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Gospel of Matthew – Lesson 2 (Continued)

By November 4, 2020Equipping the Saints

LESSON 2

 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW

 CHPTRS.4-5

 CHAPTER 5 Cont.’:

 Matt. 5:8-26

 Matt. 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.”

5:8 Graced — who are pure in heart for they see God: Aramaic NC

 ARE PURE IN HEART

  1. Singleness of heart, the honesty which has no hidden motive, no selfish interest, and is true and open in all things.
  2. Refers to one who is sincere, honest, without hypocrisy.
  3. That such a quality is necessary to see God – cf. Ps. 24:3-4.
  4. The pure in heart – those who keep their motives right as they get involved with others.


Matthew 6:2-4, II Corinthians 4:1-2, I Thessalonians 2:7-9, and I Timothy 1:5-7
Result: A prayerful heart always repenting, changing attitude, going back to the Mind of Christ.

 Matt 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.”

5:9 Graced— they who work shalom for they are called the sons of God: Aramaic NC

 ARE PEACEMAKERS

  1. These are those who devote their lives to making peace by following the Prince of Peace.

1) Involves effort to be at peace with all men – Rom. 12:18-21.

2) Involves helping others to be at peace with God by proclaiming the gospel of peace – cf. Rom. 5:1 and Eph. 6:15.

  1. At peace with God and thus themselves filled with sweet peace, they live in peace, if possible, with all men and work to keep and to make peace where peace is threatened or lost. Theirs is the work of true Christians who follow in the footsteps of the Prince of Peace.

 

1.The peacemakers – those who take on God’s mission. Point: God’s goal is to bring peace between himself and men and then to bring men to have peace with one another through their relationship with Him. Those filled up with God will now have that same mission.


Ephesians 2:13-18 – there is no peace unless people come to have peace with God.

 

Eph. 2: 14a For He Himself is our peace; Eph. 4:17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 


Matthew 28:18-20 – a description of what peacemakers will do. Make disciples of all nations.

 

a.Result: Evangelistic efforts. Discipling others to Christ.

 

Matt. 5:10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

5:10 Graced — those persecuted because of justness for the sovereigndom of the heavens is their own: Aramaic NC

 ARE PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS’ SAKE

  1. The tense and voice of the verb (passive perfect) may be regarded as permissive:

1) Who have allowed themselves to be persecuted, or have endured persecution.

2) The idea is that they did not flee from it but willingly submitted to when it came to them.

  1. In what way, is explained in verse 11, and includes being:

1) Reviled or reproached

2) Persecuted

3) Slandered falsely — All for Jesus’ sake.

  1. That such persecution would often afflict those who are citizens of the kingdom, see Acts 14:21-22; Ph. 1:29-30; 2 Tim. 3:12.

 Those who are persecuted for righteousness sake -Point: If you live this very different life in this world, you will receive opposition. But God will still bless a life even when it is being opposed and persecuted.


John 15:18-20, Matthew 10:24-25, II Timothy 3:12, and I Peter 1:6-7

 

e.Result: Opposition comes, but through faith it is turned into victory.

 Matt. 5:11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

5:11-12 Graced —when men reproach you and persecute you and word every evil word about you because of falsehood: then cheer and rejoice your reward abounds in the heavens: for thus they persecuted the prophets from before you. Aramaic NC

 2 Timothy 3:12-13 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.13  But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Matthew 5:13  “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.”

5:13 THE POSITION OF THE TRUSTER You are the salt of the earth: and if the salt stales, with what, salt we? It goes for naught but to cast outside, and trampled by humanity. Aramaic NC

 SALT HAS SEVERAL CHARACTERISTICS…

  1. It is white, enhances flavor, preserves, purifies, etc.
  2. Based on the context, it is probably salt’s ability to enhance flavor to which Jesus refers in his illustration.
  3. Notice: but if the salt loses its flavor.
  4. Salt has the ability to give flavor to that which is otherwise bland.
  5. Job mentioned this ability in Job 6:6.

 THROUGH THE METAPHOR OF SALT

  1. Jesus/Yeshua illustrates that the relationship of the citizens of the kingdom to the world is one of:
  2. Making the world palatable to God, and possibly to others as well.
  3. In Abraham’s conversation with God over Sodom – Gen. 18: 20-32.
  4. In God’s dealing with Jerusalem – Jer. 5:1 So from God’s point of view, the citizens of the kingdom give the world what good flavor it has!

 JESUS/YESHUA GOES ON TO WARN AGAINST LOSING OUR FLAVORING ABILITY!

