Making sure to be ready and to belong to the escaped ones

In Daniel 12:1 is spoken of a time that the archangel Michael, or the great prince who as a grand defender and guardian protects [L stands by] God’s people [10:13, 21], will stand up [arise (Jude 9; Revelation 12:7)]. All people should know that there will be a time of much trouble [distress], the worst time since nations have been on earth, but at that time God’s people will be saved [rescued]. Therefore, Jesus warns to stay alert, to keep watch because nobody knows when Jesus will come (Matthew 24:42).

Followers of Christ should remember what they have received and heard, and obey it, and turn from their sin! For if they don’t wake up, they shall be surprised, because Jesus will come like a thief, and people don’t know at what moment he will come upon them (Revelation 3:3).

We have to give strict attention, be cautious and active in faith, so that when the time arrives we shall not find ourselves not ready to follow in the footsteps of the righteous, who shall be allowed to enter the narrow gate to the Kingdom of God.
Jesus compares that coming day and the required readiness with the owner of a house who also does not know when a thief would come along. Had he known his house was about to be broken into, he would have stayed up all night, vigilantly. He would have kept watch, and he would have thwarted the thief and not let his house be broken into. So we too have to be ready because we know the Son of Man will come, but we can’t know precisely when. He might be coming at an hour we do not expect (Matthew 24:43-44; Luke 12:39; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 3:3; Revelation 16:15).

Jesus asks

“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master put in charge of his household to give them food at the proper time?” (Matthew 24:45)

The sent one from God, Jeshua, the son of man and the Kristos (Christ) we can have as our trustworthy servant, the one Whom the Highest Master has put in charge of all the servants of his household. We, who want to serve Jesus, are simple servants, but that does not take away that we do not have to take our responsibility seriously.
When the times of the latter days arrive we should belong to those servants whose master (Jesus Christ) finds them doing their work when Jesus returns on this earth. (Matthew 24:46)

Jesus who always tells the truth, assures us and most solemnly say to his followers that the master will choose that servant to take care [put him in charge] of everything he owns. (Matthew 24:47)

When that servant would not be ready and [L at an hour when he] is not expecting him that is appointed by the Most High, then the master will treat that caught unaware servant like one who did not do his job and consider him a worthless servant. (Matthew 24:50-51)

In those days, after that tribulation, when the earth shall shake, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. [Mark 13:24-25; Isaiah 13:10; 34:4; Ezekiel 32:7; Joel 2:10; 2:31; 3:15; Haggai 2:6,21] Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth (lying dead and buried) will awake and rise up (Daniel 12:2) to see with those, who are still alive at that time, the Son of Man coming in the clouds with tremendous power and glory (Mark 13:26; Daniel 7:13–14).

Then there might be weeping and gnashing of teeth, indicating agony and remorse, but it shall be too late to discuss over distress and anger, because everybody has been warned long before and could have found the Biblical Truth. When the time after the big war has arrived, and Jesus shall be seen as the returned one from God, then it shall be time for the righteous to come out of the world of mammon, showing to the world they do not belong to this world but to God and His people, so that they will not share in the world her sins, and so that they will not receive any of her plagues (Revelation 18:4). All then shall have to know that then the time has arrived when those particular chosen ones who are alive and left behind [or alive and are left] will be gathered [caught; taken; raptured] together with them [the resurrected ones] into the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. This is how we, the resurrected and the living, will be with him forever. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)

Events seem to be happening at a break-neck speed, so that it is almost impossible to keep up. We have major headlines coming out almost hourly, Russia (the bear), Syria, Iran, Iraq, the Asian and African countries. Many of these have a role in prophecy during the last days.

When believing in God and believing also in Jesus (John 14:1) we do know that in Jehovah, our Father’s house, there are many mansions, which all should be prepared and ready to receive the Master.

Let us, who have obtained salvation through Christ, make sure that when the time is near, right at the door, that we shall be ready. So that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming (1 John 2:28), after having able to stand strong and firm in those troubling or perilous times (2 Timothy 3:1). We have to be prepared and have made ourselves strong enough to go through that time of great trouble and can stand up against those lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God (2 Timothy 3:2-5). As the Messiah loves us, so should we in the world having our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment (1 John 4:17).

