Thoughts on the Sermon on the Mount

[MrJim]

This is a discussion thread on what Jesus taught in Matthew.

"Beatitudes"
Matthew 5:
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

 

[MrJim]

The poor in spirit, the mourning, the meek, those hungering and thirsting after righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those persecuted for God's sake.

Two jump out at me this day:

1. Hungering/thirsting after righteouseness & 2. the pure in heart.

1. Often observed is a pursuit after accuracy or a hungering after security or knowledge. Righteousness can be defined I guess as a "right standing" before God, which then would seem to indicate that there is more to being righteous than just being "made righteous" in the legal/scholastic sense?

2. Purity~can sinners have purity apart from Christ, and then are we all in this "pure in heart" class after conversion? I think there is again more than meets the eye here.

 

[CelticRose]

Watching to see where this takes you.

 

[MrJim]

Matt5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

salt & light, light & salt...

What are these "good works"? Most if not all "good works" that come to mind are also done by those that are not Christians (i'm thinking orphanages, feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, etc.). And how much are we really involved in this? Is just giving some $$ to the local mission or Salvation Army covering our "good works" here?

 

[JudgeDan]

Matt5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

salt & light, light & salt...

What are these "good works"? Most if not all "good works" that come to mind are also done by those that are not Christians (i'm thinking orphanages, feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, etc.). And how much are we really involved in this? Is just giving some $$ to the local mission or Salvation Army covering our "good works" here?

MrJim/Brothers/Sisters,This is a chapter from that "little book" of Revelation Chapter 10.

EMPIRICAL VALIDATION OF THE DIVINE ORIGIN OF THE BIBLE --- INTRODUCTION​

​

FOR PHARAOH WILL SAY TO YOU WORK A MIRACLE THEN​

​

INTRODUCTION​

The following analysis of the predictive content of the book of Revelation, the perfection of knowledge and prophecy, or rather those elements not treated of elsewhere in this booklet, which have already found fulfillment in the ages that have passed since the days of the apostle John, is offered to highlight the especially complex and therefore so much the more wondrous examples to be found there of that empirical validation of the divine origin of the Bible included by the eternal Father, Lord of history, within it from the beginning; and even as He said to Moses, “What is that in your hand?” knowing that He would work through the shepherd’s rod, true foreshadow of the Scripture, mighty and incomprehensible deeds, the awesome deeds of the wonders of old.

Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth and the sea and the springs of water.

— Revelation 14:7​

The Lord defined for us plainly the class of the elect, setting forth its limits in the guidance of truth; and He said:

Blessed are the poor people, because the Kingdom of God belongs to you.
Blessed by the Spirit are the poor people, because the Kingdom of the Heavens belongs to them.
But woe to you who are rich, because you have received your consolation.

Blessed are those who are hungry now, because you will be filled.
Blessed through righteousness are those who are hungry and thirsty, because they will be filled.
Woe to you who are full now, because you will go hungry.

Blessed are those who weep now, because you will laugh.
Blessed are those who are mourning, because they will be comforted.
Woe to the ones who are laughing now, because you will mourn and weep.

— Matthew 5:3, 4, 6; Luke 6:20, 21, 24, 25; and see Matthew 6:19-21, 24-34; Luke 12:22-34; 16:13-15; but see also Matthew 19:27-30; Mark 10:28-31; Luke 18:28-30; Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-37.

And if we would isolate the pivotal factor in the life of the elect,( which are the poor people) it would be this: a time to feast, a time to fast, and never knowing what is to come.

—Barry I. Hyman

CHRISTIAN REVOLUTIONARY BROTHERHOOD​

Peace be with You All
JudgeDan

 

[MrJim]

Matt 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

Was it accomplished when Jesus said "It is finished"?

 

[JudgeDan]

Matt 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

Was it accomplished when Jesus said "It is finished"?

