Matthew 9:14-34

Four Healings and Growing Disciples

I want to briefly touch on Matthew, and why I believe Christ called him. His name is Levi, and thus he comes from the Levitical Priesthood. Christ chose him for this specific purpose that He would write the Gospel for the GOD's chosen. people. Mind you, outside of being called, and having his friends over to meet Jesus, we never hear of him in any other accounts. Yet, He then writes his Gospel account. While studying the Gospel of Matthew, one you must take into account whom he is writing to. The 1st century Jews.

I am quite amazed how far he fell, after all, he could never go back to being a tax collector, and even if Jesus never called him, he was never ever going to be accepted into the priesthood, because to them, he was like the woman bleeding, just another unclean, and un approachable leper to them.

Wherever a man is found by Christ, He sets Himself to find others, and the Lord is willing to co-operate in any effort to bring others to know Him. He will sit with perfect grace among publicans and sinners, lifting them to His own pure and holy level. He is always to be found where there are sin-sick souls; and where hearts are famished for love and joy, He is with them as their bridegroom.

Matthew 9:9-13

Calling a Publican to Follow

Matthew was sitting at his tax table as he always did too collect the taxes from people who traveled from the far reaches of the Roman Empire. Capernaum was the city where Jesus made HIS headquarters, so we know that Jesus had passed by Matthew many times. Maybe they chatted, maybe they just made eye contact. We will not know until we get to heaven how much Matthew knew about this Teacher who was known to have healed the ill and fed the poor. 

On this day when Jesus saw Matthew, sitting at his customs table, HE must have seen how the people despised this tax collector. Jesus had to sense that this kind of resentment and rejection did things to a tax collector. He had to immediately feel compassion on Matthew and what it had done to him. Had it made him defensive and thick skinned? Had he become gruff and insensitive to others? Did he bark and push others away?

I imagine Matthew noticed how Jesus was looking at him. I bet he. felt like this man, this Jesus was looking straight into his soul as he looked at him.  When their eyes met, Matthew must have felt love and compassion, not blame and judgment. Jesus did not look on him with hate and contempt. Jesus simply looked at him with care, and this sinner, this traitor of the Jews who gouged them for tax money so he could be wealthy, left all he had to follow this Teacher from Nazareth. 

Matthew 9:1-8

The Great Physician

(1) So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city. (2)Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.” (3) And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, “This Man blasphemes!” (4) But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? (5) For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? (6) But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” (7) And he arose and departed to his house. (8) Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.

(Matthew 9:1-8)

Matthew 8:23-27

Storm Calmed, Faith Strengthened

Is there anything you would like to accomplish, but you feel it's just too far out of your reach? Maybe you are too small to get up on that plateau, or too weak to lift that rock. You have been told your whole life, it's too difficult and you will fail. So you settle for less than than you wanted. Well, 2000 years ago Christ told His followers that if they had the faith of a mustard seed they could accomplish the impossible. In today’s lesson we learn of the time their faith was weak, because a storm had come upon them. Throughout our lives we are confronted with many storms, oh not always the kind that could sink a boat, but storms that could sink your faith in GOD. Eventually these disciples would gain the faith Jesus told them about, and their sacrificial faith would eventually change the hearts of billions around the World.

Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”m. But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.  So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

Matthew 8:23-27

Matthew 8:18-22

True Cost Of Discipleship

When you give your life to Christ, you are turning your back on the World. While you still must live in the World, you can no longer be of the World. As such you must be ready to know the World will no longer be a hospitable place for you. This being said, anyone who desires to be a disciple of any teacher, must understand what it means. 

A disciple is to become like the master, and thus anything the master says or does, a disciple must follow in the same footsteps. It is the same for anything, whether it be religion, martial arts, military training, or even if you want to step into the shoes of a great chef. There are certain things the master teaches that one must take to heart, and be willing to follow, and or abandon. This is a short lesson to two men who wanted to follow Jesus.

Matthew 8:5-17

Matthew 8:5-17

True Faith In Christ Jesus
The One Who TakesOur Infirmities Away

The Lord God is not satisfied with only saving our souls, He also cares about the human body. When the centurion comes to HIM, asking that HE heal his servant, Jesus willingly heals the servant with His Word. When Peter's mother-in-law lay on her deathbed, Jesus drove away the fever. He did not turn away from the masses who were afflicted with diseases and suffering from infirmities, He healed them all through HIS almighty power. Today, Jesus is no less able to heal us than HE was when HE walked with the disciples. He is the same GOD who walked in the cool of the day with Adam. The same GOD who parted the Red Sea. The same GOD who protected Daniel in the Lion's den, and He is the same GOD we cry to through Christ to help us today.

