"CALL HIS NAME JESUS"
I. THE MYSTERY OF THE INCARNATION.
A. The eternal God clothed Himself in a body of flesh.
1. "In the beginning was the Word...and the Word became flesh..."
2. "Who being in the form of God and thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but He emptied Himself and took upon Him the form of a servant..."
3. I John 1:1,2.
B. Why would God live in a man's bo...
"THE NAME JESUS"
Intro: The naming of a child. The importance to the Hebrews. Sometimes names entirely wrong. Cain "acquired" - Abel "vanity" - For events Esau "hairy" - Jacob "Heel-catcher."
I. THE HUMANNESS OF THE NAME.
A. Common Hebrew name.
1. Many little boys name Jesus.
2. Hebrew name "Joshua."
3. God took a perfectly familiar name.
B. How is it that this name was so po...
"THE PURPOSE OF HIS COMING,
TO SAVE US FROM OUR SINS, HOW TO CELEBRATE"
Intro: Man's concepts of God thoroughly confused, He came to reveal the Father. Man was spiritually dead, He came that we "might have life, and..." Man was being ruined by Satan's work, He came to destroy the works of the devil."
I. THE PURPOSE OF HIS COMING DECLARED.
A. To Joseph by an angel.
1. It lies in...
"THE PURPOSE OF HIS COMING, TO SAVE US FROM OUR SINS, HOW TO CELEBRATE"
Intro: Man's concepts of God thoroughly confused, He came to reveal the Father. Man was spiritually dead, He came that we "might have life, and..." Man was being ruined by Satan's work, He came to destroy the works of the devil."
I. THE PURPOSE OF HIS COMING DECLARED.
A. To Joseph by an angel.
1. It lies in ...
"HIS NAME IS JESUS"
I. GOD IS NOT A NAME, BUT A TITLE.
A. Whatever is the controlling force of your life is your God.
1. For many people that would be their sex drive.
a. Their mind, life, and their conversations are always occupied with overtones.
b. In the days of yore, they would be known as worshippers of Venus, or Aphrodite, or Ashtoreth, Ishtar. All the same goddess, just ...
"WHY HE CAME"
Intro: What are you going to celebrate this week? The world this week is celebrating the birth of a child some 1971 years ago. Many traditions and customs have evolved around the celebration. Why was He born? His name implies His mission.
I. HE CAME TO SAVE HIS PEOPLE FROM THEIR SINS.
A. Sin is a universal malady that has inflicted every man.
1. "All have sinned." ...
Intro: What are you going to celebrate this week? The world this week is celebrating the birth of a child some 1971 years ago. Many traditions and customs have evolved around the celebration. Why was He born? His name implies His mission.
I. HE CAME TO SAVE HIS PEOPLE FROM THEIR SINS.
A. Sin is a universal malady that has inflicted every man.
1. "All have sinned." ...
"PROOF OF REPENTANCE"
I. THE FIRST WORD OF GOD TO MAN AFTER 400 YEARS OF SILENCE. REPENT.
A. Vs. 2 John came preaching in the wilderness saying, "Repent"
B. What does it mean to repent?
1. One definition is to have a change of mind.
2. Another is to have a feeling of contrition.
3. You can change your mind without repenting.
4. You can also have contrition or sorrow about you...
I. TIME OF TEMPTATION.
A. After baptism in water.
B. After infiIIing of spirit.
C. After 40 days fasting.
1. Never immune to Satan's attacks.
II. NATURE OF TEMPTATION.
A. Lust of flesh.
1. Command stone to be made bread.
a. Hungry after 40 days fast.
2. What is wrong with that?
a. Acting out of will of God.
b. Abusing power of God.
3. "No temptation taken you but what is...
TEMPTATION
Intro. Jesus was tempted in three areas, physical, spiritual, vocational. Man is essentially physical and spiritual, but he also exists for a purpose, so there is the vocational.
I. THE FIRST TEMPTATION WAS IN THE PHYSICAL REALM.
A. Jesus is hungry, He had been fasting for forty days.
1. There is nothing wrong with being hungry, it is a part of the marvelous design of...
"SPIRITUAL THIRST"
Intro: 1st 3 beatitudes showed to us our need. 4th brings us the answer. Unless you hunger and thirst you will never be filled. First conscious of need.
I. TEST OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE.
A. Deals with two most common objections to Christian doctrine of salvation.
1. Too easy - grace - faith - hunger and thirst.
2. Too hard - what is meant by righteousness.
"SERMON ON THE MOUNT"
I. WHY A STUDY IN SERMON ON THE MOUNT?
A. Most obvious feature of church today is its superficiality.
1. Compared with Acts.
2. Compared with other eras and epochs.
3. What is the cause for this?
a. Our attitude toward the Bible.
1. Our textbook, only source and final authority.
2. Cannot rely upon experience.
b. Must be approached in right manner.
RULES FOR INTERPRETATION FOR SERMON ON MOUNT
I. DESCRIPTION OF CHARACTER NOT CODE OF ETHICS OR LAW.
A. Letter and Spirit.
1. Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata.
2. If you find yourself arguing with the message, you are wrong or your interpretation is wrong.
3. If our interpretation makes an injunction, looks ridiculous, then interpretation wrong.
4. If you regard any injunction as i...
I. VARIOUS INTERPRETATlONS.
A. Message to world.
1. Universal fatherhood of God and brotherhood of man.
2. A system of ethics that need to just be applied by all men to usher in kingdom.
B. No application to Christian now but in future kingdom age.
C. "And seeing the multitudes He went up into the mountain."
1. Not to multitudes.
2. Message to disciples.
D. Rules for interpr...
"BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT"
I. THE LOGICAL ORDER OF THE BEATITUDES.
A. This of necessity first.
1. No one in the kingdom of heaven who is not "poor in..."
2. This is an emptying whereas others a fullness.
a. Must be emptying before filling.
b. "This Child set for the fall and rising again of many."
c. Conviction, proceeds, conversion.
3. Forms important test for us.
"BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT"
I. THE LOGICAL ORDER OF THE BEATITUDES.
A. This of necessity first.
1. No one in the kingdom of heaven who is not "poor in..."
2. This is an emptying whereas others a fullness.
a. Must be emptying before filling.
b. "This Child set for the fall and rising again of many."
c. Conviction, proceeds, conversion.
3. Forms important test for us.
"POOR IN SPIRIT"
Intro. Jesus was speaking in Aramaic which was the kind of Hebrew that the people spoke in His day. The Hebrew and Aramaic had a common saying "Oh the blessedness." This is the word that David used in the first Psalm. "Oh the blessedness of the man that walks not in the council." In each of the beatitudes Jesus begins "O the blessedness." Today we might translate i...
"BLESSED ARE THEY THAT MOURN"
Intro: When you think that blessed means "happy" this seems like complete contradiction.
I. CONTRAST BETWEEN CHRISTIAN AND NON-CHRISTIAN.
A. How unlike the things the world admires.
1. "Poor in spirit."
2. "They that mourn."
a. Mourning to be avoided and shunned.
B. The things they seek.
1. World seeks happiness.
2. Christian seeks righteousnes...
"BLESSED ARE THEY THAT MOURN"
I. PHILOSOPHY "CHIEF GOOD AND ULTIMATE END OF LIFE IS HAPPINESS."
A. With this Christ agrees.
1. Starts sermon with word happy "condition."
2. Scripture speaks of joy, unspeakable and full.
3. Jesus spoke, much of fullness of joy.
B. Those goals of men are usually a means to an end. A man seeking wealth, or knowledge seeks to find happiness in, or...
"BLESSED ARE THEY THAT MOURN"
I. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CHRISTIAN AND THE WORLD.
A. The difference between living after the flesh and living after the Spirit. The difference between living for the now and living for eternity.
B. The world in living after the flesh and for the now, seeks to find happiness and ignore anything that might take away from that happiness.
Contrast to world - World conquerors.
- Jews looking for Messiah to conquer Rome.
- Progressive Beatitudes.
Poor in Spirit.
Mourning.
- Blessed are the meek.
- See ourselves.
Berate us.
Instinctively resent.
- Meek person: Abraham - Lot.
Moses.
David.
Jeremiah (non-cooperative, individualist).
- Jesus, "Come unto me."
Not natural disposition.
Not indolence.
Not natur...
"BLESSED ARE THE MEEK"
I. SCRIPTURE SPEAKS MUCH ABOUT THE MEEK.
A. It is related to lowliness.
1. Jesus said, "Learn of Me for I am meek and lowly in heart."
2. Eph. 4:1,2 "Walk worthy...with all lowliness and meekness!"
B. Related to gentleness.
1. II Cor. 10:1 "I beseech you by the gentleness and meekness of Christ."
2. Titus 3:2, Paul exhorting Titus on how to exhort the c...
"BLESSED ARE THE MEEK"
Intro: Unbelievable to natural mind - world conquest - world dominion -to the meek! Worldly view - strength, power, self-assertion, self-expression to get on in this world.
I. THE CHRISTIAN DESCRIBED AS MEEK.
A. Altogether different from world.
1. A "new man" belongs to different kingdom.
2. He is enigma to world - if you are not you had better examine yo...
"BLESSED ARE THE MEEK"
Intro: Opposed to natural thinking - "world conquest, possession given to the meek." World thinks in terms of strength, power, aggressiveness. Christian an enigma to the world. Great shock to Jews - thinking of kingdom in terms of military and material. Contrast to much thinking in Christian church. Fighting sin, communism, world, by organization. Nature of d...
"BLESSED ARE THE MEEK"
I. HERE PERHAPS MORE THAN ANY OTHER, WE SEE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT MAN ESTEEMS AND WHAT GOD ESTEEMS.
LUK 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
A. When we think of conquering the earth, what kind of person ...
"HUNGER AND THIRST"
I. HARD FOR US TO UNDERSTAND INTENSITY.
A. Average person lived on border of starvation.
1. Wages extremely low.
2. Ate meat only once a week.
B. Land there very arid.
1. Would often walk for miles before coming to water.
C. These words usually followed by genitive case in Greek.
1. Hungry for bread, just a slice.
2. Thirsty for water, just a cup.
"SPIRITUAL APPETITES"
Intro: One of most important beatitudes. Turn, turn away from self to God.
I. PERFECT STATEMENT ON DOCTRINE OF GRACE.
A. God fills the hungry, thirsty souls.
1. No goodness or merit required only desire.
2. One can possess the fullness of God by just hungering for it.
B. Some object to simplicity.
1. When told what this righteousness means.
"HUNGERING FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS"
I. THE PLACE IN THE BEATITUDES.
A. Earlier caused us to Iook at ourselves.
1. Poor in spirit - mourn - meek.
2. Here we begin to look for a solution.
B. We have been looking at our helplessness and weakness. Our bankruptcy in spiritual matters.
1. Monster self.
2. Desire deliverance.
II. RIGHTEOUSNESS - "HAPPY ARE THEY."
A. They are the only tr...
"HUNGER AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS"
I. WORLD IN STATE OF ILLNESS.
A. Suffering from strange virus.
B. In this beatitude answer to world ills.
1. Not in thirst for power.
2. Not in thirst for wealth.
3. Not in thirst for pleasure.
C. This beatitude is more positive, less negative.
1. Up to now, concerned with terrible problem of self.
II. HAPPY ARE THEY WHO HUNGER AND THIRST.
"RIGHTEOUSNESS AND BLESSEDNESS"
Intro: Trouble with world today - war - sickness - crime. Not any single manifestation of sin, but sin itself. The church's answers to the world's ills lie in this verse. Ours is not the task of reforming society - converting world from sin.
