January 19, 2014 - The Great Commission - A Study of Matthew – Retaliation and Love

January 19, 2014 - The Great Commission - A Study of Matthew – Retaliation and Love

Matthew 28 - New International Version (NIV) – The Great Commission

¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Retaliation and Love

•       Matthew 5:38-48 - New International Version (NIV)

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. 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.

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. 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.”

What is the teaching that Jesus begins with (verse 38)?

But what does Jesus teach (verses 39 through 41)?

In your opinion, how is the teaching of Jesus different from “Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.”?

What is the next quote that Jesus begins with “You have heard that it was said” (verse 43)?

How does Jesus change this teaching (verse 44)?

Who will we be if we love enemies and pray for those who persecute us (verse 45)?

What does God the Father do (verse 45)?

In your opinion, what is the message of verses 46 and 47?

What is the instruction to us found in verse 48?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Matthew 5:38-48 show us about the Great Commission?

Deuteronomy 19:16-21 - New International Version (NIV)

^"16 If a malicious witness takes the stand to accuse someone of a crime, ¹⁷ the two people involved in the dispute must stand in the presence of the Lord before the priests and the judges who are in office at the time. ¹⁸ The judges must make a thorough investigation, and if the witness proves to be a liar, giving false testimony against a fellow Israelite, ¹⁹ then do to the false witness as that witness intended to do to the other party. You must purge the evil from among you. ²⁰ The rest of the people will hear of this and be afraid, and never again will such an evil thing be done among you. ²¹ Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot."

What kind of witness does verse 16 mention?

In your opinion, what would a malicious witness do?

What are the malicious witness and the person they accuse supposed to do (verse 17)?

What are the judges instructed to do (verse 18)?

What is the prescribed punishment for the false (malicious) witness (verse 19)?

Why is this supposed to happen (verse 20)?

How does verse 21 compare to Matthew 5:38?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Deuteronomy teach us about Matthew 5:38-48?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Deuteronomy show us about the Great Commission?

Romans 12:1-21 - New International Version (NIV)

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

³ For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. ⁴ For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵ so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶ We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; ⁷ if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

⁹ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹ Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³ Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

What does Paul urge believers to do as “true and proper worship” (verse 1)?

In your opinion, what does it mean to “conform to the pattern of this world” or to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (verse 2)?

In your opinion, why would thinking of ourselves “with sober judgment” keep us from thinking of ourselves “more highly than you ought” (verse 3)?

How would you sum up the teaching of verses 4 through 8?

What are the core teachings of verses 9 through 16?

What is Paul’s practical advice for dealing with the people who do evil to us (verse 17)?

In your opinion, why would Paul insert the qualifier “as far as it depends on you” to the instruction to “live at peace with everyone” (verse18)?

Consider verse 19 and then consider it again while thinking that Jesus took God’s wrath for our sins; how does remembering that Jesus was punished for what we did help this verse become more reasonable?

What is instructed in verse 20?

In your opinion how does “²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (verse 21) help us understand, “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.” (Matthew 5:44 and 45a)?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Romans teach us about Matthew 5:38-48?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Romans show us about the Great Commission?

1 John 3:11-23 - New International Version (NIV)

^“11 For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. ¹² Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. ¹³ Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. ¹⁴ We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. ¹⁵ Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.

¹⁶ This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. ¹⁷ If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? ¹⁸ Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

¹⁹ This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: ²⁰ If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. ²¹ Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God ²² and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. ²³ And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.”

What is the message “you have heard from the beginning” (verse 11)?

Why did Cain murder his brother (verse 12)?

How does understanding Cain’s motives help us understand why the world might hate us (verse 13)?

What is verification that we have passed from death to life (verse 14)?

How do we know what love is (verse 16)?

How are we to love (verse 18)?

What does loving “with actions and in truth” do for our hearts in the presence of God (verse 19)?

In your opinion, how is it a comfort to know that God is greater than our hearts (verse 20)?

In your opinion, why is there a link between “our hearts do not condemn us” and “receive from him anything we ask” (verses 21 and 22)?

What is in verse 23 that will be the command of God (see verse 22)?

What is in verse 23 that will please God (see verse 22)?  

In your opinion how does “²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21) and “²³ And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.” (1 John 3:23) help us understand, “⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)?

