Our employer is Christ! He is our master and king! Are we being humble before the One who has the keys to death and hell? We are here to be a servant for the Lord. To preach the gospel, to love the unlovable, and to nurture the soul.
Deut.10:12-14
12 "And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
13 and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good?
14 Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it.
Lord, teach us to be Your servant, to honor You and to teach others the wonder that is You. Amen
Col.3:22-24
22 Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.
23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Luke 16:13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."
God's command about labor :
Gen.3:17-19
17 And to Adam he said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, 'You shall not eat of it,' cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life;
18 thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field.
19 By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
2Thess.3:6-10
6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.
7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you,
8 nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you.
9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate.
10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.
Christ, the ultimate Servant:
Phi. 2:7-8 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Matt.20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Ps.123:2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.
True freedom:
1 Corinthians 7:22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.
Blessed:
Matthew 24:46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
Punishment or happiness:
Matthew 24:50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of
Matt.25:30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
Matt.25:23 His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'
Friday, February 10, 2012
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Christ Our Peace-Offering
Lev.3:1 "If his offering is a sacrifice of peace offering, if he offers an animal from the herd, male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the LORD.
Eph.2:12-14
12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostilityGod is the giver of all good things! The peace offering, in essence, allowed God and His people to feast together in friendship. God offers mercy and man is in need of mercy. Christ is our peace offering, for through Him alone can we obtain peace! In Leviticus, the Israelites offered peace offerings for mercy they were in need of or for thanksgiving for mercy received. Christ is our everlasting peace offering and we shall praise His name forever!
1Cor.1:17-18
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Christ is coming! The signs are now with us! We know not if it is soon or if He will wait! We must rest in Him when the world is in turmoil! Our mission is to preach the gospel good news to the ends of the Earth!The ones who are Christ own souls are waiting for us to preach the good news.
Matt.24:30-31
30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Matt.24:36-39
36 "But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son,but the Father only.
37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark,
39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
Precious Lord, when I see the evil that is in this word, I know You see it too. Our hearts can not believe some of the things we witness here. If we did not have faith in You, it would be unbearable! Lord, we long for You to take us home. Lord, quicken hearts to receive Your mercy. Open our mouths with boldness. Amen
Eph.2:12-14
12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostilityGod is the giver of all good things! The peace offering, in essence, allowed God and His people to feast together in friendship. God offers mercy and man is in need of mercy. Christ is our peace offering, for through Him alone can we obtain peace! In Leviticus, the Israelites offered peace offerings for mercy they were in need of or for thanksgiving for mercy received. Christ is our everlasting peace offering and we shall praise His name forever!
1Cor.1:17-18
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Christ is coming! The signs are now with us! We know not if it is soon or if He will wait! We must rest in Him when the world is in turmoil! Our mission is to preach the gospel good news to the ends of the Earth!The ones who are Christ own souls are waiting for us to preach the good news.
Matt.24:30-31
30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Matt.24:36-39
36 "But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son,but the Father only.
37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark,
39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
Precious Lord, when I see the evil that is in this word, I know You see it too. Our hearts can not believe some of the things we witness here. If we did not have faith in You, it would be unbearable! Lord, we long for You to take us home. Lord, quicken hearts to receive Your mercy. Open our mouths with boldness. Amen
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Not Brownie Points but God's Mercy
With God there are no brownie points! You can not earn the salvation that Christ gives! Our salvation was purchased, on the cross, through misery and suffering that was due us, but that punishment was taken by another! The dept of this, we can never understand! Our shame and His pain, Jesus endured, all the while being not guilty! But, we are guilty before a holy God!
Father, use Your Word to convict the lost. Help me to teach Your love and forgiveness so that others may know the depth of You. Help me teach Your Word so that they may have confidence before Your throne of grace and mercy. Amen
You can not earn salvation, it is by faith in Christ!!
Eph.2:8-9
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Not anyone can offer salvation except Christ!
Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Mercy and compassion are offered by God alone! The fact being, we can not earn salvation so it belongs to God who gives according to His will.
Romans 9:14-16
14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means!