I. THIS BEATITUDE IN RELATION TO OTHERS.
A. Others have revealed my need.
1. I need to be poor in spirit - ...
"THE WAY TO HAPPINESS"
I. THE UNIVERSAL DESIRE FOR HAPPINESS.
A. A reminder that the word blessed literally means happy, or Oh how happy. As in Psalm 1 "Blessed is the man." Many times the same Hebrew word eh sher is translated happy in the Old Testament, such as in Psalm 144:15 "Happy is that people whose God is the Lord." The Hebrew word bless is baruch which is praise or bless....
"BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL"
I. FURTHER STAGE IN DESCRIPTION OF CHRISTIAN.
Prior straits needs.
Now look at disposition. Results from prior. Blessed are the merciful. Searching statement. This is what Christian should be - merciful "Search me oh God and know my thoughts, try me..." If we are anxious to be on with this and talk of communism position contrary to N.T. man.
A man who ...
"BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL"
I. MEANING OF MERCIFUL "DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GRACE AND MERCY."
A. Greek word "eleemon."
1. Goes back to Hebrew "chesedh" untranslatable.
a. Get right inside another person so as to see with his eyes, hear, feel, think.
b. Much more than just pity.
1. Good Samaritan.
c. Greek word sympathy "sun" together with "paschein" to experience, to suffer.
"BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL"
Intro: Further description of Christian. Disposition. These are probing tests, what is my reaction? Impatient - Talk about communist or something else.
I. BEATITUDES SEARCHING.
A. Do I mind this?
1. The true Christian never minds being humbled.
B. Christianity places primary emphasis on being.
1. Attitude more important than actions.
2. What I am mo...
Intro: Further description of Christian. Disposition. These are probing tests, what is my reaction? Impatient - Talk about communist or something else.
I. BEATITUDES SEARCHING.
A. Do I mind this?
1. The true Christian never minds being humbled.
B. Christianity places primary emphasis on being.
1. Attitude more important than actions.
2. What I am mo...
"BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL"
I. "OH HOW HAPPY ARE THE MERCIFUL."
A. Again we need to see how these beatitudes follow a perfect order.
1. It all begins when we have a true encounter with God.
2. This brings us to a true evaluation of ourselves, for we now see ourselves in the light of God's righteousness.
a. Like Job, we abhor ourselves and repent in dust and ashes.
b. Like Peter...
"BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART"
"ESSENCE OF CHRISTIANITY"
I. WHY IS THIS PLACED HERE IN ORDER?
A. You would expect this at the front, very first.
1. To see God is purpose of all religions.
B. Verse 6 central verse of beatitudes.
1. First three concerned with our needs or our consciousness of need.
2. Verse 6, God's provision for our need.
3. Results from being filled.
"BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART"
I. WHAT IS MEANT BY "PURE IN HEART"?
A. Greek word "Katharos."
1. Clean - hands that had been washed.
2. Wheat that had been winnowed - chaff removed.
3. Greek root to purge or cleanse.
B. The heart is the center of ones being.
1. The heart considered the throne of the spirit.
a. As the mind the throne of the soul.
b. Difference between head ...
"BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART"
I. WHAT IS MEANT BY "PURE IN HEART"?
A. Greek word "Katharos."
1. Clean - hands that had been washed.
2. Wheat that had been winnowed - chaff removed.
3. Greek root to purge or cleanse.
B. The heart is the center of ones being.
1. The heart considered the throne of the spirit.
a. As the mind the throne of the soul.
b. Difference between head ...
"BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART"
I. WHAT IS MEANT BY PURE IN HEART?
A. Christ put emphasis upon heart.
1. Perhaps because of Pharisees.
2. Not on the head.
a. Does not commend the intellectual.
b. Those with just intellectual apprehension off times greatest curse to the church.
B. Why emphasis on heart?
1. Pharisees always ready to reduce religion to conduct, behavior.
I. WHAT IS MEANT BY PURE IN HEART?
A. Christ put emphasis upon heart.
1. Perhaps because of Pharisees.
2. Not on the head.
a. Does not commend the intellectual.
b. Those with just intellectual apprehension off times greatest curse to the church.
B. Why emphasis on heart?
1. Pharisees always ready to reduce religion to conduct, behavior.
"BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART"
I. THE BIBLE CONSTANTLY EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF THE HEART OF MAN.
A. The controversy that Jesus had with the Pharisee's was due to the fact that they put the emphasis on the outward man, while He put the emphasis on the heart.
1. He said to them:
MAT 23:25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the c...
"IMPOSSIBILITY OF TAKING BEATITUDES AND PUTTING THEM INTO PRACTICE"
I. IDEA OF PEACEMAKER SHOCK TO JEWS - MILITARY.
A. Why so hard to maintain peace in world.
1. Why did league of nations fail?
2. Problems deeper than social, economic, etc. Sin.
3. Trouble within the heart.
a. No advantage to manipulate surface.
4. Out of the heart proceeds evil thoughts, murders.
"BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS"
Intro: It is amazing how little Christ was really understood. He was often saying things that shocked.
I. "BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS."
A. They were expecting their Messiah to make war on all their enemies.
1. Overthrow Roman Empire.
2. Set up Jewish empire.
B. Peace is more than a passive state.
1. Not lust absence of fighting.
"BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS"
Intro: Further result of being filled. Fallacy of putting beatitudes into practice. Takes a new man to live this new life Shock to these Jews. They were looking for military power.
I. WHY DO WE HAVE ALL THESE WARS?
A. International tension.
B. Sin, Human greed; selfishness; self-centeredness.
C. Why such problem finding peace?
1. League of Nations...
"BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS"
THIRD CHARACTERISTIC OF A CHRISTIAN
I. WHAT IS PEACE?
A. It is not a truce or agreement not to fight.
B. It is not a national or international condition.
1. "The world is at peace" (no world wars).
C. It is a condition that prevails in an individual's life when He surrenders to God.
II. MAN'S BASIC CONFLICT IS WITH GOD.
A. All wars, fightings re...
"BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS"
I. WAR AND STRIFE BEGAN BEFORE THE HISTORY OF MAN.
A. It began when Satan pitted his will against the will of God.
1. The five I will's of Lucifer as recorded by Isaiah.
ISA 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! [how] art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
ISA 14:13 For thou hast said in thi...
Not so much description as what is likely to result because the Christian is what we have seen him to be.
Follows peacemaker, it is because he is a peacemaker, he is persecuted.
Same promise as first started and finished with kingdom of heaven.
Jews false notion of kingdom.
Searching:
Misinterpreted and misapplied - "For righteousness sake," "Thank you Lord."
Persecution in wo...
"BLESSED ARE THE PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS SAKE"
Intro: Jesus a very up-front person.
I. WHAT DOES HE MEAN.
A. Not blessed are ye when persecuted for being stupid.
1. Christians can do stupid things. (1 Peter 4:14-16)
a. Current doctrine concerning healing.
1. Obnoxious.
2. Fanatical.
B. Being like the Lord.
1. "All they that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer perse...
"MATTHEW 5:10"
I. WE HAVE A DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTER OF THE CHRISTIAN IN THESE BEATITUDES.
A. He is a man that is poor in spirit. i.e. Not self asserting, aggressive, not a braggart.
B. He is meek. i.e. does not have an exalted opinion of himself.
C. He hungers and thirsts after righteousness. He longs to do the right thing. He seeks to treat others as he would like to be tr...
"MATTHEW 5:11"
I. PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS SAKE.
A. The previous verse, Jesus said, "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake."
B. I believe in verse 11 Jesus is defining what He meant by "For righteousness sake."
C. I do not see this as a new beatitude but only an amplification of verse 10.
II. WHAT WAS MEANT "FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS SAKE"?
A. "Men shall rev...
I. NOT BLESSED ARE THE PERSECUTED BECAUSE THEY ARE OVER ZEALOUS.
A. Some in worship think they must say amen - hallelujah.
II. WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN?
A. Unlike anyone else.
B. Life controlled and dominated by Jesus Christ, "For my sake."
C. His life and thoughts controlled by heaven.
III. HOW HE FACES PERSECUTION.
A. Must not retaliate.
B. Must not feel resentment.
"REJOICING IN TRIBULATION"
Amplification of vs. 10.
I. THE PICTURE OF THE CHRISTIAN IN BEATITUDES.
A. Unlike everybody who is not a Christian.
1. The non-Christian proves this by persecuting.
2. We have a different nature.
B. Christian's life controlled and dominated by Christ.
1. His concern is to do everything "for Christ sake."
2. No blessing in persecution which comes fo...
"THE SALT OF THE EARTH"
Intro: Jesus has just declared the characteristics of the true believer, and how he will be accepted by this world, then speaking of the believer in the world. He said, "Ye are the salt of the earth," and again, "Ye are the light of the world."
I. WHAT DID HE MEAN, "YE ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH?"
A. It is important to go back into the culture to learn the ...
"THE SALT OF THE EARTH"
Intro: "He's the salt of the earth." Once used as money.
I. THE PROPERTIES OF SALT.
A. A preservative.
1. No refrigeration.
a. When meat butchered salted.
1. Salt killed bacteria.
2. Prevented rotting.
2. Jesus is saying that we are to have a preserving influence on our society.
a. So many corrupting forces.
b. Is your life an influence for good.
"SALT OF THE EARTH"
I. YOU ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH.
A. Salt in those days had two primary uses.
1. The primary use was as a preservative.
a. They did not have refrigeration so salt was used as a preservative.
b. When meat is butchered it will soon begin to putrefy because of the surface bacteria.
c. Salt kills the bacteria and prevents a rapid putrification.
d. The old pros...
"YE ARE THE LlGHT OF THE WORLD"
Intro: Strange statement in view of men to whom spoken. "Ye" refers to Christians.
I. NEGATIVE INFERENCE, "YE AND YE ALONE."
A. The world is in a state of darkness.
1. This is always basic Christian premise.
a. World always speaking of enlightenment.
b. Key word of Timothy Leary and Hippie social order.
c. The period of the renaissance "new lig...
"YE ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD"
I. IMPLICATIONS.
A. World in state of darkness.
1. The world talks of enlightenment.
2. Worldly philosophy can only analyze.
a. What is needed is the answer.
B. Consider to whom this statement made.
II. HOW IS THIS TRUE OF US?
A. Jesus also said: "I am the light of the world."
III. SECOND GREAT RESULT OF BEING A CHRISTIAN.
A. First "Ye are s...
"YE ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD"
I. THIS PRESUPPOSES THAT THE WORLD IS IN DARKNESS.
A. Is this so?
1. About 250 years ago, according to historians, the world came out of the dark ages, and the age of enlightenment was born.
