Jesus' Antidote to Anxiety | Matthew 6:19-25

Series: All: All Authority, All Nations, All Allegiance

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-24

Title: Jesus’ Antidote to Anxiety (Darien Gabriel)

(See below for bibliography)

Summary of passage: Jesus lays out the principles and rules of kingdom living.

Bottom Line: Jesus teaches us to bank in heaven, keep our windows clean, and serve the right master to be free from anxiety.

Group Video Outline:

I. What do I want you to know?

Why? Because

II. What do I want you to do?

Discussion questions for group and personal study.

1. How does treasure in heaven compare to treasure on earth? What does each look like, and how are they different?

2. Why is it often easier to desire earthly treasures over heavenly treasures?

3. According to this chapter, how do you store up treasure in heaven? Are you pursuing any of these?

4. Does what you treasure show that you prefer God over this world?

5. This chapter teaches that you are to be single in your devotion. How does Christ's single devotion to his people empower his people to be single in their devotion to him?

6. What does it mean to be devoted to God? Is this devotion an inward, personal response, or is it an outward action? Why?

7. Why does Jesus contrast God with money as opposed to something else? What about money makes it particularly capable of being a master over people?

8. Why is money not able to provide satisfaction, security, and stability? In what ways is God alone able to provide satisfaction, security, and stability?

9. How do you lessen your desire for money and earthly treasure and increase your desire for God and heavenly treasure?

10. How is Jesus's previous discussion about prayer and fasting connected to Jesus's teaching about treasures and money? How do prayer and fasting (or the lack thereof) affect what you treasure?

Final Questions (optional or in place of above)

What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Intro

You can’t take it with you when you die.

There are no U-hauls behind Hertz’s in funeral processions. King Tut left all that gold behind that was entombed with him. We can’t it with us!s

But we can send it ahead.

Jesus deals with anxiety the next two weeks.

This week he uses money to get to the heart of the matter.

Next week he’ll use food, clothing and drink.

Paul gives us his command about anxiety in Philippians 4:6-7.

“Earthly treasures may leave us in this life. It is certain we will leave earthly treasures in our death.” -Akin

Treasures are things we value:

Possessions
Wealth, money
Looks
Brains
Education

“You can’t take it with you, but you can send it ahead.” -Randy Alcorn, The Treasure Principle

“Seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.” -Paul, Colossians 3:1-2

“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you.” -Jesus, Matthew 6:33

Akin says in 6:19-24 that Jesus deals with our priorities or what we treasure (truly value) head-on.

Jesus wants us to

have the right treasure,
Be single in devotion, and
Be single in master.

Quarles says vv. 19-24 “explicitly state the priorities that the model prayer (9-13) assumes.”

Outline

Who doesn’t want to be fully themselves without a care for what others think about them!

Who doesn’t want to be free from constant anxiety over the things of this world?

Jesus was. We can be too.

Q1. What do I you to know?

A1. Jesus teaches us that the life free from anxiety is the life wholeheartedly focused on the Lord Jesus and his agenda; his kingdom.

Q2. Why do I want you to know this?

It leads to anxiety-free life. Largely, stress-free.

Q3. What do I want you to do?

A3. I want you to:

Bank in Heaven .
1. Store up for yourselves treasure in heaven.
2. Randy Alcorn says it this way: “You can’t take it with you but you can send it ahead.”
Keep your windows clean.
Serve the right master.

Q4. Why do you want me to do these?

Because that’s where your wealth will last and multiply.
Because that’s how you will see where to go, what to do and how to do it. It’s how you light up your heart.
Because we’re all created to serve a master. Serving the wrong master leads away from a joyful, peaceful, wise life.

Conclusion — Summary story:l from Treasure Principle.

Imagine that you live in the US but get a 12 month job in the Philippines. And the company rules dictate that you can buy whatever you want there but it all has to stay there. Or you can invest it for later. Now you’re getting paid 5 times what you’d make in America but you are responsible for all of your expenses. How will you spend your money? Will you buy an expensive house? Expensive car? Will you buy all of the niceties for your apartment like big screen TV and build a deck out back? Or will you live simply? Buying what you need but sending the rest to invest in the future back home? I imagine the wise person will live frugally and invest in the future where they’ll spend the rest of their lives.

Bottom line antidote for anxiety.

Pray

My Notes:

Initial read and thoughts…

6:19-21

Don’t…
Do…
Why? Because heart; where do you want your heart ot be: heaven or earth?

6:22-23

Truth: eye is lamp (window) of the body. (Metaphor)
If: eyes are healthy (clean, open, un-shuttered), body full of light (good, God)
But, if: eyes are unhealthy, body full of darkness (no light) (evil, no God)
God is light! Jesus is the light of the world!

6:24

Truth: No one can serve 2 masters.
Why not? Because it’s just no possible.They both claim your allegiance which conflicts with the other. And their purposes are as different as light and dark.

Diving deeper…

Danny Akin’s commentary:

Jesus says…

I. Pursue heavenly treasures over earthy ones (19-21).

In life we make choices everyday. They can get complicated with all the choices.
Jesus Simple’s pointing out there are really only 2 places we can store up treasure: heaven and earth.

A. What you treasure shows what you value (19-20). Jesus is direct:

Don’t treasure the things of this world…why not? Because, earthly treasures don’t last
1. Stolen
2. Fade—high school memorabilia like my letterman jacket are gone; one shirt left
3. Forgotten—trophy’s in SHS trophy case covered in dust
4. It’s all hevel—a vapor; a wisp of smoke (use candle to illustrate) cf. Ecclesiastes
Do…therefore, Jesus says treasure the things that don’t fade but the things that last forever. How? See sermon on the mount. This is what Jesus is talking about throughout. It’s about the kingdom of God. And his kingdom is for this world—for this city! It’s
1. Suffering persecution for his name’s sake
2. Loving our enemies
3. Being generous to the poor
4. Fervent, sincere prayer
5. Humble fasting
Command
Constant vigilance

B. What you treasure shows what is in your heart (21). (Light or darkness)

Where is our treasure located? Truly it’s in your heart.
Cf. Luke 12:16-21—->ties v. 21 to 19-20, Parable of a Rich Man

“And he told them this parable: ‘The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, “What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.” Then he said, “This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; east, drink and be merry.’ But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?”’ This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:16-21

“In fact, the condition of our heart and what we value will become clear for all to see. Why? “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Basic truth: Our heart (thoughts, feelings, will) should belong to God.

He created us.
He redeemed us.

To love anyone or anything > we love Jesus = spiritual adultery or adultery of the heart

II. Pursue light over darkness (22-23).

Basic truth: light = good; we should pursue good over evil
1 John 1 “…God is light, in him there is no darkness at all…” 1:5-7
John 8:12 Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Matthew 5:14 Jesus said, “You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
John 3:19-21 What do we love? “This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed. But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished byGod.”
Basic principle: Pursue light

2 truths:

A. Be single in your devotion (22).

“Just as a window lets light into a house, the eye lets light into the body. Therefore, it is important that we have good, healthy eyes.
Good eye is one of fixed and single devotion. No fuzzy vision, double vision (2 masters), lazy eye. (My lazy eye surgery)

B. Be on guard against all self-deception (23). Evil is a sense of good (or corruption of good).

III. Pursue God over money (24).

The mark of a disciple:
1. His eyes are fixed on heaven. (Upward)
2. His spiritual vision is single, not divided, (Single-minded) and
3. He serves the right master. (Wisdom)
Piper says either
1. You are mastered by money and therefore ignore God or make him the servant fro your business, or
2. You are mastered by God and make money a servant of the kingdom.
“But if either tries to master you while you are mastered by the other you will hate and despise that other master.” -Akin
This is why we sometimes push back when a church or missionary invites us to partner financially with them in kingdom work. Because sometimes at those moments we’re exposed to our submitting to the master of money. (Or fear of loss) “This is why Jesus said it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom”

A. We can only serve one master.

Truth: No one can serve (fully, faithfully) two masters.
- Think master—slave relationship.
- Think what it’s like to work 2 jobs.
- Think the tension between family and being in the military.
Implication: We were made to have a master in life. S. Ferguson
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his…he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:26
Spurgeon
- You can live for this world
- You can live for the next world
- But you can’t live for both

B. We can only satisfy one master.

Why is money the other master? “Jesus now specifies the #1 challenge to total and absolute surrender to his lordship: money.”
“Originally the word (money) meant ‘something in which one puts their confidence’” -Carson
Interesting that when we talk about the health of the American economy we talk about consumer confidence.
The issue isn’t what you have. (Rich or poor)
The issue is what controls you, for who or what we live. Which is back to what we value.

1 Timothy 6:17-19

Want true life? Don’t settle for being rich on earth. Pursue storing up heavenly riches, open windows, and single, wholehearted devotion.

References/Bibliography:

“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes

“Matthew” by RC Sproul

“Sermon on the Mount” by Charles Quayle’s

“The Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Life in a Fallen World” by Sinclair Ferguson

Bible.org https://bible.org/seriespage/12-maintaining-peaceful-relationships-matthew-521-26

“CSB Christ Chronological,” Holman

“Jesus Manifesto” sermon series, by Darien Gabriel: https://youtu.be/x65i2tqFrXk

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)

“Exalting Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount” by Daniel Akin (CCE)

Outline Bible, D Willmington

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)

ESV Study Bible

ESV Gospel Transformation Bible (GTB)

"Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes" by Kenneth E. Bailey

Darien GabrielAugust 21, 2022Grace Christian FellowshipDarien Gabirel, Bible-believing, church, Grace Christian Fellowship, non-denominational church, Matthew, anxiety, antidote to anxiety

How Did Jesus Teach Us to Pray? | Matthew 6:9-15

Series: All: All Authority, All Nations, All Allegiance

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-15 (Main); Matt 18:32-35

Title: How Did Jesus Teach Us To Pray? (Darien Gabriel)

(See below for bibliography)

Summary of passage: Jesus lays out the principles and rules of kingdom living.

Bottom Line: Jesus teaches us to pray resting on the Father as we forgive one another.

Group Video Outline:

I. What do I want you to know? How Jesus taught his disciples to pray.

Why? Because it’s essential to know God as Father.

II. What do I want you to do?

Forgive where appropriate
Pray this prayer daily
Teach it to someone else

Discussion questions for group and personal study.

1. How would prayer change negatively if you were not able to call God Father?

2. Why does Jesus instruct you to pray for God's name to "be honored as holy" and "his kingdom come" before making requests for daily bread and forgiveness of sins?

3. Should Christians wait for God to make all things new or work now to shape the world to what it will be one day?

4. When God's kingdom does come, how will all of life (politics, art, education, science, economics, etc.) be different? Why should your

prayers be concerned with aligning these areas now to how God will change them in the future?

5. How does praying "your kingdom come" spur you toward action in social justice?

6. How does Jesus's resurrection demonstrate that you can pray confidently for God's will to be done in your life?

7. Do people in first-world countries need to pray for their daily needs less than people in third-world countries?

8. How can having easier access to food, water, and shelter hurt your dependence on God?

9. Why is your forgiveness from God dependent on you forgiving others?

10. Are you regularly aware of Satan's work against you to tempt you? How does knowing that temptation comes not only from your sin inside but from Satan outside help you pray and fight against sin?

If you have time…

11. What do you learn from the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant? How does this relate to Jesus’ words on forgiveness? Matt 18:21-35

Final Questions (optional or in place of above)

What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Intro

Have you ever been in a situation where you just didn’t know what to do?

I remember the day 9/11 occurred. We watched the TV in stunned silence in the church office. I was a youth pastor and staff in North Carolina. Didn’t know what to do. Eventually we went to the conference room and we went to the one who knew what to do. We prayed to God the father.

Who do you go to when you don’t know what to do?

Well, here’s a great verse, principle and life-lesson to consider:

“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” -2 Chronicles 20:12 NIV

Today’s message is how Jesus taught his disciples to pray. He taught them this because Luke tells us they asked. This is the only thing scripture records the disciples asked him to teach them.

I hope today that you will become more familiar with the model prayer Jesus taught his disciples to pray.
I hope today that you will choose to pray it daily letting Jesus teach you it’s depths every day.
I hope that you will learn it, pray it and share it for the rest of your life.

Outline

Review from last week: (optional)

Don’t pray for show. Why? Because
1. You rob God of his glory (for which you were created to give)
2. You rob yourself of heavenly rewards. (5-6)
Don’t babble on like pagans (7)
Don’t forget that God knows…but ask still (8)
Lord’s Prayer (this week)
Forgiveness (this week)
1. Summarize parable in Matt 18:32-35
2. God is king. But he’s a merciful king. He’s a merciful father too.

This week: How did Jesus teach us to pray?

Q1. What do I you to know?

A1. How to pray like Jesus taught his disciples.

He used what we call the Lord’s Prayer
1. It’s a model prayer or pattern for prayer.
2. It’s a prayer to be prayed. (See v. 7-8 for warning though)
It’s all about Father!
1. Father—Kid jumps from refrigerator: “When I was a young father and my children were small, my younger son hid on top of the refrigerator one day. As I walked by, with no warning, he suddenly dove off the refrigerator onto my back. I did not see him, I did not feel him coming, but he just tackled me and held on. Carey felt that if he jumped in the direction of his father, he would certainly be safe. It never occurred to him that I would not catch him. And that is the way it is with our Abba, our heavenly Father. He gives us a great sense of security and confidence--and we know he will not disappoint us.” Kent Hughes, p. 161-2
2. Abba, dear daddy or dear father…immanent vs. transcendent.
3. This is partly what we’re going for when we ask fathers to come up and pray for their children. In a couple of weeks, we’ll do this with grandparents. 9/10 is grandparents day weekend.
Mike Breen’s breakdown centers our Father in heaven…(these are all elements of salvation):
1. The Father’s character
2. The Father’s kingdom
3. The Father’s provision
4. The Father’s forgiveness (Jesus expands on this in vs. 14-15)
  1. The forgiveness you give others is evidence that you have truly received his forgiveness.
  2. This is not you forgive to get forgiven transaction.
5. The Father’s guidance
6. The Father’s deliverance/rescue
  1. “Lead us not into temptation” - what does this mean?
    1. Temptation = trials (similar, but not exactly)
    2. Temptation of Christ (Matt 4, Luke 4) - the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness “to be tempted by the devil” (4:1)
    3. RSV translation: “And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one.”
    4. “For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he temp anyone.” James 1:13
    5. So, God tests and allows trials and temptations to come our way. Just ask Job. But we can ask for his mercy and help in this, apparently.
    6. Hughes says 3 possible solutions:
      1. Jeremias: 2 shades of meaning from Aramaic language:
        Causative = “Don’t cause us to go into temptation (i.e. don’t lead us into) which he can and does.
        Permissive = “Don’t allow us to go into temptation/trials
        He allows trials
        We give in to temptation “Oh,Lord, hold us back and do not let us take that path”
      2. Bailey: Every desert traveler needs a reliable guide. “The phrase in the Lord’s Prayer expresses confidence of an earthly pilgrim traveling with a divine guide. The journey requires the pilgrims to affirm daily, ‘Lord, we trust you to guide us, because you alone know the way that we must go.’ This affirmation of the trusting traveler reflects the confidence of the community that prays this prayer.”
      3. Father Mattah al-Miskin of Egypt: Reflects on the story of Job…a righteous man severely tested by Satan with God’s permission.
        “When we pray, argues FAther Matta, we are protected by Jesus and his cross from Satan and his attacks.”
        Deliver us from the evil one” could mean keep us out of Satan’s court room of accusation. Satan = accuser
  2. “But deliver us from the evil one”
Kent Hughes breakdown shows 6 petitions we pray in this prayer: (optional)
1. Upward
  1. Your name
  2. Your kingdom
  3. Your will
2. Us-ward
  1. Give us
  2. Forgive us
  3. Lead us not…but deliver us

Q2. Why do I want you to know this?

Because if Jesus taught the disciples that this is how you pray, you need to know this!
Because of these benefits (optional):
1. It’s your lifeline to God. Jesus teaches us how to commune with God.
2. It’s life-giving. It is how we receive the life-giving, spiritual sap of Jesus to flow in and through us to the world.
3. It’s defining. Are you his son/daughter or not?
4. It’s equipping.
  1. It gives us structure on which to hang our beliefs.
  2. It empowers us to live out our faith well.
5. It’s essential theology.

Q3. What do I want you to do?

A3. I want you to:

Forgive any and everyone you need to forgive.
1. Whether they asked for it or not
2. Cut the strings that you are tempted to use to remind people of how they’ve hurt you or others.
Pray this prayer daily
Memorize it
Teach it to someone else
1. Kids
2. Grandkids
3. Friend
4. Family
5. Stranger

Conclusion — Summary questions:

What do I want them to know? The summary principle and warning: Don’t practice your righteous deeds (shine your light)
Why? Because to not heed the warning is to
1. Rob God of his glory.
2. Rob yourself of his rewards.
What do I want them to do? Live out your Christian life (Shine) with a heart bent towards pleasing God over yourself. This helps you minimize or avoid hypocrisy.
Why?
1. You fulfill your chief created purpose fro existing—glorify God.
2. You reap a superior reward—from God.