In your opinion, what does this passage from 1 John teach us about Matthew 5:38-48?

In your opinion, what does this passage from 1 John show us about the Great Commission?

Next, back to Matthew 6:1 - (sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

January 12, 2014 - The Great Commission - A Study of Matthew – Oaths and Effort

January 12, 2014 - The Great Commission - A Study of Matthew – Oaths and Effort

 Matthew 28 - New International Version (NIV) – The Great Commission

¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Oaths and Effort

•       Matthew 5:31-37 - New International Version (NIV)

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.

³³ “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill 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.

What basic teaching does Jesus mention (verse 31)?

How does Jesus expand that teaching (verse 32)?

What is the next historic teaching that Jesus mentions (verse 33)?

How does Jesus expand this teaching (verses 34, 35 and 36)?

In your opinion, why does Jesus instruct saying ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ only (verse 37)?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Matthew 5:31-37 show us about the Great Commission?

Numbers 30:1 & 2 - New International Version (NIV)

“Moses said to the heads of the tribes of Israel: “This is what the Lord commands: ² When a                man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not                  break his word but must do everything he said.”

What does Moses say that the Lord commands (verse 2)?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Numbers teach us about Matthew 5:31-37?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Numbers show us about the Great Commission?

Hosea 1:2 - New International Version (NIV)

² When the Lord began to speak through Hosea, the Lord said to him, “Go, marry a                           promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty            of  unfaithfulness to the Lord.”

Who spoke through and to Hosea?

What kind of woman was he to marry?

How is the land (Israel) like an adulterous wife?

In your opinion, how does relating the relationship of people to the Lord and a wife to a husband increase our understanding of our relationship to God?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Hosea teach us about Matthew 5:31-37?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Hosea show us about the Great Commission?

James 5:12-14 - New International Version (NIV)

^“12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by                          anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be                              condemned.

¹³ Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.”

What is the message of both James 5:12 and Matthew 5:37?

What instruction does James give in verses 13 and 14?

In your opinion, what is the significance of James following the instruction “do not swear” with the instructions that point to God in the midst of trouble, happiness and sickness?

In your opinion, what does this passage from James teach us about Matthew 5:31-37?

In your opinion, what does this passage from James show us about the Great Commission?

2 Peter 1:3-11 - New International Version (NIV)

^3” His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. ⁴ Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷ and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. ⁸ For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

¹⁰ Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, ¹¹ and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

What has given us “everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (verse 3)?

Through what do we “participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” (verse 4)?

Since “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life” and “He has given us His very great and precious promises” what should we do (verses 5, 6 and 7)?

In your opinion, what is the reason that Peter give us the instruction to “add to” all of the things that follow (verses 5, 6 and 7)?

What is the promise about possessing “these qualities in increasing measure” (verse 8)?

How is the person who does not have these qualities described (verse 9)

In your opinion, what does Peter mean by “confirm your calling and election” verse 10)?

In your opinion, what is the relationship between “confirm your calling and election” and “you will never stumble” (verse 10)?

What kind of welcome will we receive from “our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” if we “do these things” (verse 11)?

In your opinion, why does Jesus tell us not to break the oath of marriage and to not make oaths but Peter tells us to “make every effort”?

In your opinion, what does this passage from 2 Peter teach us about Matthew 5:31-37?

In your opinion, what does this passage from 2 Peter show us about the Great Commission?

Next, back to Matthew 5:38 - (sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

January 5, 2014 - The Great Commission - A Study of Matthew – Murder and Adultery

January 5, 2014 - The Great Commission - A Study of Matthew – Murder and Adultery

Matthew 28 - New International Version (NIV) – The Great Commission

¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Murder and Adultery

•       Matthew 5:21-30 - New International Version (NIV)

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 and offer your gift.

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.”

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.

When did Jesus say that the commandment that he was going to recite was given to people (verse 21)?

What does the commandment say (verse 21)?

What does Jesus say that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to (verse 22)?

In your opinion, why should the offering be left in front of the alter until reconciliation is made with the brother or sister who has something against you (verses 23 and 24)?

What does Jesus say about why matters should be settled quickly (verse 25)?

In your opinion, how can pennies repay someone for anger against them, or does Jesus have another message in this statement (verse 26)?

