes the consequences. He does not intend in Matthew 5:32 that marriage to any and every divorced woman is adultery, but in context refers to a Christian woman who is wrongly (non-Biblically) divorced and thus commits an "adulterous" act should she remarry.

Oaths – In ancient tradition it was common to make an oath so as to lend artificial credibility to ones promises. Leviticus 19:12 specifically forbids making an oath and using God's name to lend credibility, especially when the intent is to deceive. Jesus simplifies this by instructing us to always be honorable when giving our word: "Let your word be ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no.’ More than this is from the evil one" (vs. 37). Christians should be known as people of unquestionable integrity in all matters.

Retaliation – Jesus refers to the ancient tradition of “any eye for an eye” (vs. 38), which originated as a follow-up to the Ten Commandments (see Exodus 21). In primitive times the culture was highly literal and abstracts not well understood; thus, for the sake of civilization, a long detailed list of actions and consequences were felt necessary. When Jesus refers to the practice of slapping another to provoke conflict (see verse 39), His intent is not to teach a pacifistic response to an attack designed to do real harm. Since the culture in New Testament times was now capable of abstract thought, Jesus instructs his listeners to not react to provocations designed to simply drag one down to another's level.

Love of Enemies – Jesus reminds His listeners that Leviticus 19:18 instructs them not to hold a grudge or seek retaliation. He makes note that while it instructs them to love their neighbors some had added they should “hate their enemy” (vs. 43), though this latter was not God's teaching. Jesus reminds them that they were once the enemies of God, yet He loved them; they should do likewise and love their enemies, praying that they receive the awesome gift of the eternal love of God and become fellow children of God.

Interaction

Consider

There has been as much or more bad teaching since Christ walked among us as there was before Christ came; He has been misrepresented and His Word distorted.

Discuss

Which of these issues, as you read the passage and the commentary, most clarified your understanding or challenged your understanding and the intended application?

Reflect

The challenge of Jesus that we be His children and Christ-like, not merely in artificial external law-based behavior, but down to the very essence of our hearts and minds. Jesus calls for us to be loving and loyal, faithful and forgiving, righteous and respectful.

Share

A modern-day example of one of these issues as practiced in the life of a Believer.

Faith in Action

Prayer

Ask the Holy Spirit to direct your attention to any source of "spiritual authority" upon which you rely that is suspect, any place that your deeds do not match your words, and to where you are being a “good and faithful servant.”

Action

Today I choose to do a careful assessment of the people and publications which I allow to be my source of religious spiritual authority, looking closely at the Beatitudes and how well they are lived-out in the life and teachings of those "authorities." If there is not a close parallel and a seeking after perfection, then I will remove them from my life.

I also choose to do a self-assessment to discern if there are places in my life where I play the part of a righteous Christian but my heart is really living in a worldly place. If I find such a situation I will repent of it, ask God's forgiveness, submit to the Holy Spirit to clean it up, and ask someone to pray in agreement with me not to backslide.

In celebration, I will identify the ways that I am loving and loyal, faithful and forgiving, righteous and respectful; and I will seek to be teachable, so He may keep me in His ways.

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

Wednesday

Matthew 6:1-24

Pure-hearted Giving

6:1 “Be careful not to display your righteousness merely to be seen by people. Otherwise you have no reward with your Father in heaven. 6:2 Thus whenever you do charitable giving, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in synagogues and on streets so that people will praise them. I tell you the truth, they have their reward. 6:3 But when you do your giving, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 6:4 so that your gift may be in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.

Private Prayer

6:5 “Whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray while standing in synagogues and on street corners so that people can see them. Truly I say to you, they have their reward. 6:6 But whenever you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you. 6:7 When you pray, do not babble repetitiously like the Gentiles, because they think that by their many words they will be heard. 6:8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 6:9 So pray this way:

Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored, 6:10 may your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

6:11 Give us today our daily bread, 6:12 and forgive us our debts, as we ourselves have forgiven our debtors.

6:13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

6:14 “For if you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 6:15 But if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive you your sins.

Proper Fasting

6:16 “When you fast, do not look sullen like the hypocrites, for they make their faces unattractive so that people will see them fasting. I tell you the truth, they have their reward. 6:17 When you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 6:18 so that it will not be obvious to others when you are fasting, but only to your Father who is in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.

