Tag: Sermon on the Mount

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit

Leave a comment

I’m a big fan of the Beatitudes and enjoy reading them over and over. For me the words have a certain poetic quality to them, but the message they carry has such an impact on me. Many Christians like them, but, many don’t fully understand the message they bring. The Lord Jesus, the Son of God, opened the Sermon on the Mount with the Beatitudes but the one I’m speaking of states;

Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for
theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 5:3

At first glance you may wonder what do I mean.

But when we break these simple words down which Christ spoke they reveal a message central to Christ’s teachings. To be humble, gentle, patient, kindhearted and consider others more important than ourselves. Knowing this we can read the scripture as;

Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in Spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant] for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. AMP

This scripture really speaks to me because it reminds me that sometimes I can become so zealous for God’s Word I fail to take into account how others may perceive what I’m saying. Especially, when we’re dealing with online comments. Exactly what happened to me today. I became so zealous that I failed to realize that this dear sweet sister thought I was condemning and judging her. While we are called to speak God’s Truth and stand firm in it, we must always be mindful of how we come across to the other person. Because as a believer of Christ, we’re taught to be gentle, patient, kindhearted and forgiving which means we must be willing to humble ourselves, apologize to the person, and repent of our wrong.

May God’s Grace bless you daily,
bring you closer to the Lord Jesus Christ
and Sanctify you in God’s Truth!

Jesus Teachings Were Powerful

13 Comments

This evening as I sat down to write I didn’t have a clue as to what I would be writing about, that is, until the Holy Spirit led me to the awareness of just how powerful the teachings Jesus spoke truly were. You see, the people were amazed by His teachings. He spoke with authority and didn’t rely on others to confirm what He spoke. In fact, the scriptures say;

When Jesus had finished with these words, the crowds
were amazed at His teachings; for He was teaching them
as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

Matthew 7:28

But as I read this scripture and stared at more of His teachings it also dawned on me that it wasn’t only how He spoke, but, also what He taught about. Because everything Jesus taught was a reflection of the Kingdom and learning to live righteously before the living GOD. He gave a fresh perspective on God’s Commandments, one which had never been heard before. The famous Sermon on the Mount teaching Jesus spoke on murder, adultery, marriage, swearing oaths, loving your enemies, doing good to please God, Prayer, fasting, laying up treasures in Heaven, serving God or wealth, worrying, and judging others. He also spoke on the importance to ask, seek and knock, the narrow way, warning against false prophets, and one of the most scariest scriptures found in the Bible, I never knew you.

Jesus closed out this sermon, found in Matthew, by telling the people that whoever hears these sayings of His, and does them, He would liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock, in fact Jesus states;

“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine, and
acts on them, will be like a wise man who built his house on
the rock. And the rain fell and the floods came, and the winds
blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall,
for it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears
these words of Mine, and does not act on them, will be like a
foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell
and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against
that house; and it fell-and it’s collapse was great.”

Matthew 7: 24-27

Jesus knew the only way any of us would be a part of the kingdom was for us to understand the need to REPENT from our old ways, to BELIEVE the Good News, to BELIEVE in Him, and to DENY oneself and take up the Cross and FOLLOW Him. It doesn’t matter if one is an atheist, puts their faith in science, politics, or their current lifestyle is non-traditional. What matters is the love Jesus has for us, but, our culture and current generation is living as if GOD doesn’t exist and the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross was for nothing.

And just as in the days of Noah, time is growing short. Jesus is real, He’s the Son of God, He is coming back and those who do not REPENT, BELIEVE in HIM, and FOLLOW His teachings will be shocked as they see Him coming with the clouds. Yes Jesus is love, but when He first came He laid down His life for our sins. But the next time He comes, it’s one of judgment!

Before it’s too late, REPENT of your sins, Believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, turn from your old ways, and seek righteous living. Because, if you choose NOT to listen to Him and put His teachings into practice, your house will fall and how great that fall will be!