2. Mankind it was said was ushered into a new age where science would become the savior of the world.
3. It was declared by the prophets of the day that the ...
"LIGHT OF THE WORLD"
I. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel.
A. The purpose of light is to give light.
B. The purpose of salt is to be salty.
1. If if is not salty, it is worthless.
2. It must fulfill the basic purpose of it's existence.
C. We are the light of the world, we must fulfill the purpose by giving light.
1. If we try to hide the light, we have n...
I. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets.
A. This will be a assertion that some will make.
1. Jesus will be accused of breaking the law of Moses, especially the law of the Sabbath day.
a. It should be noted that He did not break the law, only their traditional interpretation of the law.
b. Jesus healed on the Sabbath day, according to their tradition that ...
"LAW AND PROPHETS"
Intro: Some views toward Old Testament.
I. CHRIST RELATIONSHIP TO LAW AND PROPHETS.
A. Prophets and prophesies. "He came to fulfill."
1. 300 prophetic details of His Life completely and literally fulfilled.
a. Birth, life - death.
b. "I have come as it is written of me in the volume of the Book."
c. "Search the scriptures."
B. Law - Moral, Judicial, Ceremo...
"RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT EXCEEDS..."
Intro: Effect of these words on hearers.
I. WHO WERE THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES?
A. Scribes were men who read and interpreted the scripture to the people.
1. Ezra was a scribe.
B. Pharisees were a religious sect.
1. They attempted to strictly observe and keep the law.
II. WHAT WAS THE NATURE OF THEIR RIGHTEOUSNESS?
A. An external observance of ...
Intro. We now come to the first illustration by which Jesus explains what He meant when He said, "Except your righteousness exceeds that of the Scribes and Pharisees, you in no case shall enter the Kingdom of heaven."
I. "YOU HAVE HEARD THAT IT HAS BEEN SAID BY THOSE OF OLD TIME, THOU SHALT NOT KILL, AND WHOEVER KILLS WILL BE IN DANGER OF THE JUDGMENT."
A. Did not the Bible say th...
Intro. We now come to the first illustration by which Jesus explains what He meant when He said, "Except your righteousness exceeds that of the Scribes and Pharisees, you in no case shall enter the Kingdom of heaven."
I. "YOU HAVE HEARD THAT IT HAS BEEN SAID BY THOSE OF OLD TIME, THOU SHALT NOT KILL, AND WHOEVER KILLS WILL BE IN DANGER OF THE JUDGMENT."
A. Did not the Bible say th...
"RIGHTEOUSNESS OF SCRIBES AND PHARISEES."
Intro: The shocking effect these words had.
I. THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE PHARISEE.
A. Self-righteousness "I thank thee, I am not as."
1. I pay my tithe, I fast, etc.
B. It was a outer righteousness.
1. The outer side of the cup is clean.
2. "Outwardly appear righteous unto men be within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity."
Description of Christian (Beatitudes).
Function and purpose.
Relationships to the Law.
He proceeds to give true meaning of law as opposed to tradition. "Ye have heard how it was said:' "But I say."
How the people were taught the law by scribes and Pharisees. How Catholics taught scripture (Latin).
"But I say unto you." I am the one who gave it to Moses.
Christ did not come to ...
"YE HAVE HEARD...BUT I SAY"
I. JESUS AND THE LAW.
A. Must never think of' Him in conflict with law.
1. "I came not to destroy, but to fulfill."
B. In conflict with the way the scribes and Pharisees were interpreting the law to the people.
1. Law written in Hebrew.
2. People could not read Hebrew.
3. Depended on scribes to tell them.
4. Today people do much the same and throw...
"THE LETTER AND THE SPIRIT"
Intro: Review entire sermon Description of citizens of Kingdom of God. Function and purpose of Christian is world. The relationship of such a person to the law. Chap. 5: 21- end.True teaching of the law vs. Pharisee. Chap. 6: True service to God vs. Pharisee.Chap. 7: How the true righteous person views himself and others.
I. TRUE TEACHING OF THE LAW 21-4...
"THOU SHALT NOT KILL"
Intro: "Except your righteousness exceed..."
I. "THOU SHALT NOT KILL."
A. Whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment
B. Was not this a law? "Thou shalt not kill."
1. Yes, but Pharisees add - whosoever shall kill, etc.
2. Is that not also in the law? Num. 35:30,31.
3. Yes, but by putting them together - reduce the to just one facet, actual mu...
Intro. Jesus has just told them that their righteousness must exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisee's if they want to enter the kingdom of heaven. He is now going to illustrate what He meant by that shocking statement.
I. YE HAVE HEARD THAT IT HATH BEEN SAID.
A. The common people did not know Hebrew, therefore had to depend on the Scribes and the Pharisees to teach them what the...
"THE EXCEEDING SINFULNESS OF SIN"
Intro: Reduced command to actual physical act itself. They never understood the 10 commandments, isolated injunctions.
I. CHRIST TEACHING ON THE NATURE OF SIN.
A. Doctrine of sin not popular today.
1. Explained psychologically.
a. Evolved from animals sloughing off nature.
b. 50 yrs. Darwin's theory that we evolved from animals, and we've been...
I. YE HAVE HEARD THAT IT HATH BEEN SAID BY THEM OF OLD TIME, "THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY."
A. Adultery by our definition is: a married person having sex with someone other than their spouse.
B. That is exactly what the Pharisees taught.
1. Is that not true, is that not one of the ten commandments?
2. Yes, the seventh commandment states, "Thou shalt not commit adultery."
"MORTIFICATION"
I. WHAT IS MEANT BY "AND IF THY RIGHT EYE OFFEND."
A. Many thing.
1. Lord teaching sin matter of heart.
2. Objectors say as long as we have eyes led to sin.
a. Christ asking impossible.
b. Trouble not so much with heart, but fact that they can see.
3. Lord ridiculing because He said right eye, still have left.
4. Actually to live holy life, both eyes, both ha...
"MORTIFICATION OF SIN"
I. WHAT IS MEANT BY "IF THY RIGHT EYE OFFEND THEE."
A. Some think that Jesus answering objections.
1. Sin is really of the heart, but my eye leads to sin, because I see I am tempted.
2. If you pluck out right eye you still have left.
B. Lord teaching horrible nature of sin and its consequences.
The importance of dealing with sin and getting rid of it.
"JESUS AND DIVORCE"
Intro: Value of systematic study. Background of text - 6 statements, "Ye have heart, but I..." Not comparing law of Moses with His teaching, but Pharisees interpretation with His teaching.
I. WHAT DID THE LAW OF MOSES TEACH?
A. Deut. 24:1-4, Matthew 19.
1. Word adultery not mentioned in excuses for divorce.
a. Punishment for adultery was death.
Intro: Importance of systematic study of scripture, Background.
I. WHAT DID MOSES TEACH ABOUT DIVORCE?
A. Deut. 24:1-4.
1. No mention of Adultery (this a different matter).
2. Purpose to control divorce.
3. End chaos of times.
a. Women held in low regard.
B. Three great principles.
1. Limited divorce to certain causes. Natural moral or physical defect.
2. Must give her writ...
I. IT HATH BEEN SAID, WHOSOEVER PUTTETH AWAY HIS WIFE, LET HIM GIVE HER A WRITING OF DIVORCEMENT.
A. This is what you have heard, this is what you have been taught by the Scribes and Pharisees.
1. They have told you that this is God's rule on the subject of divorce.
2. This is what God requires if you want to divorce your wife.
3. This is God's law concerning divorce.
DEU 24:1 ...
"TAKING OATHS"
Intro: Is it profitable for us in this modern world with its vast problems to be concerned with our speech? To Christian everything is important because of what he is. Various details of life laid down in epistles. Eph., "Lie not one to another, speak the truth always."
I. CONTRAST OF INTERPRETATION OF MOSAIC LAW WITH CHRIST. TEACHING.
A. "Thou hast heard that it h...
I. THE LAW AS IT WAS BEING TAUGHT (Matt. 23:16).
A. Any time you would swear by God or His name, it was binding.
1. Oaths made by the heaven or earth or Jerusalem not binding.
B. The law as it was stated in Old Testament.
1. Ex. 20: 7, "Thou shalt not take the name of Jehovah thy God in vain."
2. Lev. 19:12, "Ye shall not swear by My name falsely."
3. We think of profanity, bu...
TAKING OATHS
With complex problems of modern day is study on oaths worthwhile. Many of the problems of the day caused by the fact a man's word cannot be trusted.
I. WHAT PHARISEES TAUGHT - "THOU SHALT NOT FORSWEAR THYSELF."
A. Obvious reference to third commandment, "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain."
1. Deut. "Thou shalt fear the Lord they God and serve ...
"AGAIN, YE HAVE HEARD THATIT HATH BEEN SAID BY THEM OF OLD TIME,"
Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
I. WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY ABOUT TAKING OATHS?
EXO 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
A. That is not a reference to using God as a swear wor...
"THE CHEEK, THE CLOAK & THE 2ND MILE"
Intro: Importance of Spirit to help understand passage such as this. Great principle, "Die to self." This illustrates how.
I. "TURNING THE CHEEK?
A. We must rid ourselves of spirit of retaliation.
1. Starts on physical level, "smiting on cheek."
a. Natural impulse to strike back.
b. This is what He is concerned with.
"AN EYE FOR AN EYE"
I. WHAT WAS MOSAIC INTENT?
A. The control of excesses.
1. Anger and desire for revenge.
2. Natural instinct to hit back.
a. Want to hit back harder than hit.
b. Kruschef.
3. Whole tendency to wrath, anger, retribution in human nature.
a. One of the most hideous and ugly traits from fall.
B. To set a boundary on limit of retaliation.
1. Eye for eye - no ...
I. YE HAVE HEARD THAT IT HAS BEEN SAID, "AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH."
A. What does the law actually say?
EXO 21:22 If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart [from her], and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges [determine].
EXO 21:23 And if ...
"AGAPE YOUR ENEMIES"
I. PHARISEE'S TEACHING, "LOVE NEIGHBOR, HATE ENEMIES."
A. Where in O.T. Law was basis?
1. Truly law taught to love neighbor - no command to hate.
2. The idea of hate your enemies, from God's command to wipe out inhabitants of land.
a. Or perhaps David's imprecatory Psalms.
b. In both cases this was judicial, not a personal individual affair.
1. David's at...
I. YOU HAVE HEARD THAT IT HAS BEEN SAID, LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AND HATE YOUR ENEMY.
A. Now we know that the law said, "Love your neighbor."
LEV 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I [am] the LORD.
B. But where does it say to hate your enemies?
1. This is what the Pharisee's were teaching ...
Intro. Jesus said, "You have heard that it has been said, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate your enemy.'" We showed where the law said to love our neighbor, but could not find where it said hate your enemy. But this is what the Pharisee's were teaching. They said your neighbor was a Jew, and any non-Jew was your enemy.
