Here are some insights taken from J.O. Sanders, For Believers Only.
Keys to interpreting the Sermon on the Mount:
(i) Constitutes a portrait of the Preacher Himself.
(ii) Not a series of rules but principles for spiritual growth.
(iii) Peotical portions need to be interpreted appropriately. Oriental minds appreciate concrete illustrations of truths much more easily than abstract ideas.
(iv) Extreme hyperbolic way of conveying truths (eg. 5:29-30) and proverbial method of teaching (eg. 6:21).
Two views concerning the Sermon found in Luke 6 and Matthew 5-7:
(i) Discourses reported by Matthew and Luke are entirely separate and distinct. Jesus most likely repeated His teachings concerning the laws of the kingdom many times.
(ii) The two discourses are the same and there are no insuperable problems in reconciling the apparent differences. Luke omitted various matters of special interest to Jewish leaders eg. Mt 5:17-42 and other material which he himself purposed to give later eg. Lk 11:1-4; 12:22,27.
"The Sermon on the Mount was spoken in the ear of the church, and overheard by the world.” Bishop Gore
The Beautitudes (beautiful attitudes) are divided into two groups:
1 Passive personal qualities (5:3-6)
Poor in spirit: oppositie of pride and self-sufficiency. We can be Chrisitians but still live a life independent of God; depending on our own wisdom and strength.
Mourn: not of bereavement but over sin or the pain of others. Do we mourn over our lack of spiritual attainment or slowness of growth in divine life? Do we mourn over inward depravity or bondage to besetting sin?
Meekness: opposite of haughty and self-assertive spirit; it represents forces of character held firmly in hand like the breaking-in of wild horses. The meek person will yield to no one where a point of principle is involved, but he will be strong enough to give way when a matter of purely personal advantage is at stake.
Righteousness: not conformity to an impersonal law but that of outlook and character (ethical righteousness). Hunger and thirst here are used to convey the passionate desire for holiness. These are two of the most agonising and intense of human appetites.
2 Active social qualities (5:7-12)
Mercy: something we deserve but God withholds eg. punishment. It can only be exercised to the undeserving. Even though God is merciful, yet He does not condone our unrighteous acts. He is able to by-pass judgment over us because of what Christ has done for us.
Pure: freedom from alloy; sincerity and integrity. Cleanness of heart brings cleanness of vision. Sin so befogs the heart that God becomes invisible. There are moral conditions for spiritual vision.
Peace-makers: those who reconcile people who are estranged, in whose healing presence tension and discord give way to peace and harmony. Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace (Is 9:6). Children bear the likeness of their fathers; even so we bear the likeness of our Heavenly Father if we are peace-makers.
Jesus stipulated three qualifying conditions for the blessings of the persecuted (5:10-12):
1 It must be for righteousness sake; doing what is right at whatever the cost to himself.
2 The reviling must be falsely based ie. the disciple has not brought it on himself through his own sin or failure.
3 It must be for Christ’s sake; arising out of the disciple’s unwavering loyalty to his Master.
Let us examine our life in the light of what our Master has taught, pressing on into the new year with a resolve to work on our inward beauty so that it can be seen in our outward demonstration.
Wishing you a blessed New Year 2010 in the Lord!
Monday, December 28, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
The Gospel of Matthew
The crux of the gospel:
God
Offering
Sinful
People
Eternal
Life
Matthew was for a long time the church’s “favourite” gospel. It contains one of the fullest accounts of Jesus’ life and teaching (the other gospels are Mark, Luke and John). Most of what is inside Mark’s gospel can be found in Matthew. Matthew arranges everything by topic, especially the teachings of Jesus. He organizes it into 5 sections, each rounding off with the saying “When Jesus finished saying these things …”
1 Sermon on the Mount, concerning the character, duties, privileges and destiny of the believer in Christ
(Ch 5 – 7)
2 Instructions for mission (Ch 10 – 11:1)
3 Parables about the Kingdom of heaven (Ch 13)
4 Teaching on discipleship (Ch 18)
5 Teaching about the end of age and the coming Kingdom (Ch 24 – 25)
Matthew wrote to a Jewish audience sometime after AD 80. One of his key concerns is to show that Jesus’ first coming had fulfilled the promises God gave in the Old Testament. He quoted extensively from Old Testament texts (abt 130 direct or indirect references can be identified). He wanted to reveal the blindness of the Jewish leaders who had waited for the Messiah but missed him when he came. Matthew showed that Christians are the true inheritors of the Old Testament promise.