  1. With pure salt….
  2. It actually never loses its flavor.
  3. But when mixed with impurities salt can lose its ability to enhance flavor.
  4. We too might lose our ability to be a flavoring agent for the world
  5. If we allow impurities to reign in our lives – 1 Cor. 15:33 (our own doing, living the self-life).

 1 Cor. 15:33 Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits.

 Matt 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

5:14-16 You are the light of the world. You are not able to secrete a city built upon a mountain: nor men light a candle and place under a measure: but upon a menorah and it enlightens all who are in the house. Thus, light your light in front of the son of humanity: that they see your graced works and glorify your Father in the heavens. Aramaic NC

 YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD (Mt 5:14-16)

 USED BY GOD TO TRANSMIT HIS GLORY TO THE WORLD!

  1. You are lights in a dark world – Ph. 2:14-15 2. Your purpose: to proclaim the praises of God! – 1 Pet. 2:9; Eph. 5:8b-9

 YOU ARE NOT A LIGHT IN AND OF YOURSELVES

  1. Only in the Lord – Eph. 5:8a
  2. Christ is the true or original light – John 8:12 3. (Sun/Son original light; Moon (you)- reflection of that light.
  3. Citizens of the kingdom are simply luminaries reflecting The One True Light, just as the moon reflects the sun – 2 Cor. 4:6c.
  4. As you were translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of Light.
  5. Although Jesus/Yeshua said: You are the light of the world. As He is so are we. 1 John 4:17

 Colossians 1:13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and [a]conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,(Light)

 Hebrew word for light is אור (Or / Ohr). God’s light,” then that would be אור אלהים (or Elohim)—light of God.

 John 1:4 In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.

 Light is knowledge. It is illumination and intelligence. Light is the source of goodness and love .(God)

 In Gen. 1:3 God said “Let there be Light ( illumination, revelation)/Glory”- Everything I am.

 CITIZENS OF THE KINGDOM HAVE A TWO-FOLD RESPONSIBILITY AS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

  1. They must be VISIBLE.
  2. Implied by Jesus/Yeshua in His use of a city and a lampstand as metaphor .
  3. Jesus/Yeshua therefore expects His followers to be SEEN by the world – e.g., John 13:35; 17:21.
  4. They must RADIATE (give light, illumination, revelation).
  5. This principle conveyed by the idea of the lamp.

1) Designed to SHINE on a lampstand.

2) Not put under a basket.

  1. This principle explicitly stated in “let your light SO SHINE before men.
  2. The purpose of such VISIBLE RADIATION: So, men may GLORIFY THE FATHER in heaven – e.g., 1 Pet. 2:11-12; 2 Cor. 9:12-13.

 Matt. 5:17-19 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

5:17-19 YAH SHUA FULFILLS THE TORAH Presume not that I come to release the Torah or the prophets: I come not to release but to fulfill. For Amen! I word to you, that until the heavens and earth pass, one yud or one scratch passes not from the Torah until all becomes. So, all who release one of these least misvot, and doctrinates humanity thus, are called least in the sovereigndom of the heavens: and all who work and doctrinates these, are called great in the sovereigndom of the heavens. Aramaic NC

 Jesus/Yeshua fulfilled the law, every letter, jot, ( doting i’s) every tittle ( crossing t’s).So that we wouldn’t have to.

Reason for the giving of the Law:

Galatians 3:23-27 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed.24 Therefore the law was our tutor/schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

A.JESUS/YESHUA COMPLETELY FULFILLED THE LAW

DID JESUS/YESHUA BREAK THE LAW?

Did JesusYeshua break the law? That question might be more complicated than you think. And the answer can have a significant impact on the way we live as Christians. If Jesus/Yeshua  had broken the law He would not have been our Messiah.” But is that the case? Did Jesus break the law? And if He did, would that have made Him sinful? WAS JESUS/YESHUA A LAWBREAKER? Much of it depends on what we mean by “law.” Quite frequently and openly, Jesus/Yeshua broke traditional Jewish interpretation in His day of the religious laws. They accused Him of breaking laws concerning the Sabbath on multiple occasions, but Jesus/Yeshua didn’t actually break an Old Testament command. He violated the interpretations religious leaders had developed around the biblical commands of keeping the Sabbath day holy. Breaking the Jewish law would have been a sin and Scripture repeatedly affirms that Jesus/Yeshua was sinless (2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 2:22, Hebrews 4:15). James 2:10 says whoever stumbles at one point of the law is guilty of breaking it all, which means Jesus/Yeshua did not break any Old Testament laws.