I. "BUT I SAY UNTO YOU, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, DO GOOD TO GOOD...
"WHAT DO YE MORE THAN OTHERS?"
Intro: Most searching and challenging scriptures. Impossible to just put injunction, "Be ye perfect" into practice.
I. FIRST INTIMATION, A CHRISTIAN DOES MORE THAN A PERSON WHO IS NOT A CHRISTIAN.
A. Systems of religious thought outside of Christianity have led man to moral beauties and excellent character.
B. A Christian does what others cannot do...
"WHAT DO YE MORE THAN OTHERS?"
I. AS A CHRISTIAN YOU SHOULD BEING DOING MORE THAN OTHERS.
A. Loving those that love you is not a sign of Christianity for sinners do that. To greet only your brothers does not prove anything.
1. Jesus has just told them that they are to love those that hate them.
2. They were to bless those that cursed them.
3. They were to pray for them that des...
Intro: 4th section of sermon.2nd principle.The Christian living his life in this world in the presence of God and submission to Him.This chapter in two sections: Our religious life and our worldly life.Very searching, a revealing chapter.
I. THE PRINCIPLE, "TAKE HEED THAT YE DO NOT YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS BEFORE MEN TO BE SEEN OF MEN."
A. Word "alms."
B. The fine balance of Christian ...
"LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD"
I. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.
A. Not a bed of roses.
B. A self-humbling chap.
1. We should be anxious to know self.
2. Most people avoid self-examination.
3. Most painful information one can acquire.
4. When we see ourselves fly to Christ.
II. PRINCIPLE GOVERNING RELIGIOUS LIFE OF CHRISTIAN.
A. 3 illustrations that cover religious...
Intro: I Cor. 3:13-15, Works to be manifested what sort they are. Here in Matthew 6 we see how we are living our lives in the presence of God.
I. THE TWO ASPECTS OF LIFE.
A. The religious life (1-18).
1. Our giving.
2. Our praying.
3. Our denying the flesh.
B. Our life in the world.
1. The cares of this world.
C. In all the relationship to God of utmost importance.
"MATTHEW 6:1"
I. TAKE HEED THAT YOU DO NOT YOUR ALMS (RIGHTEOUS ACTS) BEFORE MEN TO BE SEEN OF THEM.
A. Again Jesus is striking at the heart of the matter, and the matter is the heart.
1. A man's attitude is more important than a man's actions.
2. As we have noticed this was the main problem with the Pharisee's. There actions were right, but their attitudes were wrong.
"MATTHEW 6:2"
Intro. This next section is under the heading, "Take heed to yourselves that you do not your righteous acts before men to be seen of men." Don't let your motive be the acknowledgement or the praise of man. The first of the righteous acts involves our giving and how we give.
I. WHEN YOU GIVE YOUR ALMS.
A. We should give for the work of the kingdom of God.
"WHEN YOU PRAY"
Intro: General principle, "Take heed that you do not your righteousness before men, to be seen by them."
I. THE CENTRAL POINT OF TEACHING IS EXPOSING TERRIBLE EFFECTS OF SIN ON OUR SOUL (PRIDE).
A. Sin will follow into the presence of God.
B. Sin is more than just actions.
1. Attitudes.
2. Pride - state of heart.
3. Self worship, "Thou shalt have no other gods...
"HOW TO PRAY"
Intro: "Take Heed" Not just exposure of Pharisee. "Exposing effects of sin on human soul, especially in form of self and pride."
I. THE CHARACTER OF SIN.
A. Follows us even into the presence of God.
1. Not something that attacks when far away from God.
2. Follow to gates of heaven.
a. Actually began in heaven.
B. Too many think of sin only in terms of action.
"WHEN YOU PRAY"
Chapter begins with warning "take heed..."
I. WHEN YOU PRAY.
A. The assumption is you will pray.
1. Prayer is a privilege.
a. Some look upon it as part of Christian works.
b. Think of it, you can talk with God.
2. Prayer is greatest outlet of spiritual power... 5 outlets:
a. Your life.
b. Your words.
c. Your service.
d. Your money.
e. Prayer.
Chapter begins with warning "take heed..."
I. WHEN YOU PRAY.
A. The assumption is you will pray.
1. Prayer is a privilege.
a. Some look upon it as part of Christian works.
b. Think of it, you can talk with God.
2. Prayer is greatest outlet of spiritual power... 5 outlets:
a. Your life.
b. Your words.
c. Your service.
d. Your money.
e. Prayer.
I. "WHEN YOU PRAY."
A. The assumption is that we will pray.
1. Sometimes we forget to pray. James said, "You have not because you ask not."
2. Many times it is just as simple as that. We have not prayed about it.
B. "Be not as the hypocrites, who love to pray in the synagogues and on the street corners."
1. They wish to be known as men of prayer.
2. Jesus said of the scribes a...
"MATTHEW 6:9"
I. AFTER THIS MANNER PRAY.
A. He is clearly giving to the disciples a model or form for prayer.
1. It is not something to be repeated by rote in vain repetition, for He has just warned against vain repetitions in prayer.
2. He has given to them a model.
B. In Luke's gospel, Luke tells us that on another occasion the disciples came to Jesus and said, "Lord teach us...
"MATTHEW 6:10"
Intro. We are looking at the Lord's prayer not so much as something to be repeated verbatum, but as a model or sample form for prayer. We saw that it began with the address, "Our Father which art in heaven." then it entered into worship, "Hallowed be Thy name."
I. WE NOW COME TO PETETION AS INTERCESSION.
A. It is important to note that the first petition does not i...
I. "MOREOVER WHEN YOU FAST."
A. Note that the assumption is that we will fast.
1. Fasting has been a spiritual exercise through the years, and in many different religions.
a. Moses fasted for 40 days as he was receiving the law.
b. David fasted for his little child when it was so sick.
c. He writes of his fasting in the psalms.
PSA 35:13 But as for me, when they were sick, my ...
"FASTING"
I. MOREOVER WHEN YOU FAST.
A. The assumption is that you will fast.
1. The disciples of John one day asked Jesus:
MAT 9:14 Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?
MAT 9:15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken fro...
Intro: We are to use everything we have - talents, gifts, possessions that we lay up treasures in heaven.
I. INSPIRATION TO CHRISTIANS NOT TO WORLD.
A. Worldliness usually is certain particular things of which we are not guilty.
1. Worldliness is an attitude toward life.
B. 1st reason natural.
1. Reasons against treasure on earth.
a. "Moth and rust doth corrupt and where thiev...
LUKE 16:1-9
I. CURRENT COIN OF HEAVEN "LIVES OF MEN."
A. Money will fail.
B. People whose whole lives absorbed in gaining money wasted.
C. Philippine nickel.
D. What we get and keep we lose. What we give we gain.
E. Readjustment in heaven.
1. Rich on earth.
II. EXCHANGED LIVES.
A. Lady called to China.
B. Bible teacher.
III. SACRIFICE HALLOWS AND INCREASES GIFT.
Intro: This whole section devoted to living our lives in relationship to God. 1st principle - take heed that you do not your righteousness before men. Be careful that my motive is not having others think well of me. God should always be my primary consideration.
I. LAY NOT UP FOR YOURSELVES TREASURES ON EARTH.
A. Two extremes.
1. God wants all His children to drive Cadillacs.
Intro: Indirect teaching. Why these kind of warnings necessary? Sin and its effects.
I. SIN HAS UPSETTING EFFECT UPON NORMAL BALANCE OF MAN.
A. Three parts to man - body, soul & spirit.
1. Spirit highest, soul next, then body.
2. Highest gift to man is mind.
a. Think and reason.
b. Logic.
c. Mind - affections - will.
3. Sin - reversed order and balance.
a. Instructions: hea...
"MATTHEW 6:19"
I. "LAY NOT UP FOR YOURSELVES TREASURES ON EARTH, BUT LAY UP TREASURES." IN HEAVEN."
A. This begins a new section of the Sermon, where Jesus is now going to talk about treasures, earthly and heavenly.
B. The believer must guard against the world, the flesh, and the devil.
1. In this next section Jesus is going to be dealing with the battle against the world.
I. "THE LIGHT OF THE BODY IS THE EYE"
A. It is as a window pane.
1. If it is colored, you see everything tinted with that color.
2. If you are looking out of a dingy glass the whole world looks dingy.
3. If the glass is distorted the world looks distorted.
4. Things that distort our views.
a. Prejudice.
b. Jealousy.
c. Conceit.
B. "If the eye be single."
1. What is meant b...
"MATTHEW 6:22"
I. THE LIGHT OF THE BODY IS THE EYE.
A. What does this have to do with treasures on earth and treasures in heaven?
1. Jesus has declared that where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
2. So the issue is the heart of man. Your perception of life.
B. Sin upsets the normal balance of man.
1. Man was created a threefold being, spirit, mind and body.
I. OPENS NEW SECTION - REALITY A SUBSECTION.
A. Christian's relationship to Father in this world.
1. Public life and private life.
2. How I pray - How I worship - How I fast.
a. Don't spend all my time doing these - I would be a monk.
3. Worldliness greatest problem.
a. Vs. 19-24, dangers of laying up worldly treasures.
b. Vs. 25 - end of chapter, anxiety or worry over worldl...
"MATTHEW 6:25"
I. "THEREFORE" THIS WORD ALWAYS TAKES US BACK TO THE PREVIOUS THOUGHTS.
A. The thought here is laying up treasures on earth. Why do people seek to lay up treasures on the earth?
1. Because they are fearful or worried about the future.
2. When I am no longer able to work, will I have enough to survive.
3. I do not believe that the Lord is saying that we should not...
"BIRD WATCHING"
Intro: John tells us concerning Jesus, "All things were made by Him." It is no wonder then that He drew so many, of His examples from nature. "Behold the fowls..."
I. WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM BIRDS?
A. In the context not to worry about our food supply.
1. Worry is one of the most useless and non-productive pastimes you can engage in.
2. Jesus has just told His dis...
"O YE OF LITTLE FAITH"
I. FINAL ARGUMENT CONCERNING PROBLEM OF ANXIOUS CARE.
A. Problem is failure to have obvious deductions.
B. Obvious lack of faith.
II. WHAT IS MEANT BY "LITTLE FAITH."
A. Not an absence of faith.
1. Amount of faith.
B. Must remember he is talking to Christian.
1. They have faith.
2. Others have no faith.
3. God is their Father.
a. Jesus Christ has on...
"FIRST THINGS FIRST"
Intro: Very important to have right priorities. What things are first in your life? What are your main concerns? How did you spend this last week?
I. "TAKE NO ANXIOUS THOUGHT" DON'T WORRY.
A. Our worries are interesting yard sticks.
1. They often reveal that which is most important to us.
a. Some always worry as to how they look.
b. Some worry about impres...
I. THE IMPORTANCE OF ESTABLISHING PRIORITIES.
A. Many demands made upon your time and energies.
1. By your friends.
2. By your job.
3. By your family.
4. By your flesh.
B. Without priorities established it is possible to spend so much time in unnecessary things you do not have time for necessary things.