Lasting Treasure

6:19 “Do not accumulate for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. 6:20 But accumulate for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

6:22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If then your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 6:23 But if your eye is diseased, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

6:24 “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.

Prayer

Lord, please find me humble and concerned only for Your private approval, rather than wanting and seeking the public approval man.

Commentary

Jesus challenges us to assess our motivation for giving, praying, fasting, or (by implication) for anything we do in our Christian walk. He also calls us to prioritize those things which we feel led by Him to do. Jesus challenges us to continue our heart-assessment and keep it real.

Pure-hearted giving – Jesus warns us not be prideful, even in our giving, but to do so out of love not simply to seek the praises of men.

Private prayer – Jesus reminds us that prayer is primarily a private matter, not an occasion to 'show off.' He offers an example of a humble and teachable prayer. King David learned to surrender to God in prayer, and we are to seek a surrendering heart also. He reminds us to remember the relationship between our obedience in forgiveness of others and our availability to be blessed with God's forgiveness of ourselves.

Proper fasting – Jesus neither promotes nor restricts fasting, He simply instructs that those who choose to fast not do so as a public spectacle. As is true with giving and praying, if one is merely seeking the accolades of man God will not honor such a shallow self-serving heart. Furthermore, to 'fast' does not always mean to simply refrain from eating; it may also be to cease from doing that which is out of balance in our lives.

Lasting treasure – Jesus reminds us that what we truly value is reflected in our emotional and physical priorities. How we invest our time, talents, and treasures illustrates what we value the most. He reminds us that if God is not first in everything, whatever displaces Him is a less-valuable worldly idol.

Interaction

Consider

"Fasting" does not always mean to simply 'refrain from eating'; it may also be to cease from doing that which is out of balance in our lives.

Discuss

The relationship between our obedience in forgiveness of others and our availability to be blessed with God's forgiveness of ourselves.

Reflect

The challenge of Jesus to continue in our heart-assessment as we give, pray, fast and to prioritize what we do and be intentional about what we say.

Share

A practical example of something that you allowed (or still do) in your life to become more important than God – evidenced by what you prioritized or participated in when you knew that God had a different priority or that He disapproved.

Faith in Action

Prayer

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you where in your 'practice' of religion a prideful heart may be leading you to draw attention away from Jesus and to yourself instead.

Action

Today I choose to do a careful self-assessment to discern if and when I give, pray, fast, or prioritize with wrong motives (to earn the applause of men rather than God or to honor mere ritual, superstition, or tradition) rather than love-motivated obedience.

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

Thursday

Matthew 6:25-34

Do Not Worry

6:25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t there more to life than food and more to the body than clothing?

6:26 Look at the birds in the sky: They do not sow, or reap, or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you more valuable than they are?

6:27 And which of you by worrying can add even one hour to his life?

6:28 Why do you worry about clothing? Think about how the flowers of the field grow; they do not work or spin. 6:29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these!

6:30 And if this is how God clothes the wild grass, which is here today and tomorrow is tossed into the fire to heat the oven, won’t he clothe you even more, you people of little faith? 6:31 So then, don’t worry saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’

6:32 For the unconverted pursue these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

6:33 But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

6:34 So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.

Prayer

Lord, may the Enemy not trick me into worrying, when I should be comforted in knowing the loving and all-powerful Lord God holds me in the palm of His hand.

Commentary

We are not to worry about the necessities of life; the unconverted ("Gentiles", 'those not in the family of God') worry about these things, because they do not have a loving God Who provides ― Jesus reminds His listeners that they have a loving God Who knows what they have need of.

Instead of worrying, Jesus instructs that if we will focus on God's kingdom and righteousness He will provide all the needs of His faithful and obedient children. The admonition that we stay focused on meeting the challenges of the day before us rather than worrying about what may come in the days ahead, "Today has enough trouble of its own," is a comforting cure for anxiety.

Interaction

Consider

When we worry about necessities we are actually doubting the loving provision that has been promised to every Believer by the Lord God.

Discuss

When we worry about necessities we are distracted and take our eyes off of our obligation to serve Him in all ways, which should be our highest priority.

Reflect

The warning of Jesus that when we worry about what might come some day in the future we often miss discerning the present-day attacks of the Enemy; and so we fall easy prey to the Deceiver and become a poor witness of Christ-in-us.