Nobody shall be able to escape the judgement-seat of Jesus. It is not that some people shall already be gone to a hell, a purgatory or heaven. For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he has done, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10)

Let us not lay up for ourselves treasures upon earth, where moths and rust destroy, and burglars break in and steal. Let us not give thieves an opportunity to break through and steal (Matthew 6:19) and remember that whatever we deserve for the good or bad things we have done in our period here on earth, shall come unto us. They that have done good, unto the resurrection of life shall then receive their reward, but those who have done evil to a resurrection of judgment, shall be condemned, find the path unto the resurrection of damnation (2 Corinthians 5:10; John 5:29).

We can only hope that when Jesus returns, we ourselves and many of our friends, shall be counted to those with faith (Luke 18:8) and belonging to the ones whose name is written in God’s book to be saved [L All who are found written in the book; C of life; Ex. 32:32; Ps. 69:28; Da 10:21; Mal 3:16; Luke 10:20; Rev. 20:12.].

 

+

Preceding

Matthew 10:11-15 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Searching for the Sheep

Matthew 13:36-43 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Zizania in the Field Explained

Matthew 16:24-28 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: A Disciple Must Disown Self

Matthew 22:11-13 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: King’s Inspection and Marriage Garments

Matthew 24 about temples or Houses of God and the end of the age

Matthew 24:1-2 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Desolation, Oppression and the Parousia – The Setting

Matthew 24:3 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Desolation, Oppression and the Parousia – The Apostles’ Question

Matthew 24:4-8 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Answer: Part One – Beware Being Misled

Matthew 24:9-14 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Answer: Part Two – The Acts of the Apostles Foretold

Matthew 24:15-28 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Answer: Sign 1: Encamped Armies. The Sign Great Oppression Is Near

Matthew 24:29-35 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Answer Part Two – Sign 2: The Parousia. A Sign after the Great Oppression

Matthew 24:36-41 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: About That Day and Hour

Matthew 24:42-51 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Stay Awake!

Left in the dark or being in the dark seeing light

Separation of local judgment regarding 70 CE from the global ultimate-coming prophecies of the Second Coming and Final Judgment

++

Additional reading

1. You know neither the day nor the hour
2. Only once and with consequences
3. With the gift of Jesus comes an awesome responsibility
4. Sign of the Times and the Last Days #1 The Son of man revealing
5. Signs of the Last Days
6. The days are coming
7. To be prepared and very well oiled
8. Devotees and spotters
9. The chosen ones to fear or not to fear
10. God my fence, my hope for the future
11. Dealings with ruling authorities
12. Rapture Exposed
13. Rapture what does it mean?
14. The Rapture or admittance with Christ
15. Gather together with Jesus Christ
16. Raptured in clouds

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 5:1-12 Nazarene Mountain teachings: Blessed and legal commentaries

The Sermon on the mount
(Nazarene Mountain teachings)

(Matthew 5:1 – 7:29 || Luke 6:20-23)

Chapter Five:
The Blessed and legal commentaries

Matthew 5:1-2 – The Setting

MT5:1 Observing the crowds Jesus went up into the mountains and after he reclined his disciples approached him. MT5:2 And Jesus opened his mouth and began teaching them.

Matthew 5:3-12 – Introduction: Attitudes for Happiness

|| Luke 6:20-23

MT5:3 “Blessed[1] the poor as to the spirit[2] for the Heavenly Realm[3] is theirs.
MT5:4 Blessed those mourning[4] for they will be comforted.[5]
MT5:5 Blessed the meek[6] for they will inherit the earth.[7]
MT5:6 Blessed those hungering and thirsting for righteousness[8] for they will be filled.[9]
MT5:7 Blessed the merciful[10] for they will be shown mercy.
MT5:8 Blessed the pure in heart[11] for they will see[12] The God.[13]
MT5:9 Blessed the peaceable people[14] for they will be called ‘Sons of The God.’[15] MT5:10 Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness.[16] The Heavenly Realm[17] is theirs.
MT5:11 Blessed are you when they reproach[18] and persecute and speak evil lies against you because of me.[19] MT5:12 Rejoice and exult[20] for your heavenly reward is great! For this is the same way they persecuted the former prophets.[21]

Jesus is considered by scholars such as Weber to be an example of a charismatic religious leader. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

[1] Blessed: Perhaps the opening words are among the most well known after the Lord’s Prayer and the Golden Rule. Most of the key elements in the Beatitudes are expanded in the main body of the Nazarene’s sermon. These subjects are: poverty, comfort, mildness, righteousness, charity, purity, peaceableness, persecution.