1. We see people so caught up in material things no time for spiritual.
"MATTHEW 6:31"
I. THEREFORE TAKE NO ANXIOUS THOUGHT. DON'T WORRY.
A. Therefore always refers back to the previous facts.
1. Because your Father takes care of His creatures, the birds, and His creation the flowers, He will surely take care of you His child.
2. In Matthew 10:31 Jesus told the disciples that they were of more value than many sparrows.
3. The key is relationship.
I. THIS VERSE CONCLUSION TO THIS SECTION OF SERMON. "THE PROBLEM OF OUR RELATIONSHIP TO THE THINGS IN THIS WORLD."
A. Everyone faced with this problem, rich and poor.
1. Rich are in danger of laying up worldly treasures.
2. Poor are in danger of worrying about needs.
3. Both cases minds are off of God, and on worldly things.
B. Third time uses phrase, "Take therefore no thought...
"FASTING"
I. CHRISTIAN LIFE DIVIDED INTO THREE SECTIONS.
A. Alms giving (my relation with others).
B. Praying (my relation with God).
C. Fasting (my relation to myself - disciplined).
II. ORIGIN OF FASTING.
A. Ore day a year under law.
B. Special occasions.
C. Taught indirectly by Christ.
1. Matthew 9, Pharisee's question.
2. "But when ye fast."
3. Church of Antioch faste...
I. ALL OBSERVING FATHER.
A. He sees our secret acts.
1. Emphasis on secret service.
2. Prayer, alms, fasting.
3. Not to spy out, but to reward.
II. ALL KNOWING FATHER vs. 8:32.
A. Knows our physical needs.
1. Ask and ye shall receive.
a. Alexander the Great.
2. Result - our prayers to differ from heathen.
a. Baal.
1. Cry louder.
b. Heard for much speaking.
Intro: Difficult passage must be studied in its context, general and specific. Sermon on the Mount. Describes Christian attitude of world toward him. What influence he exerts in world. Relationship to law of God. His relationship to God, his relationship to worldly things. There is sharp contrast between attitude of Christian and Pharisee. As Christian, I seek to relate to God and m...
I. REVIEW OF SERMON AS A WHOLE.
1. Description of Christian, his character.
2. Reminded of his function in earth "Ye are the salt."
"Ye are the light."
3. Instructions as to his life in this world.
a. Relationship to law (necessary because of teaching of scribes).
4. Christian living in world in fellowship with Father.
5. Worldly things in their relation to believer.
MATTHEW 7:1
I. "JUDGE NOT THAT YOU BE NOT JUDGED."
A. This is the basic principle. Jesus according to His style in the sermon will now go on to amplify and illustrate this statement.
B. The law was written on two tables of stone. The first table of stone had the commandments that dealt with your relationship with God.
1. This is primary, it is basic. If your relationship with Go...
Intro. We are under the general heading of "Judge not lest you be judged." We have seen that Jesus is not saying that we should not be discerning, for in a few sentences He will be telling them to not cast their pearls before swine. It is more of the critical spirit that Jesus is making a reference to. Often in our minds, there are some people that we think can do no good. If they d...
I. THE CONTEXT.
A. Immediate is "Judge not."
1. Danger of not using any discrimination.
a. Accept anybody or anything.
b. So fearful not to judge, don't use good sense.
c. There must be church discipline.
d. There must be a guard against heresy.
B. The broader context. "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, I came not to destroy but to fulfill."
1. Lev. 10:10, Aaron's...
"DISCRIMINATION"
I. CLOSING STATEMENT OF JUDGMENT.
A. Seeming contradiction here.
1. Yet if exposition correct, judging as condemning correct logical sequence.
2. Without verse 6, false conclusions might be drawn.
3. In trying not to judge there would be no discrimination at all.
a. There could be no church discipline.
b. No exposing of heresy, for fear of judging.
I. "GIVE NOT THAT WHICH IS HOLY UNTO THE DOGS, NEITHER CAST YE YOUR PEARLS BEFORE SWINE."
A. At first view this seems to be in conflict with what Jesus has just said. He seems to contradict Himself, for He has just told us not to judge.
1. As we looked at the commandment not to judge lest we be judged we pointed out that what Jesus was talking about was going around constantly con...
I. HOW GOD GIVES.
A. "Call unto me."
B. "Ask and it shall be given."
1. People accustom to thinking our asking is the thing that influences God's giving.
C. How man gives.
1. Called on by right party.
a. Approached tactfully.
b. Told how he will benefit.
c. Persisted upon.
2. Waits only long enough to be certain of need and how much needed, then gives.
3. Looks for, places...
I. "ASK AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN YOU."
A. It is amazing to me how many times God tells us to ask.
1. To Solomon God said:
2CH 1:7 In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.
2. To Ahaz God said:
ISA 7:10 Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying,
ISA 7:11 Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the...
"THE GOLDEN RULE"
I. "THEREFORE."
A. It forces us to immediately consider the context.
1. Our prayer for grace.
a. Realizing our shortcomings, "Ask."
b. I desire people to understand my failures.
c. I want them to be patient with my weakness.
2. "Judge not lest ye be judged."
a. I want people to be merciful toward me.
II. "WHATSOEVER YE WOULD THAT MEN SHOULD DO TO YOU, DO Y...
I. "THEREFORE"
A. Links necessity with power. "Ask, seek, knock."
II. DO UNTO YOUR NEIGHBOR WHAT YOU WOULD HAVE YOUR NEIGHBOR DO TO YOU.
A. Similar to other statements.
1. Hillel, "Do not do to your neighbor what is hateful to yourself."
2. Socrates, "What stirs you to anger when done to you by others, do not do to others."
3. Aristotle, "We should bear ourselves toward others...
I. "ENTER YE IN AT THE STRAIT GATE."
A. Jesus in the sermon is teaching that entering into the Kingdom took more than just being a descendant of Abraham. It was more than observing religious rituals.
1. Remember the statement, "Except your righteousness exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
2. Many people today have much of the same ...
"FALSE PROPHETS"
I. "SHEEP'S CLOTHING," THE DIFFICULTY OF DETECTING.
A. They do not wear signs.
1. Most of the things they say are true.
2. They may speak all truth.
a. Never the whole truth.
3. They talk much about God's love, mercy, forgiveness.
a. You do not hear anything about holiness.
b. Preaching on the wrath of God or final judgment of sin.
B. Old Testament false pr...
Intro: "Enter the straight gate" is emphasis of chapter. From verse 13 on, He warns of hindrances, dangers. Gospel is not something, just to listen to or agree with, it must be practiced.
I. BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS.
A. Standing outside of the straight gate.
1. They would persuade you not to enter.
B. Who are these false prophets?
Two Views:
1. Those who teach heresy.
2. Thos...
"BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS"
I. "BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHALL KNOW THEM."
A. Some are teaching for gain.
1. Early church didache.
a. If he asks for money he is a false prophet.
2. Jesus spoke of difference between shepherd and hireling.
3. "Make merchandise of you." II Peter 2:3.
B. Some teaching for prestige.
1. Satisfy some psychological need.
C. Some teaching out of strife.
I. BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS.
A. This comes in the context of entering the straight gate and walking the narrow path.
1. The false prophets will always be seeking to broaden the gate and the path to heaven.
2. There rational is usually, we don't want to drive people away by being too narrow.
3. My response is I do not want to send them to hell by being too broad.
4. The scriptur...
"SELF-DECEPTION"
Intro: Christ to Nicodemus, "We know that thou art a teacher come from God." "Many" in churches and world today.
I. CHRIST TALKING TO THOSE WHO WERE ORTHODOX.
A. Said right things, "Lord, Lord."
B. Doing works in His name.
C. They have assumed they were safe.
1. They come to Christ with their profession.
2. He professes to them.
D. He said that He does not j...
Intro: The need of self examination. Stressed all through word.
I. CAUSES OF SELF DECEPTION.
A. False doctrine of self assurance.
B. Living in activities.
C. Balance our lives, justify ourselves.
D. Not taking scripture as only guide.
II. WAYS IN WHICH WE DECEIVE OURSELVES.
A. Even good things can become dangerous if abused.
1. If our main interest is attending meetings, dan...
"SELF DECEPTION"
I. CHRIST TALKING TO THOSE WHO WERE ORTHODOX.
A. Said right things.
B. Doing in His name.
C. "Many will come."
1. Ten Virgins.
2. Matt. 25, final judgment.
D. These people will be amazed and astonished in that day.
1. Assumed they were safe, why?
a. Saying Lord, Lord.
2. The two professions.
E. He tells us He does not judge as we judge.
1. "Ye are they t...
"TAKING THE NAME OF THE LORD IN VAIN"
Difficulty of such texts, Unfaithful Doctor.
I. "NOT ALL WHO SAY LORD, LORD SHALL ENTER."
A. The way to entrance into kingdom is through confession of Him as Lord. Rom. 10:9.
1. Lord not a name, but a title.
a. Title of mastery or rulership.
b. To truly confess Christ as Lord is to submit myself totally to Him.
c. To confess Him as Lord a...
"THE SURE FOUNDATION"
Intro: Jesus has finished setting forth the principles for those who would live in His Kingdom. Now He exhorts to action.
I. OBEDIENCE IS THE TRUE TEST.
A. Many respond verbally. "Lord, Lord."
1. "Not everyone that says Lord, Lord."
2. Many pick up quickly the spiritual jargon.
a. They begin to say, "Bless God", or PTL.
b. Elisha's servant Gahazi, "As th...
"MATTHEW 7:21"
Intro. This line of thought began back in verse 13 where Jesus talked about the straight gate and the narrow way. He warned against the broad way. having warned them about false prophets who would come in sheep's clothing, He told them that by their fruit they would know them. He now warns them:
I. NOT ALL WHO SAY,"LORD, LORD," ARE GOING TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAV...
"ROCK OR SAND"
I. BUILDING ON SAND.
A. Much of this today.
1. Especially in social gospel.
a. Those who deny scriptures.
b. Those who deny deity of Christ.
2. Always detect flaws in others, examine our own foundation.
a. What is my attitude towards sound doctrine?
b. What is my attitude towards Sermon on the Mount?
1. Am I prone to ignore part - second mile.
2. Loving enem...
Intro: Third in series of warnings:
1. Beware of false prophets (false appearances).
2. Beware of false professions.
3. Beware of false procedures.
I. THE SIMILARITIES.
A. Similar desires to build the house.
1. Desired in same locality subjected to same storms.
2. The houses from outward observance could have appeared alike.
II. THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEN.
A. Not always ob...
"TWO MEN AND TWO HOUSES"
I. THIRD OF SERIES.
A. False prophets.
1. Danger of being deceived by appearances.
2. Sheep's clothing.
3. Judge not by appearances.
B. Not all saying, "Lord, Lord."
1. Danger of self-deception because we believe right things.
2. Regarding zeal or fervor as spirituality.
C. Two houses.
1. Danger of seeking or desiring only the benefits of Christian...
"THE TESTINGS OF LIFE"
I. JESUS TURNS FROM TEACHERS TO HEARERS.
A. You are accountable for what you know.
1. Luke 12, "Those who knew and did not..."
B. Having heard this Sermon on the Mount, what are you going to do?
C. Hearing alone is not enough.
1. You may listen intently.
2. You may listen reverently.
3. You may agree as you listen.
D. You have heard...
1. We should "...
I. THIRD WARNING.
A. Beware of false prophets.
1. Deceived by appearances (sheep's clothing), Gibeon.
B. Beware of false professions.
1. Not alI who say, "Lord, Lord."
a. Neg., anyone who does not say, "Lord, Lord."
