Jesus' Power (Bible E-Course Matthew 8)

After the sermon on the mount, did many follow Jesus? Luke picks up from here as the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:20–49).

As Jesus came down the mountain, he was followed by large crowds. (Matthew 8:1 CEV)

Healings

Did He begin to heal many? What did a man with a skin disease do?

A man with a skin disease came, kneeled before him, and said, “Lord, if you want, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched him, saying, “I do want to. Become clean.” Instantly his skin disease was cleansed. (Matthew 8:2-3 CEB)

What did Jesus say after healing him? Did Jesus support the law in Leviticus 14?

And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” (Matthew 8:4 ESV)

Was Jesus approached by a Roman centurion?

When He entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible agony!” “I will come and heal him,” He told him. “Lord,” the centurion replied, “I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. But only say the word, and my servant will be cured. For I too am a man under authority, having soldiers under my command. I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” (Matthew 8:5-9 HCSB)

What did Jesus say about this soldier’s faith?

When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. (Matthew 8:13 KJV)

What happened to Peter’s mother-in-law?

When Jesus came into Peter’s home, He saw his mother-in-law lying sick in bed with a fever. And He touched her hand, and the fever left her; and she got up and waited on Him. (Matthew 8:14-15 NASB)

What happened to many others?

When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.” (Matthew 8:16-17 NIV)

Count the Cost

Do we count the cost of discipleship?

And when Jesus saw great multitudes about Him, He gave a command to depart to the other side. Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” (Matthew 8:18-22 NKJV)

Lake Storm

Does Jesus also have power over wind and waves?

Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!” (Matthew 8:23-27 NLT)

Some churches are designed like a boat’s keel to remind us of this miracle. The church is a vessel in the midst of a storm calmed by Jesus. That’s why the sanctuary is often called the nave.

Healing

Did Jesus cast out more demons?

When he came to the other side, into the country of the Gergesenes, two people possessed by demons met him there, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that nobody could pass that way. Behold, they cried out, saying, “What do we have to do with you, Jesus, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” Now there was a herd of many pigs feeding far away from them. The demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of pigs.” (Matthew 8:28-31 WEB)

What happened? Were people afraid of such a small demonstration of God’s power?

Then he said to the demons, “Go away,” and they came out and went into the pigs. The whole herd rushed down the cliff into the lake and drowned. Those who tended the pigs ran into the city and told everything that had happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the whole city came out and met Jesus. When they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region. (Matthew 8:32-34 CEB)

What do Jesus’ powers prove about who He is? He heals, calms storms and challenges us all to count the cost. What priority do we give to following Him? You decide!

The Spirit of the Law, Part 3 (Bible E-Course Matthew 6)

As Jesus continued describing the Spirit of the law, He discussed spiritual show-offs, prayer and worry about material things. Let’s look at Matthew 6.

Religious Show Offs

What are our motives in doing good? Jesus taught that our motive should be to glorify God (Matthew 5:16) not to show off.

Take care not to practice your righteousness in the sight of people, to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 6:1 NASB)

What are some examples? Should we give to charity to show off or to glorify God?

So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:2-4 NIV)

What about exhibitionism in prayer?

And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. (Matthew 6:5-7 NKJV)

Is every public prayer forbidden? Did Jesus pray in public while resurrecting Lazarus? What was His motive?

Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” (John 11:41b-42 NLT)

What about vain repetitions?

In praying, don’t use vain repetitions as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking. Therefore don’t be like them, for your Father knows what things you need before you ask him. (Matthew 6:7-8 WEB)

What’s the difference between a vain repetition and a sincere repetition? The Greek for vain repetitions is one word, battologéō (βαττολογέω) and means “to repeat the same things over and over, to use many and idle words, to babble.” [1]

[1] THAYER'S GREEK LEXICON, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2002, 2003, 2006, 2011 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. BibleSoft.com

How did Jesus teach us to pray?

In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your 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, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13 NKJV)

The original Greek word translated debts also means transgressions or sins. The last sentence is omitted by some, though similar words are found in the earliest church manual, the Didache.

Why is forgiveness so important?

If you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your sins. (Matthew 6:14-15 CEB)

Do some people show off about fasting too? Notice that Jesus said when not if we fast.