References/Bibliography:

“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes

“Matthew” by RC Sproul

“Sermon on the Mount” by Charles Quayle’s

“The Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Life in a Fallen World” by Sinclair Ferguson

Bible.org https://bible.org/seriespage/12-maintaining-peaceful-relationships-matthew-521-26

“CSB Christ Chronological,” Holman

“Jesus Manifesto” sermon series, by Darien Gabriel: https://youtu.be/x65i2tqFrXk

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)

“Exalting Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount” by Daniel Akin (CCE)

Outline Bible, D Willmington

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)

ESV Study Bible

ESV Gospel Transformation Bible (GTB)

"Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes" by Kenneth E. Baile

Darien GabrielAugust 14, 2022Grace Christian FellowshipDarien Gabriel, non-denominational church, Bible-believing, church, Ladson, SC, Matthew 6, how to pray, Lord's Prayer

How to Not Be a Hypocrite | Matthew 6:1-8

Series: All: All Authority, All Nations, All Allegiance

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-8; 16-18 (main) Matt 5:14-16; 48

Title: How to not be a Hypocrite (Darien Gabriel)

Heavy credit: David Platt and Douglas Sean O’Donnell (See below for bibliography)

Summary of passage: Jesus lays out the principles and rules of kingdom living.

Bottom Line: We avoid being hypocrites when we shine his light with pure motives.

Group Video Outline:

I. Principle

II. Summary questions

Discussion questions for group and personal study.

1. Regarding giving, is your motive less important, equally important, or more important than the act itself? Why?

2. How can you know when you are acting to be seen by others and when you are letting your light shine before others?

3. Does God want you to be motivated by reward in heaven?

4. Why is God himself the best reward you could want for your work?

5. Why do Christians struggle to pray? How might knowing that the desire to pray is a spiritual battle affect how you approach prayer?

6. Do you use the Bible to help you pray? How can praying the words of God to God help your prayers?

7. Do you believe God wants to listen to you? How does his relationship to you as Father affect the way you approach prayer?

8. Do you fast? Why or why not?

Why should Christians fast?

9. How can fasting increase your love for God and improve the practice of your other spiritual disciplines?

10. Of the three disciplines (giving, prayer, and fasting),

which is easiest for you to do?
Which is most difficult?
How can you use your strongest discipline to help you grow in the one you find most difficult?

Final Questions (optional or in place of above)

What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Outline

Intro

In the Christian’s effort to “let our light shine before others,” (Matt 5:15-16) we often give into the temptation to make it about us. We naturally desire to be relevant, spectacular and powerful (Henri Nouwen; Matthew 4:1-10). Jesus warns us to not practice our righteous deeds to be seen and praised by others; we do them so others will praise God. We do them discreetly or even secretly, if necessary.

Why do we do this? Jesus tells us that we do this because if we don’t, we’ll rob God and we’ll rob ourselves.

We’ll rob God of his glory. (And it’s our created purpose to glorify God)

We’ll rob ourselves of his reward. (Instead, we settle for inferior and fleeting reward)

It might seem contradictory to hide what you’re doing after Jesus’ earlier words. Let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matt 5:16) Jesus doesn’t want us to hide our light under a basket. (Matt 5:15)

Of course not. However, if we’re finding ourselves tempted to shine our light for the wrong reasons, then perhaps we need to do it more discreetly until we can. (Is it even shining his light if done for ourselves?) So we check our heart and motives to assess whether we’re pleasing God or not.

Jesus explains this principle using three scenarios or case studies that most Christians can relate to.

Giving to the needy
Praying
Fasting

Here we go…

Giving to the needy. (6:2-4)
1. Note: Not if but when you give.
2. Needy not necessarily the poor. You can be needy even if not poor.
3. Give in such a way that it doesn’t call the attention of others to you resulting in praise of you.
4. Rewards matter
  1. Earthly
  2. Heavenly (mostly this)
5. God sees everything. When done in secret, he’s the only one who sees
Prayer. (6:5-8)
1. Again, when not if.
2. Temptation is to be a hypocrite.
  1. Hypocrite = pretending to be someone you’re not
    1. Mask
    2. Costume
  2. These religious hypocrites were pretending to glorify God but in reality were soaking in the glory meant for God themselves.
3. Again, rewards matter.
4. Again, God sees all.
5. Also, don’t babble on and on.
6. God knows what you need before you ask.
Fasting (5:16-18)
1. Again, when not if.
2. Fasting = giving up something you need for a period of time to communicate to God you need him even more.
  1. A neglected spiritual habit/discipline.
  2. Rewards matter. Rewards from heaven are lost when seeking the rewards from people instead.
  3. God sees all.

Conclusion — Summary questions:

What do I want them to know? The summary principle and warning: Don’t practice your righteous deeds (shine your light)
Why? Because to not heed the warning is to
1. Rob God of his glory.
2. Rob yourself of his rewards.
What do I want them to do? Live out your Christian life (Shine) with a heart bent towards pleasing God over yourself. This helps you minimize or avoid hypocrisy.
Why?
1. You fulfill your chief created purpose fro existing—glorify God.
2. You reap a superior reward—from God.

References/Bibliography:

“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes

“Matthew” by RC Sproul

“Sermon on the Mount” by Charles Quayle’s

“The Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Life in a Fallen World” by Sinclair Ferguson

Bible.org https://bible.org/seriespage/12-maintaining-peaceful-relationships-matthew-521-26

“CSB Christ Chronological,” Holman

“Jesus Manifesto” sermon series, by Darien Gabriel: https://youtu.be/x65i2tqFrXk

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)

“Exalting Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount” by Daniel Akin (CCE)

Outline Bible, D Willmington

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)

ESV Study Bible

ESV Gospel Transformation Bible (GTB)

"Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes" by Kenneth E. Bailey

Darien GabrielAugust 7, 2022Grace Christian FellowshipDarien Gabriel, Grace Christian Fellowship, Ladson, SC, non-denominational church, church, Bible-believing

How Do You Destroy an Enemy? You Make Them a Friend! | Matthew 5:43-48

How Do You Destroy an Enemy? You Make Them a Friend!

Easy to say, is it easy to do?
Matt 5:43-48

Love Your Neighbor

Love Your Enemy (do loving things for them)

Pray for Your Enemy (pray daily for them)

As we do these things, we become more like Christ.

As we do these things, we will find it harder for someone to still feel like an enemy.

Ken DorrityJuly 31, 2022Grace Christian FellowshipMatthew 5, Ken Dorrity, Grace Christian Fellowship, Ladson, SC, bible believing, church, non-denominational church, enemy

How Will People Know We Follow Jesus? | Matthew 5:33-42

Matthew 5:33-42 – How Will People Know We Follow Jesus?

Oaths

33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to

the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is

God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great

King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need

to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. [a]

Eye for Eye

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ [b] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an

evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone

wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile,

go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants

to borrow from you.

“I say to you” – divine authority and Kingdom ethics

+ Jesus is again drawing out the real significance of the Old Testament law

33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to

the Lord the vows you have made.’

“Do not break your oath” – alludes to:

Leviticus 19:12

2 “‘Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.

Numbers 30:2

2 When a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not

break his word but must do everything he said.

- Do not perjure yourself…don’t lie

+ “…to swear” does not mean to curse or use bad words, but to affirm the truth of a statement while

calling on God to judge oneself if it is in fact untrue.

+ Jesus is basically saying “don’t swear at all”

+ TO CLARIFY: There are oaths that are consistent with God’s character and demands even in the New

Testament

2 Corinthians 1:18

18 But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.”

Galatians 1:20

20 I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie.

+ Given the elaborate hierarchy of laws of first century Judaism on oaths, Jesus declares that it would be

best to avoid them altogether…not because of the commandment, but because of their traditions.

+ The Lord’s name was not to be used falsely, so the Jews developed a “theology of oaths”

34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for

it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head,

for you cannot make even one hair white or black.

+ Basically, Jewish leaders viewed swearing by “heaven’, “earth”, “Jerusalem” or one’s head as

less binding than swearing “by God” – they weren’t swearing by God, so they were releasing

themselves from the promise they were making

- Jesus responds by stressing that each of these items belongs to God in an important

way, so that the conventional Jewish distinctions are not genuine.

Isaiah 66:1

66 This is what the LORD says:

“Heaven is my throne,

and the earth is my footstool.

Where is the house you will build for me?

Where will my resting place be?

- Heaven is God’s throne – earth is His footstool – Jerusalem is His city and He numbers

the hairs of our heads and chooses their color.

Matthew 23:16-22

16 “Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone

who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.’ 17 You blind fools! Which is greater: the

gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? 18 You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means

nothing; but anyone who swears by the gift on the altar is bound by that oath.’ 19 You blind men! Which

is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 Therefore, anyone who swears by the altar

swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And anyone who swears by the temple swears by it and by the

one who dwells in it. 22 And anyone who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who

sits on it.

+ The Jews apparently reasoned that, because a lien could not be put on the temple or altar,

then oaths invoking those objects were meaningless. Jesus maintains that the temple, gold, altar

and gifts all point to God and remain equally sacred – so oaths taken in their name remain

equally binding.

+ All that being said, No promise can ever be made, no word ever spoken without it being done in the

presence of God

+ Jesus is pointing out their deep-seated dishonesty – their lies masquerading as theology (whoa)

THE POINT IS: Let your YES mean YES and your NO mean NO. We should not have to call on God to

witness what we say because God is watching us and present as we speak, knowing our hearts through

and through. Jesus’ followers should be people whose words are so characterized by integrity that

others need no formal assurance of their truthfulness in order to trust them.

37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. [a]

+ Jesus said that anything beyond straightforward honesty comes ‘from the evil one’’

+ Do you start sentences with “to be honest”, or “honestly” to drive home your point? What

does that say about the rest of the time?

We know now what this is saying…what is this NOT saying?

1. This is NOT talking about oaths in a court of law. It’s highly unlikely that this is what Jesus was talking

about. He was obviously prepared to speak under oath during His trial:

Matthew 26:63-64

63 But Jesus remained silent.

The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the

Son of God.”

64 “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man

sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” [a]

+ When He was under oath, Jesus broke the silence He had maintained in the earlier part of the

proceedings as though recognizing the binding nature of being put under oath.

2. This is NOT talking about being “brutally honest” letting your venting, attitude, irritation, jealousy and

arrogance masquerade as actual honesty.

+ “I just call it like it is. That’s the way I am”. “The truth hurts”… Don’t confuse honesty with

being a unkind. Christians can be really good at this. Our arrogant frankness masquerading as

honesty

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ [b]

“Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth…” – Jesus is alluding to:

Exodus 21:23-24

23 But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand,

foot for foot,

Deuteronomy 19:20-21

20 The rest of the people will hear of this and be afraid, and never again will such an evil thing be done

among you. 21 Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

+ These were speaking of justice, not retaliation. In fact, it was done to limit, and if necessary, restrain

retaliation.

+ Christian kindness should transcend even straightforward retribution

3. In light of prevailing ethical thought, Jesus contrasts radically with most others of His day in stressing

the need to decisively break the natural chain of evil action and reaction that characterizes human

relationships.

39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the

other cheek also.

+ “resist” often used in a legal context

+ Jesus’ teaching similar to 1 Corinthians 6:7 against not taking fellow believers to court, though

it could be translated “do not take revenge on someone who wrongs you”

+ But we are to resist evil:

James 4:7

7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Striking a person on the right cheek suggests a backhanded slap from a typically right-handed aggressor

and was a characteristic Jewish form of insult.

+ The only legal recourse against this insult is to take someone to court…similar to libel or

defamation of character

+ Jesus teaches us not to trade such insults, even if it means receiving more

( In NO way does it require Christians to subject themselves or others to physical danger or

abuse)

+ Don’t make your “rights” the basis for your relationships with others. Jesus is teaching us that

standing on OUR rights and seeking to have OUR dignity reaffirmed is not the Christian response

to an insult.

+ Will anyone be won for the Kingdom by your retaliation?...by standing for your rights?

40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.

+ Clearly limited to a legal context. If a coat was taken as a financial pledge, it had to be returned

by nightfall, because for some, it served as both clothing and bedding.

- One must be willing to give as collateral an outer garment – more than what the law could

require, which was just an inner garment (Exodus 22:26-27)

Exodus 22:26

26 If you take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, return it by sunset, 27 because that cloak is the only

covering your neighbor has. What else can they sleep in? When they cry out to me, I will hear, for I am

compassionate.

+ Coat and shirt are contemporary parallels to cloak and tunic

+ Jesus’ point is this: when His followers meet with opposition and persecution, they should not stand

on their legal rights. Instead, where the sin of others abounds, grace in them should abound much more.

In that, we will be like Him.

41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.

+ Referring to the Roman conscription of private citizens to help carry military equipment for Roman

soldiers

The soldiers didn’t have the right to make someone go more than a mile. Jesus is saying to do it

voluntarily.

+ Simon of Cyrene – forced to carry Jesus’ cross

+ The Jews hated this practice because it publically illustrated the humiliation of being a

subjugated people.

+ Jesus’ point here is that the Christian does the unexpected, because grace makes him or her

seek to win others by love rather than retaliate on the basis of rights.

4. Each of these commands require Jesus followers to act more generously than what the letter of the

law demanded – sometimes literally “going the extra mile”

+ Not only are we called to reject and avoid retaliation, but to positively work for the good of

those with whom we would otherwise be at odds.

42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

+ Jesus presumes that the needs are genuine, and commands us not to ignore them.

+ This was not a legal duty

Romans 13:10

10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

+Only when we show love, grace and sacrifice for the sake of others, will they see what the God-given

meaning of the law really is…the “but I tell you”…Then, they will understand that our citizenship is in the

Kingdom of Heaven

BE DIFFERENT than what the world would teach and expect

BE SELFLESS (think of your SELF less)

BE HONEST without being unkind

BE KIND

BE OBVIOUS

+ The works of the flesh disqualify us for the Kingdom of God because they break God’s law, but there is

no law against the fruit of the Spirit, those things whose opposites the law forbids.

Galatians 5:22-23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Matthew 7:15-20

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are

ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from

thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree

bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good

fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by

their fruit you will recognize them.

+ Way too many Christians who are not demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit

By our fruit, people will know us. - They can trust us when we speak.

Matthew 5:33-42 – How will people know we follow Jesus? 07/24/22

Matthew 5:33-42

Matthew 5:33

Leviticus 19:12

Numbers 30:2

2 Corinthians 1:18

Galatians 1:20

Matthew 5:34-36

Isaiah 66:1

Matthew 23:16-22

Matthew 5:37

Matthew 26:63-64

Matthew 5:38

Exodus 21:23-24

Deuteronomy 19:20-21

Matthew 5:39

James 4:7

Matthew 5:40

Exodus 22:26

Matthew 5:41

Matthew 5:42

Romans 13:10

Galatians 5:22-23

Matthew 7:15-20

Guest UserJuly 24, 2022Grace Christian Fellowshipnon-denominational church, church, Grace Christian Fellowship, Bible-believing, Matthew 5, Ladson, SC, follow Jesus

The Heart of the Matter is the Matter of the Heart| Matthew 5:27-30

Matthew 5:27-30 – The Heart of the Matter is the Matter of the Heart

Jesus moves on from the 6 th to the 7 th commandment…”You shall not kill”

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ [a] 28 But I tell you that anyone who

looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye

causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body

than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it

off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go

into hell.”

Exodus 20:14 – “You shall not commit adultery” One of the 10 commandments

Leviticus 20:10 – Punishable by death

10 “‘If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the

adulterer and the adulteress are to be put to death.”

Jesus says “You have heard it said”. He is not quoting scripture or changing scripture, but referencing

man’s traditions around the old testament law.

+ Moses and the scribes did not emphasize the internal aspects of adultery, but just the external…the

act…which was punishable by death. For many, it became a conveniently narrow definition of sin. You

were either an adulterer or not, and if you were caught, you were dead.

Part of that narrow definition…

Deuteronomy 24:1 – References divorcing a woman because she is “displeasing”

If a man marries a woman who becomes displeasing to him because he finds something indecent about

her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her and sends her from his house

1. According to some of the scribes, a man could divorce his wife if he grew “cool” toward her if he

didn’t like her cooking.

+ A law that was clearly intended to safeguard marriage and the women of Israel was turned

into an escape clause for self-indulgent men…also pious and proud

+ Jesus was speaking to these arrogant leaders who were counting themselves righteous,

knowing , but He knew the condition of their hearts. He knows the condition of our hearts too.

It was very natural, as it is today, for those of us who are non-adulterers to feel maybe a little smug or

conceited…the whole…”I haven’t done THAT”. “Jesus isn’t talking to me on that one.”

(Proverbs 11:2) When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

So in this passage, Jesus introduces a radically new standard.

Few of us have not crossed that line from attraction to lust at some time – this should fill us with a

poverty of spirit and a humility that realizes that we are spiritually bankrupt. It also should make us

amazed that God loves us the way He does.

+ Jesus carries us to a place that we never saw coming but was intended by God all along.

…”but I say…” Jesus is speaking with authority…

+The heart of the matter is the matter of the heart

+ In this life…in this world, much like Jesus saying hatred in our hearts being the same as

murder, the penalty is not the same as it is for murder, neither are the consequences of lust

literally the same as adultery, but God sees them as worthy of the same penalty…

+ Jesus calls a halt to this distortion of God’s word by saying that the lust that leads to adultery

will also lead a man to hell.