The Greek word MAKARIOI is more than the English “happy” or even the KJV “blessed.” The English word “happy” generally means a temporary moment of elation. It is doubtful this is what the Nazarene had in mind. “Blessed” also falls short unless one thinks of the word as including divine favor. The Greek word here infers a supreme measure of joy because of a divine state of favor before the Father. It is variously rendered: how happy, how blessed. The Nazarene borrows the idea from the Psalms where the word occurs 28 times, often in a similar vein by David. “Happy” occurs 138 times in the Bible. Luke uses it the most often in the Christian Bible (17 times) and Revelation contains the Seven Apocalyptic Beatitudes, 7 times (Revelation 1:3;14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7, 14).

[2] The poor as to the spirit: This is the most literal reading according to the Greek, but it has been dealt with in various matters. Most prefer to render it, ‘the poor in spirit’ but that is not exactly what the Greek says. A possibility is Blessed the poor Spiritual. Various renderings are: destitute in spirit (RHM), rating themselves insignificant (AMP), those who feel their spiritual need (GDSP), humble-minded (PHI), how blest are those who know that they are poor (NEB), those conscious of their spiritual need (NWT). Perhaps the most direct commentary would be that of Luke who words this introduction simply, ‘Happy are the poor’ (Luke 6:20). Word Studies in the New Testament (Vol 1, page 36):

“It is very graphic and appropriate here, as denoting the utter spiritual destitution, the consciousness of which precede the entrance into the Kingdom of God.”

The word “poor” occurs 22 times in the Gospels. Perhaps Paul and James draw on the Master’s words when they paraphrase, ‘God chose the poor’? [1 Corinthians 1:27, 28; James 2:5] If we accept Luke’s bias we must understand Jesus’ words here as emphasizing poverty, a condition in which one must depend upon others for the necessities of life. This state is emphasized later in the sermon. The poor ‘spirituals’ have only God to look to for help. Jesus was poor as were his disciples and later Paul. The word group “rich(es)” occurs nearly 200 times in the Bible with the first occurrence at Genesis 14:23 (Abraham) and most often in the OT, Proverbs (12 times) and in the NT, Luke (16 times).

Luke records perhaps another occasion in chapter Luke 6:24 in the very spirit of James 5:1, ‘Happy are the poor’ and then ‘woe to the rich’. The life of Jesus, the example of his Apostles in Acts chs 2-6, and the manner of Paul, all point to the deep meaning behind the word “poor” here. There is a danger in “riches” which Paul stresses at 1 Timothy 6:17-19. We feel the Greek PTOKHOI ought to remain as “Poor” or “the destitute” for this is Luke’s view and the “Poor” feature prominently in the Nazarene’s teachings.

[3] Heavenly Realm: (MOF) Literally this is “the kingdom of the heavens” but the Greek BASILEIA may refer to a seat of government in a monarchy or to the realm, domain or territory over which such a kingdom rules. Two views may be present here: a) an actual place in the future government of the King; or, b) opportunity for entrance into the Realm of Profession, or the Church itself. Sometimes Jesus uses the word “kingdom” to mean that position of rulership in the heavens and other times he refers to being a subject of the King. There are two kingdoms in the Nazarene’s teachings: 1) the Son’s; and, 2) the Father’s. Compare Matthew 13:41, 43.

The word “kingdom” occurs a total of 366 times in the Bible with 63 in Daniel. In the Nazarene’s teachings “kingdom” occurs 55 times in Matthew, 23 times in Mark, and 45 times in Luke. It is a theme word or key topic of the Nazarene’s sayings.

[4] Mourning: Note how Luke 6:21 puts this, weeping. Messiah (the Christ) was anointed to ‘comfort those mourning in Zion.’ (Isaiah 61:1,3; Luke 4:16) Various renderings are: sad (BAS); know what sorrow means (PHI). The world is not an altogether happy place and life dishes out its share of pain. Paul describe it as ‘a season of groaning pain.’ (Romans 8:22) The word group “mourn(ing)” occurs about 100 times in the Bible.