As we approach Christmas and commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, let us be reminded of what Scriptures tell us about Jesus:
(i) He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the virgin Mary’s womb (1:18, 20, 25).
(ii) His mission was to save people from their sins (1:21).
(iii) He came in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies (1:22-23).
(iv) He was born a king in humble circumstances (2:1-2).
Christ has a kingdom which is not of this world. It is a kingdom in the spiritual realm which He often spoke about in his parables. You and I can be a part of that glorious kingdom when we put our faith in Jesus, trusting Him as our personal Lord and Saviour. This Christmas, make Christ the centre of your celebration by inviting Him into your heart and allowing Him to lead and guide you all the days of your life.
Wishing you all a Christ-centred Christmas!
God
Offering
Sinful
People
Eternal
Life
Matthew was for a long time the church’s “favourite” gospel. It contains one of the fullest accounts of Jesus’ life and teaching (the other gospels are Mark, Luke and John). Most of what is inside Mark’s gospel can be found in Matthew. Matthew arranges everything by topic, especially the teachings of Jesus. He organizes it into 5 sections, each rounding off with the saying “When Jesus finished saying these things …”
1 Sermon on the Mount, concerning the character, duties, privileges and destiny of the believer in Christ
(Ch 5 – 7)
2 Instructions for mission (Ch 10 – 11:1)
3 Parables about the Kingdom of heaven (Ch 13)
4 Teaching on discipleship (Ch 18)
5 Teaching about the end of age and the coming Kingdom (Ch 24 – 25)
Matthew wrote to a Jewish audience sometime after AD 80. One of his key concerns is to show that Jesus’ first coming had fulfilled the promises God gave in the Old Testament. He quoted extensively from Old Testament texts (abt 130 direct or indirect references can be identified). He wanted to reveal the blindness of the Jewish leaders who had waited for the Messiah but missed him when he came. Matthew showed that Christians are the true inheritors of the Old Testament promise.
As we approach Christmas and commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, let us be reminded of what Scriptures tell us about Jesus:
(i) He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the virgin Mary’s womb (1:18, 20, 25).
(ii) His mission was to save people from their sins (1:21).
(iii) He came in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies (1:22-23).
(iv) He was born a king in humble circumstances (2:1-2).
Christ has a kingdom which is not of this world. It is a kingdom in the spiritual realm which He often spoke about in his parables. You and I can be a part of that glorious kingdom when we put our faith in Jesus, trusting Him as our personal Lord and Saviour. This Christmas, make Christ the centre of your celebration by inviting Him into your heart and allowing Him to lead and guide you all the days of your life.
Wishing you all a Christ-centred Christmas!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Who are the God seekers? (Ps 13-14)
God is looking for people who would seek after Him (14:2).
There two groups of people mentioned here:
The foolish generation: people without moral compass, who do wicked things and do not seek Him (14:1,4).
The righteous generation: people who seek God, trusting in His lovingkindness (13:5a).
When we seek God, we can pour out our fears and frustration before Him like David did (13:1-2). Do you ever question God? David did … four times … How long? How long? How long? How long? Christianity is about having a vital living relationship with God through Jesus Christ our Lord. This can be exemplified through us having a daily conversation with God through the ups and downs of life. And God who searches the hearts of all men will respond with His salvation (13:5b) and set us free from captivity (14:7). We can then truly rejoice and sing to the Lord because He has dealt bountifully with us (13:6).
May God use us to raise a righteous generation (our children) and to impact & influence others in our sphere of influence for Him.
