Sermon on the Mount

[MrJim]

Was Christ's teaching for the Church or for a future time?

 

[Albion]

Was Christ's teaching for the Church or for a future time?

For the Church.

 

[free2be]

For the Church back then, us now, and the Church in future times.

 

[RobNJ]

Was Christ's teaching for the Church or for a future time?

Yes!!

 

[Hentenza]

Was Christ's teaching for the Church or for a future time?

Christ words are timeless. They apply as much today as they did back then. Christ's sermon was directed at everyone who would listen. Those that have listened through out time are His church.

 

[MrJim]

In this sermon, where do you think the Church is doing well and where are we falling short?

 

[free2be]

I think we do well as being the salt and the light (tho sometimes maybe a bit too much salt and not enough light ) and we suck at loving our enemies, blessing our enemies, praying for our enemies...we have a hard enough time doing that with our neighbors. I think our passions drown out our compassion at times.

 

[MrJim]

I think we do well as being the salt and the light (tho sometimes maybe a bit too much salt and not enough light ) and we suck at loving our enemies, blessing our enemies, praying for our enemies...we have a hard enough time doing that with our neighbors. I think our passions drown out our compassion at times.

Matt 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

 

[IamRedeemed]

Then Jesus began to denounce the towns where he had done so many of his miracles, because they hadn’t repented of their sins and turned to God.

“What sorrow awaits you, Korazin and Bethsaida! For if the miracles I did in you had been done in wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people would have repented of their sins long ago, clothing themselves in burlap and throwing ashes on their heads to show their remorse.



I tell you, Tyre and Sidon will be better off on judgment day than you."


“And you people of Capernaum, will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the place of the dead. For if the miracles I did for you had been done in wicked Sodom, it would still be here today. I tell you, even Sodom will be better off on judgment day than you.”


At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike."

Matthew 11:20-25

 

[MrJim]

Then Jesus began to denounce the towns where he had done so many of his miracles, because they hadn’t repented of their sins and turned to God.

“What sorrow awaits you, Korazin and Bethsaida! For if the miracles I did in you had been done in wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people would have repented of their sins long ago, clothing themselves in burlap and throwing ashes on their heads to show their remorse.



I tell you, Tyre and Sidon will be better off on judgment day than you."


“And you people of Capernaum, will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the place of the dead. For if the miracles I did for you had been done in wicked Sodom, it would still be here today. I tell you, even Sodom will be better off on judgment day than you.”


At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike."

Matthew 11:20-25

keep on topic please

 

[IamRedeemed]

Amen. I'm sorry Jim. My intent was not to derail the thread or anything, I felt the
Scripture was on topic as it aligns with what Hentenza said (quoted below) and
provides a more balanced representation of what Jesus had to say and "who"
He said what He said to.

Christ words are timeless. They apply as much today as they did back then. Christ's sermon was directed at everyone who would listen. Those that have listened through out time are His church.

keep on topic please

 

[GreenMunchkin]

Was Christ's teaching for the Church or for a future time?

Jim, when you say the Church, in what way, please? Cos the church only existed after Christ's death and resurrection, didn't it? So it *was* for a future time...

To discuss, please, cos Sermon on the Mount is just *awesome*, so this thread warrants waaaay more talky

 

[MrJim]

I understand there is a dispensational teaching that much of the SotM is for a later "age"...therefore it doesn't apply to the current "church" age.

I'm not much of a dispensationalist but didn't know if anyone else was or understood the passage in this way~pretty sure not all dispys would interpret it that way.

 

[GreenMunchkin]

I understand there is a dispensational teaching that much of the SotM is for a later "age"...therefore it doesn't apply to the current "church" age.

I'm not much of a dispensationalist but didn't know if anyone else was or understood the passage in this way~pretty sure not all dispys would interpret it that way.

Ooh hey!!

<off topic>

Have heard of dispensationalism, and it was used as if it's a dirty word, but I don't know what it is. What is it?

</off topic>

 

[Hentenza]

Ooh hey!!

<off topic>

Have heard of dispensationalism, and it was used as if it's a dirty word, but I don't know what it is. What is it?

</off topic>

You can read a little about dispensetionalism here. It's just one view but it gives you the basics.

 

[Joykins]

For all time, and the church is doing about as badly as any institution comprised of human beings would be expected to.

There are some individuals that come close and these we call "saints."

 

[JimfromOhio]

Was Christ's teaching for the Church or for a future time?