+ Adultery actually breaches several of the 10 Commandments: the commandment that forbids

it, coveting which leads to theft and even idolatry.

2. Jesus is not talking about looking or recognizing someone’s beauty, but lustfully looking or fantasizing

about more than just looks…a GAZE, not a GLANCE...and to Him (“But I tell you…”) it’s the same.

It starts in “The heart”…What does the Bible say about the heart?

Jeremiah 17:9

The heart is deceitful above all things

and beyond cure.

Who can understand it?

Proverbs 4:23

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

3. We need to recognize that those thoughts and actions which, long before any overt sexual sin, makes

the possibility of giving into temptation more likely, and we must take dramatic action to avoid them.

Psalm 51:10

Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

The crucible for silver…refinement of precious metals…to purify us

Proverbs 25:4-5

Remove the dross from the silver,

and a silversmith can produce a vessel;

5 remove wicked officials from the king’s presence,

and his throne will be established through righteousness.

Consider God a silversmith refining us…impure stuff comes to the top under heat

James 1:2-4

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, [ a ] when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of

your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect

and complete, lacking in nothing.

We need to leave our lives of sin behind…all sin, and allow God to refine us.

John 8:2-11

2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat

down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery.

They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of

adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were

using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning

him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a

stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left,

with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they?

Has no one condemned you?”

11 “No one, sir,” she said.

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

+ Jesus does not condemn her, but calls out the hypocrisy of those willing to stone her.

+ We don’t really know what Jesus wrote, but consider this possibility….

+ Jesus wrote in the sand twice…you could say that Jesus was drawing a line in the sand – for her

to step over and sin no more.

+ We need to draw a line in the sand in our own lives

4. How do we draw a line in the sand?

Colossians 3:5

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and

covetousness, which is idolatry.

Vs 29:

29: If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose

one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes

you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for

your whole body to go into hell.”

+ The eyes can entice the heart, and the heart, enticed by the eyes, directs the hands

+ Does Jesus want us to literally cut off our hand or pluck out our eyes?

No. He wants us to:

+ Realize where sin will take us and turn from it. Jesus said that Hell is the direction where all sin

leads

+ God has something better for all of us

+ Deal with sin aggressively, immediately and decisively. You don’t need to cut off your hands, but…

+ If you need to cancel Netflix, then do it

+ If you need to get a flip phone, then do that

+ If you need to quit your job to guard your heart, prayerfully consider it.

+ If you need to get rid of your romance novels, then do it

+ You may need better friends

Do whatever you have to do…for your eternal soul, for your marriage, for your children…

Jesus is also addressing you and YOUR sinful heart, me and MINE. He says to pluck out YOUR eye, not

someone else’s.

Matthew 7:4-5

4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a

plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see

clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

+ Don’t blame others for your sin…take responsibility for it. While there is truth in avoiding doing things

that cause a brother or sister to stumble, blaming how people dress or whether you are satisfied at

home for the condition of your heart, or the actions that come from it, is no different than the scribes’

escape clause for their self-indulgence. Jesus put that idea to death.

James 4:17

17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

Why did He have to say it? He doesn’t want us to go to hell. Sin takes us there. Period.

Francis Chan-

“Hell is the backdrop that reveals the profound and unbelievable grace of the cross. It brings to light the

enormity of our sin and therefore portrays the undeserved favor of God in full color.”

There is good news…He is good news, and a greater understanding of the depth and scope of our sin,

will give us a greater understanding of our need for a Savior.

Romans 5:8

8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 10:9

9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the

dead, you will be saved.

We’re saved by the cross…the same God that said “this is how I see it…” is the same one who rescues us

from it. The more we understand the depths and consequences of our sin, the greater appreciation and

desire we’ll have for the One who rescues us from it.

The Heart of the Matter is the Matter of the Heart – July 17, 2022

Scripture References

Matthew 5:27-30

Exodus 20:14

Leviticus 20:10

Proverbs 11:2

Jeremiah 17:9

Proverbs 4:23

Psalm 51:10

Proverbs 25:4-5

James 1:2-4

John 8:2-11

Colossians 3:5

Matthew 5:29-30

Matthew 7:4-5

James 4:17

Romans 5:8

Romans 10:9

Guest UserJuly 17, 2022Grace Christian FellowshipChris Karpus, Grace Christian Fellowship, non-denominational church, church, Ladson, SC, Grace Christian Fellowshiop, Matthew 5, Bible-believing

What's Up with Divorce? | Matthew 5:31-32

What's Up with Divorce?

Matt 5:31-32; 19:3-9

In 2021, there were 1.7 million marriages with 700,000 divorces.

1,000,000 million children see their parents’ divorce annually.

I was reading RC Sproul and the book by Harvard sociologist, Pitirim Sorokin, around the middle of the 20th century. He was pointing to the impending crisis in families between 1910 and 1948.

The divorce rate in:

· 1910 was 10%

· 1948 was 25%

Sorokin (historian of culture) said no civilization can survive when 1 out of 4 marriages are falling apart.

The divorce rate in:

· USA – 45% ---- in 1981 it was 53%

· Spain – 63%

· Belgium – 71%

· Global Divorce Rate projected for 2022 – 48%

Pharisees tried to trap Jesus. The thought was to get Jesus to offend the powerful or the religious.

Divorce for Sexual Immorality and Abandonment.

Church should comfort and confront.

Ken DorrityJuly 10, 2022Grace Christian Fellowshipdivorce, Ken Dorrity, Grace Christian Fellowship, non-denominational church, Bible-believing, church, Ladson, SC, Matthew 5

Why Reconciliation is Necessary and Urgent | Matthew 5:21-26

Series: All: All Authority, All Nations, All Allegiance

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-26 (main)

Title: Why Reconciliation is Necessary and Urgent? (Darien Gabriel)

Heavy credit: David Platt and Douglas Sean O’Donnell (See below for bibliography)

Summary of passage: Jesus lays out the principles and rules of kingdom living.

Bottom Line: Reconciliation with brothers and sisters in Christ is necessary and urgent.

Discussion questions for group and personal study.

1. Why does Jesus move from commands like "Do not murder"and "Do not commit adultery" to warnings against anger and lust?

What is the purpose of these antitheses?

2. Read Mark 7:20-23 again. How do our outward actions and reactions reveal the health of our hearts?

What is the solution to our evil actions?

3. Is Jesus teaching that anger and murder are equal sins? Why or why not?

4. Why is it important not to call our brother or sister "fool"?

What does this action reveal about one's heart toward one's brother or sister?

5. What is the principle from Jesus's illustration about giving an offering in the first-century context?

Can this principle apply to areas other than giving financially? How?

6. How does Jesus's warning to settle disputes contrast with appropriately using the legal system, for example, to further justice in the world?

7. Review the four important questions this chapter gives to assess your relationship with your brothers and sisters.

Are there people you need to reconcile with?

What steps can you take this week to do so?

8. How do Jesus's actions in the Gospel exemplify the type of reconciliation we should pursue?

9. What does this passage teach us about God's view of sin?

10. How do these antitheses relate to Jesus's call for a righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees in 5:20?

Final Questions (optional or in place of above)

What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Opening to Sermon:

I have been at GCF for 16 years. Over those years there have been times when I’ve butted heads with someone. Sometimes it’s been with other leaders. We’ve said things to each other that we wish we could take back. We felt the sting of disunity and disharmony. I know what it’s like to try and worship under those circumstances. I know what it’s like to try and preach under those circumstances.

Jesus is going to challenge us to evaluate our relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ. He’s going to tell us that reconciliation with people leads to authentic worship and reconciliation with God. He’s going to tell us it’s necessary and urgent.

Jesus starts out with a series of contrasts between what the Pharisees and teachers of the law say is the law and what Jesus the new Moses and lawgiver says is the law—and the heart of the law.

“I tell you” or “I say to you” — these phrases are basically 2 sides of the same coin.

“I tell” or “I say” — this is Jesus speaking with authority. Consider who’s speaking here. Our creator is speaking. No one has more authority in our life than he does!
“You” — this is who he’s speaking to. Anyone with the humility to listen. Anyone who wants to follow Jesus. Anyone wanting into the kingdom.

He’ll use this phrase every time he wants to set up a contrast between what the teachers of the law have taught (read traditions of the elders) and what Jesus would say is what the law says and means.

Notice that Jesus didn’t say, “It is written.” Because he’s not taking issue with the scriptures. He’s taking issue with the traditions the teachers of the law have built around the Law. This is where things got off track. This is what Jesus aims to correct and fulfill.

Jesus starts out with something that terrorizes our relationships—anger. He’s going to provide proper interpretation to this in the OT and then give 2 situations that illustrate that reconciliation is necessary and urgent. This may be the most challenging message you face this year. Throughly practical.

Jesus will continue to bring up key ethical considerations for the kingdom citizen in the passages to come. This is his focus in this section of the sermon on the mount.

Jesus will address reconciliation through this sin. Reconciliation is necessary and urgent in the family of God.

“Disagreement is inevitable. Division is a choice.” -Andy Stanley

I. Anger = Murder

Sinclair calls it murder without knives. When we harbor contempt in our hearts towards others that manifests itself in words, it’s not assassination but it can lead to character assassination. While the earthly consequences are vastly different in the short-term, they can lead to the same in the long-term. And God sees them as the same and what he thinks matters most.

Murder was against the law in Jesus’ day. (21)
Anger in the heart = murder in Gods’ eyes. (22)
“Raca” is like saying, “You idiot” with hate.
1. It’s attacking the intellect and it’s slander.
2. Name calling is much worse than we realize. (22)
3. “Jesus recognized that we cannot be trusted in our judgment of the seriousness of careless speech. We treat the damage we do with our lips very lightly because we do not see the corpses we leave behind. That is why Jesus invades our moral slumber by telling us how serious this is in the sight of God.” Sinclair Ferguson, P. 83
“You fool!” Is a moral judgment.
1. You’re judging the person’s character.
2. Slander is again in view.
3. Ex. “You’re a liar!” Can be this in some cases.
4. “…(Jesus) is simply stressing vividly that (these sins) are far more serious than most of us assume. In fact, our insensitivity to their real seriousness is indicative of the dullness of our spiritual senses.” Ibid.

II. Reconciliation is Necessary (23-34)

Why? Because it affects our ability to worship God.
Why? Because it affects the authenticity of our offering.
When we give, we should give cheerfully. This is difficult when you are not in fellowship with a brother or sister in Christ.

III. Reconciliation is Urgent (25-26)

Jesus tells us to deal with this quickly. Do not delay.
Delayed obedience is disobedience until you obey.
Better to get a bad deal with your brother than to leave it in the hands of the court.
You’re not responsible for how the other person responds. You can attempt reconciliation but you cannot control whether or not it happens.

Conclusion

Reconciliation is necessary for true worship.
Reconciliation is an urgent matter if you want to prevent others from taking matters into their own hands.

Who do you need to reconcile with today?
Do you believe Jesus knows best in this?
Will you submit to the authority of Jesus?

Pray

My notes

First murderer was Cain who killed Abel. (Gen 4)

Murder—the ultimate demise of a relationship.

Murder begins in the mind and heart. We’re guilty of murder in God’s eyes as soon as we dwell here. Murder is the progression of that internal fire left unrestrained or repented of. Cf. James 1:13-15

Notes from O’Donnell

“I say to you” was the key phrase of 5:17-48 not only because it’s repeated 9 times but because it summarizes 2 main themes:

Divine authority “I say”
Kingdom ethics “to you”

Now focusing on “to you”

We’re not to act like Pharisees in the unrighteousness “righteousness” but rather like God in his perfect love—loving others, even one’s enemies” p. 136

These 6 OT commands Jesus addresses put on this perfect love when applied as he commands.

Notes from Sinclair Ferguson

“The Law is the standard for evaluation in the kingdom of God (Matt 5:19), but not the standard for entrance into the kingdom. Rather than dispensing with righteousness, Jesus tells his disciples that unless their righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, they will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” P. 79

The statements following 5:20

share the same basic format
Are a contrast between what was said to those long ago and what Jesus tells them then. It’s a contrast
- Between what things are said, AND
- Between the people who say them

“But I say” is a statement of authority from Jesus the Christ.

“We might say, ‘I myself say.’ The issue at stake here is one of authority, not merely one of content.” P. 81

The words said to people long ago are not necessarily scripture. In some cases they even contradict. “This suggests very clearly that Jesus is not placing his own teaching directly against that of the OT.” P. 81

He is not dispensing with the law…he’s giving his exposition of it.

“The real contrast in this section is between

the meaning of the law according to Jesus and
The meaning of the law according to religious tradition and the ancient teachers.” P. 81

He does not say, “It is written,” but, “It was said.” He’s not referring to texts of scripture but traditions of men.

“Murder without Knives” p. 82

The law forbids murder. So naturally, they were asking the question what is murder exactly? This inevitably leads to a narrowing of the definition of murder. “Jesus points out that by doing this, the full force of God’s word is destroyed. Jesus explains that the commandment not only forbids the outward act but also every thought and word that seeks to destroy a man’s life.

Moreover, like every other command, by forbidding an activity, Jesus is teaching that we should take every possible step to promote the opposite. In this case, instead of murdering by hand or mouth, we should seek with all our powers to have right relationships with all of our brothers.”

“For Jesus, to kill with a knife, or to engage in character assassination through anger, or to belittle another by calling him ‘fool’ is part and parcel of the same spiritual sickness. Clearly, he does not mean that it makes no difference whether we gossip or stab, but he does mean that both activities reveal the same animosity of heart to our neighbors.” P. 82-83

“But the deliberate belittling of someone’s person because of the animosity and hatred of our own heart, and the desire to have mastery over them. That is murder.” P. 83

“Our words are the index of our true spiritual condition.”

“Jesus recognized that we cannot be trusted in our judgment of the seriousness of careless speech. We treat the damage we do with our lips very lightly because we do not see the corpses we leave behind. That is why Jesus invades our moral slumber by telling us how serious this is in the sight of God.” P. 83

“…(Jesus) is simply stressing vividly that (these sins) are far more serious than most of us assume. In fact, our insensitivity to their real seriousness is indicative of the dullness of our spiritual senses.”

“In the verses that follow (23-26), the necessity and urgency of reconciliation in place of animosity are stressed by two illustrations. Here Jesus is showing us that when an activity is forbidden in God’s word, its positive counterpart is commanded. If we are not to engage in physical or verbal murder, we are to engage in personal reconciliation.” P. 84

Illustration: “Picture a man in church. He is about to express his devotion tot he Lord in worship and in his offering. But he has not been enjoying fellowship with his brother. There is disharmony in the relationship. Jesus says the man should leave his offering, be reconciled to his brother, and then return to worship God with a clear conscience and full heart.

“The principle is clear: right relationships with others are part of the meaning of the commandment not to murder. They are essential if our righteousness is to go down deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees.”

“Jesus gives us another illustration. Two men are on their way to court to settle a dispute between them. They are re still arguing On the way! Jesus says the two men should settle the matter now, before they are in the courtroom with the judge. It maybe costly to settle it now; it will certainly be humbling. But if it continues, one man may find himself in prison and unable to get out until he has paid the last penny (5:26).”

Necessity and Urgency of Reconciliation

“They are, rather, illustrations of how vital it is to have right relationships with others. The illustration of the man in church underlines the necessity of reconciliation. The illustration of two men going to court underlines the urgency of reconciliation.”

Some of you need to get up right now and go try and reconcile with someone. You are free to go. Go!

“Animosity is a time bomb; we do not know when it will ‘go off.’ We must deal with it quickly, before the consequences of our bitterness get completely out of control. Most human relationships that are destroyed could have been preserved if there had been communication and action at the right time. Jesus says that the right time is as soon as we are conscientious that we are at enmity with our brother (Matt 5:23).”

“One further point should be noted from this section…(Jesus) is not urging us to share every thought in our hearts during the process of reconciliation…Jesus is not telling us to ‘hang out our dirty linen in public,’ but rather to real urgently and fully with all breakdowns in fellowship before the y lead to spiritual assassination.” P. 85-86

Notes from NAC, Blomberg

21-22: The one who murders stands condemned and therefore in danger of judgment. But there is a way out—repentance and faith in Jesus the Christ.

Brother = a fellow member of the religious community, usually referring to Jesus’ disciples.

It’s particularly bad for Christians to get angry at other Christians.

Murder
Swearing, cursing/cussing, insulting, name-calling with contempt
Slandering, judging

Judgment—>Sanhedrin—>Gehenna (i.e. eternal judgment)

23-24: Therefore, they urgently need to escape this judgment by dealing decisively with sin.

2 illustrations:

Worshipper called to personal reconciliation with someone else before worship/giving
Urgent reconciliation—out-of-court settlement between fellow litigants at least: 2 levels:
1. Legal—pay your debts or be imprisoned
2. Spiritual—pay your spiritual debts (sin)—oh wait, you cannot afford that. Therefore, turn to Jesus who has already paid for your sins on the cross.

Notes from Gregory Brown, Bible.org

V. 21-22 God sees anger towards another believer as murder in the heart and therefore making them liable and subject to judgment.

My question: If they are a believer, are they subject to the judgment of hell or just discipline? It reads like hell. But if they are a true believer and cannot lose their salvation, how do we reconcile this verse?

Jesus didn’t just say anger leads to murder. He said anger IS murder.

