An Introduction to the Savior
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DISCOVERING JESUS An Introduction to the Savior LESSON 2 BIBLE STUDY Matthew’s Gospel: Herald of Truth “The Road Less Traveled” P.O. Box 2439 Abilene, TX 79604 (800) 234-7995 This Bible Study Series Provided By: www.heraldoftruth.org www.hopeforlife.org Hope for Life A Ministry of Herald of Truth PART 1 example, he urges us not only to avoid murder, but even more to overcome the root sin of murder which is anger (Matthew 5: 2 1-22). HEART TUNING Similarly, he asks us not just to avoid adultery, but also to deal with the Robert Frost, the famous American poet, used to enjoy long walks root sin of lust (Matthew 5: 28). Jesus asks us to live by a very high in the New England woods with his friend Edward Thomas. Before ethical standard - not to retaliate (Matthew 5: 38-42), but to show love they would finish a walk, Thomas would sometimes berate himself for for all people, friends and enemies alike (Matthew 5: 43-48). choosing the wrong path. He always thought that if they had chosen a Chapter 5 ends with a surprising command: "Be perfect, therefore, different route, the walk would have been more scenic. Thinking of his as your heavenly Father is perfect." Such a command is shocking, friend's dilemma, Frost wrote a poem about choosing our paths in life. breathtaking. But it could be depressing, too. For who can be "perfect" It begins "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood. ." and it ends like like God? Scripture warns us that no human being ever achieves this: sinlessness or perfection (1 John 1: 8). So what is Jesus asking of us? In a dramatic way, he is clearly pointing out the ultimate goal of the I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Christian life. Unlike the Pharisees who tried to downsize the law of Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and I - God to make it convenient and "user-friend1y," Jesus reminds us that I took the road less traveled by, God is a holy God, and He eXpects more. We are eXpected to imitate And that has made all the difference God (Ephesians 5: 1). One might say that life is a series of choices, and the path you Though we cannot do this through our own strength and will choose will, indeed, "make all the difference." power, we are promised divine aid through the Holy Spirit's help. Throughout our lives we are eXpected to be moving towards Nearly two thousand years ago, Jesus told us to choose our paths Godlikeness. Perfection or maturity is not something we completely carefully. He especially was concerned that we not choose according to achieve, but through God's power, we are enabled to become something "majority rule." Popular routes often lead to disastrous destinations, far greater than we imagine: Jesus warns. The most popular freeways do not lead to heaven, according to Jesus: Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or Go in by the narrow gate. For the wide gate has a broad imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus road that leads to disaster, and there are many people to all generations, forever and ever. Amen (Ephesians 3: going that way. The narrow gate and the hard road lead 20-2 1). New Revised Standard Version out into life, and only a few are finding it (Matthew As you read the rest of the Sermon on the Mount, with its very high 7:14). Phillips Translation demands for seXual purity, marriage fidelity, love for enemies, and so Jesus' great Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7) is forth, remember that you will not achieve heaven through perfect a kind of road map to life. If you want good directions for your life - performance and law-keeping. But you should know clearly what the directions that will lead to the kingdom of Heaven - then you will want goal is. And you should hunger and thirst for God's high way. Our to study and follow the best map ever drawn for the spiritual life. righteousness can eXceed the righteousness of the Pharisees, not because Are you ready for it? Have you seen the destructive consequences we can live morally perfect lives, but because we can come to love God of living according to your own ideas of right and wrong without divine so genuinely that he forgives us and changes us, through his power. In guidelines? Have you recognized the hollowness of living for prestige, other words, the demands are high. But there is grace and forgiveness money, or appearances? Are you willing to leave the crowd and follow when we mess up and fail (see Luke 15). And there is divine assistance, the narrow road that leads to eternal life? for those who ask. - 2 - - 15 - their attitudes of superiority, their contempt for the classes below them, If you've already got everything figured out, if you "know where and their self-righteous intolerance caused them to clash with Jesus. you are going," then you're not very likely to ask for directions. On the Jesus accuses them of keeping people out of the kingdom of God: other hand, if you have a little humility, if you have a little uncertainty But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For and can admit it, then Jesus' words can help you a lot. You know you you lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. For you are ready for this journey if you are willing to ask directions. do not go in yourselves, and when others are going in, you stop them (Matthew 23: 13-14). PART 2 New Revised Standard Version LISTENING TO JESUS’ SERMON The Scribes were the close allies of the Pharisees. They devoted Jesus' Sermon on the Mount is one of the most significant sections their energies to studying and interpreting the Law of Moses. They of the Bible. In three short chapters Jesus outlines the ethics, the way of were considered the "eXperts" on the Mosaic Law. They were hostile life, and the "ideal behavior" for all who want to live in his kingdom. In towards Jesus' teaching since Jesus acted independently of their this one lesson Jesus describes the most important characteristics of the authority or sanction. Notice how Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, people who call themselves "Christians" - a term which means simply a contrasts his teaching with the teaching of the Scribes and the Pharisees. "Christ-follower" or "someone who wants to look and act like Jesus." Jesus says, "You have heard that it was said to the people in the old days.... But I say to you...." Jesus is challenging the familiar and As you read this remarkable sermon, imagine yourself among the traditional interpretations promoted by the Scribes and the Pharisees. five thousand in that original audience. Jesus is positioned on a great The tensions between Jesus and the Scribes and Pharisees will escalate sloping hill that sweeps down to serene waters of Lake Tiberias (also throughout Jesus' ministry, leading finally to the decision by the Scribes called the Sea of Galilee). The crowd is large because Jesus' reputation and Pharisees to work together to have Jesus arrested and eXecuted by is growing. The stories of his miraculous healings and his strange, new teachings are sweeping over the land. the Roman rulers. Summary Today, there is great eXcitement as people wonder what this great teacher of Israel will say. But Jesus knows that only a few in the The Sermon on the Mount is a summary of the key traits of the audience will try to put the Sermon on the Mount into practice. Note citizens of Jesus' kingdom. Let's consider a few of them: what he says at the end of the lesson: The Sermon begins with a set of "blessings" or "beatitudes." The “It is not everyone who keeps saying to me 'Lord, Lord' members of Jesus' kingdom, for eXample, will be noted for their poverty who will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but the man who of spirit or humble-mindedness; they will be acquainted with suffering; actually does my Heavenly Father's will” (Matthew 7:21). they will passionately long for justice and uprightness; they will be Phillips Translation compassionate and merciful, etc. Jesus then talks about the fact that followers of Jesus will be distinctive in the world. Their distinctive We warn you. Jesus says some pretty extreme things by modern, approach to life will make them shine like a light in a dark world. American standards. In fact, this sermon is often ignored because it NeXt Jesus rehearses several of the "commandments" from the goes against the way many people ordinarily think. Jesus asks us to Old Testament ("Thou shalt not murder," "Thou shalt not commit change our habits and re-evaluate what is true and false. In many ways, adultery," etc.). In each case, Jesus eXplains that the Pharisees and he asks us to leave our familiar culture behind in order to live in a better scribes have softened or changed or adjusted the commandment, making heavenly community. (Even many who call themselves Christians have it possible for people to keep the letter of the law, without obeying its never followed all the teachings in Matthew 5, 6, 7.) Jesus, you see, spirit. Jesus calls us back to the spirit of the Commandments.