[5] Comforted: Or, consoled, given courage. The comfort is found in God and that Spirit He sends through Christ as the Comforter (John chs 14-16). The word “comfort” is rare in the Nazarene’s teachings but the idea breathes throughout the body of his sayings (Psalms 126:5; 2 Corinthians 1:1-7).

[6] Meek: Various renderings are: gentle TCNT; patient KNX; humble-minded GDSP; of a gentle spirit NEB; happy are those who claim nothing PHI. The words of the Nazarene here are a paraphrase of Psalm 37:11 (LXX = HOI DE PRAEIS KLERONOUESOUSI GEN. Note Daniel’s KLERON at Daniel 12:13) The “meek” here are those who will possess the Kingdom (verse 3), will see God (verse 8) and who will ‘inherit the nations’ as does the Messiah (Psalm 2:8; 72:8; Daniel 7:14, 27). The Nazarene was characterized by a mild-temper but this did not prevent him from displaying his anger or rebuke against the religious powers as well as his own disciples. The meek are non-confrontational, non-adversarial, non-aggressive, and not given to insisting on their own opinions. Even the Nazarene says, ‘If anyone hears my sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge.’ (John 12:47) Jesus was not judgmental save against those religious teachers who ought to know better (Matthew chapter 23).

[7] Inherit the earth: Note Psalm 2:8. These “meek” inherit the earth as the realm or territory of their rule (1 Corinthians 6:2; Daniel 7:27; Revelation 5:10).

[8] Hungering and thirsting for righteousness: This whole idea is right out of the Psalms (Psalm 63:1) and repeated in the Apocalypse (Rev 21:6; 22:17). Various renderings are: being and doing right (WMS); to see right prevail (NEB). Though many men may not thirst for righteousness in a moral sense, they do thirst for justice as seen in the multitude of revolutions throughout history. The Nazarene disciple must crave right or righteousness as if it were food. It is John who describes those ‘born from above’ as those who do not habitually sin but practice righteousness (1 John chs 2 and 3). This craving is not self-righteous or overly-righteous but a desire to see justice done with living evidence in the Saint’s life (Amos 8:11).

[9] Filled: Or, “satisfied.” See Luke 6:21.

[10] Merciful: Various renderings are: compassionate WEY; those who show mercy WMS. The Latin merci (French for “thank you”) is rooted in the gift paid mercenaries and so its strongest thrust is not forgiveness or judgment withheld as much as it is a gift of charity to the needy. The Nazarene Saint is characterized by a non-judgmental, forgiving and charitable spirit toward those in greater need.

[11] Pure in heart: Various renderings are: clean in heart (BAS); utterly sincere (PHI). This phrase gets to the root of motives in all that the Nazarene Saint does. There are no hidden agendas or games to be played against others. Utter guilelessness, like that of their Lord, is an attribute of the Transformed Mind (Romans 12:1; Hebrews 7:26). Such a disposition is only learned after years of tolerance, patience, and that true selfless interest in others called “love”.

[12] They will see: Perhaps the most sublime hope ever given to humans. To see The God is a true prospect for the Nazarene Saint (See 1 John 3:2; Revelation 22:4). “Face” can have a metamorphic tone as a concordance will show (Job 33:26).

[13] The God: In Greek this is TON THEON as it is in John 1:1 and refers almost without exception to the Creator, the Almighty, The God. Though in English “the” is often omitted we feel it wise to include it in all cases where the article appears. The God stands in contrast to other “gods.” (1 Corinthians 8:5, 6)

[14] Peaceable people: Various renderings are: makers and maintainers of peace (AMP). See Romans 12:18 and James 3:18. The Nazarene Saint is characterized by a non-adversarial, non-confrontational, and peace-seeking disposition. In Spanish translations this is often pacififadores from which “pacifist” is drawn. Ghandi taught, “I am willing to die for this cause, but there is no cause for which I am willing to kill.” This peaceable disposition is illustrated in the Nazarene’s later words at Matthew 5:22, 39-42. Compare Colossians 3:15.

