Tell City Nazarene Church's Biblical Journey
With Pastor Charles Areson
Today's reading is Matthew 5-8
Matthew 5
This chapter starts what many believe is the most important group of teachings in the New Testament if not the whole Bible. There have been entire books written on just the opening words, "Blessed are the poor in Spirit." However, I won't be looking at that in this writing. I have other things which I have written on this sermon. What I want to point out is where Jesus is focusing his teaching in the sermon.
Jesus focus isn't on the world around the disciple or for the most part the actions of the disciple, but the heart of the disciple. Jesus makes it clear the poor in Spirit (inside) is bless, be glad (on the inside) when your persecuted, hate (inside) toward others is equal to murder, love (inside) your enemies.
Yes, there are outward actions which come from the inward attitude, but Jesus doesn't seem impressed by actions without the correct internal attitude. What makes a person right with God and Jesus' disciple is the heart, not the outside.
Jesus doesn't dismiss the actions we do just because we claim to have a good heart. He does make it clear that the first and most important step is the change inside. This is why Jesus starts with what is on the inside, poor spirit, sorrow over sinful life, humility, desire for righteousness, mercy, purity, etc...
Photo by Benjamin Grull on Unsplash
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| The Sermon on the Mount |
Matthew 5
This chapter starts what many believe is the most important group of teachings in the New Testament if not the whole Bible. There have been entire books written on just the opening words, "Blessed are the poor in Spirit." However, I won't be looking at that in this writing. I have other things which I have written on this sermon. What I want to point out is where Jesus is focusing his teaching in the sermon.
Jesus focus isn't on the world around the disciple or for the most part the actions of the disciple, but the heart of the disciple. Jesus makes it clear the poor in Spirit (inside) is bless, be glad (on the inside) when your persecuted, hate (inside) toward others is equal to murder, love (inside) your enemies.
Yes, there are outward actions which come from the inward attitude, but Jesus doesn't seem impressed by actions without the correct internal attitude. What makes a person right with God and Jesus' disciple is the heart, not the outside.
Jesus doesn't dismiss the actions we do just because we claim to have a good heart. He does make it clear that the first and most important step is the change inside. This is why Jesus starts with what is on the inside, poor spirit, sorrow over sinful life, humility, desire for righteousness, mercy, purity, etc...
Photo by Benjamin Grull on Unsplash
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