When you go without eating, don't try to look gloomy as those show-offs do when they go without eating. I can assure you that they already have their reward. Instead, comb your hair and wash your face. Then others won't know you are going without eating. But your Father sees what is done in private, and he will reward you. (Matthew 6:16-18 CEV)

What about the pursuit of wealth?

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21 ESV)

Materialism & Material Worries

What about continually looking and lusting for more material things?

The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. So if the light within you is darkness—how deep is that darkness! No one can be a slave of two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot be slaves of God and of money. (Matthew 6:22-24 HCSB)

Materialism and material worries are both worldly. What about food worries?

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? (Matthew 6:25-27 NIV)

What about clothing worries?

And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? (Matthew 6:28-30 KJV)

Does worry dominate the lives of unbelievers?

So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. (Matthew 6:31-32 NLT)

What should a believer’s priority be?

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:33 NASB)

Do we give glory to God or ourselves? Do we pray? Are we materialistic or worried about material needs? Do we seek first God’s kingdom trusting that He will provide? You decide!

The Spirit of the Law, Part 2 (Bible E-Course Matthew 5)

Did Jesus tell us to be as perfect as God? How is that possible? Let’s understand the context and the Spirit of the law in Matthew 5:38-48.

Eye for an Eye

Let’s begin with an eye for an eye.

You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. (Matthew 5:38 CEB)

Have we practiced this law in error? Legally called lex talionis, a vindictive application just trades tit for tat, escalates hostilities and hinders peace. A financial application might be monetary compensation equal to an eye. Jesus taught a higher application, if we have been responsible for injury to another, go above and beyond in compensation. Go further than mere justice. Do we create goodwill or revenge?

But I tell you not to try to get even with a person who has done something to you. When someone slaps your right cheek, turn and let that person slap your other cheek. (Matthew 5:39 CEV)

The Extra Mile

Even the carnal business world understands that winning customers means we listen to complaints. How much more should we take insults in order to win peace for Christ? How generous should we be with an enemy?

And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. (Matthew 5:40-42 ESV)

Love Enemies

How could we make peace in the world? Is making peace more important than a shirt? We win when we give more than an enemy asks for settlement. Gift wrap our coat as well. Does God set us the example by giving breath and life to ungrateful people every day? Does God love all people equally, even foreigners and enemies?

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, so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. 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 will you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing out of the ordinary? Don’t even the Gentiles do the same? (Matthew 43-47 HCSB)

Perfection

How could Jesus expect us to become perfect in these things? Should we be more nitpicky than the hypocritical Pharisees? The word perfect is better understood to mean mature or complete. It has nothing to do with nit-picky Christianity at all. Being obsessed with non-essentials is a mark of spiritual immaturity. Mature Christians are salty. They taste good. Mature Christians are a bright shining light. They are liberated from picky legalism and disobedient liberalism. Mature Christians reconcile rather than harbor grudges, create good will and take insults without retribution. They are generous people who do not quibble and would treat an enemy the same as a friend.

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:48 KJV)

Another translation sometimes helps.

Therefore, just as your heavenly Father is complete in showing love to everyone, so also you must be complete. (Matthew 5:48 CEB)

It is almost impossible for us to live perfect lives, but we can aim for perfection in God’s love. Shall we start with our closest enemy? You decide!

The Spirit of the Law Part 4 (Bible E-Course Matthew 7)

As we continue the Sermon on the Mount and the Spirit of the law, Jesus explains wrong judgment, right judgment and God’s judgment in Matthew 7.

Wrong Judgment

Should Christians severely judge others or unfairly find fault?

Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged. For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye? Or how will you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye,’ and behold, the beam is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye. (Matthew 7:1-5 WEB)

Right Judgment

Does Jesus mean that we should be naïve, never judging righteously, discerning who will attack us like a dog or trample our message underfoot like a pig?

Don’t give holy things to dogs, and don’t throw your pearls in front of pigs. They will stomp on the pearls, then turn around and attack you. (Matthew 7:6 CEB)

Will God respond to those who seek Him?

Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. Everyone who asks will receive. Everyone who searches will find. And the door will be opened for everyone who knocks. Would any of you give your hungry child a stone, if the child asked for some bread? Would you give your child a snake if the child asked for a fish? As bad as you are, you still know how to give good gifts to your children. But your heavenly Father is even more ready to give good things to people who ask. (Matthew 7:7-11 CEV)

What is the Golden Rule, which summarizes the entire Old Testament?

So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12 ESV)

Is the way to eternal life narrow and difficult?

Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it. (Matthew 7:13-14 HCSB)

Does Jesus mean that we should be naïve, never judging or discerning who is a false prophet?

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (Matthew 7:15-20 KJV)

God’s Judgment

Will God tell some that He never knew them? Does it have anything to do with not practicing lawlessness, acting wickedly or living in iniquity?

Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; leave Me, you who practice lawlessness.’ (Matthew 7:21-23 NASB)

What is lawlessness? Do we just believe alone? Do we put into practice Old Testament law or the words of Jesus?

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. (Matthew 7:24-27 NIV)

Had the audience grown from just the disciples to crowds? Did Jesus teach in a wishy washy, people-pleasing manner or with authority?

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law. (Matthew 7:28-29 NLT)

Do we avoid all judgment or only a critical spirit? Is it wise to share holy things with those who will attack and trample them underfoot? Do we discern false teachers by their fruit? Is true Christianity by faith alone or by hearing the words of Jesus and doing them? You decide!

Jesus Endorses the Law (Bible E-Course Matthew 5)

Jesus condemned whoever sets aside the least of God’s commands. Does that mean that all 613 Old Testament commandments are still in force, like circumcision, Sabbaths and sacrifices? Let’s examine salt, light and the law in Matthew 5:13-20.

Salt & Light

What are Christ’s disciples?

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. (Matthew 5:13 NKJV)

Disciples ARE salt? Ancients defined “salt” as probably a mixture of gypsum and what we call salt today. This mingling could lose its “saltiness.” Salt preserves and adds taste. Do we?

What else are disciples?

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. (Matthew 5:14 NKJV)

Disciples ARE light. What does that mean?

Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. (Matthew 5:15 NKJV)

May we hide our light? What about closed or isolated communities?

What must be seen?

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 NKJV)

Jesus taught us to do good works. Protestants, Orthodox and Catholics alike believe that we don’t do good works in order to be saved, but because we are saved. “Do-nothing” Christianity is incomplete and weak. Faith without works is dead. We let our light shine by our good deeds.

Law not Abolished

Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. (Matthew 5:17 NKJV)

Jesus endorsed the law and the prophets for Christians, the entire Old Testament. He did not do away with it but fulfilled it. How? Let’s find out.

How long will the law exist as a document?

For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. (Matthew 5:18 NKJV)

There are more ancient copies of the Bible than any other book. It’s the most reliable set of documents in ancient history. Jesus claims that no part of it is missing, not the smallest letter. He endorses every part of the Old Testament, even those parts that liberals don’t like and legalists ignore.

The Bible is the most well preserved document in all history. We have only 7 early manuscripts from Pliny, 7 from Plato, 8 from Herodotus, 20 from Tacitus, 643 from Homer, but well over 17,000 Old Testament manuscripts and 24,000 New Testament. [2]

[2] McDowell, Josh and Sean. Evidence That Demands a Verdict. Thomas Nelson US. 2018.

What about all 613 Old Testament commandments?

Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:19 NKJV)

Why choose only parts of the Bible we like? Jesus endorsed the entire Old Testament.

A Better Righteousness

Did He teach us to be more righteous than a law-keeping Pharisee? How?

For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:20 NKJV)

Deuteronomy expounds the Ten Commandments (#1 6-11; #2 12; #3 13:1-14:21; #4 14:22-16:17; #5 16:18-18:22; #6 19-21; #7 22:1-23:14; #8 23:15-24:7; #9 24:8-16; #10 24:17-26:15). [3] However, the letter of the law kills (2 Corinthians 3:6) and there is a righteousness by faith that is superior to the righteousness of the law (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3, 9; James 2:23).

[3] Hill, Andrew E. & Walton, John H. “A Survey of the Old Testament.” Zondervan Publishing House. 1991. 58.

Was Jesus concerned with even more rigid keeping of the letter of the law or a higher righteousness in the Spirit of the law? Let’s begin to find out as we learn about things like circumcision of the heart (Romans 2:29), rest in Jesus not a day (Matthew 11:28; Hebrews 3:7-4:13), being a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1), and love fulfilling the whole law (Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:14)?

The letter of the law can never be righteous enough. There are too many loopholes. The written letter of the law was good, but only a shadow of things to come. Shall we learn from Jesus and the Apostles about the intent or spirit of the law, to bring us to a living faith, and a love which fulfills the law, all of it? You decide!