[15] Sons of The God: This is a phrase used of angels in Genesis 6:1 and Job 2:1 and is the grand relationship of those willing to be peaceable in their natures, to become true children of God (John 1:12,13). This relationship is a feature of John’s Gospel and letters. If one wishes to be styled a child of God then peaceableness must characterize their Transformed Mind (Romans 12:1, 18).

[16] Persecuted for righteousness: The reason for the persecution must be for righteousness and not for some crime or evil as Peter himself teaches (1 Peter chs 2 – 4). The Nazarene’s audience were persecuted Jews under Roman domination. Additionally, Jesus knew of the future periods of oppression against his own disciples and foretold it at Matthew 24:9-11. Luke uses the word “hate” at Luke 6:22.

[17] Heavenly Realm: This can mean that ultimate “goal” which Paul sought (Philippians 3:14) and which is promised the Saints (Daniel 7:27) or that opportunity opened up by the Nazarene to enter the Realm of Profession, the Son’s “kingdom”, his Church (Matthew 13:41; 16:18; Colossians 1:13). As Paul writes, persecution is part and parcel of the Christian way of life (Acts 14:22; 2 Timothy 3:12).

[18] Reproach: Various renderings are: MOF: denounce; GDSP: abuse; BAS: give you a bad name; WEY: every cruel thing; PHI: slanderous. Often, it is true, the source of this is from the present ruling powers; but, it is also true that this abuse comes from a religious source within one’s own Faith as in the case of the Jewish clergy against the Nazarene (John 16:1,2 and Acts chs 4, 5). The worse kind of reproach is from fellow believers who charge “apostasy” and thus make themselves liable to Gehenna (Matthew 5:2).

[19] Because of me: Elsewhere in the Nazarene’s teachings this is “because of my name” (Matthew 24:9) as historically demonstrated in the Book of Acts. It is the name “Jesus” or “Christ” that brings the reproach and persecution (Acts 2:38; 3:6, 16; 4:7, 10, 12, 17, 18, 30; 5:28, 40, 41; 8:12, 16; 9:14, 15, 16, 21, 27, 28; 10:43, 48; 15:26; 16:18; 19:5, 13; 21:13; 22:16; 26:9).

[20] Rejoice and exult: See Luke 6:23. Various renderings are: WEY: be joyful and triumphant; WMS: leaping for ecstasy; KN: glad and light-hearted. Luke also adds “excluded or separated.” (Luke 6:23)

[21] The former prophets: Surely, the Nazarene thinks of Elijah and his persecution by Ahab and Jezebel. Compare Matthew 23:35. Even Moses the Prophet was abused by his sister and other rebels. According to tradition Isaiah was killed by King Manasseh.

Beatitudes-sermon-on-mount (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

+

Preceding articles

The Nazarene master teacher learning people how they should behave

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:23-25 – Kingdom Preaching and Healing Draws Crowds

There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving

++

Additional reading

1. Salvation, trust and action in Jesus #2 What you must do
2. Golden rule for understanding in spiritual matters obedience
3. Built on or Belonging to Jewish tradition #4 Mozaic and Noachide laws
4. Right to be in the surroundings
5. Let us become nothing, and Christ everything