Jesus/Yeshua proclaimed He was the Sabbath. JESUS/YESHUA IS THE SABBATH

  1. However, to some, His coming and teaching would regard the Old Law in a negative light.
  2. Some believe, the expression to destroy means literally to to destroy utterly, to overthrow completely.

 ON THE CONTRARY, HIS PURPOSE WAS TO FULFILL THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS…NOT DESTROY

 For they FORETOLD THE COMING OF THE MESSIAH (Christ).

  1. There are approximately 330 prophecies concerning the Christ found in the Law and the Prophets.
  2. For example, Deut. 18:15,18-19; Is. 53:1-12 2.

 FOR THEY FORETOLD THE COMING OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD

 1.One example is Dan. 2:44 And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever” (Daniel 2:44).

 Jesus/Yeshua was preaching that the fulfillment of that prophecy was now at hand – Mark 1:14-15 3.

 FORETOLD THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW AND DIFFERENT COVENANT (LAW) FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD

  1. See Jer. 31:31-34 b. That Jesus brought in this new covenant is confirmed in Heb. 8:6-13.

  THEREFORE, UNTIL THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS WERE FULFILLED, JESUS TAUGHT THAT

  1. The Law would be as permanent as the heavens and the earth – Mt. 5:18.
  2. As He said in Luke 16:17, It is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.
  3. There would be no change at all, until it was fulfilled.
  4. Not even a jot or a tittle (Hebrew grammatical markings, similar to the dotting of an i or the crossing of a t).

 A person’s treatment of the Law (while still in force) would affect their standing in the kingdom – Matt 5:19.

 Remember that the kingdom has a FUTURE aspect – Matt. 7:21-23

  1. Those who lived before the coming of the kingdom in its PRESENT sense (i.e., the church) could still be in the kingdom and the kingdom in them- cf. Matt. 8:11 (e.g., Abraham, Isaac, Jacob)
  2. Their standing would be affected by their treatment of whatever Law of God was in effect when they were alive!
  3. For example, notice what Jesus said would happen to the sons of the kingdom, those Jews who by the Law had the right to inherit the kingdom but did not appreciate its fulfillment in the coming of Jesus Christ! ( Yeshua Ha’Masiach) – Matt. 8:12 .

  AN IMPORTANT QUESTION TO CONSIDER: DID JESUS/YESHUA FULFILL THE LAW?

 If He DID NOT…

  1. He failed His purpose in coming to this earth! – Matt. 5:17- God does not fail!

 b We had better observe the Law in its strictest sense! – Mt. 5:18-19 (including circumcision,  keeping the festivals and feasts, wearing different fabrics together, and not eating unclean meats!)

 If He DID…

  1. He accomplished His purpose! (notice John 17:4)
  2. We should not be surprised to find a NEW Law or Covenant governing God’s people today.

 Indeed, Jesus/Yeshua MUST have fulfilled the Old Law…

  1. For there has been changes:

 In the PRIESTHOOD – Heb. 7:11-14 ( Levititcal to the Priesthood of All Believers, Melchizedek Priesthood).

 In the LAW ITSELF – Heb. 7:18-19,22.

 a.Even as the Law itself foretold, it has been replaced by a New Law, the New Covenant- Heb. 8:6-13 [Though Jesus/Yeshua ultimately fulfilled the Law and the Prophets, at the time He was preaching the Sermon they had not been fulfilled. So, true to His statement in verse nineteen, He taught His disciples to be faithful.

 Matt. 22:37 Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.

 This in essence has Jesus/Yeshua teaching:

  1. That the Old Law only condemned the OUTWARD actions.
  2. But that the New Law/ New Covenant introduced by Jesus condemned the INNER conditions which led to the outer actions.

 Matt.5:20 “For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”

5:20 For I word to you, That unless your justness abounds more than the scribes and Pherisas, you enter not the sovereigndom of the heavens. Aramaic NC

 THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES DEFINED

 THEY WERE KNOWN TO SAY AND DO NOT – Matt. 23:1-4

  1. Though they were often teaching the truth, they did not often practice what they preached!

 NT example: James 1:22-25 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

 THEY WERE KNOWN TO DO THINGS TO BE SEEN OF MEN – Matt. 23:5-7

  1. They enjoyed wearing religious garments that separated them from others, and delighted in having places and titles of honor.

 THEY WERE KNOWN TO NEGLECT PARTS OF GOD’S LAW – Matt. 23:23-24 1. In their case, they would emphasize the lighter matters of the law, while neglecting the weightier commands.

