I often close my eyes and try to imagine what it would have been like to be in the crowd that day so long ago as the Son of God climbed to the top of the mountain. His Father wanted him to be placed above all others, so all could hear and see his son as he spoke with an authority that only He could have given to Him. Such a loving father (as many of us have discovered), one who had prepared his son for this day as any good father prepares their sons for important things.
A father who knew exactly how many people would be there that day; people who had traveled, some for days, many on foot, to hear the Son of God speak.
To catch a glimpse of Him.
I can just imagine, trying to edge my way as close as possible so I wouldn't miss one single word, can't you? Your heart would be beating wildly as you anticipated His very being; His very words...Him. To just touch the hem or sleeve of his garment. To be in His presence as His voice boomed from the mountain top.
Gives me goosebumps just thinking about how God spoke directly to us through himself as a man! wOw!!
His teaching that day become known as The Sermon on the Mount'
Matthew 5:5 Seeing the multitudes, He went up onto the mountain; and when he was set, his disciples came to him. and He opened his mouth and taught them...
" Blessed are the Poor in Spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven " He spoke of those who are hungry to learn as much about the Lord Our God as they possibly can during their time on earth. Making it clear that we must be empty before we can be full. Our sufficiency is not of ourselves. (2 Corinthians 3:5)
4." Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted " We have become so casual about sin and seeing others sin even though we know sin breaks God's heart. Those who want to be good, try to be good and have sincere sorrow for the sin in their hearts and the sorrow for those who see no desire for good in others and themselves.
5." Blessed are the Meek: for they shall Inherit the Earth " Meekness is not weakness, Jesus was meek, yet he drove the changers from the temple, (Matthew 11:29) Moses was meek, yet he judged sinners and even faced Aaron with his sin. Christians are to show meekness even though we are prone to be self willed. (Ephesians 4:1-2, Titus 3:2) Meekness means not asserting my own rights, but living for the glory of God. 6." Blessed are they who do Hunger and Thirst after Righteousness: for they shall be filled."
Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness show a desire to step up, to learn what is good and to come to desire it. A true Christian has an appetite for Spiritual things, Ask people what they desire and their answer will show you what they are truly like. Don't ever be mistaken, this is tough stuff...
7." Blessed are the Merciful, for they shall obtain Mercy " The "merciful" are those who love their fellow people. If we show mercy, because Christ is merciful to us, then mercy will come back to us (Luke 16: 1-13; James 2:13; Proverbs 11:17) We do not earn mercy, but we must have hearts prepared to receive it.
8." Blessed are the Pure in heart for they shall see God " The "pure in heart" are those who love only what is good. Not sinlessness (1 John 1:8) but the truth within (Psalms 51:6) . It means a single heart, not divided between God and the world.
9. Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God "Peacemakers" are those who are in harmony with Father God, gaining knowledge from Him and wanting what He wants. And to be "persecuted for righteousness sake" means acting out of love and care for others, even though you are condemned by others for it. Ephesians 6:1-5, so that wherever they go, they bring peace, This is not, "Peace at any price", for holiness is more important than peace based on sin. (James 3:7-13, Hebrews 12:14) Compromise is not peace, but Christians should not be contentious as they contend for the faith.
(Note) Can you feel the progression as He spoke? At first He was addressing those who simply want to learn; but as He continued, He moved on to those who understood enough to realize that they actively want to be good people, acting out of love for others. There are obvious steps He wants us to take in our walk with Him. Have you ever noticed that the more you press in, the more changes you see in yourself. It's so amazing! Praise you Father!
10 " Blessed are they which are Persecuted for Righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven."
Not that we should be accused "Falsely" . We should never be guilty of deliberately asking for persecution. If we live Godly lives, suffering will come! Notice the rewards: We are in the same company as Christ and the Prophets, and we shall be rewarded in Heaven. (2 Timothy 3:12. 1 Peter 4:15)
11."Blessed are ye, when men shall Revile you, and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil falsely against you on my account. Being a Christian is not an easy road to tow. People will hate you for being Holy and full of grace. They will despise you when you try to show them their sin. Do it anyway, the reward is the love that you feel in your heart that only he can supply and that will make it worth it.
12. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for greater is your reward in heaven, for so persecuted, they the prophets who were before you." The world will go on persecuting those who trust, and live their lives for Christ. Men do not like to be reminded, or convicted of their sins, all those who bring the light of Christ into the world do just that. And until Christ returns to judge the world, persecution will follow those who truly believe.
He went on to explain how we, who call ourselves by His holy name, are in fact, the Salt of the Earth and the Light of the World. He stressed that He had not come to abolish the laws or the Prophets, that each and every one of the commandments of God were and always will be of the utmost importance. He was very clear that those laws should never be challenged or disobeyed. He went on and spoke of anger, lust and divorce. He warned of taking oaths using his or his fathers names, or that of Heaven or Earth. Or of taking an oath on your own life when a simple yes or no would serve as the best possible of replies. He ended his sermon that day by addressing how we are to pray.
So many people try to tell us that we have to do this, or do that; say this or say that. I don't know about you, but I prefer to listen to the instruction that came from the Son of God, himself...
Matthew 6:5-15 Jesus said "When you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and
pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by
others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 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. (ironically enough; He speaks to me the most frequently when I am driving my car or taking a shower) 7 “And
when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think
that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your
Father knows what you need before you ask him. (If your not certain what to pray, the Holy Spirit will intercede for you; He knows what is in your heart)
9 Pray then like this:
Our Father, who art in Heaven.
Hallowed be thy name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done,
on Earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our debts (trespasses) as we (forgive those who have trespassed against us) also have forgiven our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
(For if you have forgiven others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.)
For thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory Forever.
Amen
Many of us know that prayer and have recited it all of our lives, I know I have. It has become the words I often speak as I approach His throne; full of the highest form of adoration, respect, love and fear....
Offering Him myself for I know what He has done for my life. For I will give you my life, it's all I have to give, because you gave your life for me...
Third Day; Lead Us Back
A father who knew exactly how many people would be there that day; people who had traveled, some for days, many on foot, to hear the Son of God speak.
To catch a glimpse of Him.
I can just imagine, trying to edge my way as close as possible so I wouldn't miss one single word, can't you? Your heart would be beating wildly as you anticipated His very being; His very words...Him. To just touch the hem or sleeve of his garment. To be in His presence as His voice boomed from the mountain top.
Gives me goosebumps just thinking about how God spoke directly to us through himself as a man! wOw!!
Matthew 5:5 Seeing the multitudes, He went up onto the mountain; and when he was set, his disciples came to him. and He opened his mouth and taught them...
" Blessed are the Poor in Spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven " He spoke of those who are hungry to learn as much about the Lord Our God as they possibly can during their time on earth. Making it clear that we must be empty before we can be full. Our sufficiency is not of ourselves. (2 Corinthians 3:5)
" Blessed are the Poor in Spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven " He spoke of those who are hungry to learn as much about the Lord Our God as they possibly can during their time on earth. Making it clear that we must be empty before we can be full. Our sufficiency is not of ourselves. (2 Corinthians 3:5)
4." Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted " We have become so casual about sin and seeing others sin even though we know sin breaks God's heart. Those who want to be good, try to be good and have sincere sorrow for the sin in their hearts and the sorrow for those who see no desire for good in others and themselves.
Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness show a desire to step up, to learn what is good and to come to desire it. A true Christian has an appetite for Spiritual things, Ask people what they desire and their answer will show you what they are truly like. Don't ever be mistaken, this is tough stuff...
7." Blessed are the Merciful, for they shall obtain Mercy " The "merciful" are those who love their fellow people. If we show mercy, because Christ is merciful to us, then mercy will come back to us (Luke 16: 1-13; James 2:13; Proverbs 11:17) We do not earn mercy, but we must have hearts prepared to receive it.
8." Blessed are the Pure in heart for they shall see God " The "pure in heart" are those who love only what is good. Not sinlessness (1 John 1:8) but the truth within (Psalms 51:6) . It means a single heart, not divided between God and the world.
9. Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God "Peacemakers" are those who are in harmony with Father God, gaining knowledge from Him and wanting what He wants. And to be "persecuted for righteousness sake" means acting out of love and care for others, even though you are condemned by others for it. Ephesians 6:1-5, so that wherever they go, they bring peace, This is not, "Peace at any price", for holiness is more important than peace based on sin. (James 3:7-13, Hebrews 12:14) Compromise is not peace, but Christians should not be contentious as they contend for the faith.
(Note) Can you feel the progression as He spoke? At first He was addressing those who simply want to learn; but as He continued, He moved on to those who understood enough to realize that they actively want to be good people, acting out of love for others. There are obvious steps He wants us to take in our walk with Him. Have you ever noticed that the more you press in, the more changes you see in yourself. It's so amazing! Praise you Father!
10 " Blessed are they which are Persecuted for Righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven."
Not that we should be accused "Falsely" . We should never be guilty of deliberately asking for persecution. If we live Godly lives, suffering will come! Notice the rewards: We are in the same company as Christ and the Prophets, and we shall be rewarded in Heaven. (2 Timothy 3:12. 1 Peter 4:15)
11."Blessed are ye, when men shall Revile you, and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil falsely against you on my account. Being a Christian is not an easy road to tow. People will hate you for being Holy and full of grace. They will despise you when you try to show them their sin. Do it anyway, the reward is the love that you feel in your heart that only he can supply and that will make it worth it.
12. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for greater is your reward in heaven, for so persecuted, they the prophets who were before you." The world will go on persecuting those who trust, and live their lives for Christ. Men do not like to be reminded, or convicted of their sins, all those who bring the light of Christ into the world do just that. And until Christ returns to judge the world, persecution will follow those who truly believe.
Not that we should be accused "Falsely" . We should never be guilty of deliberately asking for persecution. If we live Godly lives, suffering will come! Notice the rewards: We are in the same company as Christ and the Prophets, and we shall be rewarded in Heaven. (2 Timothy 3:12. 1 Peter 4:15)
11."Blessed are ye, when men shall Revile you, and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil falsely against you on my account. Being a Christian is not an easy road to tow. People will hate you for being Holy and full of grace. They will despise you when you try to show them their sin. Do it anyway, the reward is the love that you feel in your heart that only he can supply and that will make it worth it.
12. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for greater is your reward in heaven, for so persecuted, they the prophets who were before you." The world will go on persecuting those who trust, and live their lives for Christ. Men do not like to be reminded, or convicted of their sins, all those who bring the light of Christ into the world do just that. And until Christ returns to judge the world, persecution will follow those who truly believe.
He went on to explain how we, who call ourselves by His holy name, are in fact, the Salt of the Earth and the Light of the World. He stressed that He had not come to abolish the laws or the Prophets, that each and every one of the commandments of God were and always will be of the utmost importance. He was very clear that those laws should never be challenged or disobeyed. He went on and spoke of anger, lust and divorce. He warned of taking oaths using his or his fathers names, or that of Heaven or Earth. Or of taking an oath on your own life when a simple yes or no would serve as the best possible of replies. He ended his sermon that day by addressing how we are to pray. So many people try to tell us that we have to do this, or do that; say this or say that. I don't know about you, but I prefer to listen to the instruction that came from the Son of God, himself...
Matthew 6:5-15 Jesus said "When you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 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. (ironically enough; He speaks to me the most frequently when I am driving my car or taking a shower) 7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (If your not certain what to pray, the Holy Spirit will intercede for you; He knows what is in your heart)
9 Pray then like this:
Our Father, who art in Heaven.
Hallowed be thy name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done,
on Earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our debts (trespasses) as we (forgive those who have trespassed against us) also have forgiven our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
(For if you have forgiven others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.)
For thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory Forever.
Amen
Many of us know that prayer and have recited it all of our lives, I know I have. It has become the words I often speak as I approach His throne; full of the highest form of adoration, respect, love and fear....
Offering Him myself for I know what He has done for my life. For I will give you my life, it's all I have to give, because you gave your life for me...
Third Day; Lead Us Back
No comments:
Post a Comment