2. Deceived because we can say the right things.
C. Beware of false foundations.
II. THE SIMILARITIES OF THE TWO.
A. Both had desire to build.
B. Both interest...
BUILDING ON THE SAND
Intro. In verse 13 Jesus speaks of the two gates and the two paths. There is the straight gate with a narrow path, and the wide gate with the broad path. The broad path leads to destruction and the other to life. The broad way is well traveled by the majority of the people, few walk the narrow way. Make sure you are on the right path.
I. LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING...
I. WHOSOEVER HEARS THESE SAYINGS OF MINE AND DOES THEM.
A. Again Jesus is pointing out the importance of our not just hearing, but doing the things He has commanded.
1. In Revelation 1 we read:
REV 1:3 Blessed [is] he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time [is] at hand.
2. Again, James tells us t...
I. "THE PEOPLE WERE ASTONISHED AT HIS DOCTRINE."
A. Basically Jesus taught that attitudes were more important than actions.
1. The religious Pharisees emphasized the actions of a person, they were very exacting in their actions.
2. Jesus maintained that wrong attitudes could totally negate right actions.
3. This became the dominate teaching of Christianity, that God is intereste...
"THE SOVEREIGNTY OF CHRIST"
Intro: Seven Centurions.
1. One in passage of text.
2. One at cross.
3. Cornelius.
4. One placing bonds on, Paul & when he objects seeking advice of superior.
5. Two protecting Paul & Felix from hostility of crowd.
6. Julius who was Paul's custodian on voyage to Rome.
In all something to admire.
In some much to admire.
In at least one everything...
"THE PURPOSE OF HIS COMING TO GIVE BEAUTY FOR ASHES"
Intro. We have once again come to that time of the year when we celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ into the world. The season of the year that is marked by love, joy, and giving. We remember the Love of God so great that He gave His only begotten Son that we might know the joy of living in fellowship with Him.
I. FACT ONE, GOD...
"A NEW BEGINNING"
Intro. The thought of a new beginning is often intriguing. Words like, "Let's start all over." "Let's get a fresh start." "Take it from the top." There is always that hope that maybe we can do a better job the next time. We now have a little more experience, hopefully we have gained from that experience.
I. A FRESH START IS NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE.
A. You can't alwa...
"RELEASE YOUR FAITH"
I. THIS WOMAN HAD FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST.
A. Where did this faith come from?
1. She probably heard about Jesus.
a. "Faith cometh by hearing."
b. Others heard about Him and didn't believe.
2. Faith is a gift from God.
a. As such it cannot be conjured up.
b. Father prayed "Lord I believe, help."
(Rom. 13:3) "Now God has given to every man a measure of fait...
I. LABORERS ARE FEW.
A. God's work always suffered for lack of laborers.
1. Two conditions.
a. None at all.
b. Too few.
2. Isaiah 59:16 "He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor."
a. Many times under burden for own family.
b. How often do we weep for those of China, India, Russia.
3. Ezekiel 22:30 "Sought for a man to make up the hedge to stan...
"FINDING YOURSELF"
Intro. We hear a lot of people talking about finding themselves. You hear such statements as, "I'm looking out for number one." or "I need to find myself." According to Jesus you need to lose yourself.
I. ONE OF THE MAJOR PROBLEMS OF OUR SOCIETY TODAY IS THE SELF CENTEREDNESS OF MAN.
A. If you will seek to trace the basic motive for everything you do, if you wi...
"HEAVY BURDENS"
Intro: Jesus has just pronounced woe upon those cities blind to Him. He then prayed to the Father. Then, turning back to the people He said, "The Father has put all things in My hands, yet no man understands Me, but the Father does, no one understands the Father but Me, and those I reveal Him to come unto Me, I will give you rest." What rest? The true rest. All your...
THE MASTER'S INVITATION
Time & Setting: 6 mo. before end disciples sent out. 35 sets of two - glorious reports.
I. COME UNTO ME.
A. Two invitations.
1. Come.
2. Take.
B. Two sorts of people.
1. Those who are laboring.
2. Those who have come into rest.
C. Many have answered first invitation.
II. TAKE MY YOKE.
A. Surrender of one, mastery by another one Nations conquered in...
"HEAVY BURDENS"
Intro: Jesus comes to a burdened society and does not offer pity, but power.
I. THERE IS SOMETHING THAT IS COMMON TO ALL, A BURDEN.
A. No one lives without it.
1. Not talking about sorrow, care.
2. GaIatians. "Bear ye one another's burdens."
"Let every man bear his own burden."
"Bapos" - "potion" responsibility.
B. Your burden is that master passion of your l...
"REST FOR YOUR SOUL"
Intro: In promising rest for your soul, Jesus offers something that no other religion can give. Religions start men in a quest for their souls. Seekers, inquirers, searchers. Rest comes in knowing God, your restlessness is Godlessness. No man knows the Father unless the Son reveals Him. "Come unto Me."
I. EVERY MAN HAS A BURDEN. "WEARY AND HEAVY LADEN." "MY BU...
"PEACE OF MIND"
I. A WONDERFUL INVITATION, "COME UNTO ME."
A. The one who made the invitation is the Son of God.
1. He has just declared that the Father has delivered all things to Him, and that no one really knows the Father but the Son and whomsoever the Son will reveal Him.
2. The Son of God is inviting you to come unto Him.
B. To whom is the invitation made?
1. All that la...
"THE UNPARDONABLE SIN"
Intro: Jesus warns that it is possible for a person to commit a sin for which there is no forgiveness. I as His representative would be derelict to my duty if I did not seek to tell you what this sin is.
I. WHAT THE UNPARDONABLE SIN IS NOT.
A. "All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven."
B. It is not a single action you can do in a moment.
"THE UNPARDONABLE SIN"
I. THE TESTIMONY OF SCRIPTURE.
A. Gen. 6:3 "My Spirit will not always strive with man."
1. Blessing.
2. Curse.
B. Jeremiah told not to pray for certain people. Hosea told "Ephriam is joined to his idols, Let him alone. Romans "God gave them up."
C. John 12:39 "Could not believe."
1. Water to wine.
2. Two blind men.
3. Widow's son.
4. Lazarus.
"THE UNPARDONABLE SIN"
Intro. Satan many times likes to torment people with the thought that they are guilty of committing the unpardonable sin. Many times people have come to me with a tortured soul thinking that they had committed that sin. If you are worried that you might have committed the unpardonable sin I can assure you that you have not. If you had you would not be the lea...
"GREATER THAN JONAH"
Intro: Certain of the scribes and Pharisees had just asked Jesus for a sign, some kind of proof. You wonder what they wanted more.
I. JESUS CONFIRMED THREE EVENTS.
A. Bible critics feel compelled to challenge the accuracy. Biblical Infidelism.
B. When Jesus speaks of an event as happening, I believe it happened. I'll take His authority.
C. The story of Jona...
I. THE FACT OF COMING JUDGMENT.
II. THE NINEVITES REPENTANCE.
A. Their calls to repentance not many.
1. Many unbelievers have been warned many times.
2. Nineveh had just one prophet, not the greatest or most affectionate.
3. Nineveh heard that prophet only once monotonous message in open air.
4. Nineveh had heard no word of good tidings only law.
B. The message of the prophet...
"THAT IT MIGHT BE FULFILLED WHICH WAS SPOKEN BY THE PROPHET, SAYING," I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
MAT 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
LUK 11:50 That the blood of all ...
"THE HIDDEN TREASURE"
I. THERE ARE FOUR THINGS THAT NEED TO BE UNDERSTOOD IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND THE PARABLE. THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN; THE TREASURE; THE FIELD; THE MAN.
A. The kingdom of heaven is where God reigns.
1. We realize that the universe is divided into two opposing forces that could be described as the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of light.
a. Satan reigns in the ...
"THE KINGDOM PARABLES."
Intro. Years ago when I was in Bible college, a professor told the class that we should not seek to speak on the parables until we had been the ministry for 20 years. I thought I knew better than the professor, so I began teaching on the parables as soon as I began in the ministry. Through the years my understanding of the parables has changed considerably, ...
"WHY DID YOU DOUBT?"
Intro. Setting the scene. It had been a hard day, it began with the news of the beheading of John the Baptist. Jesus suggested to the disciples that they go over to a deserted place across the sea. When they arrived they found a crowd waiting for them. Jesus ministered unto them healing their sick. Late in the afternoon the disciples asked Jesus to send them aw...
Intro: Heb. literary form polysyndeton.
I. AN EXHALTED EXPERIENCE OF PETER.
A. Some have accused Peter of presumption, but Jesus said, "Come" and He never encouraged presumption.
B. "And Peter answered Him, Lord if it be thou, bid me come unto thee upon the water."
1. Begins with "and " something preceded.
2. Join Peter in his peril.
a. He expressed desire for fellowship in a ...
GUIDED MISSILES AND MISGUIDED MEN
I. MISGUIDED MEN.
A. Some guided by false precepts.
1. "Do the best you can."
2. "As long as you are sincere." (Gaha 21).
a. Christ death in vain.
B. Some guided by false prophets.
1. I Kings 13 - Lying prophet.
a. "The Lord told me to tell you."
C. Some guided by own lusts.
1. Samson.
D. Some guided by Satan's lies.
1. "It won't hurt yo...
"MOTHER'S DAY SERMON"
Intro: "Mother do you really love your child?" "How much time do you spend in prayer for him?" "Have you become discouraged?"
I. JESUS CONTACT WITH THE WOMAN.
A. Place: Country around Tyre and Sidon.
B. The cry, "Have mercy on me. Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil."
C. The silence of Christ.
1. She had no claim to Him a...
"A PRAYING MOTHER"
Intro: I am convinced that when all the facts are in, we will find that praying mothers have done more to influence our history than any other single force.
I. A MOTHER, DRIVEN BY CIRCUMSTANCES TO CHRIST.
A. Her daughter grievously vexed by a devil.
1. What form this vexing took is not told.
a. Incorrigible?
b. Fits of irrationality?
c. Mental or physical i...
"PREVAILING FAITH"
I. THE OBSTACLES HER FAITH HAD TO OVERCOME.
A. The silence of Jesus. "He answered her not a word."
1. I think one of the most difficult things in our Christian walk is the silence of God.
2. We pray and nothing seems to happen.
a. We don't see any changes.
b. If anything it seems that things are getting worse.
