Monthly ArchivesFebruary 2021

Matthew 5:46–48   46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.   One thought: If you shoot for the stars, you might just make it to the moon   Three questions: Why does God want us to be perfect?   Do you desire to be holy like God?   How could you be more perfect this week? What would that look like?   Prayer: Praise God that He is perfect. Give thanks that in Jesus ...

Matthew 5:43–45 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.   One thought: It’s hard enough to pray for people you like and deeply care for, let alone those who mistreat you. Jesus prayed for those who murdered Him.   Three questions: Have you been persecuted? By who?   Who do you least want to pray for?   Pray for those who are causing you harm ...

Matthew 5:40–42   40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.   One thought: The most likely place we will face this issue is when fighting over an inheritance – what will you do?     Three questions: What allows Christians to think like this?   How much do you care about money and possessions?   Consider your giving budget this week and increase it.   Prayer: Praise God that He owns all things ...

Matthew 5:38–39   38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.   One thought: Choosing not to fight over things the world thinks are primary (money/possessions) is a wonderful witness to Christ     Three questions: What might this look like in our culture?   What do you find hard about this teaching?   Who has committed an injustice toward you, that you could repay with kindness?   Prayer: Praise God that He has repayed our rebellion with forgiveness and blessing in Christ. Give thanks for Christ’s ...

Matthew 5:33–37 33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfil to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.     One thought: God does not break His promises, ...

Matthew 5:31–32 31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.     One thought: We choose personal pleasure and self-satisfaction over God’s.     Three questions: Why does this passage make us feel conflicted?   Do you desire God’s pleasure above even your own?   Pray for married couples in your church.   Prayer: Praise God that He has given us marriage to remind us of Jesus great love for His people. Give thanks that though we have comitted adultery against ...

Matthew 5:27–30   27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right-hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.     One thought: The spectre of ...

Matthew 5:25–26 25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.   One thought: We could face the judge at any moment, best then to resolve any issues that might deny us salvation – immediately! Three questions: On a big picture scale – who has been humanity’s adversary?   Have you reconciled with God?   Who is in dire need of reconciling ...

Matthew 5:21–24 21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. 23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come ...

Matthew 5:17–20 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the ...