Matthew 5

Written on 05/09/2024

Verses 1-2

  • Notice that when people gathered to Jesus, He took advantage of that opportunity by teaching them.

    • Think about ways that you can bring value to people, when you're around them, and take advantage of opportunities!

 

Verses 3-9

  • It is a blessing if, in this world, we see ourselves as in desperate need of help. There all qualities that citizens of God's kingdom must possess.

  • We will please God and experience His grace and favor if we are:

    • Desperate for God (verse 3) ) 

    • Sorrowful about sin (verse 4) (2 Corinthians 7:10)

    • Humble, mild, and submissive to God (verse 5)

    • Hungry for the things of God (verse 6) 

    • Merciful (verse 7) (James 2:13)

    • Sincere in motive (verse 8)

    • Peaceable to others (verse 9)

  • Strive to embody these qualities, as they are godly!

 

Verses 10-12

  • All godly people in the past have been persecuted, and we will be too if we live godly lives. Be happy about being mistreated for your faith, because the best of God's people were persecuted too! (1 Peter 4:13-14).

    • Remember that there is reward in heaven for being persecuted.

 

Verses 13-16

  • Believers are salt and light. If we boldly do good works—obeying God's Word—we will be helpful to others.

  • But if we keep our faith private, we are like flavorless salt and a covered light. In other words, if we are not bold to obey the Word, our faith is useless and worthy being trampled!

    • Don't be useless. Shine in this world by showing off the goodness and love of God!

 

Verses 17-20

  • All of the Bible is essential and must be both taught and obeyed (Matthew 28:20).

    • Do not pick and choose what parts of the Bible you will believe.

    • Believing in Jesus means believing in all of the Bible (Old and New Testament)! Believe in all of it, purpose to obey all of it, just as you believe in Jesus.

  • ​Just as Jesus came to fulfill and obey the Old Testament, He teaches that we should too! In the following passages He teaches us how to do so. God's desire is not that we ignore the Law, but that we live it out as it was always intended—from the heart. God’s concern is not merely behavior modification, but inner transformation.
     

Verses 21-32

  • Both murder and adultery begin in how a person thinks.

    • If you are embittered or angry with a person, thinking or speaking evil of them, God sees that as a form of murder.

      • So, by all means, forgive and restore friendly relationships with people. This is what's important to God.

    • If you look at a person you're not married to with lust or sexual desire, or if you divorce your spouse, both of these are adultery.

      • So, to repent of sexual sin fully, avoid looking at people with sexual desire, and do not get divorced! Even if you legally divorce, God still sees you as married. So joining with someone else, to Him, is indeed adultery.

      • There is an exception for divorce. This is discussed in Mark 10.

  • “If your hands causes you to sin, cut it off”. Jesus tells us that we should be so serious about obeying God that we would rather lose the limb than commit sin! Be that serious! See details on this in Mark 9.

 

Verses 33-37

  • It is wrong to make solemn vows or promises. 

  • Simply do what you say you're going to do, and at all times! Don't say, “I promise” to anyone. Mean every word that you say. Don't speak empty, idle words. This honors God and the kingdom.

 

Verses 38-48

  • Don't retaliate against those who are rude to you, or fight back against those who mistreat you or persecute you for your faith.

    • But fighting is permitted in cases of self-defense against serious attacks (those that are not for your faith).

  • Instead, show kindness to people who hurt you, and pray for them. God is good to all kind of people. You should be too.

    • This will show them God's love and help them to come to repentance and faith in Jesus. If you are rude to them back, this will only hurt their chances of repenting. See Romans 12:17-21.

    • Also, praying for people who've hurt you, and showing them kindness, will help you to forgive them!

  • Verse 48. Doing this will make you most like God. And being like God is the goal!

    • If you learn to love fully, your life will be perfect! Perfect love is perfection! Focus on love always!