Share

An example of a situation where you allowed yourself to worry about something over which you had no control, and your walk and your witness for Christ was harmed.

Faith in Action

Prayer

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you where you worry —all worries are un-Biblical.

Action

Today I choose to consider if my worrying is evidence that I do not trust God's promise to meet my needs. I choose to repent of that by asking His forgiveness, to reject the lies of Satan that led me to that place of doubt, and to fully trust God no matter what.

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

Friday

Matthew 7:1-14

Do Not Judge

7:1 “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 7:2 For by the standard you judge you will be judged, and the measure you use will be the measure you receive. 7:3 Why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to see the beam of wood in your own? 7:4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye,’ while there is a beam in your own? 7:5 You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. 7:6 Do not give what is holy to dogs or throw your pearls before pigs; otherwise they will trample them under their feet and turn around and tear you to pieces.

Ask, Seek, Knock

7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. 7:8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 7:9 Is there anyone among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 7:10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 7:11 If you then, although you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 7:12 In everything, treat others as you would want them to treat you, for this fulfills the law and the prophets.

The Narrow Gate

7:13 “Enter through the narrow gate, because the gate is wide and the way is spacious that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 7:14 But the gate is narrow and the way is difficult that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Prayer

Lord, may I remember that if I stand in any way as "righteous" before You it is because of the work of Christ on the Cross and the presence of Your Holy Spirit in me. May I never hold anyone to a standard that I have not first applied to myself, and even then only through the gentle filter of Grace.

Commentary

Jesus cautions us against judging others, encourages his listeners to pray, and teaches that the "way" to eternal life is narrow and is neither easily found nor followed.

Do not judge – Jesus informs His listeners that whatever standard they apply to others will also be applied to them. If harsh perfectionism is expected of others, then God will also expect the same of us; if arrogant pride of position or title or wealth, than the folly of such pride will be amplified; if self-importance due to outward beauty or physical prowess or unique talent, then every flaw will be counted against us. When we find our value in the things of the world or see it from the world's perspective, we take our unique value as children of God and cast it "as pearls before pigs" (vs. 6) into the mud for people to trample.

Ask, seek, knock – It is clear that Jesus is speaking to Believers, encouraging us to bring everything to God so that He may respond to our fervent and righteous prayers with blessings. He reminds us to “treat others as you would want them to treat you” (vs. 12), a standard for every successful citizen of a successful civilization and a fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets for those who would respond to the Messiah.

The narrow gate – Jesus notes that far easier than following Him is following the majority and wandering carelessly away from God and His blessings, blessings both realized on earth and promised in the Heaven to come. He affirms that the choice to follow Him and receive the promised blessings will be difficult.

Interaction

Consider

The world, whose Prince is for a time Satan, wants us obsessed with and thus controlled by the same failures and priorities over which worldly people are obsessed. What we obsess over we become slaves to. Worldly people want us worried about their approval, so that we will sell out God in order to fit into their debauched and hopeless “chasing after the wind” (Eccl. 5:16). Do we bring everything to God and trust Him with it all?

Discuss

Do we behave toward others as God would have us behave, not only because that is how we'd want them to behave toward us (as a loving eternal family member), but because God asks us to love one another?

Reflect

Following Christ is sacrificial; every genuine confession of faith requires that we give up everyone and everything in the world for Jesus and allow Him to decide who and what we need. It means that while we may be poor in worldly things and rejected by worldly people, we are loved more dearly by God and His family of true Believers than any nonbelieving member of any other group of people could ever be loved.

Share

When have you caught yourself, convicted by the Holy Spirit within, looking down on someone (who dressed poorly, who spoke poorly, or who was different in some way), and that drew you into a momentary sense of superiority? What have you done, or are you doing, to overcome that?

Faith in Action

Prayer

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you where you are distracted by the unimportant to the detriment of what is important to God.

Action

Today I choose to consider things I may be doing that are unintentional distractions on my part but intentional on the part of the Enemy. This could be fussing about my appearance, possessions, associations, or time commitments, etc. I will repent of those things and promise the Holy Spirit that I will be constantly teachable, inviting Him to protect me from drifting into worldly distractions and priorities.