Cf. “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” 1 John 3:15

Summary of OT law is love God—love people.

“When others were mistreated, Christ was angry like a lion. When he was mistreated, he was gentle like a lamb.” Cf. 1 Peter 2:23

How to Maintain Peaceful Relationships

To maintain peaceful relationships,…

I. We must guard our hearts from evil thoughts including anger.

II. We must guard our tongues from evil speech—including slander. How?

Be slow to speak
Speak only gracious and edifying words
Remember God will judge our words
Submit our words to God

III. We must recognize that discord hinders our relationship with God.

Right relationship with others are necessary to have a right relationship with God.

IV. We must seek to resolve conflicts quickly.

We are to make every effort with no delay to reconcile our relationship with a bro or sis so we can avoid God’s discipline.

References/Bibliography:

“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes

“Matthew” by RC Sproul

“Jesus Manifesto” sermon series, by Darien Gabriel: https://youtu.be/x65i2tqFrXk

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)

“Exalting Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount” by Daniel Akin (CCE)

Outline Bible, D Willmington

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)

ESV Study Bible

ESV Gospel Transformation Bible (GTB)

"Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes" by Kenneth E. Bailey

“The Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Life in a Fallen World” by Sinclair Ferguson

Bible.org https://bible.org/seriespage/12-maintaining-peaceful-relationships-matthew-521-26

“CSB Christ Chronological,” Holman

Darien GabrielJuly 3, 2022Grace Christian Fellowshipnon-denominational church, Bible-believing, Darien Gabriel, Ladson, SC, Grace Christian Fellowship, Matthew 5, ALL, reconciliation

What Did Jesus Say About the Old Testament? | Matthew 5:17-20

Series: All: All Authority, All Nations, All Allegiance

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20 (main)

Title: What Did Jesus Say about the Old Testament? (Darien Gabriel)

Heavy credit: David Platt and Douglas Sean O’Donnell (See below for bibliography)

Summary of passage: Jesus lays out the principles and rules of kingdom living.

Bottom Line: We live out the law of Christ when we love people—our enemies and best friends—like Jesus would if he were in our shoes.

Discussion questions for group and personal study.

1. Matthew 5:17 teaches that Jesus fulfills the Old Testament Scriptures. In what ways do you see Jesus fulfilling the Old Testament?

2. How does knowing that the Old Testament points to Jesus change the way you read it?

3. Why do you think it is difficult for many to trust the accuracy of the Bible? Do you think your culture influences what you trust? Why or why not?

4. Why is Jesus's authority so important for trusting the accuracy of the Bible? Where does he get his authority?

5. Jesus teaches that all of Scripture should be obeyed. What parts of Scripture do you find most difficult to obey? Why? How might we help one another to obey those parts?

6. Reread the passages listed for obedience from John and 1 John. Why is love mentioned when speaking about obedience?

7. How does our obedience affect the way we are salt and light in the world (Matt 5:13-16)?

8. What is "righteousness"? Why is it necessary to be righteous in order to enter into God's kingdom?

9. How can we tell when we are pursuing an external, legalistic righteousness and when we are pursuing an internal, spiritual righteousness? What are some examples in your past of these two?

10. Read Ezekiel 36:24-28. How does this passage affect our understanding of how we attain a surpassing righteousness?

Final Questions (optional or in place of above)

What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Opening to Sermon:

What do you think about the Old Testament?

When you read the Old Testament, does it seem out of touch with reality?

Do you even read the Old Testament?

Ways Christians struggle with the OT:

Ignore it because we have the NT so therefore we don’t need it
Obey it out of context or as if it’s context is the same as the NT (i.e. after the cross vs before)
Use it to support our politics or ideology for life.

We can do better. But what do we do with the OT?

Q. What did Jesus say about the OT law?

A. That the OT law ultimately teaches us to love people like God does.

V. 17

“Do not think” — i.e. some did

“That I have come” — Immanuel, God with us—he came

“To abolish/destroy/set aside” — make irrelevant; Jesus is for the Bible and the Bible is for Jesus

“The Law and the Prophets” — refers to OT scriptures (Hebrew scriptures) but also includes all of Jesus’ words and the rest of the NT

“but to fulfill them” — some already other still to come

Examples

God told Adam and Eve about the “snake crusher” to come (Jesus)
Moses prophesied Jesus would come (he did)
God told David his son would be king forever (Jesus is)
Isaiah prophesied Jesus would be born of a virgin; that he’d be wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting father, prince of peace
That he’d come and free the captives — Isaiah+
The new covenant — Jeremiah 31:31-34

He will

Return/come again
Defeat Satan/the dragon and his dark kingdom (Rev)
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his messiah and he will reign for ever more.” Rev 11:15
He will judge every person one day based on what they did, said and what they did with Jesus

V. 18

“For” - because

“Truly I tell you” - pay very close attention to what I’m about to say

This key phrase embodies 2 parts
- I tell - Jesus’ authority
- You - our ethic/our allegiance to his authority by grace through faith (character + competency)
Who is ‘I’ after all?

V. 20 + V. 48 Basic message: Don’t act like scribes and Pharisees but instead act like Jesus

God’s word will outlast the smallest letter and even the smallest pen stroke of a letter and in fact until it is fully fulfilled will last. I.e. you can count on it!

Dangers of Lawlessness—antinomianism

Scribes—highly trained experts in the interpretation and application of the law.

When walking down the street in their distinctive robes, people would stand in their honor, greeting them with “rabbi” “father” or “master” out of respect.

Pharisees were part of a movement in Judaism committed ot the meticulous obedience of the law.

Serving as a scribe was a profession.

Pharisees were a Jewish sect.

Some scribes were Pharisees and Pharisees likely chose their leaders from the scribes.

V. 19

“Therefore” - what’s the therefore there for?

“Anyone” - any person

“Who sets aside/relaxes/destroys (Gk. luo). Note v. 17 Gr. Kataluo = destroy, dissolve, overthrow, demolish

“Least of these commands” - they all matter

“In kingdom of heaven” - you’re still in; don’t obey to get in but obey because you’re in

“Teaches others accordingly” & “practices and teaches” = discipleship

Everyone is a disciple-maker: for good or evil; for light or darkness

“For” - because

“I tell you” - pay close attention

THESIS STATEMENT THAT UNIFIES SERMON ON THE MOUNT

“Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law”

righteousness = right living and right relationships i.e. love God—love people
not about legalism
- 248 regulations
- 365 prohibitions
- 613 total laws that were a man-made picket fence around God’s law but treated as God’s law
Not about the letter of the law alone
About the spirit of the law rather than the letter of the law alone—love people by grace through faith in the One who love us so much (Rom 5:8)

“Not enter” - hellbound

“Kingdom of heaven” - kingdom of light, life, and love

Spurgeon’s prayer in light of v. 19, “Lord, make me of this your kingdom a right loyal subject, and may I both do and teach according to your word! Whether I am little or great on earth, make me great in obedience to you.”

Dangers of Legalism

V. 20

Superior righteousness focuses on: (Akin)

Spirit of the law rather than merely letter of the law
Internal matters rather than external matters (heart over hands)
More important rather than minor points of the law Ex. Justice over tithing Gross vs net
Manifesting divine character rather than merely keeping divine commands

Conclusion

Looking ahead to the rest of ch. 5 (next week), Jesus will show us how to interpret the OT commands in light of the law of Christ. Every example will be a relational command guiding us in how to love people like Jesus.

References/Bibliography:“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes“Matthew” by RC Sproul“Jesus Manifesto” sermon series, by Darien Gabriel: https://youtu.be/x65i2tqFrXk“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)“Exalting Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount” by Daniel Akin (CCE)Outline Bible, D WillmingtonNIV Study Bible (NIVSB)ESV Study BibleESV Gospel Transformation Bible (GTB)"Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes" by Kenneth E. Bailey“The Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Life in a Fallen World” by Sinclair Ferguson

Darien GabrielJune 26, 2022Grace Christian Fellowshipnon-denominational church, Bible-believing, church, Ladson, SC, Grace Christian Fellowship, Darien Gabriel, Matthew 5, old testament

How to Provide and Protect Your Family | Psalm 127:1-5

Series: The Psalms

Scripture: Psalm 127:1-5 (main); Luke 15:11-32

Title: How to Provide for and Protect Your Family

Heavy credit: (See below for bibliography)

Summary of passage:

Bottom Line: Hard work + Discipline + Divine Support = Fruitfulness that will last; “For apart from me you can do nothing.” -Jesus

Discussion questions for group and personal study.

Reflect and Discuss in your groups:

Psalm 127

OPEN: How many siblings did you have?

What was the biggest family that you knew?

Can you name all their kids?

CONSIDER (V. 2): What causes you the most worry?

What do you tend to lose sleep over?

Does this verse help at all? Why?

CONSIDER (WV. 3-5): In today's society, what have you heard are the disadvantages to having children?

From what you have read in the Bible and heard

in the church, what are the advantages?

Which are you inclined to believe?

APPLY: Acknowledge that God can run your business and family better than you can.

Give God control of your business and family through sincere prayer.

Final Questions (optional or in place of above)

What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?

For further study, note Genesis 11 illustrates this Psalm.

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Opening story:

Hawkeye scene (See YouTube)

Video clip to open the message: https://youtu.be/DCkaS2ygh-Y Stop after “good job Hawkeye” (1:00)

While this Psalm applies to mom’s and dad’s, it feels very fatherly in tone and emphasis. Even in the gender in the NIV “Blessed is the man” is the translation. So I am applying this to Fathers in particular today believing that wherever this is taken to heart stronger marriages and families will follow. That leads to stronger neighborhoods, cities, and nations. That leads to a better world. But more likely it leads to a stronger church in a dark world.

Psalm 127 is written by either David to Solomon or by Solomon himself. Beloved is possibly a covert reference (concealed signature) to Solomon’s God-given name of Jedidiah since they use the same root word. (2 Sam 12:25) The point is that this is a special work by a father and what he does in life.

Ironically, much of Solomon’s wisdom was lost on him.

His building (literally and figuratively) became reckless,
His kingdom a ruin, and
His marriages a disastrous denial of God.

Warning: If we’re not careful, we’ll also have wisdom we ignore in life.

Bottom Line: Hard work + Discipline + Divine Support = Fruitfulness that will last; “For apart from me you can do nothing.” -Jesus

I. THE FOUNDATION FOR A SUCCESSFUL FAMILY (127:1-2) (WILLMINGTON)

A. What is necessary (1-2)

The home must be built by the Lord.
The home must be protected by the Lord.

B. What is needless (3-5): The breadwinners need not burn the candle at both ends and be overly anxious, for God will supply rest and what we need.

II. THE FRUITS FROM A SUCCESSFUL FAMILY (127:3-5) (WILLMINGTON): Children

A. The parents will be honored (3-4): Children are a reward and like sharp arrows.

B. The parents will be helped (5): They will not be ashamed in front of their accusers. (At the city gates i.e. in court (public?))

I. Labor is in vain without God’s providence. (1-2) (BKC)

II. Children are evidence of God’s providence. (3-5) (BKC)

“Children are some of the Lord’s providential blessings. They are a reward from the LORD. Sons help defend the family for they are like weapons (arrows) in the hand of a mighty man. Sons are capable of defending the family in civil cases (at the gate civil cases were discussed and decided). The images of arrows and of defense “in the gate” was natural for a nation endangered from without and within.” BKC

CSB Study Bible

House = physical building and/or home, family connecting

Food = hard work + favorable conditions + favor of God

Children = uncertainty of childbirth + favor of God

Bottom Line: Hard work + Discipline + Divine Support = Fruitfulness that will last; “For apart from me you can do nothing.” -Jesus

THE FOUNDATION FOR A SUCCESSFUL FAMILY (127:1-2) (WILLMINGTON)

I. Prosperity and security are not ultimately your accomplishments but God’s gifts. (127:1) (Keller)

“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭127:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://psalm.bible/psalm-127-1

3 Universal Preoccupations of humanity:

Building (Creator, producer)
Security
Raising a family

What are we spending our time building?

Will it last?

Will we wish we had worked more on our death bed?

Watchmen (security)

Uvalde shooting???? Are our children safe? Can we sleep at night?

“In vain” ≠ vanities in Ecclesiastes, though still sweeping

“Anxious toil” or “toiling” of late comes from same root word used in Gen 3:16 where Eve hears from God some of the consequences of her actions.

Hard work + Discipline + Divine Support = Fruitfulness that will last

II. So overwork, worry and strain are a) foolish, and b) wrong. (127:2) If you know that the one who loves you

unfailingly is in complete charge of history, you will be able to sleep well (verse 2).(Keller)

“In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭127:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://psalm.bible/psalm-127-2

Work still harder is no answer to worldly success: it can be a fresh enslavement, in fact. Not simply that projects fail (some bread) but that they lead nowhere.

“In vain you rise early and stay up late, …discipline and diligence isn’t enough (Sorry Jocko)

Why? Because the LORD gives sleep zzzzzzzzz to his beloved—true rest and peace that allows you to sleep when the enemy is out there (today’s war on children in general)

Being anxious over food…

Working long hours…

Vain unless the LORD is in it.

Trusting in the Lord leads to rest and peace because we’re not carrying the full burden but recognizing that we cannot—but He can.

Hard work + Discipline + Divine Suppor = Fruitful life in all that you do

Transition: From here on, Solomon gives the alternative to our elaborate failures.

THE FRUITS FROM A SUCCESSFUL FAMILY (127:3-5) (WILLMINGTON)

III.-V. So too thriving, happy children are God’s doing. (127:3-5) (Keller)

“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭127:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://psalm.bible/psalm-127-3

“Helicopter” parenting and over involvement in our children’s lives, cannot ensure their health and happiness. (Keller)

Unless the Lord enters their lives, all our watching is in vain. (Keller)

Giving our children to God is the ONLY WAY we get to keep them. (Keller)

If you know that the one who loves you unfailingly is in complete charge of IEStory, you will be able to sleep well. (Keller)

And if you are overworked and over stressed, you are forgetting who God is. Jesus wait it most bluntly: “Apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

What do parents worry about most? Their children’s future.

They are: a heritage from the Lord (he is the gracious ultimate source).

Heritage = a person’s unique source of family identity: the values, traditions, culture and artifacts handed down by previous generations.

Repeated: a reward ( a good blessing) from him (ultimate source).

Genesis 11 illustrates this Psalm:

Man builds for glory and security to achieve is only a fiasco “in vain” whereas
God quietly gives to the obscure Torah a son whose blessings havre proliferated ever since.

Wealth isn’t the issue.
An upstanding family is wealth and honor enough.

IV.

“Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭127:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://psalm.bible/psalm-127-4

Simile

How are they a heritage and reward? Like arrows to an archer—warrior/protector/rescuer readying for battle.

Full quiver of arrows represented prestige and protection in that day. (CSB)

“Like arrows for a warrior, children were useful in the agricultural society. The man who had many children also enjoyed respect in the near eastern society.” (CSB)

We’re in a war. Every day.

“Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭127:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://psalm.bible/psalm-127-5

Something he launches in the battle to defend and win the battle.

Our battle isn’t against flesh and blood (Ephesians 2) but against rulers and principalities beyond this world.

Are we preparing our children for that??!

Simile continues…

Someone he launches into life to enter the fray (equipped??) on their own two feet.

Assuming the Lord builds his house resting on the Lord,

He will be blessed
His children will not be put to shame when they battle
- In court
- In war
- In life

Because if they all with the Lord too (most raised this way will) then they’ll have nothing to be ashamed of. Therefore, peace no matter the short-term outcome.

And long-term

Conclusion

Bottom Line: Hard work + Discipline + Divine Support = Fruitfulness that will last; “For apart from me you can do nothing.” -Jesus

Prodigal Father scripture Luke 15:11-32

References/Bibliography:

“Psalms 73-150” by Derek Kidner

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

“The Songs of Jesus” by Tim Keller

“Treasury of the Psalms” by Charles Spurgeon

Outline Bible, D Willmington

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)

ESV Study Bible

ESV Gospel Transformation Bible (GTB)

CSB Study Bible

Darien GabrielJune 19, 2022Grace Christian FellowshipFather's Day, Psalm 127:1-5, Grace Christian Fellowship, Darien Gabirel, Bible-believing, non-denominational church, Ladson, SC, provide, protect, family, The Psalms

How to Live Out the Beatitudes Today | Matthew 5:10-16

Series: All: All Authority, All Nations, All Allegiance

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-16 (main)

Title: How to Live out the Beatitudes Today

Heavy credit: David Platt and Douglas Sean O’Donnell (See below for bibliography)

Summary of passage: Coming out of who Citizens of the Kingdom are in the beatitudes, Jesus describes what those citizens get to do in a dark and tasteless world.

Bottom Line: Jesus follows how to BE like Christ with how to DO like Christ. (Fruitfulness Matrix) (draw?)

Discussion questions for group and personal study.

Reflect and Discuss in your groups:

1. British pastor and author John Scott said at the Cape Town Lausanne Conference, “The greatest hindrance to the advance of the gospel worldwide is the failure of the lives of God’s people.” What do you think about John Stott's claim? Do you agree or disagree, and why?

2. Where do you see decay around you? Where do you see darkness?

How can you be salt and light in these places?

