Author: Don Guthrie

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 13:1-23 (day one)

“He who has ears, let him hear.”–v 9.

Is hearing a choice?  Physical hearing often isn’t.  Profound or partial hearing loss can’t be remedied by “paying attention” or “concentrating”.

Spiritual hearing is different.  What a person hears or doesn’t hear from God often depends on what he or she is willing to hear.  God has given us the equipment to hear His word, comprehend His will.  Whether we do or not depends on our use of God-given means.

Luke 9 tells this truth in a vivid picture.  Jesus is transfigured before the disciples.  Brilliant, white light fills the scene.  And Peter feels the need to talk!  Don’t talk, says the Father in gentle correction.  Don’t offer your suggestions! LISTEN!  Hear His heart! Grasp His direction! Treat each word as the precious treasure it is!

“The heavens declare the glory of God. . .day to day POURS FORTH SPEECH”–Psalm 19:1

God is speaking.  Am I listening?

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 7:1-27 (day seven)

“Don’t throw your pearls before pigs. . . they will trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.”–v 6.

Danny got me thinking. (Panter)  He gave the devotional Wednesday night at prayer meeting.

Jesus’ words of caution (Danny said) implied an EXPECTATION of actual practice.  People who are not giving the gospel away don’t need to be careful about how they do it.

It’s a fine line, I guess.  Give the truth of Christ to unconverted hearts and they may trample it. Flood the church with worldly values–tear it to pieces.

The other extreme is just as dangerous.  Become critical of the lost world, convince yourself that they won’t listen and you will eventually stop sharing.

Be careful as you give this gift away.  But, NOT so careful that you don’t do it.

(Sorry, Danny, if this is not what you said.  Like I said, you got me thinking.)

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 7:1-27 (day one)

“Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and ONLY A FEW find it.”–v 14.

Jesus was no fan of the human race, not in a generalized “I’m OK, you’re OK” sort of way.  He loved us but also saw the fatal flaw that operates in our hearts.  Most people are, as a rule, “blind guides”.

In John 3, Jesus said, “he who does not believe is CONDEMNED ALREADY”  Not a judgement that will SOMEDAY be declared, a judgement that (apart from conversion) is ALREADY true.

Some people say that eventually everyone will be saved.  Not Jesus.  The gate is small that leads to life.  ONLY A FEW find it.

We read this week the words of Christ that tell us not to judge.  Whatever else it means, it does NOT mean that all truth is equally true or that the “majority is always right”
where God is concerned.

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 6:19-34 (day seven) “If your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.”–v 23.

“As long as you think the problem is ‘out there’, that very thought is the problem.”–Stephen Covey.

Jesus is an astute observer of human behavior and psychology.  He made us.  He knows how we “tick”, the mistakes we easily make.  First on His list is the desire for wrong things, setting our eyes on them.

Just as the physical eye can focus on an object or goal, so the inner eye.  We call it ambition or desire.  “Whom have I in heaven but Thee, and besides Thee I desire nothing on earth.”–Psalm 73:25.

The problem with people is not what we HAVE.  It is what we WANT and until our vision gets clear every decision will be clouded and counterproductive.

I hope you can be in Bible Study and worship this morning.  We can talk about it.

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 6:19-34 (day one)

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth. . .no one can serve two masters. . .do not worry about. . .what you will eat or drink. . .(or) about clothes. . . seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”–v 19, 24, 25, 28, 33.

“The most important things in life are not things.”–Anthony J. D’ Angelo

Jesus was an astute observer.  He was not reluctant to talk about the issue that often acts as a “substitute God”.  His sermons were often about money and possessions.

Money is not a bad thing.  Material things are provided by God for our enjoyment. (See 1 Timothy 6:17).  BUT, money does have the potential to draw our hearts away from God. Worry is the sure sign that we have stumbled away from his wisdom.

This week we read the words of Christ on money/possessions.  He will declare, again, that He is the King of things.

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 5:17-48 (day seven)

“Do not resist an evil person.  If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also”–v 39.

His words must have been hard to hear.  Charismatic young preacher.  Rumors of miracles. Suddenly, He begins to talk about turning the other cheek.

It sounded illogical.  Impossible.  Impractical.  Both then and now.

“Isn’t this a formula for enabling bullies and con men?” they protested!  It just sounded wrong.

But Jesus wasn’t giving a new Law.  He was telling them/us that the old Law had to be interpreted by looking at the heart–the presence or the absence of love.

Do you love the bully?  Do you love others that he may be hurting?  Is love how you reach your decision?  Are you willing to sacrifice personal pride for a larger, better solution?

Not a new Law.  Insight into the old Law.  The question that matters is, “What does love look like?”

Re:Verse reading–Matthew 5:17-48 (day one)  

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish but to fulfill them.”–v 17.

Want a new year?  Go back to an old book, the Bible!  One of the most remarkable things about Jesus is his absolute confidence in the Bible.  He called it, “the Law and the Prophets”–what we call the Old Testament.

As the Son of God, Jesus might have presented himself as superior to Scripture.  He might have argued that he had firsthand knowledge, the writers of Scripture only partial.  But He never did!

Over and over again, Jesus affirmed the authority and sufficiency of scripture for spiritual life.  “He came not as a new legislator”, says Calvin, “but as a faithful expositor of the law already given.”

Make no mistake.  The way to a NEW year is to go back, with fresh eyes, to an OLD book.

Re:Verse reading–Matthew 5:1-12 (day seven)

“He went up on the mountain. . .and sat down. . .began to teach them.”

What was it like to hear Jesus preach?  Matthew remembers.  More than any other writer, he took the trouble to record the words and include them in his gospel.  (He was, after all,  an accountant.  Details mattered to him.)

It was SURPRISING.  Unlike the Scribes and Pharisees.  Different ideas.  Deeper.

It was CONVICTING.  He spoke from a position of strength. “He was teaching them as one who had authority.”—Matthew 7:29.  He was not asking for their validation or even their support.  No entertainment.  He knew the truth and expected to be obeyed.  He was commanding them.  Calling them.

It was MIND-STRETCHING.  A teacher more than a preacher.  Information!  Ideas!  Thoughts were His gift and craft.  “Repent”, He said, “change your mind!”

What was it like to hear Jesus preach?  Read Matthew 5:1-12.  We can talk about it this morning as we worship.