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Matthew won our Bible study poll! Please read the first 3 chapters this week. We can start discussing them anytime you like.Please remember this is a Bible study and not a "your denomination is wrong because..." thread. So, please be respectful!Also, when quoting the Bible, please let us know which translation you are quoting from. Thanks everyone! I will need someone to direct discussion next week, and you can choose how many chapters you would like us to discuss. If no one pm's me to volunteer, I will ask someone next Monday. :)
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kakuehl
Chapter 4 begins with Jesus being led by the Spirit into the wilderness... for 40 days and 40 nights. Think about the number 40. How many days was Moses on Mt. Sinai; the number of years in the wilderness; the length of time it rained during the flood... Can you think of any others?
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I wonder how people could tell, just by looking at Jesus, that he was different. I mean, he walks by and tells Peter and Andrew to come follow him and he will make them fishers of men. They immediately up and follow.I find comfort in the fact that even Jesus was tempted. I also find comfort in the fact that after satan left him, angels ministered to him.
The Holy Spirit leads us to recognize our given path, just as He led Peter and Andrew. How comforting it is to know that when God has plans for us the Spirit will lead us down His path.
I love the way Jesus answers each temptation with scripture. Reading that again, reminds me that when I am wrestling with the devil I know where to find help: the same place Jesus did (I just can't quote it so readily).
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I think it's time to look at the Sermon on the Mount: Chapters 5-7. One of the things I love about the Sermon is the picture of Jesus sitting down to preach/teach! (I keep threatening to do that on Sunday! The earliest churches didn't have pews, btw, the people stood. Wouldn't that be popular today?)
Okay, the Sermon on the Mount...
first, I have to say, I just love the Beatitudes.
Now, down to business, this sermon can be confusing. First He tells us that he came to fulfill the law, giving us hope. Then he goes on to take the law to something even more unattainable.
I have called my brothers, my sisters fools. I am in danger of the fires of hell(5:22). I have persons that have something against me. This morning I made my offerings without being reconciled(5:23). I am divorced, twice, so now I am also an adulteress(5:32). We all "swear " on our word, when we should simply say yes or no(5:33-37). And do I turn the other cheek? Sometimes, but as often as not, when I am offended I just get mad(5:39). I find it hard to pray for those who persecute me. I am like a pagan, loving those who love me(5:47). I pray the Lord's pray asking our Father to forgive me as I forgive others... but am I really forgiving others(6:14-15)? I lie awake at night worrying over my kids, worrying over our bills, worrying over our business (6:34). I am looking around me and finding fault, when I myself am at fault (7:3).
But, just as I am sinking into despair, afraid I can never earn salvation... Ask, Seek, Knock. Our Father loves us!!
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It may help to understand that a "sermon" in scripture is actually a collection of sayings. They were not necessarily preached in the way we understand sermons today. In my study about beatitudes in the Psalms, I recently found something that may help us understand the beatitudes. Many scholars suggest that it's better to use the phrase "Happy are they (or you" rather than "Blessed are they" because the word used refers to those who are living in the blessing of God (and is not the pronouncement of blessing). Mrsred, it seems to me that the point of the sermon is just what you point out... we can NEVER earn our salvation. Jesus lived in an era when believers like the Pharisees truly believed that could earn there salvation by studying and keeping the Torah of God. Jesus said it's not enough to keep the letter or the law, you need to observe the spirit or intent of the law as well. As you point out, that's impossible. That sends me back to those beatitudes: Blessed (happy) are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. That could be paraphrased: Happy are those whose whole dependence is on God for there's is the kingdom of heaven. Again and again when we depend on ourselves, we fall flat on our faces.
I had always thought of the Beatitudes as describing different types of people and different personalities. I heard a lesson in college that has kind of stuck with me. I'm not saying this is the correct line of thinking, but I found it fascinating (I'm not saying it's wrong, either).The teacher said the Beatitudes describes a Christian. If you look in Matt 5:3-5, those would be the beginning stage of being a Christian. Vs 6 is what to learn.Vs7-9 are waht we gain as Christianity grows and vs 10 is a mature Christian.Those were his thoughts and I find it interesting.Now I wonder, why is vs 11 generally not thought of in teh Beatitudes? Is it because it changes from they to you?
After rereading verses 5 - 12, I think that verse 11 is more an elaboration of verse 10; an explanation of how it ties in with our love of Christ. Verse 10 says blessed are those who are prersecuted because of righteousness, for thiers is the kingdom of heaven. Verse 11 speaks of blessing those that are "insulted and persecuted...because of Me". This goes beyond being persecuted for righteousness, this tells us there will be times when we will be insulted, persecuted and have evil spoken against us for belief in Jesus Himself. and verse 12 reminds us of our reward.
Kathy, my amplified Bible says: Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous -- with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit......
The Beatitudes, like most of the Bible are much easier to read, and much "prettier prose" in the tradition versions of the Bible, but the amplified versions really bring out the meaning behind the words. I tend to read both versions while studying.
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