3. What is the connection between the Beatitudes and Jesus's call in verses 13-16?

4. How does a pure life impact our witness to the gospel? How might impurity also affect our witness?

5. What might it look like for your life to be "useful" in the kingdom?

6. What are some ways we can lose our saltiness and become useless in the kingdom of God?

7. How does this passage command and inspire international missions?

8. How do many Christians hide their light under a basket? What causes us to do that?

9. How does the light of the Christian lead to God's glory?

10. Consider the questions at the end of this chapter. Which strikes you as most convicting? Why?

Final Questions

What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Opening to Sermon:

There is a salt and pepper shaker collection in our home that has generated much conversation over the years.

Who gets them when mom kicks the bucket?
Why are the ones on the table always empty?
Which ones will we use next?
Who gave us that set?

Use matzah to help people taste no salt. As each person comes into the room, give out to each person along with a slip of paper that says:

This cracker is to eat at sometime in this service. The explanation will come during the message. Feel free to eat it now or when I explain it in the message. God bless you.

The idea will be to show people a sample of how bad tasteless is.

We move from the beatitudes where Jesus describes to us what his people look and act like. We get more detail to this as we work through the entire sermon on the mount. But Jesus laid the foundation in verses 1-12. We’ll pick this up in v. 13 but I’m going to start reading in v. 10.

In v. 13-16 we’re going to answer the questions that Jesus answers on behalf of his fellow Kingdom citizens:

Who am I? (In light of being a kingdom citizen), and
What do I get to do as a kingdom citizen?

““You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:13-16‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.5.13-16.NIV

Notice right away that the words “You are” are grammatically emphatic. Jesus says what is true. You can reject it or you can believe and embrace it. But he says what is true. In Christ, you are salt and light. The question is, do you receive and believe this? (John 1:12)

Once again we see that Jesus acts as one with “All Authority.” This series is called “All!” because Matthew wants us to see that Jesus has all authority so that all nations will give him all of their allegiance. This is seen throughout the book of Matthew.

Who am I? What do I get to do?
1. This is a question of identity. We ask this question more than we think. Because intuitively we know that what we do flows from who we believe we are. Not necessarily from who we want to be or someone tells us we are. But who we really believe we are. This is why faith is so important.
2. Also, it’s not you CAN be salt and light. You ARE salt and light. You have all that you need in Christ to do what these imply you can do.
3. Jesus answers this question in 2 ways using metaphor:
  1. We are the salt of the earth.
    1. Why salt? Salt can do a lot of things. One commentator listed 11 things that salt does. But I agree with Hughes who tells us the passage gives us the one that matters to Jesus here. Salt flavors things. Salt is NaCl and it flavors things. Which is why you don’t usually choose to eat unsalted food. (Health reasons not withstanding)
    2. Warning: Don’t lose your saltiness (i.e. usefulness—flavoring power)
    3. Our flavoring power is a metaphor for us to bring flavor of Christ into our world. Now we still acknowledge that flavor can be received one of two ways:
      1. Some will like it.
      2. Some will hate it.
      3. People respond to Christ in one of two these ways when he confronts them with the gospel.
        They gladly receive it or
        They reject it.
  2. We are the light of the world. “This little light of mine” (sing?)
    1. Why light?
      1. Jesus said he is the light of the world in John 8:12. So why this? Jesus chooses to reveal himself to the world through his people. This is his strategy of blessing the world through us to bless us in the process.
      2. Light does a lot of things too. But again context pushes towards the more obvious thing: Light shines. Light illuminates.
    2. Warning: Light was meant to be seen. Therefore, don’t hide it. This implies we will be tempted to not “let” our light shine. If we don’t, what happens?
      1. Good works don’t happen in our world in and through us. (Sin)
      2. God doesn’t get the glory (light!) he deserves and uses to bless.
How does this fit with 1-12? When we live this way—meaning it’s the pattern of our lives—we will be persecuted.
1. Ex. When a husband loves and serves his life well in another country where maybe men don’t typically do that, he will stand out.
  1. Some men will make fun of him and even be angry with him for suggesting this is appropriate.
  2. Some men will see the good in it and change. Maybe even repent and believe.
Imagine a church—or a movement of churches—where everyone lived salty, bright lives in dark places! Boy wouldn’t they stand out! Like a bright city on a hill!
1. And yes there would be fireworks! Some would lead to peace-filled lives.
2. And some would lead to conflict where we’d have to love our enemies publicly.
3. But both would bring glory to God.

Conclusion

“David Brainerd, missionary to the American Indians, died at the age of 29. Reflecting on his life and calling from God, he said, Here I am, Lord, send me; send me to the ends of the earth; send me to the rough, the savage pagans of the wilderness; send me from all that is called comfort on earth! send me even to death itself, if it be but in thy service, and to promote thy kingdom. (Edwards, Life of David Brainerd, 224)” —Akin, p. 21

“Ion Keith-Falconer (1856-1887) was a Scottish missionary and Arabic scholar who died at the age of thirty-one. He won the world cycling championship in 1878 at the age of twenty-two but would leave all that behind and go to Egypt and later Yemen as a missionary for Jesus. He died from malaria after being married to his missionary wife Gwendolen for only three years. In the preface to his biography, Robert Sinker wrote,

A career of exceptional promise was early closed in the death of Ion Keith-Falconer. The beauty of his character, his ardent missionary zeal, his great learning, form a combination rarely equaled. . . . How noble a life his was. (Memorials, v)

What was it in this man that would cause him to give up all for the glory of King Jesus and the lost among the nations? I suspect it was this conviction buried deep in his heart that settled the issue:

"I have but one candle of life to burn, and I would rather burn it out in a land filled with darkness than in a land flooded with light." As was true of Ion Keith-Falconer, may it also be true of us: "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!" —Akin, p. 22

References/Bibliography:

“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes

“Matthew” by RC Sproul

“Jesus Manifesto” sermon series, by Darien Gabriel: https://youtu.be/x65i2tqFrXk

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)

“Exalting Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount” by Daniel Akin (CCE)

Outline Bible, D Willmington

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)

ESV Study Bible

ESV Gospel Transformation Bible (GTB)

"Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes" by Kenneth E. Bailey

“The Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Life in a Fallen World” by Sinclair Ferguson

Darien GabrielJune 12, 2022Grace Christian Fellowshipnon-denominational church, All, Matthew 5, Beatitudes, Darien Gabirel, Grace Christian Fellowship, Ladson, SC, church, Bible-believing

What Does Kingdom Blessing Look Like? | Matthew 5

Series: All: All Authority, All Nations, All Allegiance

Scripture: Matthew 5: (Main), Phil 2:5-8, John 15:1-6; Proverb 4:23

Title: What does Kingdom blessing look like?

Heavy credit: David Platt and Douglas Sean O’Donnell (See below for bibliography)

Summary of passage: Kingdom citizens follow Jesus by being poor in spirit, mourn over sin and brokenness, are meek, hunger and thirst for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, and are persecuted peacemakers. Their allegiance to Christ is seen in the fruit of the Spirit outlined here.

Bottom Line: The pathway to kingdom blessing and life starts by dying to self.

Discussion questions for group and personal study.

Reflect and Discuss

1. Matthew 5:1-3 teaches that spiritual beggars will possess the kingdom of heaven. How does recognizing ourselves as spiritual beggars affect the way we live each day? How can we cultivate this identity more?

2. Citizens of God's kingdom should grieve over their sin and sin in the world. Are there some sins that seem easier for us to grieve over and some that we too often overlook? Why or why not?

3. What does it mean to give God a blank check? Is that call something you find inviting or scary?

4. How does God satisfy those who hunger and thirst

for righteousness?

5. Explain what "mercy" is. Why is being merciful a

requirement for receiving mercy?

6. How can we tell whether we are "pure in heart"? What does this mean for us, knowing that we will not be completely perfect until Christ returns (cf. 1 John 3:2-3)?

7. How does peace play a central part in the Bible's story of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration? How can we reflect and participate in that story with our own peacemaking?

8. Why is persecution a necessary part of the Christian life? How does Christ's death and resurrection give us comfort in the face of

persecution?

9. How has persecution been a fuel for the spread of Christianity? What rewards does God promise for those who are experiencing persecution?

10. The Beatitudes describe a high calling for the Christian. How do our relationship to God and our relationships to one another give us the ability to act in these ways?

Final Questions (optional)

What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Opening to Sermon:

Jesus as the new Moses comes to fulfill the law in a way that looks like he’s destroying it. But, of course, he doesn’t destroy it. He brings it to full fruition by bringing new life through it.

We need to law to show us we can’t earn or deserve kingdom blessings. We need to surrender fully to Jesus Christ so he can rescue us and restore us. The law shows us our need for a savior. The gospel tells us the good news that even though we cannot earn our way into the kingdom, he has still made a way for us to get there…through Jesus’ sacrifice at the cross. His death, burial and resurrection!

“Jesus did not destroy the Law by fighting it; he destroyed it by fulfilling it!” —?

Illustration: You can destroy and acorn in 1 of 2 ways:

You can smash it between 2 rocks.
You can plant it in the ground and let it fulfill itself by transforming into an oak. —?

The point here is that the acorn was created/made to be broken. But when it’s broken as God intends it leads to life. If planted, it will dry out (die), and then life will come. It will sprout a new stem and leaf and begin to grow. It’s miraculous.

It’s a picture of what Jesus did at the cross.
It’s a picture of what Jesus does in those who are born again. (New life)
It’s what water baptism is supposed to picture. (Immersion specifically)

Jesus is calling us to come and see, come and follow, come and fish for people, come and die.

Have you ever been in a long line—say at Disney World—and you think you’re about to arrive at the ride itself only to turn the corner and see that you still have a long way to go?

Sometimes that’s what spiritual growth feels like. You grow and are making progress. But just as you start to feel like maybe you’ve arrived, you turn a spiritual corner and realize you are barely any closer than you were. You’ve come to realize (through scripture, grace) that God is way more holy than you imagined and that you have not progressed nearly as much as you think you have.

How does Jesus follow up his teaching, preaching and healing in Matthew 4? What will he do next? He lays out his kingdom manifesto. He wants to the world to know, understand and trust in how to become a citizen of his kingdom instead of the enemy’s. He lays out the blueprint for how his kingdom works.

Jesus shares who in the world receives supernatural and lasting blessings in life. Kingdom blessings.

It comes from God,
Through the Son,
By the Spirit.

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

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://matthew.bible/matthew-5-3

Poor in Spirit = bankrupt of pride and self-sufficiency. Recognition that you have nothing on which to rely on for God’s blessing. Not…

Your reputation
Your holiness, purity, righteousness
Your pedigree, family
Your good works, church work, church position
Your special abilities
Your goodness

Like a branch cut off from the vine, we have no life or worth—we’re fire-worthy only.

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

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://matthew.bible/matthew-5-4

Those who mourn = Grieve over

Our sin
Other’s sin
Consequences of sin in our world
World’s brokenness
Our church’s lack apathy towards the gospel and sharing it
Lack of love for God himself

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

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://matthew.bible/matthew-5-5

Meek ≠ Weak; Meekness is power under control (like a racehorse or stallion after broken)

We too need to be broken (over our sin) before we can truly run with power under control.

Meekness is humble strength that belongs to the one who has learned to submit to difficulties believing God is working for your good through those difficulties (circumstances and people). —O’Donnell

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://matthew.bible/matthew-5-6

“Hunger and thirst” - Jesus hungered and thirsted for righteousness. He acted justly, loved mercy and walked humbly with the Father. He did this fervently, zealously and wholeheartedly.

Jesus craved a world where relationships would be restored—vertically and horizontally.

Represents a constant pursuit of righteousness in our world and in your life.

By Kenneth Bailey:

“Once in my life I nearly died of thirst. While living in the south of Egypt, a group of friends and I traveled deep into the Sahara Desert by camel. As our trek began, the temperature soared to above 110 degrees Fahrenheit in the shade, and there was no shade. On our way, one goat-skin water bag leaked all of its precious contents.

With consumption high due to the heat, we ran out of water, and for a day and a half we pressed on while enduring intense thirst. The goal of the excursion was a famous well named Bir Shaytoun, deep in the desert. Our guide promised us that it was never dry—ah, but could we survive to reach its life-giving liquid silver? My mouth became completely dry, and eating was impossible because swallowing felt like the rubbing of two pieces of sandpaper together. My vision became blurred and the struggle to keep moving became harder with each step. We knew that if the well was dry, our armed guards would probably have forcibly seized our three baggage camels and ridden them back to the valley, leaving the rest of us to die. As I staggered on, my mind turned to this verse and I knew that I had never sought righteousness with the same single-minded passion that I now gave to the quest for water.

Yes, we managed to stagger to the well, and it was full of “the wine of God,” as water is named by desert tribesmen in the Middle East. In the process I learned something of the power of Jesus’ language. In a world where water was scarce and travel arduous, his listeners would have known what it meant to “hunger and thirst” after food and water, and thus could understand what Jesus was saying about an all-consuming passion for righteousness.”

Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes, Ken Bailey, pp. 76-77

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://matthew.bible/matthew-5-7

We love to receive mercy.

We do not love being merciful. Ex. Cancel culture

Being merciful and giving others what you think they deserve. It’s not judging them. It’s letting God judge them. (Unbelievers)

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

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://matthew.bible/matthew-5-8

Pure = unpolluted by sinful attitudes, beliefs, words, actions or inactions. Bullseye living.

“Be perfect as your father in heaven is perfect.”

“Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23

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

Pacemaker vs. Peacemaker

Pacemaker = A pacemaker is a small, battery-operated device. This device senses when your heart is beating irregularly or too slowly. It sends a signal to your heart that makes your heart beat at the correct pace. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007369.htm

Peacemaker = Someone who senses when someone else’s heart is beating irregularly or too slowly and sends a signal that makes your heart beat with God’s again.

Peace is about more than the absence of conflict, violence, or war. It denotes a wholeness, completeness, orderliness and prosperity to the core of who we are as human beings. A blessing and manifestation of divine grace.
A peacemaker is one who actively pursues the making of peace at every level: From financial peace to relational peace with people to spiritual peace with God. As God’s children, we pursue what our papa pursues. And that is, fundamentally, peace (shalom). It’s what our soul craves and the kingdom brings about. Our leader is not called the Prince of Peace for no reason.

E. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Cf. 5:3) Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

When you hunger and thirst for righteousness, show mercy, keep a clean heart before God, and are a peacemaker, the world, the flesh and the accuser will attack you. You will be persecuted when you reflect this way of life. If they persecuted the prophets who lived and spoke this way, and they persecuted Jesus who lived and spoke this way, why would you not receive the same exact treatment.
Our bottom line again: We are called to Jesus’ vision to live as kingdom citizens in a fallen world.
We now have heard what that looks like—the good and the bad.
Jesus says, “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven” for living this way.
Notice: Jesus is at the center of it.

Chiasm

Conclusion

Jesus was spiritually poor, though he never sinned. He humbled himself (Phil 2:5-8). Yet he fully relied on the Father and the Spirit while human.

Jesus mourned over the sin in our world. He was called a man of sorrows for this reason.

Jesus modeled meekness—divine power under control. He restrained or emptied himself to be fully human. What a sacrifice.

Jesus hungered and thirsted for righteousness.

One of the criticisms of the police in Uvalde, TX shooting was that they did not put their lives on the line to save those children but stayed back because of the belief that the children were safe even though the gunman was not secured. They lacked the moral courage that compels one to put their life on the line to save those who cannot save themselves.

What about us?

Are we willing to live and die for the cause of Christ and to rescue those far from him but close to us?

"Satanic Slumber"

Conclusion (last week)—Iranian woman quote

The film cites one Iranian couple that had the opportunity to move to the U.S. After living in America for a matter of months, the wife decided she wanted to move back to Iran, telling her surprised husband: “There is a satanic lullaby here. All the Christians are sleepy and I’m feeling sleepy.” http://godreports.com/2019/09/fastest-growing-church-has-no-buildings-no-central-leadership-and-is-mostly-led-by-women/

She sees the temptation to fall asleep spiritual (spiritual napping) to be of greater danger than to live with the threat of death in Iran as a Christ-follower there.

On Thursday, our son in law had surgery for his torn ACL. We went to his house to help our daughter get him inside because they checked him out with him still very asleep due to the anesthesia. So we met up there to carry him in. And he was awake enough to help us with his one leg. But he was out of it. He was asleep. But he didn’t realize it. For ex., he couldn’t figure out why all these people were there to help get him inside. He thought he could just get the crutches and hop inside. He was awake but just barely. But the danger in it was that he wasn’t aware that he was asleep.

According to this Iranian woman, this describes the American church in general. We’re asleep. Now I’d like to think I am not. But am I ready to blow her assessment off? No way. The stakes are too high.

References/Bibliography:

“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes

“Matthew” by RC Sproul

“Jesus Manifesto” sermon series, by Darien Gabriel: https://youtu.be/x65i2tqFrXk

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)

Outline Bible, D Willmington

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)

ESV Study Bible

ESV Gospel Transformation Bible (GTB)

"Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes" by Kenneth E. Bailey

“The Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Life in a Fallen World” by Sinclair Ferguson

Darien GabrielJune 5, 2022Grace Christian FellowshipBeatitudes, Darien Gabirel, David Platt, non-denominational church, Grace Christian Fellowship, Bible-believing, church, Ladson, SC, Matthew 5, ALL, kingdom blessing, Douglas Sean O'Donnell

Prayer for Uvalde

Darien GabrielMay 29, 2022Uvalde, prayer, Grace Christian Fellowship

How Do I Follow Jesus? | Matthew 4:18-25

Series: All: All Authority, All Nations, All Allegiance

Scripture: Matthew 4:18-25 (Main);

Title: How do I follow Jesus?

