Day 13 - The Sermon on the Mount, part 1 - Matthew 5:1-48"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid." Matt 5:14
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matt 5:16
There's a reason we are called witnesses when we share the Good News with others: as Christians, we represent Jesus Christ. We bear His name to a lost and dying world.
In Matthew chapter 5, Jesus teaches us HOW to represent Him and His message to the world:
We should be the salt and light of the world (verses 13-16).
We should know and understand the importance of the law (verses 17-20).
We should control our anger (verses 21-26).
We should flee from sexual sins (verses 27-30).
We should honor the sanctity of marriage (verses 31-32).
We should not swear or make empty promises (verses 33-37).
We should turn the other cheek (verses 38-42).
And, we should love all people (verses 43-48).
Day 14 - The Sermon, part 2 - Matthew 6:1-34
In Matthew 6, Jesus continues the Sermon on the Mount and continues to teach us how we should represent Him to the world:
Jesus teaches about giving (verses 1-4).
Jesus teaches about prayer (verses 5-15).
Jesus teaches about worship (verses 16-18).
Jesus teaches that God is more important than money (verses 19-24).
Jesus teaches us to trust in Him (verses 25-34).
One of my favorite Bible passages comes from Matthew 6:33-34a, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself."
I have a friend that put down "Hakuna Matata" for her favorite quote in the yearbook when we were seniors. It means "no worries" (for those of you that are not familiar with the Disney movie the Lion King).
If we are seeking God and trying to do His will, then we can say "hakuna matata!" He will take care of everything we need!
Day 15 - The Sermon, part 3 - Matthew 7:1-29
The Sermon on the Mount continues! Can you imagine how awesome it would be to hear Jesus preach? I've been blessed to have a lot of really great preachers, and I enjoy listening to the sermon on Sunday morning. But can you imagine what an incredible Teacher Jesus was? The words He said were so important that they were written down and carefully guarded and kept intact by God for us to use them today. His sermons were the kind that changed lives. Let's check out the end of His most famous sermon...
We should not judge others (verses 1-6).
We should ask God for the things that we need (verses 7-11).
We should treat others like we want to be treated (verse 12).
We should take the road less traveled (verses 13-14).
We should beware of false teachings (verses 15-23).
We should make Jesus our firm foundation (verses 24-28).
"Loving God Means Loving People" - Revolve Devotional Bible (Matthew 5, 6, and 7)
"Matthew 5-7, known as the Sermon on the Mount, is packed with important teaching about how we, as followers of Christ, should live. Some of what Jesus said was about how we relate to God, but He also said plenty about how we communicate with each other.
Matthew 5:22-24 deals with both relationships. And apparently, one affects the other. When there's anger in your heart toward a friend, you can't totally focus on God. In fact, God says to stop what you're doing - even if you're in the middle of worship - and go make things right with your friend.
First John 4:20 brings this message home: 'If people say, "I love God," but hate their brothers or sisters, they are liars. Those who do not love their brothers and sisters, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have never seen.'
Does this mean that we have to be friends with everyone? Not exactly. Obviously, we aren't going to click with everyone. But Colossians 3:13 tells us to get along with and forgive each other. And Romans 12:18 says, 'Do your best to live in peace with everyone.'
It all comes down to your heart. It's not capable of loving when it's focuses on self and bursting with anger. Anger turns to bitterness. Bitterness becomes a full-blown grudge. Eventually, we become unpleasant people. God wants us to love each other and live peacefully. Then, with a heart free of anger, we can love Him completely!" - Revolve Devotional Bible (Thomas Nelson Publishing)
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