MrJim/Brothers/Sisters, No --- When we have the New Heaven and Earth --- All will be finished.
The "little book" of Revelation chapter 10 is a guideline for All of Mankind to follow.

Peace be with You All
JudgeDan

 

[MrJim]

Matt 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

It's interesting that the "whosoever" mentioned here will be called "least". You'd think that it would be really bad to break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so but apparently it ain't a "hangin'" offense...they shall still be in the kingdom...

 

[MrJim]

Matt 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Our righteousness is in Christ~therefore it does exceed their righteousness.

But what is being asked here? Is Jesus saying that the scribes and pharisees had some righteousness before God? In our modern thinking we view pharisees & scribes as something lower than a tax collector (phony religious people), but obviously they were not all that way, were they? There were God-fearing obedient Jews at the time, and I'm bettin' they were whom Jesus was speaking of...

 

[CelticRose]

Matt 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

Was it accomplished when Jesus said "It is finished"?

What was finished was Jesus work of redemption. Our santification is an ongoing process & we need the law that we may know where we have trangressed.

Am I making sense?

 

[CelticRose]

Matt 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Our righteousness is in Christ~therefore it does exceed their righteousness.

But what is being asked here? Is Jesus saying that the scribes and pharisees had some righteousness before God? In our modern thinking we view pharisees & scribes as something lower than a tax collector (phony religious people), but obviously they were not all that way, were they? There were God-fearing obedient Jews at the time, and I'm bettin' they were whom Jesus was speaking of...

Matthew 7 round about 23 I think (?) Jesus says not all who call him, Lord, Lord,' will enter into heaven. Some he will send from Himself because he never knew them. It is a sobering thought & a sober warning to access our spiritual state as the scripture instructs us that we might have the assurance that is promised to obedient children of God.

 

[MrJim]

What was finished was Jesus work of redemption. Our santification is an ongoing process & we need the law that we may know where we have trangressed.

Am I making sense?

Yup, but what is the "until all is accomplished"?

 

[MrJim]

Matt 5:21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Anger....lotsa that around isn't there~as serious as killing.

Do you suppose this is only in relation with brothers in Christ (whosoever is angry with his brother) or men in general~I guess it depends on your worldview. Seems to be easier to be angry with brethren than lost folks, doesn't it?

 

[CelticRose]

Yup, but what is the "until all is accomplished"?

My best guess would be 'the new heaven & the new earth' because once that is in place the old order will have passed & we shall be perfect as He is perfect. Haven't studied on this though so could be way wrong.

 

[MrJim]

My best guess would be 'the new heaven & the new earth' because once that is in place the old order will have passed & we shall be perfect as He is perfect. Haven't studied on this though so could be way wrong.

Hadn't thought of that~could be right...

 

[MrJim]

Matt 5:21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

(continued)

A phrase also to be noted in there is "without cause". That would be an easy couple of words to miss in this life & death passage.

 

[MrJim]

Matt 5: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

The uttermost farthing~what is this about? I mean if I believed in purgatory this would be a verse for it Guess it could have a cultural meaning...

In any event the nature of making peace with your brother before offering anything to God is huge, isn't it?

 

[MrJim]

Matt 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

Rewind a second~do ya think that is some of why the 7th day'ers (adventists, some baptists) hold to the old sabbath worship~and with the SDA folks, some of those other OT rules?

Mebbe I go visit the neighbors on this

 

[CelticRose]

All the law, you mean? Didn't Jesus say, 'It is done.' And while I understand this to be the ending of Satan's dominion & the obtaining of our salvation was it not also the full accomplishment of the law because he was the only one who could fulfil its requirements perfectly?

 

[MrJim]

All the law, you mean? Didn't Jesus say, 'It is done.' And while I understand this to be the ending of Satan's dominion & the obtaining of our salvation was it not also the full accomplishment of the law because he was the only one who could fulfil its requirements perfectly?

Well it comes back to the "all is accomplished" thing again...