“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
5:43
Now we come to the final model of the higher standards of Christ’s kingdom (5:43-48).
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love […]
Archive for May, 2008
so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
5:45
so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.
Love is characteristic of God’s children—like Father, […]
For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. […]
“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
6:1
Jesus now turns in the Sermon on the Mount to three areas where religious leaders distort worship:
1. Giving, 6:2-4
2. Prayer, 6:5-15
3. Fasting, 6:16-18
The first verse gives the over-arching negative […]
Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
6:2
Jesus presents the negative view of giving in verses two. He gives the positive view […]
But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
Jesus turns to the positive dimension of giving in verses three and four.
6:3
But when you […]
“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you […]
And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
6:7
Jesus now turns from the motive behind our prayer to […]
In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
6:9
Shifting from a critique of inadequate prayer, Jesus now turns to a model prayer (6:9-13). Luke also presents the Lord’s prayer (Lu 11:2-4).
In this manner, therefore, pray:
This […]
Give us this day our daily bread.
6:11
Give us this day our daily bread.
An element of prayer is personal petition. The word “daily” only occurs here and Luke 11:3 in the New Testament and conveys the idea of “sufficient for today.” This is a prayer for basic needs.
PRINCIPLE: Believers are to live one day at a […]