Matthew 8:5-13

Matthew 8:5-13

Onward Christian Soldiers

This week I would like to take you on a detour to help you understand the importance of authority, and how the life of a soldier is similar to that of a Christian. To do so, I must help you understand that when you read the Scriptures, you also need to really visualize the situation of the people you are reading about. You need to truly understand what daily life is like for those who lived in 30 A.D. What they feared when they walked down the street. What truly gave them joy in the world they lived in. What kind of clutter did Jesus have to get through before He could get them to see Him for what He truly was, their God. These are the things that should be going through your mind as you read the Scriptures. Knowing these things will help you better understand that the spiritual aspect of their lives wasn't much different than yours is today.

In today’s study, Jesus meets a man of true faith. To the Jews the Roman centurion was just another soldier they despised. A man the Jews would like nothing better than to see choke on the unclean pork they consume. Let's take a look at those who were such an integral part of the crucifixion of Jesus, and the lives of the Disciples.  In the Gospels, other than Pontus Pilot, we read more about centurions than any other type of Romans. So I will take this week's study to give you a secular lesson that will help you understand how to become a better soldier in the army of Christ.

Matthew 8:1-4

Matthew 8:1-4

"Cleansing a leper"

The best way to understand the fear surrounding leprosy is the recent COVID-19 pandemic. The World shut down, humans across the globe were quarantined inside their homes. Not since the black plagues of the Middle Ages have Humans gone so far out of their way to distance themselves from other humans. The resulting troubles related to the pandemic were felt across all sectors of human existence. The eventual physical, economic, and social troubles were felt by billions of humans across the globe. It was this type of fear that caused ancient humans to look at leprosy as a curse from GOD, and thus any person who had leprosy was shunned by mankind. At the time it was an incurable disease. Other than the intervention of GOD Himself, no one was ever cured. So when Jesus came along and started healing people, you can imagine the joy so many would experience.

Matthew 7:24-29

Matthew 7:24-29 

Building Upon a Solid Foundation

In 1834 Edward Mote was invited to visit a friend and his ailing wife. His friend told Edward that he usually read some from the Bible, and then sang a hymn or two before saying a prayer for her. But on this day he could not find his hymnal, so Edward pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket that he had scribbled the words, “On Christ the solid Rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand”. He had planned on using the phrase in a song, so he figured this was a perfect time for him to ad lib some more words and add a melody. So this song was written for a man’s dying wife who needed comfort from her illness.

“The Solid Rock” “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness I dare not trust the sweetest frame But wholly lean on Jesus name On Christ the solid rock I stand All other ground is sinking sand All other ground is sinking sand

Matthew 7:15-23

False Prophets I Never Knew
Matthew 7:15-23

In this oputline we look at Jesus warning us about False Prophets. Jesus predicts that false Christian prophets will be coming as wolves in sheep’s clothing. They may use all the right “God talk” and even make impressive displays of power, but they will not belong to the Lord. Jesus never recognized them as His true disciples or His friends. He never had anything in common with them nor approved of them. They were no relations of His. Christ did not dwell in their hearts, nor did they have His mind. In all these ways and more, Jesus never knew them.

Matthew 7:7-13

Sermon On The Mount

Persistence and The Golden Rule

Matthew 7:7-13

Matthew 7:1-6

Judge Not, Hypocritically!

Matthew 7:1-6 

Many misunderstand the quote from Jesus about judging others, and one where it is justified for believers to judge unbelievers. The first two tie into the same subject, while the third is misunderstood by both believers and unbelievers alike. To properly understand one, will help you understand the others. Keep in mind, I speak for how Christians should look at judging, not how unbelievers should. Until one becomes a believer, it matters not to God how you act. Until one becomes born again, your soul is already in jeopardy of eternal damnation.

Matthew 6:25-34

Sermon On The Mount

“Wy Worry?”