There two groups of people mentioned here:
The foolish generation: people without moral compass, who do wicked things and do not seek Him (14:1,4).
The righteous generation: people who seek God, trusting in His lovingkindness (13:5a).
When we seek God, we can pour out our fears and frustration before Him like David did (13:1-2). Do you ever question God? David did … four times … How long? How long? How long? How long? Christianity is about having a vital living relationship with God through Jesus Christ our Lord. This can be exemplified through us having a daily conversation with God through the ups and downs of life. And God who searches the hearts of all men will respond with His salvation (13:5b) and set us free from captivity (14:7). We can then truly rejoice and sing to the Lord because He has dealt bountifully with us (13:6).
May God use us to raise a righteous generation (our children) and to impact & influence others in our sphere of influence for Him.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
The Book of Jude
Written by the half brother of Jesus Christ around AD 70-80.
The thrust of his message: Beware of pretenders who
1. pervert the grace of God into license to sin (v 4).
2. partake of the Lord’s Supper without fear (v 12).
3. are deceptive flatters (v 16).
4. are causers of division (v 19).
The false teachers taught that salvation by God’s grace allowed them to sin without condemnation. Jude countered by using three examples:
(i) Unbelievers were destroyed after their delieverance from Egypt (v5).
(ii) Sinning angels were kept in eternal bonds to await judgment (v6).
(iii) Sodom & Gomorrah were judged by fire (v7).
These pretenders were described in a three-fold term (v8,11):
(i) Defile the flesh (promote loose living) – way of Cain (he had a carnal attitude when he killed Abel).
(ii) Reject authority (truth is not absolute; everything is relative) – rebellion of Korah (rejected Moses' authority).
(iii) Revile angelic beings (no fear of God) – error of Balaam (went ahead despite angelic intervention).
The challenge for the believers is to contend earnestly for our faith (v 3). We are to
(i) fight for sound doctrine on the major issues of faith.
(ii) build ourselves up in our faith by praying in the Holy Spirit (v 20).
(iii) keep ourselves in God’s love (v 21).
(iv) save others from the error of their ways (v 23).
Are you contending earnestly for your faith or do you allow the things of this world to get a hold of you?
The thrust of his message: Beware of pretenders who
1. pervert the grace of God into license to sin (v 4).
2. partake of the Lord’s Supper without fear (v 12).
3. are deceptive flatters (v 16).
4. are causers of division (v 19).
The false teachers taught that salvation by God’s grace allowed them to sin without condemnation. Jude countered by using three examples:
(i) Unbelievers were destroyed after their delieverance from Egypt (v5).
(ii) Sinning angels were kept in eternal bonds to await judgment (v6).
(iii) Sodom & Gomorrah were judged by fire (v7).
These pretenders were described in a three-fold term (v8,11):
(i) Defile the flesh (promote loose living) – way of Cain (he had a carnal attitude when he killed Abel).
(ii) Reject authority (truth is not absolute; everything is relative) – rebellion of Korah (rejected Moses' authority).
(iii) Revile angelic beings (no fear of God) – error of Balaam (went ahead despite angelic intervention).
The challenge for the believers is to contend earnestly for our faith (v 3). We are to
(i) fight for sound doctrine on the major issues of faith.
(ii) build ourselves up in our faith by praying in the Holy Spirit (v 20).
(iii) keep ourselves in God’s love (v 21).
(iv) save others from the error of their ways (v 23).
Are you contending earnestly for your faith or do you allow the things of this world to get a hold of you?
Saturday, December 5, 2009
How to pray against terrorism? (Ps 9-10 NASB)
Arise, O LORD, do not let man prevail; let the nations be judged before You. Put them in fear, O LORD; let the nations know that they are but men (9:19-20). Bring to justice those who are bent on taking innocent lives through their senseless acts of wickedness. You see their plots and evil schemes (10:14); may they not prosper but rather be caught in their own traps (9:16; 10:2). Convict those who are behind bars for their part in terrorism. Turn their hearts back to You.
