We spent seven weeks showing God's plan to save us by sending a Savior/Messiah. When He sent this Savior/Messiah, God wanted us to be able to pick him out of a crowd. So, He gave us clues. These clues were prophecies. Those prophecies pointed us to Jesus.
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. (Matthew 5:1 NIV)
Last week, we started to look at the ministry of Jesus - kicking it off with his baptism. As we looked at these beginning ministry moments - baptism, temptation, and teaching - we reminded ourselves that true followers of Jesus would begin to follow in his steps. We too can be baptized, overcome temptation, and teach others to follow him. Now, the journey becomes much more challenging.
People will say that they do not accept Jesus because he was just a man like anyone else. They will compare him with Muhammad or Buddha, but that's not their real problem with him. Problems with Jesus today, just like 2000 years ago, usually begin with his teachings.
He said: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Matthew 5:2-9 NIV)
At first, we might enjoy his teachings. We like it when he calls out to the weary and heavy laden saying, "I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28) We know there is a cost associated with following Jesus, but we especially like it when he says, "My yoke is easy. My burden is light" (Matthew 11:30). Who doesn't smile when he says, Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these"(Matthew 19:14 NIV). What we don't like, though, are the teachings that start to challenge us to live what we consider a more difficult life.
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. (Matthew 5:1 NIV)
Last week, we started to look at the ministry of Jesus - kicking it off with his baptism. As we looked at these beginning ministry moments - baptism, temptation, and teaching - we reminded ourselves that true followers of Jesus would begin to follow in his steps. We too can be baptized, overcome temptation, and teach others to follow him. Now, the journey becomes much more challenging.
People will say that they do not accept Jesus because he was just a man like anyone else. They will compare him with Muhammad or Buddha, but that's not their real problem with him. Problems with Jesus today, just like 2000 years ago, usually begin with his teachings.
He said: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Matthew 5:2-9 NIV)
At first, we might enjoy his teachings. We like it when he calls out to the weary and heavy laden saying, "I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28) We know there is a cost associated with following Jesus, but we especially like it when he says, "My yoke is easy. My burden is light" (Matthew 11:30). Who doesn't smile when he says, Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these"(Matthew 19:14 NIV). What we don't like, though, are the teachings that start to challenge us to live what we consider a more difficult life.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:10-16 NIV)
Following Jesus, though, will have its challenges. There will be difficulties. In fact, life will have challenges and difficulties whether we follow Jesus or not. We're not really saying that we want life without challenges or difficulties. We're saying we don't want to change things to match his teachings. His teachings against what we believe or the way we already live. We don't want to follow him because we don't want to change these things.
"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. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-20 NIV)
We especially don't want to believe that these things will somehow keep us out of heaven. So, we deflect and change our theology to match our lives. "I don't believe there is a real heaven or hell," we might say. What we're really saying is, "I hope there's not a heaven or hell, cause I'm not changing the way I live."
We especially don't want to believe that these things will somehow keep us out of heaven. So, we deflect and change our theology to match our lives. "I don't believe there is a real heaven or hell," we might say. What we're really saying is, "I hope there's not a heaven or hell, cause I'm not changing the way I live."
"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, 'Raca,' is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. "Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. (Matthew 5:21-26 NIV)
We find solace in saying, "I'm not a murder." We may even fight for the right for the ten commandments to be on the courthouse lawns and in our public schools. The problem, though, is that during those fights we might find ourselves getting quite angry at our opposition. This is only a problem if you are a follower of Jesus. According to Jesus, anger puts us in danger of the fires of hell.
We find solace in saying, "I'm not a murder." We may even fight for the right for the ten commandments to be on the courthouse lawns and in our public schools. The problem, though, is that during those fights we might find ourselves getting quite angry at our opposition. This is only a problem if you are a follower of Jesus. According to Jesus, anger puts us in danger of the fires of hell.
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. "It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.' But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.' But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. (Matthew 5:27-37 NIV)
We might say that our problem is with the Bible. "It's just written by a bunch of messed-up people who were trying to control other people." What we're really doing, though is deflecting from the teaching that day. We don't want people to know we're on our third marriage, living together with someone who is not our spouse, or enjoying sexual intimacy with someone of the same gender. These teachings can only be "old fashioned" and "out of date" if they are made up by men and not inspired by God.
Maybe we find ourselves justified in looking down on others who sin like that. Our marriages have lasted. We've only been married one time and we've done the hard work to keep it that way. We're following all the teachings of the law about sexuality and marriage. The we listen to Jesus and we have to admit the times we've struggled with lust - whether it was longing for a sexual encounter or just the intimacy of a warm embrace from someone who "really cares." Lust is lust. Suddenly, following Jesus becomes less appealing.
We might say that our problem is with the Bible. "It's just written by a bunch of messed-up people who were trying to control other people." What we're really doing, though is deflecting from the teaching that day. We don't want people to know we're on our third marriage, living together with someone who is not our spouse, or enjoying sexual intimacy with someone of the same gender. These teachings can only be "old fashioned" and "out of date" if they are made up by men and not inspired by God.
Maybe we find ourselves justified in looking down on others who sin like that. Our marriages have lasted. We've only been married one time and we've done the hard work to keep it that way. We're following all the teachings of the law about sexuality and marriage. The we listen to Jesus and we have to admit the times we've struggled with lust - whether it was longing for a sexual encounter or just the intimacy of a warm embrace from someone who "really cares." Lust is lust. Suddenly, following Jesus becomes less appealing.
"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. (Matthew 5:38-42 NIV)
"I'm always fair with people. I treat them with respect and I never charge them unreasonable rates." This is all well and good until a homeless man walks into your restaurant asking for food to eat. Its really a problem when his unkempt and smelly presence seems to bother your paying customers.
"I follow fair business practices. I don't break the laws." This helps you sleep at night when you follow the rules of the competitive marketplace and stomp out your competition. It helps you sleep until you face the person you just put out of work...and you think about the teachings of Jesus.
"I'm always fair with people. I treat them with respect and I never charge them unreasonable rates." This is all well and good until a homeless man walks into your restaurant asking for food to eat. Its really a problem when his unkempt and smelly presence seems to bother your paying customers.
"I follow fair business practices. I don't break the laws." This helps you sleep at night when you follow the rules of the competitive marketplace and stomp out your competition. It helps you sleep until you face the person you just put out of work...and you think about the teachings of Jesus.
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:43-48 NIV)
"I'm not perfect. I'll never be perfect." We find comfort in those statements, but they don't match up with the teachings of Jesus. God offers solutions to our lack of perfection. Jesus pays the penalty for them. The Holy Spirit helps us not repeat them. His Word is the same one Jesus quoted in battling the devil. His Wisdom and Power are the same as those Jesus relied upon to win against temptation. Jesus doesn't teach us to just try our best. He commands us to be perfect. As a follower, what will we do?
How about you? Or, do you just dismiss His teachings, the Bible, and your faith? Do you change His teachings to match your lifestyle or do you change your life to match His teachings? Are you a follower of Jesus?
"I'm not perfect. I'll never be perfect." We find comfort in those statements, but they don't match up with the teachings of Jesus. God offers solutions to our lack of perfection. Jesus pays the penalty for them. The Holy Spirit helps us not repeat them. His Word is the same one Jesus quoted in battling the devil. His Wisdom and Power are the same as those Jesus relied upon to win against temptation. Jesus doesn't teach us to just try our best. He commands us to be perfect. As a follower, what will we do?
How about you? Or, do you just dismiss His teachings, the Bible, and your faith? Do you change His teachings to match your lifestyle or do you change your life to match His teachings? Are you a follower of Jesus?
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