Matthew 6:25-34

We need everyone to understand that we are struggling to get donations for the ministry. With so many people all around the World struggling to make ends meet, because of the COVID pandemic. Many businesses all over the World have shut down, causing billions of people to lose their jobs. So, they now struggle to make ends meet. Even in many of the Western Countries like Britain, France, and the United States, people who used to have extra money to hjelp ministries like ours around the World, do not have that extra money. In America, and in Western Europe, many are struggling to make ends meet from Month to Month.

It is a time when we all must have faith that GOD will provide for our needs. A time where we must have faith that GOD will be with us, just as HE has always been with those who have more faith in HIM through Christ Jesus than they do in the World. Thus, today's lesson is on the way we worry. We worry we will eat, we worry we will have shelter, we worry we will not find a job, or that we will lose the job we have. Throughout history men have worried about many things. So let us look into the problem of worrying and what Jesus has to say about it.

Matthew 6:19-24

Sermon On The Mount
“Who or What Do You Serve”
Matthew 6:19-24

Everyone's success depends upon what they value in life. If you value wealth, then your success will depend upon the standard of living and number of dollars in your bank account. If you value fame, your success will depend on how many people recognize and adore you. If you value power, then your success will be determined by the number of people you have under your control. Most people consider success a combination of wealth, fame or power. The amount of each can, and does vary between individuals, but success is measured within the parameters of those three categories

So what is your measurement for success in your life? What do you value? To know the answer to that question, one needs to examine what they put their time, talent, and treasure into. Do so, and you may be surprised at what you learn about yourself. Well, God does look, and HE does so closely. In today's study Jesus brings it all down to where your treasure is, so too is your heart.

Matthew 6:1-18 Lord's Prayer

Sermon On  The Mount

Matthew 6:1-18

The Lord's Prayer

First an overview of Parts 1 and 2

The first two sections dealt with the heart of a Christian and how we should present ourselves to God and man First we covered the Beatitudes and learned about the essential features and characteristics of a Christian by learning how the law is now written on our hearts.

1. Beatitudes

1. The Beatitudes point out the difference between a Christian and a Non-Christian

2. The 1st4 beatitudes progress with the believer as their faith grows

3. The 1st4 deal with the heart and mind and how we present our inner self to God, who searches the heart

4. The last 4 beatitudes display certain character traits that other men can see

5. The attitudes of the 1st4 are manifested in the last 4

6. All 8 Beatitudes have a continuity that builds upon the one before

1. “The poor in spirit” denotes the fact of sin

2. “They that mourn” means to repent of sin

3. “The meek” describes not the weak, but rather strength that is surrendered to God in a new birth

4. To “hunger and thirst after righteousness” signifies the strong desire to become more Christ-like

5. “The merciful” show an attitude of forgiveness

6. “The pure in heart” strive daily for clean living

7. “The peacemakers” exert a calming influence in the storms of life

8. “They which are persecuted” denotes faithfulness under stress

7. Finally, each one carries a strong promise of ultimate good for those who develop the blessed life

Matthew 5:43-48 Laws part 6

Matthew 5:43-48
“Laws Written on Flesh Instead of Stone”
The Laws
part 6

What Is True Love?
Forgive Them Father

This completes Jesus' teachings on the law. One must realize, that Jesus never ever changed any laws GOD handed down to Moses. All HE did, was clarify the true meaning behind those laws.  It was religious leaders, kings, and scribes who twisted the laws to accommodate their own human faults, and evil desires. Nothing of GOD is unjust, nor is HE a respecter of persons. By that I mean, GOD is not a GOD WHO's behavior toward people is influenced by their social status. He is the same today, yesterday, and forever.

Matthew 5:31-42 Laws part 5

Matthew 5:31-42

“Laws Written on Flesh Instead of Stone”
The Laws
part 5
Where is the Love?

The word love is used to mean many different things. We say we "love" this house house we just bought, or that we "love" a particular vacation spot, or that "we" love a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. We also "love" a certain television program, and we "love" our husband or wife. Hopefully we don't love our spouse the same way we love a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

The greatest love of all, however, is GOD's love for us. A love that showed itself in action. A friend once observed, "Love talked about is easily ignored, but love demonstrated is irresistible." The Bible says, "GOD demonstrates HIS own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8) Now, that is real love! How will you respond to HIS love today?