Sermon on the Mount Message

11 Comments

When Jesus began His ministry He went to the lost sheep of Israel, the Jewish people. And He taught them so differently than any of their past or present teachers that they were astonished. You see the culture accepted many false teachings from the scribes and Pharisees because they had no others to teach them. While they followed the High Priest and others, their lifestyle reflected a hardened heart. But when Jesus appeared and began His ministry His words cut deep.

So what exactly did Jesus teach at the Sermon of the Mount?

Jesus took one of the ten commandments, you shall not murder and expanded on it. He took this law and explained a deeper truth they had never heard. He spoke on the issue of anger and how it can lead to other offenses. Jesus tells us to reconcile ourselves (forgive) to the person and then offer your sacrifice to God.

Another ten commandment Jesus expanded on was, you shall not commit adultery and again explained it to the people in a way they had never heard before. He taught it’s not just the very act of adultery, but, it’s also when a man or woman looks at another with lust in their heart. And of course, He teaches a remedy for lust.

He also taught the Law stated a man could divorce his wife by giving her a certificate of divorce. But Jesus explains this was written because of their hard hearts. Because God had made them male and female from the beginning and when a man leaves his parents home he is to be joined to his wife and the two are united into one. It’s also why Jesus tells His disciples, whoever divorced His wife and married another, he commits adultery against her.

Jesus taught against making vows against heaven cause it’s God’s throne, by earth, it’s His footstool, by Jerusalem, it’s the city of the Great King or even by one’s head since we can’t change it’s color. But simply say yes, or no.

Jesus expanded on the commandment, Love your neighbor and taught we should love our enemies also. To do good to those who persecute us, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To turn the other cheek without exacting our own revenge and to lend to others, if they ask, without expecting anything in return.

He also taught on the right way to do good deeds, taught on Prayer and fasting, the correct way to store up treasures and not to judge others. He taught about the Golden Rule, the Narrow Gate, the Tree and it’s Fruit, True Disciples and building on a solid foundation.

All these things were taught in a way which they had never heard. Which caused many of the people to be convicted in their heart by what they heard, meaning, their hearts was open and receptive to the words of Jesus, but also rendered them guilty over their wrongdoing, their sin.

And it’s this same conviction today which leads one to repent, turn from their ways and turn to the Son of God, Jesus.

How do we turn from our ways, from sin?

First understand, we all sin making all of us sinners, and, there’s a heavy penalty for that sin and it’s death. But there is hope, there is a way out, by believing in the Son of God, Jesus. The Lord Jesus was sent by God to dwell among mankind (in the flesh), who taught we needed to repent of our sin, taught we should live a righteous life and turn back to God. Jesus became our atonement for sin and was sacrificed on a cross for our sins. Then on the third day, Jesus was raised.

Romans 3:10 – As it is written: There is none righteous, no, not one.

Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 10:9,10 – That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth He confesses, resulting in salvation.

God wants us to humble ourselves before Him, to get on our knees and confess every sin, every wrongdoing we can think of. Because nothing is done in secret, He knows all, sees all and hears all and He knows our hearts.

Sin in the Church

3 Comments

Today as in biblical days, sin is everywhere including within the church. Brothers and sisters may say things, or act out against one another, that causes hurt feelings, resentment, anger and even jealousy. But, did you know that Jesus (Yehoshua, Yeshua) told us how to deal with sin in the church? Unfortunately, many churches have forgotten this practice, in fact, majority of the churches today have lost their way. They’ve lost their first love so instead of teaching the Gospel they’ve taken on the ways of this world. The text I’m referring to reads;

If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector. Matthew 18:15-17 (NLT)

Jesus didn’t leave us hanging, He taught us how we should live, interact with one another and even how to settle disputes when they arise. He also taught we are to love one another, which means, if a brother or sister sins against us we need to be proactive and speak to that person in private. But when we talk to that person we don’t allow our feelings to control us, NO, we speak to that person in a loving manner always being sure we exhibit the fruit of the spirit.