Heavy credit: David Platt and Douglas Sean O’Donnell (See below for bibliography)

Bottom Line: Following Jesus Christ is to believe he is who he says he is so fully that we daily surrender all to him.

Discussion questions for group and personal study.

Reflect and Discuss

1. How would you explain what it means to "repent" to someone who had never heard the term?

2. Following Jesus costs us everything. What might that look like practically in our own culture? How might this look different in a hostile Muslim context?

3. If we must abandon everything for Christ, then how does God's grace play a part in our salvation?

4. In what ways has the call to follow Jesus been watered down in our culture?

5. Explain the idea that every disciple is to be a disciple-maker. What might this look like for a mom with young kids? For an accountant? What about a college student?

6. Explain the following statement:

"The New Testament pattern for discipleship is more about 'go and tell' than 'come and see."

7. What are some of the costs of non-discipleship that you see around you?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Opening:

Today I’m going to tell you how to follow Jesus as one of his very first disciples describe it.

Andy Stanley defines faith as believing that Jesus is who he says he is and that he’ll do all that he’s promised to do. So, to follow Jesus would be to daily, gladly submit to who him and walk in all that he’s promised to do.

Question: Is following Jesus Christ life-giving for you?
- Does it invigorate you?
- Does it challenge you?
- Does it bring you joy?
- Or is it just a casual religious experience squeezed into your weekend long enough to assuage your guilt?

Nets

From engineering to full-time ministry: My story (briefly)
Do you still have your nets? I tossed mine last year.

I. Who’s “me”? (Outline eavily influenced by David Platt)

A. Matthew 1…me = Jesus; Jesus is…

Savior - The Lord saves; rescuer
Messiah - anointed one
Son of David - dynasty, king
Son of Abraham - covenant

B. Matt 2…Jesus is…

Sovereign over wise
Shepherd over weak

C. Matt 3…Jesus is…

Savior king
Righteous judge
Filled with spirit of God
Loved by the Father

D. Matt 4

New Adam who passed the test
True Israel who passed the test
Salvation = light of the world
Hope for the nations

E. Therefore, me is he and he is…

Worth far more than casual church attendance
Worth all allegiance from all people of all nations (Including me); it’s appropriate to surrender all to follow him

II. What does “Follow me” means?

A. Repent & Believe

Repent from your current way of thinking and going to the way of Christ
Believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God, and that he’s to be Lord (authority) of your life
By grace through faith (Eph 2:8-9)

B. Follow

More than just walking alongside of him
Following his…(Show Bullseye of becoming a Disciple; matrix by Mike Breen)
1. Character (Ways)
2. Competency or Example (Works)
Notice 2 sides of salvation: (Platt)
1. God’s sovereign authority (all authority)
2. Humanity’s (all nations) appropriate response (all allegiance)
Notice what they leave behind
1. Family
2. Friends
3. Career
4. Dreams
5. Security
6. Comforts

C. Go Fish! How?

Teach - in synagogues (insiders; Jews)
Proclaim - herald (outsiders; Gentiles)
Healing - miraculous healings and exorcisms validated his message & mission

D. Where? Around the corner and around the world—Where we live, work, learn and play.

Conclusion:

Do you still have your nets? I cut mine loose last year.
My story concl
Come forward for prayer, healing, and surrender

My Other notes:

Outline: (by David Platt)

I. Me?

A. Jesus is (Matt 1)

Savior
Messiah/Christ - anointed one
Son of David - dynasty
Son of Abraham - covenant

B. Jesus is (Matt 2)

Sovereign over the wise
Shepherd over the weak
Deliverer - Inaugurates the new exodus
Restorer - ends the mournful exile
Loves his fiercest enemies

C. Jesus is (Matt 3)

Savior King
Righteous judge
Filled with the Spirit of God
Loved by the Father

D. Jesus is (Matt 4)

New Adam
True Israel
Light of the World
Hope for all people

E. Jesus is, therefore,

Worthy of far more than church attendance and casual observance
Worthy of total abandonment and supreme adoration

II. Follow

A. Live with radical abandonment for his glory.

We leave all things behind.
We live for one thing: honor the king.

B. Live with joyful dependence on his grace.

He takes the initiative to choose us.
He provides the power to use us.
He gets the glory through us.

C. Live with faithful adherence to his person.

We aren’t casual listeners.
We aren’t convinced listeners.
We are committed learners and disciples.

D. Live with total trust in his authority.

He is the master of every domain in our lives.
He is the Lord of every detail in our lives.

E. Live with urgent obedience to his mission.

Every follower of Jesus is a fisher of men.
Every disciple of Jesus is a disciple-makers.
This is an unconventional plan that demands an universal response.

III. Will you follow Jesus Christ?

A. Consider the cost of discipleship.

B. Consider the cost of non-discipleship.

References/Bibliography:

“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes

“Matthew” by RC Sproul

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)

Outline Bible, D Willmington

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)

ESV Study Bible

ESV Gospel Transformation Bible (GTB)

Darien GabrielMay 29, 2022Grace Christian Fellowshipnon-denominational church, Bible-believing, Darien Gabirel, Matthew 4, How do I follow Jesus?, follow Jesus, fishers of men, David Platt

A Message for All | Matthew 4:12-17

A Message for All - Matthew 4: 12-17

Galilee – the northern province of Palestine, small 25 by 35 miles in size, but quite densely populated. Estimated to be around 350,000 people with 100,000 being Jews. It was a farming and fishing community, far from Jerusalem.

Jesus began His public ministry to both Jews and Gentiles.

Repent

Means to admit your sin - confession

Express sorrow over your sin - contrition

Turn from your sin - conversion

“True repentance is never too late, but late repentance is seldom true.” Matthew Henry

Ken DorrityMay 22, 2022Grace Christian Fellowshipnon-denominational church, Ken Dorrity, Matthew 4, Bible-believing, Grace Christian Fellowship, Ladson, SC

How to Deal with Temptation | Matthew 4:1-11

Series: All: All Authority, All Nations, All Allegiance

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11 (Main); Hebrews 2:18, 4:15; James 1:13-15; 4:7;

Title: How to deal with temptation

Heavy credit: David Platt and Douglas Sean O’Donnell (See below for bibliography)

Summary of chapter: “The Holy Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil.” (Outline Bible)

Bottom Line: We handle temptation by following Jesus’ examples of preparation and action.

Jesus’ temptation was…
God-ordained but not God-inflicted. Therefore, we trust God’s sovereign authority. (Spirit leads)
When his flesh was weak. Therefore, we deny ourselves and rest in his power. (Weakness)
Unique yet universal. Therefore, we rest in his faithfulness.
He resisted with the word of God. Therefore, we believe his word.
Tough but temporary testing. Therefore, we embrace the season of testing.

Opening:

In the Lord of the rings trilogy Frodo Baggins has to deal with the temptation that comes whenever he put on the ring of invisibility or the ring of power. Because with that power he could envision himself doing all kinds of things. That power was corrupting him over time and tempting him to change. It is a reminder of how the enemy tempts us through power.

We’re all tempted every day via flash, by the world views were surrounded by, and by the enemy himself. Temptation itself is not evil. Being tempted is part of the test. Sin comes when we give into temptation.

Last week we said sin has consequences.
Two weeks ago we said repentance and faith removes the penalty of sin.
This week we’ll deal with the enemy, the flesh and the world tempting us to sin.

Discussion questions for group and personal study:

Note: We encourage you to use our sermons and discussion questions to gather with some friends and talk about the passage together. Pray and ask God to guide you. He is faithful. Questions? Email us at info@GraceToday.net

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Goal: The goal isn’t to ask every question. The goal is to encourage people to engage the scriptures together.

Reflect and Discuss

1. What images come to mind when you hear about demons and spiritual warfare? Are these thoughts biblical? If not, explain why.

2. List some things that distract us from seeing the spiritual battles all around us. What are some specific ways we can battle our ignorance and apathy toward spiritual warfare?

3. Which sins are especially prevalent in our culture today?

4. Explain how Jesus' triumph through temptation is both our example and the basis for our own victory in temptation. What is the danger if we only see Jesus as our example?

5. How would you answer the following question: "If Jesus was fully God, then how can His victory over temptation help a weak and sinful person like me?"

6. Of Satan's three temptations in this passage, which one do you struggle with the most? What promise from Scripture might help you battle that temptation?

7. Explain the following statement: Jesus triumphed where Adam and Israel failed.

8. What attributes of God strengthen you during temptation?

9. How do Satan's temptations seek to undermine the purpose of the cross?

10. How does the promise of eternal life and the believer's future reign with Christ affect your everyday battle with sin?

Scripture:

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭4:1-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.4.1-11.NIV

Opening:

We all struggle with temptations. (Examples in my life??)

God helps us when we are being tempted (Hebrews 2:18)

God sympathizes with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15)

So we’re looking at Jesus’

Identity
Example

Outline:

5 Characteristics of Jesus’ temptations so we can become resistors of temptation

Jesus’ temptations were…

I. God-ordained but not God-inflicted. Therefore, we trust his sovereign authority.

A. Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness (God-ordained) to be tempted/tested by the devil (not God-inflicted).

B. Jesus is both

Tested: Is he really the true Son of God? Will he hold fast to God’s plan of salvation?
Tempted:
1. To exalt himself
2. To avoid the pain and suffering of the cross
3. To bow to Satan’s rule

C. Lesson: “If you want to follow Jesus, know that the road to Heaven is not paved with gold and lined with daisies. Jesus who was loved by God was sent into the wilderness to be tested. If you are his follower, you can expect the same.” —DSO

“Perhaps you have heard the story of a congressman from Tennessee who, after serving his first term in Washington, was seeking reelection. He returned to his home state of Tennessee to seek support for reelection, and in those efforts he went to the home of a wealthy farmer who had been a key supporter in his first election. The congressman said to the farmer, “I’m running for a second term. Will you support me again?” The farmer shook his head no and said, “No, I’m sorry, Mr. Crockett. I’m not going to support you again.” He continued, “Do you remember what happened last year when there was a fire in Washington that displaced people from their home? You voted to give the displaced people the money they needed to build a new house. You didn’t take that money from your own pocket, but you voted to take it from mine.” In other words, the money distributed by the congressman had not been his to give.”

Excerpt From Matthew - An Expositional Commentary, R.C. Sproul

II. When his flesh was weak. Therefore, we deny ourselves and rest in his power.

A. Wilderness/desert, no shelter, hostile nature, extreme weather, no creature comforts.

B. Solitude - alone, no companionship.

C. No food.

D. “We should be prepared to fight when we are most weak.” —DSO

Or think about Adam and Eve. Read what James Montgomery Boice says about them in contrast to Jesus:

“Adam and Eve were in paradise; Jesus was in the vast, desolate wilderness of Judah. Adam and Eve were physically content and satisfied. They were

free to eat from any of the trees of the garden, save the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; Jesus was hungry, having fasted for forty days and forty nights. Adam and Eve were together. They had each other for company and mutual support; Jesus was alone. Yet Adam and Eve rapidly succumbed to Satan's wiles, carrying the entire human race into sin, misery, destruction, and both physical and spiritual death, while Jesus stood firm as the Savior who was to bring life and salvation to the race.

What Adam didn't do, Jesus did. P. 85

III. Unique yet universal. Therefore, we rest in his faithfulness.

A. Unique temptation—because he is unique

Remember who he is: (Matt 3:17; Psalm 2; Isaiah 42)
1. Son of God
2. Suffering Servant
3. Of course, this is why Satan’s point of attack centers on
  1. Questioning his identity, and
  2. Challenging him to take the crown without the cross.

B. Universal temptations—Aren’t we all tempted to grab the crown without the cross?

To think that the physical > spiritual?
Seek out the gospel through gimmicks, entertainment, and worldly means—our own version of turning stones to bread?
By the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life. (1 John 2:16)
From holy reliance on the Father to an unholy independence?

The tempter tempts him to take the shortcut to glory by bypassing Gethsemane and Golgotha. That's what all these temptations are about.

Just look at the least obvious—verses 3, 4. Here it's as if Satan says,

“Look, Jesus, you're hungry. The whole world is hungry. If you can turn these stones into bread, which I know you can- because you're God's Son!—then feed yourself, and feed the world. Use your power for what people most need and want—their bellies to be filled—and then watch the whole world

"run after you like sheep, grateful and obedient." You will have the world literally eating from your hand. Give people what they really want—not the Word of God but food from God.” -Douglas Sean O’Donnell, p. 87

IV. Resisted with the word of God. Therefore, we believe in his word.

A. While we could go to the sword analogy (Eph 6:17) as the word of God, DSO suggests we go to the shield analogy instead: The shield of faith.

B. Because we acknowledge God’s word is powerful. But do we really believe it? Do we live by “every word” of God?

C. The shield of faith is more defensive by nature. It extinguishes the fiery darts of the enemy.

Not darts tempting towards obvious evil but good things that can trip us up as well.
Romans 10:17 Faith comes from hearing…

D. Questions to consider

Do you know the word of God? It’s content?
Do you know how to interpret it correctly?
Do you trust what God has said and written?

V. Tough but temporary. (10-11) Therefore, we embrace the season of testing.

A. James 4:7

B. 1 Cor 10:13 makes it clear, there’s no temptation that is

Not common to everyone,
Not beyond your ability to resist with our Lord’s help (Heb 2:18),
From which God does not provide a way of escape—if you say “NO!” he will go.

C. “Our God only allows Satan to tempt us for our good, to try and test and refine our faith.

Conclusion:

Satan cannot break jesus because…
- He rests in his identity
- He prays
- He fasts
- He’s following the Holy Spirit
- He knows the word of God
- He knows the future
- He speaks the word aloud in the face of the enemy believing it’s power

Let’s do this and lead others to do the same!

Pray

My Other notes:

Resist seems a key action (requires faith)

Fasting seems a key strategy or power source (prayer = faith in action)

Scripture seems a key weapon (requires faith) (truth)

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

‭‭James‬ ‭4:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://james.bible/james-4-7

“Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://1peter.bible/1-peter-5-9

Verse 1

“Then” - follows his baptism where he’s affronted in his character and identity as the Son of God.
“led” - Jesus followed, didn’t just lead.
“By the Spirit” - Holy Spirit/Spit of God is who Jesus followed modeling this perfectly for us.
“Into the wilderness” - the most uncomfortable place to be is away from shelter, food, family, and friends. Especially for an extended length of time.
“To be tempted” - This is why the Holy Spirit led him there. This is the Spirit testing and preparing Jesus for what is to come.
“By the devil” - the Tempter, the Accuser; Father of lies.

Verse 2

“40” - A significant Bible number—combination of 4, earthly things and 10, divine perfection. A long time to not eat! No wonder he was hungry! Also, the number of years Israel wandered in the desert with Moses being tempted, tested and led by the Spirit of God.

Verse 3

“the Tempter” - Satan, the devil; what he does.
“Came to him” - Has Jesus in his crosshairs.
“‘If you are the son of God’” “If” is his way of introducing doubt. Satan knows exactly who Jesus is.
“Son of God” - who Jesus Christ is.
“Tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus could have done this. He likely was tempted as a man. Yet he did not give in.

Verse 4

He resisted this temptation by fasting, praying, and recalling scripture and quoting it to Satan.
“Answered” - Jesus dialogues with Satan, whom he knows well.
“Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” LIfe is spiritual as well as physical. God’s word feeds our soul and faith even as food feeds our body. We need both. And God still speaks (through) his word.

Verse 5

“Took” - Jesus willingly follows Satan to the highest point on the temple; could have been literally or just visually. This would have also been the highest point in Jerusalem overlooking the city and the region.

Verse 6

“If” - once again, Stan questions/raises doubts to tempt Jesus to doubt his own identity.
“Throw yourself down” - i.e. test. Psalm 91:11-12 by jumping so the angels will rescue you. But to what end? To prove to himself he’s really Son of God? To prove to Satan? The world?
“He will command his angels concerning you…” - The Lord protects his son when he wants to…but not before and on the cross.

Verse 7

“It is also written” - more scripture to combat temptation.
“Don’t put the Lord your God to the test.” There’s a only one time in scripture where God says test me and this isn’t it.

Verse 8

“Again” - third time
“Took him to a very high mountain” - another epic view. This time of the entire world. “Showed him all the kingdoms of the world.” To tempt him to rescue the world without having to go to the cross.

Verse 9

“All this I will give you…if you will bow down and worship me.” - Because Satan has this authority right now. Price? Allegiance and worship of Satan. This is what Satan ultimately wants.
Jesus responds with scripture once again to resist temptation powerfully as his leaning on the same authority that gave Satan temporary authority over the world.
“Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” - Ourallegiance is to the Lrod God alone. Even the Son of God bows to him while in the flesh. He submits to him as well (the cross; incarnation)

Verse 10

“The devil left him“
- Satan cannot break jesus because…
- He rests in his identity
- He prays
- He fasts
- He’s following the Holy Spirit
- He knows the word of God
- He knows the future
- He speaks the word aloud in the face of the enemy believing it’s power

Verse 11

“Angels came and attended him” - His physical needs are eventually met.

