The Everyday Prayer

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 6:19-34 (day two) “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’” ‭‭vs 30-31‬ ‭

Over the past week I have had the opportunity to spend time with my family in Phoenix. It was the first time all my siblings and parents have been together in about three years. It has been a blessing to watch my daughters connect with cousins and to enjoy these moments together. Later April and I were able to spend a couple of days in Sedona and one at the Grand Canyon. It is hard to imagine that a creator that would consider the majesty, nuance, shape, design, color, and overall beauty of these spectacular formations would not also care deeply about his own children. Worry can overwhelm and cause unnecessary distraction from purpose. Go to the edge of a mile deep canyon and cast your worries there. He considered it, and he will consider you.

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 five)

Jesus begins the sermon on the mount in the third person. As he continues to preach and teach, he begins to get more and more personal in his application and exhortation. As the new year begins, many will make New Year’s Resolutions. As we consider 2016 and possible resolutions, here are a few insights from this week’s passage. Instead of do’s and don’ts, Jesus taught about character, integrity, virtue, and transformation. Jesus was convinced that the hope and potential of spiritual growth and progress is grounded in a relationship with our Heavenly Father.
Dallas Willard- “The revolution of Jesus is in the first place and continuously a revolution of the human heart or spirit. It did not and does not proceed by means of the formation of social institutions and laws, the outer forms of our existence, intending that these would impose good order of life who come under their power. Rather, his is a revolution of character which proceeds by changing people from the inside through [an] ongoing personal relationship to God in Christ.”

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

 Jesus was a radical teacher. Radical in that He taught things that no one else even considered, much less taught. The Pharisees were the religious leaders of the day and they ‘refined the law’ in order to cause the masses to submit to their ‘superior’ religious commitment. Jesus took the law to a new level that the Pharisees could never attain. The key here is that none of us is able to keep the law and by keeping it, to find favor with God. In verse 20, Jesus says that unless you surpass the righteousness of the Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. It is impossible for us to earn heaven. We can only achieve forgiveness and heaven through Jesus Christ. “It is by grace that we are saved through faith in Jesus Christ, it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9.

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

“Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” It’s common to think of “kingdom of heaven” as a synonym for the afterlife. But Jesus is talking about life under the reign of God, whether that life takes place now or after we die. Jesus lived in the kingdom of heaven even as he walked the earth. Therefore, to live in the kingdom of heaven is to live–right now, not merely later–the kind of life that Jesus lives. That is the only kind of life that will last forever, and only Jesus–no other “righteousness expert”–can teach us that life. Part of what it means to “accept Jesus” is to become his apprentices so that he can teach us how to live under God’s reign.

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

“For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?” 45-47

If we are only ever kind to those who are kind to us, where does peace begin? This passage offers another look at the golden rule. God does not remove sunshine and flowers from those who oppose his will. Similarly he does not withhold disease, poverty, and hunger from those who follow him. The good news is that his mercy is offered to all. As the sun and showers are for everyone, so is his grace. Our role in the building of the kingdom is not to determine who is worthy of these gifts, but offer them freely to all. There are things that continue to hinder our response to this call. Our own prejudice or ignorance can blind us to the responsibility we have to our neighbor. If we only love those who look and act like us we will perpetuate the building of walls to keep people from the Gospel rather than building relationships that will share it.

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.