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

Saturday

Matthew 7:15-29

A Tree and Its Fruit

7:15 “Watch out for false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are voracious wolves. 7:16 You will recognize them by their fruit. Grapes are not gathered from thorns or figs from thistles, are they? 7:17 In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 7:18 A good tree is not able to bear bad fruit, nor a bad tree to bear good fruit. 7:19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 7:20 So then, you will recognize them by their fruit.

Judgment of Pretenders

7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of heaven – only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 7:22 On that day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons and do many powerful deeds?’ 7:23 Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you. Go away from me, you lawbreakers!’

Hearing and Doing

7:24 “Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. 7:25 The rain fell, the flood came, and the winds beat against that house, but it did not collapse because it had been founded on rock. 7:26 Everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 7:27 The rain fell, the flood came, and the winds beat against that house, and it collapsed; it was utterly destroyed!”

7:28 When Jesus finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed by his teaching, 7:29 because he taught them like one who had authority, not like their experts in the law.

Prayer

Lord, thank You that, because of the salvation of Christ, Believers (unlike pretenders and other nonbelievers) are under the covenant of Grace and not the Law. Help me to demonstrate the evidence of my salvation through displaying the fruit of the Holy Spirit that is given to me.

Commentary

We are called to be discerning and seek the wisdom from God which enables us to recognize Christian "pretenders" and false teachings in order to flee from them.

Tree and its fruit – Jesus warns that there are many who pretend to be from God and to speak for God, yet who are deceivers of those seeking Truth and tools of the Deceiver. He reminds His followers to apply the things He lists as 'false fruits' to the walk of those who claim they are of God and, if their fruit (what they do and say) does not match His standard, to flee from them as the “wolves" in "sheep's clothing” (vs. 15) they really are.

Judgment of pretenders – Jesus saves His harshest words for those who fake their having faith and, as such, confuse and manipulate others. He emphasizes some of the actions of fakers: crying out emotionally and loudly in public “Lord, Lord,” claiming to prophesy in His name (but not truly doing so), casting out demons (yet really in league with the demons by pretending to cast them out), and masquerading the “powerful deeds” of God. He returns to His prior warning of those who cry, “Lord, Lord” but live in rebellion – “only the one who does the will of My Father in Heaven … will enter.”

Hearing and doing – Jesus concludes His teaching on the mountain with the parable of building your house on rock instead of on sand, which illustrates the difference between building a life on Him versus on the world, where it will be "utterly destroyed" (vs. 27) .

Interaction

Consider

“Pretenders” are lawbreakers and as such are not saved under the Law, because anyone who lives under the old covenant of law, not the new covenant of Grace, is not saved.

Discuss

Are we chastised by His teaching to seek righteousness, and are we encouraged by His words to discern between the true and the false?

Reflect

Do we hear from Him and choose to live rightly in response?

Share

When has the Holy Spirit shown you that someone whom you trusted was actually a false prophet? Were you resistant to that truth at first? Have you separated yourself from that person or are you still resisting the wisdom of the Holy Spirit?

Faith in Action

Prayer

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you any author, preacher, teacher, entertainer, or other person (book, radio, television, local gathering, etc.) who claims to speak with Biblical authority but who is in-fact a false prophet.

Action

Today I choose to consider carefully if there are "pretenders" in my life, those who claim the name of Christ but show no evidence of it or of the fruit of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit; and, once identified, I choose to exercise extreme care that I am not influenced by them.

I will also assess where I am doing well and where I am struggling to “build on the rock” (the teachings of Jesus) and not on “shifting sand” (the teachings of the world). I will ask others to prayerfully reflect with me as I struggle to know for sure.

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

All Bible text is from the NET unless otherwise indicated – http://bible.org

Note 1: These Studies often rely upon the guidance of the NET translators from their associated notes. Careful attention has been given to cite that source where it has been quoted directly or closely paraphrased. Feedback is encouraged where credit has not been sufficiently assigned.

Note 2: When NET text is quoted in commentary and discussion all pronouns referring to God are capitalized, though they are lowercase in the original NET text.

Commentary text is from David M. Colburn, D.Min. unless otherwise noted.

Grateful thanks to Merrilee Clark for sharing her gifts as an editor.

Copyright © 2010 by David M. Colburn. This is a BibleSeven Study – Section 3 of the series, “The Gospels in Chronological Order” – prepared by David M. Colburn and edited for bible.org August 2010. Text may be used for nonprofit educational purposes only, with credit; all other usage requires prior written consent of the author.