15 For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."
16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.
Father, use Your Word to convict the lost. Help me to teach Your love and forgiveness so that others may know the depth of You. Help me teach Your Word so that they may have confidence before Your throne of grace and mercy. Amen
You can not earn salvation, it is by faith in Christ!!
Eph.2:8-9
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Not anyone can offer salvation except Christ!
Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Mercy and compassion are offered by God alone! The fact being, we can not earn salvation so it belongs to God who gives according to His will.
Romans 9:14-16
14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means!
15 For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."
16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Damning Sin of the World
The world is full of souls who perish everyday without Christ! Why? They deny Him! My heart aches to think Satan has blinded people from receiving our glorious Lord's salvation. If you seek Him, He will be found. He has been given all authority, by the Father, over sin and death. By His blood, you will receive pardon! Christ died, in obedience to His Father, to save the sinner! He was the only acceptable sacrifice! By His blood and Spirit, you are sanctified!
1 Thess.5:23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thess.2:13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
Definition of sanctify: saved from sin, purify
Luke 13:5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."
Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
1Ch.28:
9 "And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.
1John 2:23-25
23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. 26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father.
25 And this is the promise that he made to us--eternal life.
Judgement!
Heb.10:26-29
26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.
28 Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses.
29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?
Now is the time for salvation! You may not be here with the next breath or heartbeat!
Lord, I humbly beg for sinners across the world to hear Your word today so that they may have life everlasting. Open hearts to the good news, Jesus saves souls from hell. Amen
1 Thess.5:23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thess.2:13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
Definition of sanctify: saved from sin, purify
Luke 13:5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."
Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
1Ch.28:
9 "And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.
1John 2:23-25
23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. 26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father.
25 And this is the promise that he made to us--eternal life.
Judgement!
Heb.10:26-29
26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.
28 Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses.
29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?
Now is the time for salvation! You may not be here with the next breath or heartbeat!
Lord, I humbly beg for sinners across the world to hear Your word today so that they may have life everlasting. Open hearts to the good news, Jesus saves souls from hell. Amen
Thursday, February 2, 2012
A Continual Offering
Christ is our continual offering to God. He offered Himself once but by His power he intercedes for us as a continual offering. Not as in the old covenant where animal sacrifice was done strictly and repeatedly as God had commanded and was very involved but as a glorious miracle.
Christ offered Himself in suffering!
Heb.2:10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.
By His blood!
Rev.1:5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood
Making us priests!
Rev.1:6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen
All believers are spiritual priests!
1 Peter 2:5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
The True Sanctifying Blood!
Heb.10:10-18
10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. 15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, 16 "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds," 17 then he adds, "I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more." 18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.Precious Lord, how great is Your name in all the earth. Lord, fill us with Your power and might so that we can take You to the nations. Amen
Christ offered Himself in suffering!
Heb.2:10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.
By His blood!
Rev.1:5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood
Making us priests!
Rev.1:6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen
All believers are spiritual priests!
1 Peter 2:5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
The True Sanctifying Blood!
Heb.10:10-18
10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. 15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, 16 "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds," 17 then he adds, "I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more." 18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.Precious Lord, how great is Your name in all the earth. Lord, fill us with Your power and might so that we can take You to the nations. Amen
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
The Most Holy Place
Have you ever read in Exodus about the Tabernacle that God told the Israelites to build? God went into very specific details about the design and decoration of the Tabernacle. It may have been a tent but it was the most holy place where God would dwell.
Old Testament Tent Tabernacle
Ex.25:8-9
8And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.
9 Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.
Ex.26:33-34 33 And you shall hang the veil from the clasps, and bring the ark of the testimony in there within the veil. And the veil shall separate for you the Holy Place from the Most Holy. 34 You shall put the mercy seat on the ark of the testimony in the Most Holy Place.
Temple of the Holy Spirit-New Testament Tabernacle
1 Cor.6:19-20
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.1 Cor.3:16-17 16 Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.2 Cor.6:16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.These scriptures are very humbling! God dwells in us, take care as we walk this earth, not to grieve His Spirit!Lord, I ask for forgiveness. Teach us the depth of Your Word as we show the world the hope we have found in You. Teach us how to worship You and make Your Word clear to us. Amen
Old Testament Tent Tabernacle
Ex.25:8-9
8And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.