+++

Further related articles

1. Sermon from Matthew 5
2. Sermon for January 29, 2017
3. Sermon for 29 January 2017 on Matthew 5:1-12
4. NBFMC Sermon Review (1/15/2017) – ‘Sermon on the Mount’ Series: “Being Salt and Light”
5. NBFMC Sermon Review (1/22/2017) – ‘Sermon on the Mount’ Series: “Jesus and The Law”
6. NBFMC Sermon Review (2/05/2017) – ‘Sermon on the Mount’ Series: “Lust and Relationships”
7. 4th Sunday, Year A | Being peacemakers in a divided society
8. Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (January 29th, 2017)
9. 4th Sunday After Epiphany, January 29, 2017
10. 5th Sunday Ordinary Time Year A 2017
11. Sermon on the Mount: Part 1
12. Sermon on the Mount Part 1: Beatitudes
13. Sermon on the Mount: Part 2
14. 2017.01.15 Sermon On The Mount Part 1
15. Bible Study: Insights on the Sermon on the Mount: The Beatitudes Part 1
16. Bible Study: Insights on the Sermon on the Mount: The Beatitudes Part 2
17. Bible Study: Insights on the Sermon on the Mount: The Beatitudes Part 3
18. Bible Study: Insights on the Sermon on the Mount: The Light
19. Time to Make the Vision Plain
20. 12 February 2017: Sixth Sunday in Ordinary time
21. You Have Heard It was Said | 6th after Epiphany
22. You have heard it said of old: A sermon for the 6th Sunday after the Epiphany, 2017
23. Words Fail Me
24. Seventh Sunday, Year A | The Bible and the Love-Justice Dialectic
25. Episode 5: Kingdom Living in a Fallen World
26. Episode 7: Sermon on the Mount
27. Walk humbly with your God
28. Father Kevin’s Reflection – January 29, 2017
29. #Blessed = Health & Wealth??
30. Blessed (by Haras Price)
31. Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit
32. Blessed are the peacemakers (or how to spot God’s kids)
33. Beatitudes: promises
34. The Beatitudes
35. Beatitudes: fabric and setting
36. More Than Parts
37. Beatitudes: context
38. Beatitudes: reversal
39. More than Just the Be Happy Attitudes: a sermon for Epiphany 4A
40. Blessed are those who mourn (Matt. 5 vs. 4)
41. Lesson 8: The Beatitudes
42. The beatitudes: an upside down view of life
43. Epiphany 6A: The Reordered Way
44. the missing sermon from the Bible
45. Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount
46. What are you called to B?
47. Giving and Getting It Al
48. Preaching and communication: Lessons from the Sermon on the Mount
49. The Gospel is a Broken Record 2-12-17
50. Sermon on the Exam Table
51. Jesus’s Break-Out Album
52. In All Our Complexity
53. 6th Sunday A: Commandments about Love
54. Truth, love, and justice
55. The Choice is Yours – A Sermon on Sirach 15:15-20 and Matthew 5:21-37
56. Devotional – Matthew 5.23-24
57. Making Things Right
58. Salt of the Earth
59. Sermon on the Mount Part 2: Salt, Light, & Righteousness
60. A Sermon for the Salted and Unsalted
61. Bible Study: Insights on the Sermon on the Mount: The Salt
62. The salt of the earth and the light of the world
63. How “salty” are you?
64. 11th Hour Preacher Party: Salt and Light
65. A call to be Salt and Light
66. Be salty (a prayer for pastors)
67. Being the Salt
68. Salt and Light :: Communion Liturgy
69. Light in R-Rated
70. But I say to you: the law
71. God’s Law is much, much more than a set of rules that we must follow
72. Jesus demands even more than what the Law demands
73. Sermon: Christians behaving badly
74. Relationship Status
75. A Christian’s Relationships
76. “You Shall Not Murder”: Jesus and the Ten Commandments
77. Sermon for February 5, 2017
78. Salt and Light 1
79. Salt and light
80. Be the light
81. Living as Salt and Light
82. The Great Invitation: Salt and Light
83. You … yes, you … are the light of the world!
84. You are the Light of the World!
85. The Light on This Corner
86. Episode 11: Light of the World
87. Day 201: Words, Words, Words – Matthew 5.9 (KJV
88. Sermon :: February 19, 2017
89. Sermon on the Mount Part 4: Theosis
90. Seventh Sunday after Epiphany -y. A Br Andrew 2017
91. Be Good!
92. Sermon: All You Need Is … ?
93. But I say to you: patterns
94. Romans 12 & the Sermon on the Mount
95. Tolstoy Prophesies the Fall of America
96. Great In The Kingdom
97. Leaving it all on the course for Him Matthew 5:21
98. The Great Invitation: This, Not That – Sermon on Matthew 5:21-37
99. Lectionary Sermon February 12 2017 Epiphany 6 A (St Valentine’s Sunday) on Matthew 5: 21 – 37
100. But I say to you: smallest part
101. Give to the one who asks you
