As I type these words, it’s Christmas day, a day when most of the world celebrates and remembers the birth of Jesus. Although he almost certainly wasn’t actually born at this time of year, December 25th is when we traditionally remember the nativity story. For many people who aren’t Christians, this may be the only …
Tag Archives: Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 7 – Good and bad foundations
Last week we looked at Jesus’ warning that when he returns to the earth, not everyone who’ll welcome him as their lord will be recognised by him. I suggested that there’s a four-step process to becoming a genuine Christian who’ll be accepted by Jesus: a correct understanding of God’s word leads to faith, faith leads …
Matthew 7 – True and false disciples
Last week we saw Jesus’ warning to us about church leaders: while some will be faithful shepherds trying their best to feed their flock, others will be wolves in sheep’s clothing only interested in feeding on the flock. He taught that we can tell the difference by examining the fruits of their conduct as leaders …
Matthew 7: False prophets
Let’s read Matthew 7:15-20: Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good …
Matthew 7 – Two gates.
Let’s read Matthew 7:13-14 – “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” In these verses Jesus continued his teaching …
Matthew 7: The Golden Rule
Today we’ll look at a single verse, and it’s one of the best known out of all of Jesus’ teaching. Let’s read Matthew 7:12: So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. This verse is often referred to as “the …
Matthew 7 – Ask, Seek, Knock
Let’s read Matthew 7:7-11: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if your son asks for …
Matthew 7 – Do not give what is sacred…
Let’s read Matthew 7:6: “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” Questions This verse seems a little odd, standing on its own in between Jesus’ warning about hypocrisy in passing judgement …
Matthew 7 – to judge or not to judge…
We’ve reached Matthew 7 at last – it’s only taken us ten months! Today we’re going to look at what is perhaps one of the most frequently quoted – but also most often misunderstood – passages in all of Jesus’ teaching. Let’s read Matthew 7:1-5: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For …
Matthew 6 – Don’t worry about tomorrow
Welcome back. In today’s post we’ll cover a longer section than usual, from Matthew 6:25 right to the end of the chapter (v34). This section will conclude Jesus’ teaching on the theme of where our true number one priority in life lies. Let’s read Matthew 6:25-34: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your …
Nihilist to Christian 