9 Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.
Ex.26:33-34 33 And you shall hang the veil from the clasps, and bring the ark of the testimony in there within the veil. And the veil shall separate for you the Holy Place from the Most Holy. 34 You shall put the mercy seat on the ark of the testimony in the Most Holy Place.
Temple of the Holy Spirit-New Testament Tabernacle
1 Cor.6:19-20
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.1 Cor.3:16-17 16 Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.2 Cor.6:16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.These scriptures are very humbling! God dwells in us, take care as we walk this earth, not to grieve His Spirit!Lord, I ask for forgiveness. Teach us the depth of Your Word as we show the world the hope we have found in You. Teach us how to worship You and make Your Word clear to us. Amen
Monday, January 30, 2012
The King's Sermon
Take from a sermon by Pastor Bart
In the NT book of Matthew, the beginning chapters calls attention to our sin. The ending chapters call attention to the death of God's Messiah. We must remember the context of the sermon in the history of redemption. Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah-Redeemer.
Deut.18:18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.
Jesus and Moses
Moses had authority from God to lead the Israelites.
Jesus has more authority than Moses.
Moses, by God's power, delivered the Israelites from Pharaoh's bondage.
Jesus by His power, has brought us out of the bondage of sin.
His is the long-awaited kingdom.
What Christ demands:
Our righteousness exceeding the scribes and Pharisees.
Matt.5:17-20
Not more righteous deeds by human effort but more righteous hearts by divine grace!
Evidence of our exceeding righteousness:
Attitude: Matt.5:21-48
Anger- 21 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire.Lust- 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.Oaths- 34 But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.Retaliation- 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.Love your enemies- 44 But I say to you, pray for those who persecute youGod alone creates a new heart!
Desires: Matt.6:1-18
Giving- 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Praying- 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Fasting- 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Ambitions: Matt.6:19-34
Treasures- 19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Anxious- 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34 "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Relationships: Matt.7:1-12
Judging- 1 "Judge not, that you be not judged.
5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
Trust- 7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Love- 12 "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Turn from trust in self to trust and rest in Christ.
Our options are limited.
Matt.7:13-14
13 "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.
14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Our fruit will be evident. It will be good or bad.
Matt.7:15-23
20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Eternal consequences
Matt.7:24-27
24 "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.
Lord, not by us but by Your power. Amen
In the NT book of Matthew, the beginning chapters calls attention to our sin. The ending chapters call attention to the death of God's Messiah. We must remember the context of the sermon in the history of redemption. Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah-Redeemer.
Deut.18:18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.
Jesus and Moses
Moses had authority from God to lead the Israelites.
Jesus has more authority than Moses.
Moses, by God's power, delivered the Israelites from Pharaoh's bondage.
Jesus by His power, has brought us out of the bondage of sin.
His is the long-awaited kingdom.
What Christ demands:
Our righteousness exceeding the scribes and Pharisees.
Matt.5:17-20
Not more righteous deeds by human effort but more righteous hearts by divine grace!
Evidence of our exceeding righteousness:
Attitude: Matt.5:21-48
Anger- 21 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire.Lust- 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.Oaths- 34 But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.Retaliation- 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.Love your enemies- 44 But I say to you, pray for those who persecute youGod alone creates a new heart!
Desires: Matt.6:1-18
Giving- 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Praying- 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Fasting- 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Ambitions: Matt.6:19-34
Treasures- 19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Anxious- 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34 "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Relationships: Matt.7:1-12
Judging- 1 "Judge not, that you be not judged.
5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
Trust- 7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Love- 12 "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Turn from trust in self to trust and rest in Christ.
Our options are limited.
Matt.7:13-14
13 "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.
14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Our fruit will be evident. It will be good or bad.
Matt.7:15-23
20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Eternal consequences
Matt.7:24-27
24 "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.
Lord, not by us but by Your power. Amen
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