3. This woman of Canaan was crying after Jesus ...
"A STONE OVER THE DOOR"
I. WHAT LAY BEHIND THAT STONE?
A. A dead concept of God.
1. Jesus came to reveal the Father.
a. "No man hath seen the Father."
2. What concept had He brought?
a. God is love.
1. The thought of Him as a vengeful judge.
2. Jesus declared Him a loving Father.
3. "He that hath seen Me, hath seen..."
a. As you see Him heal the sick, you see the concern o...
JOHN 21:18,19
"LOVEST THOU ME?"
Intro: Peter brought back to cross where he failed stages of restoration.
I. LUKE 22:31,32.
A. Storing up in his mind words that would help in days to come.
B. "That thy faith fail thee not."
1. Was prayer answered?
2. Courage failed, obedience.
C. Jesus had prayed before denial ever came.
II. LUKE 22:61 "AND THE LORD TURNED AND LOOKED AT PET...
"DISCERNING THE VOICE OF GOD"
I. PETER'S FIRST DECLARATION.
A. Jesus had asked the disciples a question.
B. Peter's answer.
C. Jesus observation of Peter's answer.
1. A revelation from God.
2. How did it come.
3. Peter obviously unconscious of its origin.
a. God works in natural ways.
b. So many looking for spectacular.
D. You might say that Christ's first mission was acco...
"THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP"
I. "LET HIM DENY HIMSELF."
A. A far cry from the prosperity heresy.
1. This heresy devised by evangelists who are seeking to justify their lavish lifestyles.
2. God wants His children to have luxurious homes.
a. A man came to Jesus; "I will follow thee."
3. The more expensive a sports car, the greater the faith.
B. Jesus made no appeal to the flesh ...
"THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP"
I. LET HIM DENY HIMSELF.
A. More than just self denial.
1. "I am Crucified with Christ."
2. I have submitted myself to the Lordship of Him.
B. Negative gospel has been based on this scripture.
C. What?
1. Individual matter.
2. Basically that which hinders full surrender.
a. That activity which if pursued would harm.
b. That which tears down.
"THREE REQUIREMENTS FOR CHRISTIAN LIFE."
I. "DENY HIMSELF."
A. No list of do's and don'ts.
1. Man's unscriptural liberty at listing.
B. No list needed "Deny himself."
1. Death to self life.
C. Wisdom of denial.
1. Muskrat.
D. Folly of selfishness.
1. Monkey.
II. "TAKE UP HIS CROSS."
A. What is meant by this?
1. People through own folly get themselves into jam.
"THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP"
Intro: The first recorded words of Jesus when 12 years old. "Know ye not that I must be about My Father's business?" The divine must is still seen as He speaks of Jerusalem.
I. "IF ANY MAN WILL COME AFTER ME."
A. "Come unto me all ye that labor & are heavy laden, & I will give you rest.
1. What motivates a man to come unto Christ.
a. The weariness of ...
"PROFIT AND LOSS"
Intro. What is your greatest ambition in life? If you could be anything you wanted to be, or have anything you wanted to have, what would you choose.
I. TRUE PROFITS ARE NOT REALLY KNOWN UNTIL YOU GAUGE THEM AGAINST THE LOSSES.
A. Jesus asked, "What is a man profited if he should gain the whole world but lose his own soul?"
1. It is interesting that Jesus was o...
"THE CHRISTIAN RATIONALE"
I. THE TERMS OF DISCIPLESHIP.
A. Deny himself.
1. What? Those things that if you continued in them would by their very nature destroy you.
a. He does not wish to take from you any good or helpful activity.
b. "I have come that they might have life."
2. Those things that stand in the way of your coming.
a. What is keeping you from submitting your life...
"IT IS GOOD FOR US TO BE HERE"
I. This Story is tied with the last verse of the previous chapter. "Verily I say unto you, there are some standing here who shall not taste of death till they see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom."
A. Six days later Jesus took three of the disciples up into a high mountain, and there He was transfigured before them.
1. His face was as the sun. ...
"THE POTENTIALS OF FAITH"
I. WHAT IS FAITH?
A. It is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
1. It is trusting in God.
2. It is the confidence that comes from knowing that God is in control, and is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that you could ask or think.
3. It is thus resting in the love and ability of God.
4. The psalmist tells us to ...
"THE PURPOSE OF HIS COMING, TO SAVE US FROM OUR SINS, HOW TO CELEBRATE."
I. THE PURPOSE OF HIS COMING DECLARED.
A. To Joseph by an angel.
1. It lies in His very name.
2. To the Hebrews a name significant.
3. Name Jesus is Greek for Hebrew Joshua.
a. Contraction of Jehovah Shua.
b. Means Jehovah is salvation.
4. "Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins."
I. CHRIST EXAMPLE OF GOODNESS.
A. Addressed Christ as Good Master.
1. Knelt before Christ.
2. Sought way of eternal life through goodness.
B. Addressed Christ falsely.
1. He failed to recognize divinity of Christ.
2. "Why callest thou me good...none good but one."
a. Christ of Himself said "I am Good Shepherd."
3. Rebuked for calling Christ good without realizing divinity wa...
"THE RICH YOUNG RULER"
I. WHAT HE HAD.
A. A fine temperament.
1. His whole dealing with Christ revealed it.
B. Keen discernment.
1. He called Jesus "good Master."
2. He recognized in Jesus something far above the ordinary.
C. He had courage.
1. He was a ruler of the Jews.
2. At this time, the rulers had taken stand against Jesus.
3. For him to come and kneel took courage.
"THE YOUNG RULER"
I. WHAT HE HAD.
A. "He was very rich."
1. It is a common fallacy to think that money would solve all my problems.
a. "A man's life consisteth not in the abundance."
b. "For the love of money is the root of all evil."
2. Wealth can be a blessing or a curse.
a. Some are blessed with money while others are cursed with money.
b. Closest thing to omnipotence tha...
"AGE ABIDING LIFE"
I. THE QUEST FOR LIFE.
A. Eternal or age abiding life more than just a quantity.
1. It is a quality of life.
a. Rich, Full, abundant, complete.
b. It is the life of God.
2. Jesus possessed this quality of life.
B. Within each of us is a search for meaning.
1. We usually possess some philosophy of where it might be found.
a. If I were only rich.
THE QUEST FOR LIFE
I. HE HAD A DESIRE FOR THE IDEAL.
A. Coming to Jesus he asked, "Good Master, what good thing must I do that I may have eternal life."
1. Eternal life here is not just a quantity, but a quality of life that he was seeking.
a. Let us suppose that you are in Mexican prison serving a sentence of life without the possibility of parole, the living conditions are hor...
"THE REJECTED STONE"
Intro. On Sunday Jesus made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem as He presented Himself to the nation as their Messiah. He now returned on Monday, and again cast out those who were buying and selling, He overturned the tables of the money changers. The little children were saying to Him, "Hosanna to the Son of David." which greatly upset the chief priests and s...
"THE GOD OF THE LIVING"
I. DEATH NOT THE END.
A. Hell and Heaven on earth.
II. ANOTHER LOOK AT THE SCRIPTURE.
A. Moses.
B. Samson.
C. Daniel.
D. Peter.
E. Paul.
1. Viper.
2. Not to be unusual, once in a life time.
a. Everyday occurrence.
F. God is not a God of the dead but of the living.
III. THE GOD OF THE LIVING!
A. He knows us!
1. No hidden sin.
a. If he judged An...
"WHAT THINK YE OF CHRIST?"
Intro: The Pharisees and the Sadducees had been trying to trap Jesus with trick questions. Jesus then asked them a question.
I. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE MESSIAH, WHOSE SON IS HE?
A. They were offended by Jesus' claim to be the Son of God. John 19:7.
1. When they had taken up stones. John 10:31.
2. To the present day, His claim of deity offends them.
"WHAT THINK YE OF CHRIST?
Intro. The tide of resentment is building against Jesus among the religious leaders, they are in a verbal warfare. They are seeking to trap Jesus so as to turn the tide of his popular appeal. The Pharisee's had tried to catch Him in a question of paying taxes to Rome. Sadducees had tried to make the resurrection look ridiculous, instead He made them look r...
I. "WHAT THINK YE OF CHRIST, WHOSE SON IS HE?"
A. You have two choices. Son of man, or Son of God.
1. Maybe Mary was lying, she had been cheating Joseph.
2. She knew the prophecy that a virgin was going to bring forth a Son and call His name Immanuel.
3. When she found out that she was pregnant, she decided to cover her sin by saying she was the chosen virgin.
"OUR SAVIOR'S LAMENT"
I. THE CRY OF THE MASTER, "O JERUSALEM, JERUSALEM."
A. His description of Jerusalem, "Thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee."
1. In the parable of the householder who planted the vineyard and let it out to the husbandmen. He sent his servants at the time of harvest to receive the fruit from it. Some they beat, some they kil...
"THE END OF THE WORLD"
Intro: A few years ago, to even suggest this subject caused you to be considered a likely candidate for the funny farm. The social scientists began to study the population growth ratios and the capacity to produce food they began to shout the end of the world. Then the physical scientists looking at capacity to build super weapons. Studied ozone blanket, wate...
"THE END OF THE WORLD"
Intro: I hear a lot of talk these days about the end of the world. Usually associate this talk with old men with gray beards and sandals, carrying sandwich boards as they cry "Repent!"
I. TODAY I FEAR THIS TALK FROM COLLEGE PROFESSORS AND SCIENTISTS.
A. Endangered Layer of Ozone Gas.
1. 03
2. Aerosol sprays.
3. Supersonic jets.
4. Atomic explosions in a...
"THE END OF THE WORLD"
I. I HEAR A LOT OF TALK THESE DAYS ABOUT THE END OF THE WORLD.
A. Usually associate this talk with old men in sandals dressed in white robes carrying sandwich boards.
B. This talk is coming from scientists.
1. Endangered layer of Ozone gas.
a. Aerosol sprays.
b. Supersonic jets.
c. Atomic explosions.
d. Could this be related to the 4th vial of Revelati...
MATTHEW 25:31-34;41-46
I. THE PROMISE OF HIS COMING.
A. "If I go away, I come again."
1. Matt. 24:30.
B. The angels promised.
1. 'Ye men of Galilee."
C. Apostles spoke of it.
1. John, "Behold he cometh with clouds and every eye shall see Him."
2. Paul, "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, voice of arch angel."
II. WHEN IS HE COMING?
A. "Day and hou...
"THE SIGNS OF HIS COMING"
Intro: Jesus promised His disciples, "if I go, I will come again..." The second coming of Jesus Christ is essential for the fulfillment of Bible prophesy. He shall return to the earth again with His Church to establish God's Kingdom.
I. THE DISCIPLES TWO FOLD QUESTION, "WHEN SHALL THESE THINGS BE, AND WHAT SHALL BE THE SIGN OF THY COMING..."
A. Notice th...
"KEEP THE FIRE BURNING"
I. Jesus is giving the Disciples the signs that shall precede His coming again.
A. One of the signs will be the abounding iniquity.
1. As we look around our world today, surely we see iniquity abounding.
2. We used to have laws that protected us from much of the iniquity that is filling our land today, but one by one these laws have been struck down by th...