102. Righteousness: context
103. Righteousness: against the grain
104. Righteousness: extra mile
105. Being Perfect: Sermon for February 19, 2017
106. Be Perfect
107. Anything beyond this is from the evil one…
108. Poem For The Sunday Lectionary (Epiphany 7, Yr A)
109. The Sedition of Christ – A Sermon on Matthew 5:38-48
110. Preparing to Preach on Jesus’ Teaching on Non-Violence: Matthew 5:38-48
111. Lectionary sermon for 19 February 2017 on Matthew 5:38-48
112. Lowering the Bar
113. Next Verse Same As the First 2-19-17
114. God’s Perfect Life (Matthew 5:38-48)
115. The First Mile
116. Holy, Perfect, The People of God: A Sermon for the Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany, 2017
117. Be Perfect | 7th after Epiphany
118. Matthew 5:21-37 – First be reconciled to your brother or sister
119. A New Standard (Matthew 5:21-37)
120. Misc. Wednesday: Love Your Enemies
121. What do you do when Jesus says to love your enemies?
122. The Power of Love: a sermon for Epiphany 7A – Matthew 5:38-48
123. Sabbath Monday: Love Thy Neighbor
124. Love Completely
125. Love your enemies
126. Praying for enemies
127. Love (even) your enemies
128. It’s Always About Love
129. Loving our enemies means liking them, too
130. Getting Angry
131. No, You Do Not Have to Hit Back!
132. 2/19/2017 Turn the Other Cheek
133. turn the other cheek
134. Redemptive Anger
135. But I say to you: anger
136. The Dark Secret of Anger
137. Loving our Enemies: Subversive Love as Nonviolent Resistance
138. Love your enemies
139. Sermon for February 19, 2017
140. Matthew 5:38-48: About Revenge – Part I
141. Matthew 5:38-48: About Revenge – Part II
142. What fruit do you produce?
143. The Private Lent
144. Righteousness: loving
145. What Jesus Says When You’ve Been Burned
146. Why are People Repelled by Christians?
147. On Being a Lily of the Field
148. The sun also rises
149. Stir me, O Lord, to care
150. “Make something happen!”: The restless spirit
151. The most frightening words Wesley ever preached
152. Sermon on the Mount Part 3: You Have Heard it Said…But I Say to You…
153. Loving God with our Minds
154. But I say to you: readings
155. But I say to you: context
156. Put me to what You will
157. Wanting the Impossible
158. What if Everything I Think I Know is Wrong?
159. What God’s Growing
160. Choose life so that you and your descendants
161. Choosing Life
162. Show your work – a sermon
163. A spirit of reconciliation
164. Deep Preaching
165. Nobel Peace Laureate: “Nonviolence is the path to human security”
166. Blessed Are the Meek
167. It isn’t Easy to Follow Jesus
168. What are we here for?
169. The University of Life- and the Mind of Christ
170. Sending
171. practice makes perfect
172. Calculating Vice
173. It’s Hard and It Matters
174. Shine on
175. Facebook is for Murderers
176. Mountain Meditation: Kingdom Living
177. There are certain actions in the Kingdom
178. Becoming What You Already Are
179. Forgetting and Repeating the Past
180. Whose Side Are We on?
181. All You Need to Do
182. A Christian’s Character
183. Blessings
184. The Prayer on the Mount
185. You might be a Disciple
186. Ode to Joy
187. i never knew you
188. Spiritual Reorientation
189. Choosing Mercy – a sermon
190. Wait! What?!
191. Blessed
192. Blessed Are The Preposterous
193. Blessing: You keep on using that word, I do not think it means what you think it means
194. Recognizing Blessings
195. The Beatitudes: What We Really Are
196. Authentic Christianity
197. A Whole LifeTime
198. Respond In Love
199. Forgiveness Sunday
200. The Controversy of Blessedness
201. All Things New…
202. Make peace
203. Kindness~Love~Honor
204. Making the World a Better Place
205. A Dozen of Them – The Final Chapters
206. The Offensivness of Kindness?
207. The Golden Rule
208. The Golden Rule says “Do” unto others
209. Applying the Golden Rule
210. Judge or not to Judge??

+++

Related articles

• Was the Beatitudes Invocation at the Inaugural a Rebuke to Donald Trump?
• Blessed are the peacemakers (or how to spot God’s kids)
• Thursday, 16 February 2017 : 6th Week of Ordinary Time (Gospel Reading)
• Scripture Verse Of The Week ‘Philipians4 Verse 4’
• First or Last?
• David S. Bell’s New Book Bridges Gap between Christianity, Islam
• Most religious groups come out against Trump refugee order
• Is your mind thirsty?
• A Royal Rule given to followers of Christ
• May we be “ready” when Jesus returns