What is the next commandment that Jesus is going to discuss (verse 27)?

What does Jesus say is adultery (verse 28)?

What is the proposed solution to keeping the whole body from being condemned (verse 29 and verse 30)?

In your opinion, can the eye or the hand cause a person to sin?

In your opinion, what is the message that Jesus is trying to convey?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Matthew 5:21-30 show us about the Great Commission?

Exodus 20:13 & 14 - New International Version (NIV)

¹³ “You shall not murder.

¹⁴ “You shall not commit adultery.

What is the sixth commandment (the first listed here) (verse 13)?

In your opinion, what does this commandment mean?

What is the seventh commandment (verse 14)?

In your opinion, what does this commandment mean?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Exodus teach us about Matthew 5:21-30?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Exodus show us about the Great Commission?

Hosea 4:1-9 - New International Version (NIV)

Hear the word of the Lord, you Israelites,
    because the Lord has a charge to bring
    against you who live in the land:
“There is no faithfulness, no love,
    no acknowledgment of God in the land.
² There is only cursing, lying and murder,
    stealing and adultery;
they break all bounds,
    and bloodshed follows bloodshed.
³ Because of this the land dries up,
    and all who live in it waste away;
the beasts of the field, the birds in the sky
    and the fish in the sea are swept away.

⁴ “But let no one bring a charge,
    let no one accuse another,
for your people are like those
    who bring charges against a priest.
⁵ You stumble day and night,
    and the prophets stumble with you.
So I will destroy your mother—
⁶     my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.

“Because you have rejected knowledge,
    I also reject you as my priests;
because you have ignored the law of your God,
    I also will ignore your children.
⁷ The more priests there were,
    the more they sinned against me;
    they exchanged their glorious God for something disgraceful.
⁸ They feed on the sins of my people
    and relish their wickedness.
⁹ And it will be: Like people, like priests.
    I will punish both of them for their ways
    and repay them for their deeds.

Whose word is being brought to the Israelites (verse 1)?

What does the message say about the people’s relationship to God (verse 1)?

Are murder and adultery among the things that “break all bounds” (verse 2)?

What is the result of the breaking of the bounds (verse 3)?

In your opinion, why is no one to bring a charge (verse 4)?

What do the people and the prophets do day and night (verse 5)?

Why are the priests rejected and the children ignored (verse 6)?

Why did increasing the number of priests just increase the amount of sin (verse 7)?

What did the priests feed on and relish (verse 8)?

What will happen to the people and the priests (verse 9)?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Hosea teach us about Matthew 5:21-30?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Hosea show us about the Great Commission?

James 2:8-11 - New International Version (NIV)

⁸ If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. ⁹ But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. ¹⁰ For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. ¹¹ For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

What do we have to do to be “doing right” (verse 1)?

In your opinion, how does this passage expand on the Exodus and Matthew teachings that we just looked at?

How does James expand our understanding of what violates “Love your neighbor as yourself” (verse 9)?

What does verse 10 plainly state?

How does verse 11 help us understand the truth of verse 10?

In your opinion, what does this passage from James teach us about Matthew 5:21-30?

In your opinion, what does this passage from James show us about the Great Commission?

Ephesians 2:1-10 - New International Version (NIV)

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ² in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. ³ All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. ⁴ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. ⁶ And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, ⁷ in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

What does verse 1 say about “the faithful in Christ” Ephesians 1:1 (NIV)?

Who were the faithful following when they were “dead in your transgressions and sins” (verse 2)?

What did “all of us” deserve (verse 3)?

In your opinion, what does it mean that "we were by nature deserving of wrath" (verse 3)?

What does God have for us (verse 4)?

What is God rich in (verse 4)?

What did God make us, “even when we were dead in transgressions” (verse 5)?

In your opinion, how does "even when we were dead in transgressions" help us understand the passage from James and Jesus' discussion about murder and adultery?

Who does God raise us up with (verse 6)?

How are the “incomparable riches of his grace” to be expressed (verse 7)?

How is the “gift of God”, our salvation, given to us (verse 8)?

What does not help with our salvation (verse 9)?

Whose “handiwork” are we (verse 10)?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Ephesians teach us about Matthew 5:21-30?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Ephesians show us about the Great Commission?

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