How we react to those around us, is a direct reflection upon our heart. If we, like GOD, truly love one another, then we will do for each other as we would have them for us. Even when someone reviles or riddicules us, we should respond in love. Yet the love of many has grown cold, and it started a long time ago. Jesus is about to share some lessons on tolerance, and true love for one another. Something Christians need to understand is a must in our walk, if we are follow Him who went to the cross for us.

Matthew 5:29-30 Laws part 4

Matthew 5:29-30

(Matthew 18:8-9)

“Laws Written on Flesh Instead of Stone”The Laws

part 4

Soul Losing Offenses

The connection between the principles of the kingdom and the law

The Lord tells us how our righteousness is revealed to others

"If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

Matthew 5:27-28

(Parallel Verses)

“If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.”

Matthew 18:8-9

Matthew 5:27-29 Laws part 3

Matthew 5:27-29

“Laws Written on Flesh Instead of Stone”
The Laws
part 3

Adultery

The connection between the principles of the kingdom and the law

The Lord tells us how our righteousness is revealed to others

"You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

Matthew 5:27-29

Matthew 5:20-26 Laws part 2

Matthew 5:20-26
“Laws Written on Flesh Instead of Stone”

The Laws
part 2
It Begins In The Heart

The connection between the principles of the kingdom and the law

I broke the Sermon on the Mount  down into 5 sections

1. Beatitudes     Matthew 5:3-16

2. Laws   Matthew 5:17-48

3. The Lord's Prayer  Matthew 6:1-18

4. Money   Matthew 6:19-34

5. Warnings   Matthew 7:1-29

The Laws

For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

Murder Begins in the Heart

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother,‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.

Matthew 5:17-20 Laws part 1

Matthew 5:17-20

“Laws Written on Flesh Instead of Stone”
The Laws
part 1

When we started on Jesus most famous sermon I told you I broke the sermon down into 5 sections

1. Beatitudes    --------------------- Matthew 5:3-16

2. Laws    ---------------------------- Matthew 5:17-48

3. The Lord’s Prayer  ------------- Matthew 6:1-18

4. Money      ------------------------- Matthew 6:19-34

5. Warnings    ----------------------- Matthew 7:1-29

We finished the Beatitudes, and today we begin the section of Jesus Sermon on the Mount, where HE teaches us about the connection between the principles of the kingdom and the law.  Matthew 5:17-48 covers Christ declaring the fulfillment of the Law and shedding better light on the interpretation of the Mosaic Law in particular the Ten Commandments.

In the following 6 lessons we learn that the Law given to Moses was like the material it was written on. In that I mean, the people saw it written on stone, but they never truly accepted it in their hearts. Thus, while they understood the law was to be followed, they never allowed it to become a part of them personally, and thus it was nothing for them to break the laws. They figured as long as they said they were sorry to GOD with an animal sacrifice, they felt justified. Jesus, opened the eyes of men by pointing out the law must be in their hearts, and as such, it is their heart that GOD see's. So regardless of their sacrifices through the years, they never truly changed inside. The heart of all problems is the heart, and Jesus is ready to expound upon this.

Matthew 5:13-16 Salt and Light

Matthew 5:13-16

“Salt & Light”

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

Matthew 5:13-16

Today we will finish the Beatitudes Matthew 5:13-16 

1. Salt and Light --- While verses 13-16 are not Beatitudes in themselves you must read them in context with Beatitudes, because as Christians we are expected to be God’s emissaries to a lost world. To set up what I mean let’s look back at a couple of aspects of the Beatitudes and the way they are set up for us by Jesus

Matthew 5:10-12 Beatitudes Part 3

Matthew 5:10-12

The Beatitudes Part 3

10 Blessed and those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 5:7-9 Beatitudes Part 2

Matthew 5:7-9

The Beatitudes Part 2

1. (Matthew 5:7) “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”

1. Merciful is a word used to describe someone who is beneficial or charitable. The basic meaning is to give help to the afflicted and rescue the helpless. It is compassion in action.

1. The ancient Greek word for mercy, has its root from an ancient word from a language that was an even older language than the language the disciples spoke existed, which was Hebrew, this word is “Chesedh” which means, 

The ability to get right inside another person's skin until we can see things through eyes, to understand things through their mind, and to feel things as they themselves feel things. ie through their personal  feelings if you will.