 THEY WERE LOVERS OF MONEY – Luke 16:13-15 1. Mammon (WORLD) was their god, though they would be quick to deny it and try to justify themselves before men.

 This is known as a Pharisaical spirit.

 Righteousness of the Kingdom: It is possible only by the GRACE of God.

 Whereby His MERCY provides forgiveness to those in Christ – 1 John 1:9.

  1. Whereby His STRENGTH makes it possible to live according to the righteousness of the kingdom of heaven! – Phil. 4:13

We are made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus! 2 Cor. 5:21 (all received by faith)

 Matt.5:2-221 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, “You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell (Ghenna) fire.”

5:2-221 HE VALUE SYSTEM OF YAH SHUA: MURDER, RAGE, SLANDER You heard it worded to the first, Slaughter not: and whoever slaughters is condemned to the judgment. And I word to you, That all who provoke his brother vainly are condemned to judgment: and all who word to his brother, Raqa! are condemned to the congregation: but whoever words, Lela!is condemned to the fire of Gihana. Aramic NC

 “You have heard it said”: Jesus’ repeated formula: “You have heard that it was said…But I say to you…” (Matt 5:21, 27, 31, 33, 38, 43). Seems clear enough, right? You have heard what Moses said—you shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, and so on—but I have something new and/or different to say. Moses was great, but I am greater. The old has become obsolete and is ready to disappear; the new has come.  (talking about Covenant) The law of liberty. The law of love. The law of Christ.

 1 Corinthians 9:21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without [a]law toward God, but under [b]law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law;

 Galatians 6:2  Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

 Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

 A.JESUS APPLIES THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT AS THE LAW ORIGINALLY INTENDED (AND TAUGHT ELSEWHERE IN THE LAW)

 Not only is murder wrong, but the emotions which often lead to murder as well – (hate, anger, rage, bitterness etc.) cf. Prov. 6:16-19.

 Not only are hands that shed innocent blood (murder) an abomination to the Lord …..

  1. But also a heart that devises wicked plans and “one who sows discord among brethren. (due to anger)

 This being true, the Law should have been interpreted and applied accordingly.

 This Jesus/Yeshua does in Matt. 5:22…

 One who is angry with his brother without a cause should be in danger of the judgment/justice.

1) I.e., the local courts through Palestine….

2) Which were normally reserved for common criminals

  1. One who says to his brother Raca! (blockhead!) should be in danger of the council.

1) I.e., the Sanhedrin council …

2) Which was the high court normally reserved for special criminals.

  1. One who says, “You fool!” would be in danger of hell fire.

1) I.e., Gehenna

2) The place of torment – Mk .9:43-48 Others say a garbage dump outside Jerusalem. (Ghenna)

 In this way, the traditional interpretation and application of the Law fell far short of what it should have been.

 The righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees had just been condemning murderers when those with hateful emotions were just as guilty!

  1. The righteousness of the kingdom is in harmony with the original intent of the Law – notice Gal. 5:19-21.

 Matt 5:23 “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.26 “Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.”

5:23-26 So if you offer your Qurbana upon the sacrifice altar, and there remember that your brother holds whatever grudge upon you: leave there your Qurbana in front of the sacrifice altar,and go: first reconcile with your brother, and then come and offer your qurbana. SETTLING OUT OF COURT-  Agree with your ba’al of judgment quickly while you are with him on the way: lest ever the ba’al of judgment shelem you to the judge: and the judge shelem you to the bailif: and you fall into a guardhouse. Amen! I word to you, Go not from there, until you give back the final quarter. Aramaic NC

 A.JESUS/YESHUA CONTINUES TO EMPHASIZE THE SERIOUS NATURE OF SUCH EMOTIONS BY ILLUSTRATING HOW THEY AFFECT OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH GOD AND MAN (Matt. 5:23-26)

 We should not try to worship God when we are at odds with a brother.

  1. Repair your strained relationship with a brother before worshipping God – Matt. 5:23-24.
  2. Otherwise, it won’t do us any good – cf. 1 Jn 4:20-21 , Mark 11:25
  3. We should be quick to make amends lest uncontrolled anger cause us to wind up in court, possibly prison! – Matt 5:25-26. But notice how those in the kingdom are to act – Rom. 12:18-21.

 Romans 12:18-21 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.” 20 Therefore“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

 B.NOTHING IN THE KINGDOM WORKS WITH AN UNFORGIVING HEART! MARK 11:25

We will continue with Les.2 next week.

 The blessings of the Lord are upon you whether by blood, adoption/sonship or assignment. The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. Prov. 10:22

 David & Mary Sue

 

Author Becca Card

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