Notes from RC Sproul’s commentary

Temptations rise from within.

“When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

‭‭James‬ ‭1:13-15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Therefore, God isn’t tempting Jesus—Satan is.
God led Jesus there knowing that would happen and using it to test him.

Adam & Eve failed a similar test but under much different conditions:
- They were in paradise (Garden of Eden) vs. the wilderness/desert that Jesus was in.
- They had unlimited food around them vs. Jesus fasting for 40 days and nights.
- They had each other (plus the Father each night) vs. Jesus being all alone.

Yet, same issues is at stake: The serpent came to Adam & Eve with a question: “Has God really said…?”

In the wilderness, Satan suggested three times, “If…”

The Devil’s point of attack is the same in both cases—the trustworthiness of God’s word. Adam and Eve did not believe God’s word. Jesus did. RCS

Jesus submitted to baptism in part to identify with his people.

Maybe a bigger miracle is Jesus’ sinless life. If he’s not sinless, then he’s not an acceptable sacrifice. No cross, no salvation. So all that is on the line here in the wilderness.

Could Jesus have sinned?

Divinely speaking, no.
Humanly speaking, yes. But he didn’t. As a man, Jesus had the ability to sin, or he’d not have been truly human nor truly tempted. It would have all been a scam.

Satan used a simple desire to satisfy a legitimate need to tempt Jesus.

Satan plants the suggestion that if Jesus really was the son of God, he’d not have to endure suffering but use divine authority to eat.
“It is written” is Jewish shorthand for the words of God or scripture.
Life requires more than physical food. We need bread plus spiritual food.
What else? “Every word” not just some words of God.
“Jesus’ meat and drink was to do the will of the Father. He had a zeal that consumed him.”
“The word that came from the Father was more important to him that his bread.”
“Let’s see if the Bible is true. Jump and see if the angels catch you.”
Hermeneutics - laws/rules that govern the interpretation of scripture.
- First principle: the “analogy of faith” = scripture Has it’s own interpreter. That is we interpret scripture with scripture.
- God never speaks a lie.
- God’s word is coherent and unified.
- God never contradicts himself.
Therefore, what he says in Judges can never contradict what he says in Ephesians.
Therefore, if we set one part of scripture against another we violate this first principle of bible interpretation.
This is exactly what Satan is doing.

BQ: Have you ever considered your personal point of vulnerability if Satan were to come to you with a test?

What would he put in front of you?

Glory?
A kingdom? (A company, an organization, an institution)
Riches?
Power?

He offered all of these things to Jesus in exchange for one thing—worship.

Jesus already knew he was getting all of that. But Satan was tempting him to get it with a shortcut—without the cross.

BQ: How do you respond to Satan’s temptations when you’re alone and no one can see you?

“Get our of here, Satan!”

Notes from Warren Wiersbe’s commentary

Temptation 1: Satan appealed to the body; the flesh.

Satan suggests that if Christ were God’s son, he wouldn’t let Jesus stay hungry as if God were holding out on him. (Does God really love you? Answer, see Matt 3:17)

God tests us in ordinary things in life.

Word > Bread

Temptation 2: Satan appealed to Jesus proving himself.

Satan leaves out “in all your ways” (Psalm 91:11-12) when quoting this Psalm.

Temptation s3: Satan appealed to Jesus with an “easier way” to become king. Appeal to by-pass the cross and suffering.

Kingdom already promised to Jesus (Ps 2:6-9)
Kingdom received after dying on the cross.

“Whatever we worship (what we order our lives around) is the god we serve.” -WW

We cannot serve both God and god. Matt 6:24

Says Jesus was tested so that every creature would know that Jesus Christ conquerors. Jesus exposed Satan’s tactics and defeated him.

We have victory because he was victorious here and ultimately at the cross.

Adam & Eve Jesus vs Satan

Garden of Eden Wilderness/Desert

Plenty of food, drink Fasting

Shade, shelter No shelter from the weather

Companionship Alone

Suggestion 1: Satan always suggesting that God is depriving you of what’s good (is God really good; does he really love you?); he must not love us!

Suggestion 2: Use your divine power to meet your own needs and those around you.

“When we put our physical needs ahead of our spiritual needs, we sin.” -WW

“Jesus could have turned the stones into bread, but he would have been exercising his powers independently of the Father; and he came to obey the Father.” -WW

God’s word IS our food. John 4:32-34

Third temptation: Shortcut to the kingdom.

“Satan has always wanted worship, because Satan has always wanted to be God.” -WW

“Worshipping the creature instead of the Creator is the lie that rules our world today.” -WW

“If we want to share in the glory, we must also share in the suffering.” (1 Peter 5:10)

No cross—no crown

“Whatever we worship, we will serve.”

Worship and service go together.

Jesus calls others to obey after he obeyed.

References/Bibliography:

“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes

“Matthew” by RC Sproul

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)

Outline Bible, D Willmington

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)

ESV Study Bible

ESV Gospel Transformation Bible (GTB)

Darien GabrielMay 15, 2022Grace Christian Fellowshipnon-denominational church, Bible-believing, Darien Gabriel, Darien Gabirel, Matthew 4

Does God Hear Me? Does God See Me? | Genesis 16, 21

Scripture: Genesis 16, 21

Title: Does God Hear Me? Does God See Me?

Heavy credit: See below for bibliography

“In Genesis, God sees, hears, knows and understands.” -JW

Bottom Line: When I take matters in my own hands and make a mess of things, God hears my cry, sees my misery and meets me there with revealing hope.

Discussion questions for group and personal study:

We encourage you to use our sermons and discussion questions to gather with some friends and talk about the passage together. Pray and ask God to guide you. He is faithful. Questions? Email us at info@GraceToday.net

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Goal: The goal isn’t to ask every question. The goal is to encourage people to engage the scriptures together.

CHAPTER 16 Questions, CSB Life Connections Bible (LCB):

OPEN: Growing up, who was the main decision maker in your family?

CONSIDER (vv. 1-2): What do you find most surprising about Sarai’s words? What do you think drove Sarai to this course of action? CONSIDER (vv. 3-6): In your opinion, who is to blame for this situation? What problems are evident in Abram’s family? What could have been done to resolve this conflict?

CONSIDER (vv. 7-16): Where did Hagar find comfort or confidence in the angel’s words? APPLY: What have you been praying about for a long time? Where can you find encouragement and support to stay on the right path until your prayers are answered?

FOR GROUPS (vv. 13-14): Pass a mirror around the group as an object lesson. Encourage group members to hold the mirror and contemplate the God Who Sees.

Opening:

Bottom Line: God hears my cries and sees my misery. When I realize this, he will open my eyes leading me to see my hopeful future in Christ.

Even as the constraints of the pandemic era have begun to lift, the current pressures felt by working moms have yet to alleviate.

In a recent Barna survey, working mothers shared with Barna that they are feeling overwhelmed, navigating workplace shifts and desiring time to prioritize self-care, findings we’ll take a closer look at in this article.

Working mothers are twice as likely to feel overwhelmed as working fathers coming out of the pandemic.

1. Working Mothers Are More Likely Than Working Fathers to Feel Overwhelmed

With moms historically having shouldered the burden of domestic responsibilities and care of children and loved ones—a pattern that COVID exasperated—it comes as no surprise that employed mothers are feeling overwhelmed, even forgotten.

2. Mothers’ Shift to Work-from-Home Dynamic Was More Drastic than Fathers’

While many mothers left the workforce during the COVID-19 crisis, the ones who are currently employed—whether they stayed through the pandemic or are among the percentage of women reentering the workforce—continue to navigate changes in their work environments and work expectations. Barna's data surrounding these shifts hint at a lower level of satisfaction in working mothers’ relationships both within and outside work, as well as lower satisfaction with their job in general, when compared to working fathers.

3. Working Mothers Desire Time to Prioritize Reflection & Self-Care

Working mothers, more than working women without children in the home, tell Barna they could achieve better work-life balance if they “had more quiet time to regain perspective” (30% vs. 19%) They are also more likely than all other women to say better work-life balance could be achieved if they had “more opportunities to exercise” (30% vs. 18% working women without children in the home, 15% all other women).

…Amid a season of transition, overwhelm and a struggle to balance personal and professional responsibilities, working mothers could benefit from the support of their community, including local church congregations. Yet pastors and congregants may not know how to best rally around working mothers in this time—or even be aware that they need to. Indeed, one in five Christian working moms (22% vs. 11% of working dads) says they are not attending church right now.

Story: https://www.barna.com/research/challenges-working-moms/

He is the God who sees/hears.

Trusting yourself vs. Trusting God, the Promise Keeper
Trusting the Flesh vs. Trusting the Spirit of God
Flesh vs. Faith

Egypt (Land of Self-reliance) vs. Promise Land (Land of Resting Faith)

God is our rescuer/promise-keeper/Hero—God / Angel of the Lord

He hears/sees
He shows up aware because he cares
He brings hope, despite consequences

**Salvation isn’t fixing the flesh. Salvation is crucifying the flesh. We are called to come and die to self-reliance. Leave Egypt and enter the Promise Land.

Outline based largely on Kent Hughes

I. Human Chaos (1-6)

A. Scheming (1-2)

B. Fall! (3-4)

Sarai’s action parallel to Eve’s
Abram listened to his wife (2)
Sarai took Hagar (3a) just as Eve took the fruit (3:6a)
Sarai gave Hagar to her husband (3b) just as Eve gave the fruit to hers (3:6b)
And in both cases the man willingly and knowingly partook
Free-fall! “God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption” Galatians 6:7-8

C. Chaos (5-6)

Logically Sarai was wrong to place all the blame on Abram…it was her idea
But actually she was right. He was the patriarch. He was the head of the house. God had spoken to him, not to her. He should never have allowed the situation. Abram was truly responsible for the “wrong” (lit. violence) she was suffering.
Abram should have taken responsibility here.
Abram should have affirmed his love for her here.
Abram should have sought the wisdom of God in prayer.
Instead, he capitulated to familiar Mesopotamian ways.
He allowed Sarai to demote Hagar from wife/concubine back to slave.
Sarai mistreated Hagar causing her to flee. Hagar = run away
None of these three were honorable in how they handled things.
Abram was the worst. He didn’t really care for either of these women.
Neither woman had compassion for the other. Sarai was the worst.
Both women were victims. Hagar the greatest.
This all started when people failed to trust God’s word. (Trust in God)
Instead they tried to take matters into their own hands. (Self-reliance/trust in self)

II. Divine Intervention (7-16)

A. Divine Discovery (7-9)

Hagar fled scared.
The Angel of the Lord found her—a stranger; God himself.
This Angel knew everything. Saw, heard, knew…
…understood
…authoritative “Return to your mistress and submit to her”
Why? Because of the future…

B. Divine Revelation (10-12) - God initiated this.

Out of 6 promises in the OT for descendants, Hagar is the only woman to receive such a promise.
God honored Hagar with many descendants. Fruit of the Abrahamic covenant.
Ishmael
1. You will have a son
2. You will name him Ishmael because the Lord has heard (Ishmael - God has heard)
3. He will be nomadic Bedouin
4. He will be in perpetual conflict with others around him (Sound like Arabs?)
5. Ishmael’s promise is part of the Abrahamic covenant—not it’s own
Abram’s and Sarai’s shortcut would impact our world for millennia causing oceans of blood. Sin has consequences. When we take matters into our own hands and get out in front of God, this is what tends to happen:
1. We mess things up; trouble
2. We sin and sin has consequences
3. We blame each other
4. We divide or move away from each other
5. We hurt and hurt each other (and ourselves)
6. We damage the future and miss out on some of the blessings
7. We grieve God and quench his Spirit

C. Hagar’s Response (13-16) - As a result of God seeing her, she sees God and…

She named God and that place
1. “the God who sees me.”
2. “the well of the living one who sees me”
She worshiped God. Instead of reveling in the good news God gave, she revels in God himself.
She believed and trusted God. This led to her submission and obedience.
She obeyed God. She returned and submitted to Sarai.
She came to understand that
1. God hears
2. God sees
3. God knows my situation
4. God understands what I’m going through
5. Therefore, she trusts, obeys and worships God in the midst of her difficult circumstances.

Conclusion

The consequences of taking matters into our own hands can be tragic and devastating. We cannot change the past.

However, God’s mercy and grace leads to forgiveness when we confess our sins and move forward by grace through faith in Him.

Perhaps you find yourself in the wilderness right now. Perhaps you feel abandoned, alone, and abused.

God hears.

God sees.

God knows.

God understands.

God reveals, guides and provides if you’ll look to him and rest in his protection and provision. He is faithful.

Jen Wilkins shared these thoughts as she wrapped up her thoughts on this chapter:

Paul calls us to, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.”

(‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:14-16‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/111/php.2.14-16.NIV)

The Lord reminds us in the Psalms, “He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭147:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://psalm.bible/psalm-147-4)

“And each of you—we—are one of those stars as we shine like stars in the sky of this dark world as we hold firmly to the word of life. And then we will be able to boast on the day of Christ that we did not run or labor in vain.” —JW

Pray

Other notes:

Outline Bible - Genesis 16:

VIII. THE COMPROMISE BY ABRAM (16:1-16)

A. The rationale for his compromise (16:1-3)

1. The problem (16:1): Sarai is still unable to bear a son.

2. The plan (16:1-3): Sarai convinces Abram to marry Hagar, her servant, in order to have a son through her.

B. The results of his compromise (16:4-16)

1. Hagar's marriage to Abram (16:4): After Hagar conceives, she begins to look down upon Sarai.

2. Hagar's mistreatment by Sarai (16:5-6): After suffering harsh treatment from the frustrated Sarai, Hagar flees into the desert.

3. Hagar's meeting with the Lord (16:7-14)

a. The Lord advises her (16:7-9): The angel of the Lord comes to her by a well and tells her, "Return to [Sarai] and submit to her authority.

b. The Lord assures her (16:10-14): The angel of the Lord tells Hagar that she will have innumerable descendants through her unborn son, who will be called Ishmael ("God hears").

4. Hagar's mothering of Ishmael (16:15-16): She gives birth to Ishmael when Abram is eighty-six years old.

Notes from Jen Wilkin’s message on Gen 12-16

We should ask ourselves two questions every time we study scripture:

What is true about God here? (Knowledge of God), and
What is true about me in light of what is true about God? (Knowledge of self).

Gen 16

Hagar was a female, Egyptian slave!
Remember, Egypt is the archetype of self-reliance.
Sarai— taking matters into her own hands.
This was a legal way to produce a legal heir using your maidservant to bear a child. But it’s illegal in God’s legal system.
Abraham listens to Sarai instead of God. (Reminds me of Eden)
How much say did Hagar really have in this plan? She’s a victim, though not blameless.
There’s a lot of blame shifting going on here by Sarai and others. (Like in Eden)
Sarai was physically (not just verbally) harsh with Hagar. “Mistreats” (NIV) in v. 6
*Why this extreme reaction?
Because up to this point, Sarai knew that her barrenness could have been because of Abram instead of her. But now that Hagar is pregnant, she realizes it’s because of her.
So she bears the full reproach/shame/scorn of a culture that said that the only thing a woman is good for is bearing children. Her world crashes.
16:8 God is gently drawing Hagar in…
- Hagar is extremely vulnerable now.
- She’s safer with Abram and Sarai even.
- Plus God gives her assurances about her and Ishmael’s future.
“There are no minor characters in the Story of God” -JW
Apparently, Abram (and maybe Sarai) believed Hagar’s story as seen in that Abram names her son Ishmael instead of coming up with his own as was his right and role.
“And God said…” “and it was so” (pattern)

—Story of self-reliance vs. Sovereignty of God

—Trust in me vs. Trust in Thee

My other notes

In previous chapters, Abram listened to God and exercised faith. But here he listened to his wife instead of God and revealed his unbelief.

Both Abram and Sarai tried to help God’s promise happen instead of resting in that promise and waiting on God to work in his perfect timing. For Isaac came 13 years later when Ishmael could live on his own. (No father going forward was devestating)

Sarai blames God for her barren condition. This is actually true as God is sovereign. (Rom 8:28 applies here) But she hints he’s not good in doing so which is not true.

Hagar is quite the victim here. And yet when empowered does harm back.

God does not acknowledge Hagar as Abram’s wife even though this was a legal path to getting a legal heir. She is still a slave in God’s eyes.

First mention of the Angel of the Lord. Theophany? Christophany?

“When God spoke to Abram, he was identified the second time as the angel of the Lord (22:1,15).”

Ishmael — God will hear. (11)

Hagar — flight, run away (LCB study notes)

“GO TO MY SLAVE. Sarai knew of the Sumerian custom of using a concubine to obtain a male heir in the case of a wife’s barrenness. A concubine did not have the same rights as the wife.” (LCB study notes)

“Childlessness was a great burden to women, for it was seen as a lack of blessing from the Lord. Hagar’s pregnancy placed her in a more favored position.” Ibid

“16:12 WILD DONKEY. A promise of Ishmael’s eventual nomadic lifestyle. EVERYONE’S HAND WILL BE AGAINST HIM. Points to the hostility between the de-scendants of Isaac (the Israelites) and Ishmael (the Ishmaelites).”