For Church and eternity. The Beatitudes of Jesus Christ are one of the wonderful examples that God is able to provide us. God's Grace taught me that I am to continue to rejoice and praise God even in the midst of my trials and suffering in this earthly life! This is related to the Beatitudes of a "happy paradox" to focus on God's power to control my thoughts. Christ's definition of Beatitudes (Matthew 5) contradicts temporal happiness. Only God can provide happiness when I have Jesus Christ in my heart and only Jesus Christ can give me true happiness from "within". Jesus is saying to me: "Happy are those who joyfully endure problems and trials because knowing God is teaching and leading me to where He want me to go." "Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all" (2 Corinthians 4:11,17).

A.W. Tozer’s short message of the Beatitudes gave me one of the best insights about the true meaning. By looking on the other side of the Beatitude.

Instead of poverty of spirit we find the rankest kind of pride; instead of mourners we find pleasure seekers;

instead of meekness, arrogance;

instead of hunger after righteousness we hear men saying, `I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing';

instead of mercy we find cruelty;

instead of purity of heart, corrupt imaginings;

instead of peacemakers we find men quarrelsome and resentful;

instead of rejoicing in mistreatment we find them fighting back with every weapon at their command.

Of this kind of moral stuff civilized society is composed.

Quotes about Happiness:

Happiness is not the end of life; character is.
Henry Ward Beecher

Happiness is the the practice of the virtues.
Clement of Alexandria

God didn't save you to make you happy. That's a by-product. He saved you to make you holy. You were predestinated to be conformed to the image of God's Son. Vance Havner

It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness. Charles Spurgeon

Why should my heart be fixed where my home is not? Heaven is my home; God in Christ is all my happiness: and where my treasure is, there my heart should be.
Margaret Charlton Baxter

Happiness does not depend on outward things, but on the way we see them. Leo Tolstoy

 

[MrJim]

For all time, and the church is doing about as badly as any institution comprised of human beings would be expected to.

There are some individuals that come close and these we call "saints."

Well we should be expected to do better...and maybe not being an "institution" would help too

 

[MrJim]

Would any agree that these teachings of Christ constitute the core of Christian orthopraxis?

 

[JimfromOhio]

Would any agree that these teachings of Christ constitute the core of Christian orthopraxis?

orthopraxis is one word that I have trouble remembering what it means. LOL

Orthopraxy is a term derived from Greek (&#8000;&#961;&#952;&#959;&#960;&#961;&#945;&#958;&#953;&#962 meaning "correct practice" (as orthodoxy means "correct teaching"), referring to emphasis on religious ritual as opposed to faith or grace etc.

I believe the Beatitudes are the essentials of Christian life and practice. Christians should pursue the will of God actively and be enthusiastic and the attitude toward Christ, a Christian will manifest love and burning devotion from our hearts.

Its NOT about how we "practice" our faith but rather HOW our "hearts" are when we are drawing HIM to US.

In my own life, I have learned from Christ's teachings of the Beatitudes (I have many books on the topic). When I am alone with God, He taught me the true meaning of a spiritual relationship of self-discipline.

Is my spiritual life superficial or real?

I will not understand my spiritual character deeply unless I subject myself to the spiritual discipline of the Holy Spirit and have a wonderful relationship with God who I know.

Am I studying the Bible for myself and observing God's Word?

Is my personal Bible study a daily discipline for my spiritual growth?

Regarding of what is going on in Conservative Christians, Grace is about loving other people that we have the freedom to do so but at the same time, respect how they practice their beliefs. Everyone will have different view based on their "convictions". Nothing holy and genuine will be done in someone's life until their will is surrendered in active obedience to the Holy Spirit. This is between the believer and God. As long as our conscience is clear and our heart is pure before God, don't be concerned with minor doctrine issues.

In Romans 14:5 "One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind."

1 Corinthians 10:28-29 "both for the sake of the man who told you and for conscience' sake, the other man's conscience, I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be judged by another's conscience?

Spiritual matters should be honest and in which we must seek the discernment of the Holy Spirit.

We should NOT forget that the Word of God stresses the importance of conviction and concern and repentance when being born from above by the Spirit of God. (Not us).

By looking at A.W. Tozer's examples of the world, should we behave like the world? It is the selfish who possess the world while it is the meek who inherits the world. When Christians are living like the world are those who quench the Holy Spirit which is preventing the Holy Spirit transforming them. A Christian life in this world should be different from the world, being in the world but not of the world.