"THE DAYS OF NOAH"
Intro: Jesus has just pronounced His woes on the Scribes and the Pharisees while in the Temple. He concludes with a lament against Jerusalem. As they are leaving the Temple, the disciples remark on huge stones. "When shall these things be...?"
I. THE QUESTION IS TWO FOLD, DESTRUCTION OF TEMPLE AND HIS COMING AT THE END OF THE WORLD.
A. Signs of His coming.
World War.
Famines - Millions.
Pestilence - Flu 15,000,000.
Earthquakes - China 1920, Japan 1923.
vs. 37 Days of Noah.
Gen. 6:5 & 11.
1 million armed criminals in U.S.
5 million criminals.
Crime costs $15 million annually.
(Marriage Luke 12:27).
I. TIM. 4:1.3 OCCULTISM, MYSTICISM.
II. THES. 2:3 FAILING AWAY.
vs. 32.34 Fig tree.
Generation.
Coming dictator Anti-Christ.
"THE DAYS OF NOAH"
I. THE WHOLE CONTEXT IS THE SIGNS THAT JESUS IS GIVING TO HIS DISCIPLES OF HIS COMING AND THE END OF THE WORLD.
A. I think that we all have an awareness that things cannot continue in the downward spiral that we that we have been observing for the last 40 years, that soon we will be hitting bottom.
1. Something has to change.
2. Look at the downward spiral of ...
"THE END OF THE WORLD"
Intro: "The end of the world is near." We used to associate this warning with sandwich boards. Now it is being said by men with PhD's who have majored in Ecology. By men who are considered military experts, and by diplomats and analysts who study the world.
I. THE QUESTIONS OF THE DISCIPLES.
A. Prompted by Jesus prediction of the destruction of the Temple.
MAT 24:1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to [him] for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
A. Mark's gospel tells us that they were remarking about the stones. Josephus tells us that Herod used stones that were 37 feet long, 12 feet high, and 18 feet thick. This sounds exaggerated, however in recent excavations of the retaining wall tha...
"AND THEY THAT WERE READY"
I. AND THEY THAT WERE READY WENT IN.
A. Little boy from Pasadena.
B. You will soon take trip from time to eternity.
1. Many have made no preparation.
a. Making trip to foreign country.
1. Luggage, passports, visa.
2. Cost of lack of preparedness.
a. Germany able to conquer Europe.
b. 492 perished in coconut zone fire - Dec. of 1947.
C. Coast Guar...
"A SOLEMN WARNING"
I. THE LIKENESS OF THESE MEN.
A. All servants.
B. Same master.
C. All given a portion.
1. To one, five.
2. To one, two.
3. To one, one.
II. DIFFERENCE IN THESE SERVANTS.
A. One who received 5 used them.
B. One who received 2 used them.
C. One who received I buried it.
III. THE MASTER RETURNED TO JUDGE.
A. We shall all be judged.
B. First two commende...
"THE DAY OF ACCOUNTING"
Intro. This is another in a series of parables that have to do with the time of the return of the Master. Up till now the emphasis has been the importance of watching and being ready, for His coming for the most part will be unexpected. The thrust of this parable takes a new direction. This is a warning of the importance of using that which the Master has in...
"LORD, IS IT I?"
I. SELF EXAMINATION.
A. If they were like us.
1. James and John, certain it was Peter.
2. Peter knew not Him.
3. ("50 let a man examine Himself").
B. Read so many scriptures that fit the other fellow.
1. Bible should be a mirror. Paint critic.
II. BETRAYING CHRIST.
A. By our actions.
1. Hypocrite.
B. By our words.
1. Profanity.
C. By what we don't do.
I. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE QUESTION.
A. Your immediate future depends on it.
1. Whether you give your life to slavery in sin.
a. Herold Lewis.
b. Dissipate your energies seeking pleasure.
1. June.
2. Enjoy blessings as sons of a king.
B. Your eternal future.
II. RESULTS OF OTHERS.
A. Pilate, "I wash my hands."
B. Jews, "Crucify Him!" His blood
1. 40 years, Titus.
C. Voltai...
"WHAT COULD YOU NOT WATCH WITH ME ONE HOUR"
I. CHRIST HOUR OF CRISIS.
A. Many criticize Peter and disciples for failure to watch with Christ.
1. For deserting Him in this hour of crisis.
B. We judge Peter but listen to scripture.
1. Rom. 2:1.
C. The disciples were sleeping!
1. The church today is asleep.
II. PERSISTENCE IN PRAYER.
A. Colored girl.
B. Pray for 5 minutes and...
"THE ROAD TO DENIAL"
Intro. We have all with Peter experienced the bitter taste of the tears from personal failure. There were things that I swore I would never be guilty of doing but yet I did it. How could I have ever let My Lord down like that? I weep for shame and weakness. How is it that a man who has walked in such close fellowship with the Lord, and who has made such a stron...
"BITTER DEFEAT"
I. PETER'S TASTE OF DEFEAT.
A. Jesus had told disciples that they would all be offended because of Him.
B. Peter responded with a declaration of unfailing commitment.
1. "Though all might be offended, I will never be offended."
a. Peter was saying that his devotion exceeded that of the other disciples.
b. He was challenging the word of Jesus.
C. Jesus responde...
I. MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS IN LIFE.
A. Personal Question.
1. Everyone must answer it.
2. No one can evade it.
3. Choose yet this day whom.
B. It is important because.
1. How you answer it determines the course of your life.
2. How you answer it determines how you will spend eternity.
3. Christ is waiting to record your answer ye shall serve.
II. RESULTS IN THE LIVES OF OTH...
"THE GREAT DECISION"
I. THE DIFFICULTY OF THE DECISION.
A. The pressure from within.
1. He knew what was right.
2. He knew Jesus was innocent.
B. The pressure from without.
1. The crowd was pushing him to do what he knew to be wrong.
C. Hard position to be in.
1. When the crowd around you is urging you to do something you know is wrong.
II. HIS ENDEAVOR TO AVOID THE DECISIO...
"THE VERDICT"
Intro: Those who read this story superficially say that Christ was on trial before Pilate, true in a sense but in ultimate things Pilate was on trial. Matthew shows us Christ as King, His birth fulfilling ancient prophesies. His herald - prophetic. His manifesto. Sermon on Mount; His program, healing of sick, restoration to divine order and intent. His conflict with f...
"JESUS OR BARABBAS"
Intro. It is hard to go against what your heart is telling you is right. Not only did Pilate know that Jesus was innocent and that justice demanded that the innocent man go free. He had been warned by his wife to have nothing to do with that Just Man. He knew that the charges being made against Jesus were false, and that it was because of their envy of Jesus tha...
THE THORN CROWNED KING
(Where the thorns came from)
I. VIEWING WITH ADVANTAGE OF EXPERIENCE.
A. They thought they understood all that was happening.
B. We know we don't.
II. WHEN THEY HAD CRUCIFIED HIM.
A. Who crucified Christ?
1. Peter to Jews.
Jews to Peter - Seeing we have crucified the Lord of Glory.
2. The crucifixion guilt goes deeper.
III. THE ATTITUDE OF GOD.
"AND THEY CRUCIFIED HIM"
I. WHAT KIND OF PERSON WOULD WANT TO CRUCIFY CHRIST?
A. Cruel, vicious, MONSTER.
1. Kill a innocent man.
a. More than innocent. Neg. trait.
b. He was good, kind, loving.
2. Torture of cross.
a. Exult in His suffering.
b. No words of pity.
B. How do you picture the murderers of Christ?
1. Wild-eyed: foaming mouthed idiots.
2. You probably couldn't ...
"FORSAKEN BY GOD"
Intro: This is the worst fate man could ever experience. To be forever forsaken by God is hell.
I. WHY WAS HE FORSAKEN BY GOD?
A. Isa. 53:6 ... "and the Lord laid on Him..."
1. Jesus Christ bore the sins of the world.
a. Every vile act ever committed.
1. Perverted sex acts.
2. Torturous murders.
3. Every act of violence laid on the Prince of Peace.
"THE VICTORY OF THE CROSS"
Intro. It indeed is finished, the horrible, unthinkable crime against righteousness and justice, against God Himself has been committed. We read that at noon there was darkness over all the land, this surely was mankind's darkest hour. The ultimate demonstration of his total depravity is clearly manifested in the limp body of the innocent Son of God that ...
"ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?"
"MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME?"
I. TO FEEL FORSAKEN BY GOD, IS ONE OF THE WORST FEELINGS IN THE WORLD.
A. We have all had our moments.
1. The need is critical, and God doesn't seem to answer our prayers. Our loved one dies.
2. Tragedies happen that we cannot explain.
B. Times when it seems that God has allowed evil to triumph over goo...
"MY GOD, MY GOD"
Psalm 22
I. WORDS OF APPALLING WOE.
A. "I have never seen the righteous forsaken."
1. God did not forsake His people.
a. Egypt.
b. Red Sea.
c. Fiery Furnace.
II. HERE WE SEE AWFULNESS OF SIN & ITS WAGES.
A. Depravity of human heart.
B. Character of the devils, hostility against God.
C. Perfection of divine nature.
D. See depths of sin.
Suicide - Adam.
"TRULY THIS WAS THE SON OF GOD"
I. PROPHESY PROVES IT.
A. Law of compound probabilities.
1. 20 stipulations 1,045,576
2. 21 prophesies concerning Christ birth.
3. Over 300 in His lifetime.
B. Amazing prophesy of Daniel 9:24.
49 years & 434=Total 483; 483 Babylonian calendar
Artexerses gave Nehemiah 445 360 days to year. Remaining 38
II. HIS LIFE PROVED IT.
A. Officers test...
"TRULY THIS WAS THE SON OF GOD"
I. HIS MIRACULOUS BIRTH.
A. Angels announcement to Mary, a virgin.
B. Birth in Bethlehem.
1. Fulfilling Micah's prophesy.
2. Angels announcement to shepherds.
II. HIS MARVELOUS LIFE.
A. Power over elements.
1. Water to wine (By him all things consist).
2. Wind and waves obedient.
3. Multiplying bread.
B. Power over sickness.
1. Physical bl...
"MAKE IT AS SURE AS YOU CAN."
I. WHY WOULD THEY WANT TO SEAL JESUS IN THE TOMB.
A. He was a threat to their life style.
1. They were ruling over the people.
2. They maintained their authority by keeping the people in ignorance and superstition.
3. Jesus was ripping off their veneer, exposing them for what they were.
a. Until Jesus came along people thought they were pretty hol...
"SUFFICIENT POWER"
I. "ALL POWER IS GIVEN UNTO ME IN HEAVEN AND IN EARTH."
A. How much power do you suppose that is?
1. Look around at the vast universe, it speaks to us of the glory or the power of God.
a. Look at the star Arcturus, it is about 30 light years away from the earth. It is traveling through space at the rate of 70 miles per second, or 4,200 miles per minute which i...