Practical lesson: “Whenever we run ahead of God, there is trouble. The flesh loves to ‘help’ God, but true faith is shown in patience (Is 28:16). We cannot mix faith and flesh, law and grace, promise and self-effort.” BKC

References/Bibliography:

“Preaching the Word” Genesis Commentary, Kent Hughes

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“the Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

Genesis 12-16 Message by Jen Wilkin from her Genesis study

Outline Bible, D Willmington

Life Connection Bible, Lyman Coleman, study notes

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)

ESV Study Bible

Darien GabrielMay 8, 2022Grace Christian Fellowshipnon-denominational church, Bible-believing, Genesis 16, Mothers Day, Darien Gabriel, Hagar, Sarai, Abram

What is Repentance? | Matthew 13:1-17

Series: All!

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-17

Acts 2:37-38, 3:19, 8:22, 20:21, 26:20

Title: What is Repentance?

Heavy credit: David Platt and Douglas Sean O’Donnell (See below for bibliography)

Summary of chapter: “John the Baptist begins his ministry and baptizes Jesus. The Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus and God declares that he is pleased with his Son.” (Outline Bible)

Bottom Line: Repentance is a change of mind that results in a change of living. Entering the Kingdom of God requires repentance of sins.

Story: CWP letter, finger prints and my trip to the Goose Creek police department on a Friday afternoon. (3:58)

“Lord, keep me close and keep me clean.” -Dr. Bill Bennett, pastor and professor

Discussion questions for group and personal study:

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Goal: The goal isn’t to ask every question. The goal is to encourage people to engage the scriptures together.

1. Why is it significant that John's first command had to do with repentance?

2. What is the difference between regretful confession and true repentance?

3. How are some church attenders similar to the Jews who counted on family heritage for salvation?

4. How would you counsel someone who professes Christ but shows no marks of repentance?

5. How did the arrival of the kingdom point to the nearness of both salvation and damnation?

6. How would you explain to a non-Christian that a

"hellfire and damnation" sermon expresses love?

7. Explain why John's baptism and Christian baptism appear to exclude infants.

8. How are all three members of the Trinity present in Matthew 3:15-17?

9. Why was Jesus baptized if He had no sin?

10. What is the difference between resolving to be good before salvation In resolving to be obey God after salvation?

Scripture:

“In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ” John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”” Matthew‬ ‭3:1-7, 9-17‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://matthew.bible/matthew-3-17

Opening:

"…Additionally, the ancestry was important to demonstrate that Matthew's Gospel did not pertain to a mythical character or hero. To the Jew, the ancestry testified to historical reality.

Several years ago a friend of mine, a missionary with Wycliffe Bible Translators, worked among a people who had never heard the gospel in their language. The people could not write or read, so all their communication was oral. The missionary's first task was to learn the language of the tribe. Then she had to change that oral language into written form and teach the people to read and write it. It was a laborious task that took many years. Only after all that was accomplished could she undertake the task of translating the Bible into this language. She began with the Gospel of Matthew. To expedite the project she skipped the genealogy to get to the meat and substance of the story of Christ, and then she sent her translation work off to be printed by a publisher in a distant city. She waited months for the first copies of Matthew to arrive at the compound, and when the trucks came in with the Bibles, or, at least, the Gospel of Matthew, the people were much more interested in the trucks than they were in the translation. After having spent ten years on the project, she was crushed when she saw that the people didn't care at all.

Nevertheless, she persevered in her task, and in the second edition of Matthew she included the genealogy. When that arrived the missionary explained the genealogy to the tribal chief, and he said, "Are you trying to say that this Jesus you've been telling us about for ten years was a real person?" She replied, "Yes, of course." He said, "I thought you were telling us a story about some mythical character."

Once he understood that this Christ was real in space and time, the chief came to Christ, and shortly thereafter the whole tribe came to Christ.”

—Douglas Sean O’Donnell

Outline based largely on David Platt and Douglas Sean O’Donnell

I. The ministry of the Baptist: Prepare the Way (aka Tell the World)

A. The man

Prophesying boldly
Living simply
Baptizing openly
Serving humbly

B. The message (What we do and Why)

Repent…How?
1. What is repentance?
  1. It is changing your mind in such a way that you change your actions; 180 degree about-face
    It’s necessary to believe and follow Jesus Christ and enter into his Kingdom
2. Repentance involves confession (admission of sin)
3. Repentance involves contrition (sorry over sin)
4. Repentance involves conversion (turn from sin)
…for the Kingdom of Heaven has come near (which means that the King has come near as well)
Repentance is for everyone
See Acts for other sermons and thoughts on repentance including:
1. Acts 2:37-38 “They were cut to the heart…what shall we do? Repent and be baptized”
2. Acts 3:19 “Repent then and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out”
3. Acts 8:22 “Repent of this wickedness and pray…that he may forgive you”
4. Acts 20:21 “they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.”
5. Acts 26:20 “I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance but heir deeds”
6. See the 7 churches of Revelation 2-3 as well

C. The method

The baptism of Jews
1. Renounce your dependence on self
2. Rely on mercy of God
The baptism of Jesus
1. The Son obeys
2. The Spirit anoints
3. The Father speaks

II. The ministry of the Church today: Tell the World

A. Repent and be baptized.

B. Resolve to proclaim this good news yourself. (Bearing fruit…leading others)

Conclusion

This is what we want to be known for. Loving our neighbors so well we’re willing to risk rejection to show and tell them about the mercy and grace of God found in and through Jesus Christ.

Let’s do this and lead others to do the same!

Pray

Other notes:

Why do people get baptized?

Because the Bible says to.

Because they see others who trust Christ do this.

To go public with their faith.

To testify to what Jesus Christ did for us

To testify to what Jesus Christ did in them

In our country, this is no big deal. They will likely not be threatened or abandoned because of this.

In other countries, they would do this a great personal threat to their literal lives.

Why do it then? Because they have come and seen who Jesus is and what he’s done. God has opened their eyes to see clearly. And they have believed what they have seen as more evidence that all God has said is trustworthy.

What about you?

What do I want you to know? The gospel

What do I want you to do? Believe and receive the gospel and live accordingly. It’s more than a game-changer. It’s true life-change. Transformational.

At the end I will invite you to do what many in this room have already done. To consider who Jesus is and what he’s done and then responding as you see fit.

My hope is that by believing you’ll find true and abundant life in his name. At the very least, I hope it will lead to more conversations about this for you in the near future.

We’re going to look at this through the eyes of a couple of women who witness stuff before anyone else does. Just walking through these 10 verses as if we were these ladies. They are not telling us what they believe happened. They are telling us what they saw and heard. We have it recorded reliably in the thousands of biblical texts/transcripts. Over 25,000 partial and/or complete. Overwhelming evidence.

References/Bibliography:

“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes

“Matthew” by RC Sproul

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“the Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)

Outline Bible, D Willmington

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)

ESV Study Bible

ESV Gospel Transformation Bible (GTB)

Darien GabrielMay 1, 2022Grace Christian Fellowshipnon-denominational church, Grace Christian Fellowship, Darien Gabriel, All, Matthew 13, Ladson, SC, Bible-believing, church, christian, repentance

What is Jesus Up To? | Matthew 28:16-20

Series: All!

Scripture: Matthew 1-1, 28:16-20; Genesis 12:1-3

Title: What is Jesus up to? (The Great Commission)

Bottom Line: “Jesus has all authority so that all nations might obey all he has commanded.” -Douglas Sean O’Donnell

Outline

Intro - Series title “All!” Credit Douglas Sean O’Donnell for the series title and bottom line for today.

Pop Quiz (index cards) (How many are in the room?)

Yes or no: Do you know where the phrase “the Great Commission” comes from?
Define, write or summarize the Great Commission:

According to the Barna Research group in 2018, “Only 17% of regular church attenders could identify and define the Great Commission.”

Jesus knows what we crave because he created us to crave those things. He wants us to obey all he’s commanded because he knows it leads to our greatest joy.

I. Matthew 28:1-10 - Come and see, go and tell

A. When we come and see what Jesus has done (Know gospel)…

B. We go and tell why Jesus has come. (Share gospel)

The book of Matthew is about the Great Commission. It’s about the

Calling of the disciples to the GC,
Counting the cost of following the GC, and
Content of the GC.

Transition: Matthew’s gospel is a gospel of discipleship.

Disciple = Someone learning with the intention to put into practice what they are learning.

II. Matthew 28:18-20 - tail end of the gospel of Matthew will reinforce front end of Matthew by design.

A. All authority

Jesus made the audacious statement, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (18)
Not even Obama would say that. Not even Trump would say that.
If he has ALL authority, then it means as his creation I am under his authority.
And, like it or not—believe it or not—one day I will bow to his authority. “Every knee should bow” “Jesus Christ is Lord” Phil 2:9-11
Don’t miss this: He’s sending us out as ambassadors UNDER AND EMPOWERED BY his authority.

B. All nations Therefore, in light of v. 18

“Make disciples of ALL nations—all ethnicities, peoples, tribes, languages, all nations
Why? Because this is what he’s doing—making all things new and placing them appropriately under his authority. (Eph 1, Col 1)
How? Baptizing them to obey “everything” (= All) “I have commanded you”
You have a decision to make here!

C. All allegiance

He calls us to count the cost and go to all nations with his authority to show and tell them the way to eternal life.
We pledge allegiance to the Lamb as he says surely he will be with me to the ends of the earth.

D. O’Donnell says it this way, “

E. Hughes also says that Matthew’s gospel is a gospel of discipleship meaning that Matthew speaks of

The Call of discipleship
The Cost of discipleship
The Content of discipleship

Transition: So if you want to learn why and how to follow Jesus Christ (as one of his disciples), his gospel is for you! You need to do more than just sit and listen. You need to get a good grip on it as you

Listen
Read
Study
Memorize
Meditate on

Transition: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all have a very similar baseline (bass-line). Life, death, resurrection of Christ. But they have different melodies as they sing the song and tell the story.

Matthew’s melody is Jesus as son, savior, and Christ/Messiah. We looked at these over Christmas (See December messages on YouTube.com under Grace Christian Fellowship Summerville)

III. Matthew 1 & 2 - front end of the gospel

A. Matthew 1 - From Genealogy to back from Egypt to Nazareth.

“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ (anointed one or king), the son of David” - about King Jesus; 2 Sam 7 David’s offspring would establish God’s kingdom forever. Eternal, sovereign rule.
Then from son of David to son of Abraham. Why? Abraham was first non-Israelite Father of Israel. Abraham wasn’t a Hebrew until he became one. Abraham matters because of God’s covenant promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3.
“The point of these 2 persons and promises is this:
1. Jesus will be that David King
2. who will reign over that eternal kingdom
3. that will be a blessing to all peoples of the earth.” -O’Donnell

B. Matthew 1-2 - From Birth to preschool (Jesus); From Naz to Bethlehem to Egypt back to Naz.

Jospeh accepts Jesus as his son.
Magi visit Jesus as king.
1. Jesus is king.
2. Jesus is king of Jews and Gentiles.
3. Therefore, this king is to be worshipped.
4. Matt 2:1-11 is maybe the best summary of how to worship Jesus well by very non-Jewish people.
5. They have come to worship Jesus and pledge their allegiance to him.
6. Have we?
Escape to Egypt
Return to Nazareth
1. Time passes…25+ years

IV.

Conclusion

What is Jesus up to?

Showing us how to bring glory to God in such a way that we find satisfaction in all our God-given desires.

Bottom line: “Jesus has all authority so that all nations might obey all he has commanded.“

Will you

Acknowledge Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth?
So that all nations (all peoples) will
Gladly submit and give all allegiance to him?

Pray

References/Bibliography:

“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“the Bible Exposition Commentary” & “NT Sermon Outlines” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

“Exalting Jesus in The Sermon on the Mount” by Daniel Aiken (CCE)

“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)

Outline Bible, D Willmington

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)

ESV Study Bible

ESV Gospel Transformation Bible (GTB)

Darien GabrielApril 24, 2022Grace Christian Fellowshipnon-denominational church, Darien Gabriel, Matthew, The Great Commission, Ladson, SC, Grace Christian Fellowship, Bible-believing

Why the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Matters Today | Matthew 28:1-10

Series: All! Pre-series message (Easter)

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Title: Why the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Matters Today

Bottom Line: When we come and see what Jesus has done, we will go tell the world why he has come.

Open

Years ago, a young member of our (Nicky Gumbel’s church in England) congregation at HTB had a job working in the library of a major national newspaper. This newspaper kept files of old cuttings about every well-known person. The files were kept in rows of long shelves and were separated into ‘living people’ and ‘dead people’.

One day, the young man was looking through the files of dead people and came across a large file marked ‘Jesus Christ’. He glanced over his shoulder to check that no one was looking and quickly moved the file from the ‘dead people’ section to the ‘living people’ section.

Jesus Christ is alive. He is risen from the dead. To anyone looking for him among files of dead people, the angels would say, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!’ (Luke 24:5–6).

Mary Magdalene - Jesus cast out 7 demons from her

Mary mother of James “Other Mary” - Mother of James the lesser (disciple, son of Alpheus)

The women…

Appear to be the last to leave the tomb on Friday (along with Joseph of Arimathea) and the first to arrive at the tomb Sunday morning (besides the angels and guards, of course)
Were prepared to anoint Jesus’ wrapped and partially anointed corpse (Mark 16:1)
Meet the angel who’s perched there waiting for them, his job almost complete (Angel = messenger)
Unconcerned with guards but very concerned with angel
Receive the message from God via angel about what just happened
- “Don’t be afraid”
- I know you’re looking for Jesus
- “Who was crucified”
- “He’s not here ; he has risen (has been raised)
- “Just as he said” (he would be)
- “Come and see”
- “Go quickly and tell”
- “Now I’ve told you.”
As a result of seeing what they saw,
- They obeyed promptly and completely because
- Afraid yet filled with joy
- Ran to tell his disciples (brothers)
- Ran into Jesus suddenly (though I doubt it hurt very much;-))
- Are greeted by Jesus casually and familiarity
- Respond to his humanity (clasp his resurrected feet) and worship his divinity
- Are still afraid and filled with joy; it’s dangerous to oppose the Romans or Jewish leaders; hard to be women in a male-dominated culture; they had little power and influence; would anyone believe their story?
- Go and tell the brothers to go to Galilee where they’d all see Jesus again—resurrected and fully alive!

Key applications

“Don’t be afraid” is a command to trust the Lord so fully that fear is unnecessary. Both the angel and the Lord command this. Why not:
1. It won’t help or change anything to be afraid (Matt 6:25-34)
2. It will keep you from seeking Jesus
3. It will discourage obedience to Jesus
Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness (Matt 6:33); this is the antidote to fear
Come and see—see the empty tomb
1. Jesus, who was crucified for 6 hours (after being tortured nearly to death and carrying the crossbar until he couldn’t anymore) died publicly.
2. Then wrapped tightly in a mummy-like combination of fabric, spices and ointments to keep it all together begins.
3. His body is gone when they look, but not stolen.
  1. His enemies could have stolen and then revealed the body later to prove not resurrected; clearly they didn’t; instead they accused the disciples of stealing it
  2. His friends could have stolen the body (no, not really) but they’d be perpetuating a lie; why would they all willingly die for that lie? What’s the point?
  3. No one is taking the body of Jesus unwrapped
  4. It wasn’t unwrapped but it’s like his body just evaporated leaving the shroud in tact; headpiece neatly folded
4. No one else has been inside. Angel opens it up for these women first. (Guards outside in shock or fainted)
Come to believe that Jesus has in fact risen from the dead. Historically confirmed by friendly and enemy sources (Josephus, Tacitus, Apostles)
“Go and tell”
1. What you saw
  1. Empty tomb
  2. Resurrected Jesus
2. What he said
  1. Don’t be afraid (though tempted)
  2. Go to Galilee where you will see me
Cling and worship
1. to the crucified Jesus (humanity; die together i.e. baptism) and
2. resurrected Jesus (divinity; worship him)

Conclusion

Bottom Line: When we come and see what Jesus has done, we will go tell the world why he has come.

What do I want you to know?

The Gospel: Jesus, the Son of God, took on flesh, was tempted as we are, yet did not sin, died on the cross (in our place) for our sins so that we could live in his place as his brothers and sisters. He was raised up by the Father vindicating his life and death and showing the Father’s pleasure over his obedience.

What do I want you to do?

Surrender your whole life to Jesus Christ and let him forgive you, cleanse you, free you from sin and death, shame and guilt, and hell itself. Do this by grace through faith. Walk with the rest of us as we learn how to do just that together.

Pray and Lord’s Supper

Another picture. Like baptism, a commanded ordinance we perform. This one we do regularly. This one reminds us of the gospel as does baptism. It doesn’t save. It does sanctify as it reminds us why we live this way.

References/Bibliography:

“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“the Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

"Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" by Martin—Lloyd Jones

“Exalting Jesus in The Sermon on the Mount” by Daniel Aiken (CCE)

“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)

“The Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Life in a Fallen World” by Sinclair Ferguson

Outline Bible, D Willmington

DA Carson, Jesus’ Sermon, 45

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)

ESV Study Bible

ESV Gospel Transformation Bible (GTB)

"Kingdoms in Conflict" by Charles Colson

Darien GabrielApril 17, 2022Grace Christian Fellowshipnon-denominational church, Grace Christian Fellowship, Easter, Matthew 28, Darien Gabriel, Resurrection Sunday

Sermons