Break the arm of the wicked and the evildoer, seek out his wickedness until You find none (10:15). Cut off the flow of funding for their diabolical schemes and break up all terrorists’ cells operating in secret places all over the world. Bring confusion in their camps. Give wisdom and courage to governments to act righteously and against regimes that support terrorism.
The wickedness of man has increased much over the years. But You, O God, are King forever and ever. Every man will have to stand in your presence one day to account for what he has done on earth. O LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear to vindicate the orphan and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth will no longer cause terror (10:17-18).
Break the arm of the wicked and the evildoer, seek out his wickedness until You find none (10:15). Cut off the flow of funding for their diabolical schemes and break up all terrorists’ cells operating in secret places all over the world. Bring confusion in their camps. Give wisdom and courage to governments to act righteously and against regimes that support terrorism.
The wickedness of man has increased much over the years. But You, O God, are King forever and ever. Every man will have to stand in your presence one day to account for what he has done on earth. O LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear to vindicate the orphan and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth will no longer cause terror (10:17-18).
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Book of Hebrews
The writer of this book is unknown though the early church believed Paul wrote it. The reasons why this book is not attributed to Paul are:
1. There’s no customary salutation which includes Paul's name.
2. The Greek used here is polished whereas Paul’s is rugged, though vigorous (Morris, “Hebrews” in Expositor’s Bible Commentary)
3. The Levitical symbolism is not mentioned in Paul’s other writings.
The writer to the book of Hebrews wrote it for a Jewish audience, exhorting them to spiritual maturity and warning them against apostasy to Judaism. They were told to focus on a Person and not on the temple or its rituals.
The theme of this book is about Christ’s superiority, in particular, over
1. Angels (Ch 1-2)
2. Moses (Ch 3-4)
3. The Levitical priesthood (Ch 4:14-10:18)
4. The old way of approaching God (10:19-13)
The key word of this book is better.
• Christ is better than angels (1:4).
• Convinced of better things, that accompany salvation (6:9).
• Bringing in a better hope, through which we draw near to God (7:19).
• Jesus guarantee of a better covenant (7:22).
• He is a mediator of a better covenant, enacted on better promises (8:6).
• … purified with … better sacrifices (9:23).
• … better possession (10:34).
• Abraham desired a better country, a heavenly one (11:16).
• … obtain a better resurrection (11:35).
• God had provided something better for us … (11:40).
Jesus Christ is the mediator between God and man. As the Son of God, He represents us in the heavenlies. As the Son of Man, He represents God to mankind (1:1-3).
The invitation to us, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (4:16 NIV)
1. There’s no customary salutation which includes Paul's name.
2. The Greek used here is polished whereas Paul’s is rugged, though vigorous (Morris, “Hebrews” in Expositor’s Bible Commentary)
3. The Levitical symbolism is not mentioned in Paul’s other writings.
The writer to the book of Hebrews wrote it for a Jewish audience, exhorting them to spiritual maturity and warning them against apostasy to Judaism. They were told to focus on a Person and not on the temple or its rituals.
The theme of this book is about Christ’s superiority, in particular, over
1. Angels (Ch 1-2)
2. Moses (Ch 3-4)
3. The Levitical priesthood (Ch 4:14-10:18)
4. The old way of approaching God (10:19-13)
The key word of this book is better.
• Christ is better than angels (1:4).
• Convinced of better things, that accompany salvation (6:9).
• Bringing in a better hope, through which we draw near to God (7:19).
• Jesus guarantee of a better covenant (7:22).
• He is a mediator of a better covenant, enacted on better promises (8:6).
• … purified with … better sacrifices (9:23).
• … better possession (10:34).
• Abraham desired a better country, a heavenly one (11:16).
• … obtain a better resurrection (11:35).
• God had provided something better for us … (11:40).
Jesus Christ is the mediator between God and man. As the Son of God, He represents us in the heavenlies. As the Son of Man, He represents God to mankind (1:1-3).
The invitation to us, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (4:16 NIV)
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