A House Built On Sand

Leave a comment

Everyday I watch this country fall deeper and deeper into descent as lawlessness reigns all the way from the White House to the petty criminal on the street. It’s astounding! And unfortunately, this lawlessness has entered the Churches and have utterly rendered the members incompetent and unprepared. Many of the solid, bible believing Churches are unable to handle the issues within their own communities let along society as a whole. These Churches find themselves at a crossroads stuck somewhere in the middle while facing an enormous decision, to move forward and proclaim the Good News, or, to conform to the ways of the world.

But why is this happening?

Well, it reminds me of the teaching Jesus told during His Sermon on the Mount, which goes like this;

Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts on them, will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell-and it’s collapse was great. Matthew 7:24-27

You see, if a house(Church) builds their foundation on the rock(Jesus), they can weather the storm because Jesus is when them to see them through. But one who builds his house(Church) on the foundation of sand follows the doctrines of man, traditions of man and the ways of this world. That house will collapse!

So as I watch these Churches embrace these controversial issues involving wokeism, transgender ideology, climate control and same sex marriages it becomes apparent, they chose to follow the ways of this world. In other words…

THEY BUILT THEIR HOUSE ON THE SAND!

Mount of Olives

2 Comments

I don’t believe many Christians are aware that we can pray and ask to be shown things from a time when Jesus walked among us as He established His ministry upon this earth. I often pray to God to show me things from that time period that I would like to see, which usually entails a short list of two to three different things. But, I always leave it up to our Lord what He would like to show me.

I would like to say this is NOT to PROVE that Jesus is who He says He is, because, without a doubt I know He is the Son of God, our Lord and Savior. But it’s because I have such a yearning to see Him and I’m in such awe by what He did and accomplished that I long to see it. Cause even though that time period was very different and difficult for Christians, just to see Him speak, to have the chance to see it for myself would have been so incredible. With that said, this is what happened.

A couple of days ago I dreamed, I saw Jesus sitting on a large shaped rock in an area which had a mixture of large and small trees. I don’t know how large the big tree was but it had a large branch which offered plenty of shade. The smaller trees was scattered throughout the area and helped to keep the area cool. The rock which Jesus was sitting on was position a little higher than ground level, because, I saw a woman sitting on the ground below Him. The woman was wearing a long blue robe with a white veil which covered her hair and shoulder areas. Jesus was wearing a light colored robe but that’s all I was aloud to see. I was viewing this from their side position at approximately 40 to 50 feet away so I wasn’t located directly in front of them which means I couldn’t make out their faces or specific details. As I watched I could hear Jesus speaking and could hear His voice giving scriptures as I woke up.

After going over this dream multiple times, I realized I was being shown a time when Jesus spoke on the Mount of Olives, or maybe He was speaking to a woman at the Garden of Gethsemane, either way they’re very close to one another. but I was actually allowed to hear some of His teaching of scriptures.

I urge each of you to pray to God asking to be shown things from Jesus time. It will uplift you, strengthen your faith, draws you closer to Him and gives encouragement.

Glory to God and Bless His Holy Name!

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit

Leave a comment

The very first Beatitude found in Matthew is one I took completely out of context the first time I read it. You see, I read this scripture from a very “humanistic” view point instead of a “biblical” view. Let’s take a look at this scripture;

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:3

When I read this scripture I automatically thought the “poor in spirit” were those who may be considered as depressed, lacking confidence, determination, courage, or motivation. Afterall, poor means to lack something, so, it was very easy for me to read it in that light.

But today, I see this scripture differently. For instance, “spirit” often refers to someone who is bold, courageous, someone ready for a fight, gutsy, brave, confident, arrogant, stands up to anyone, a big personality, boastful, selfish, opinionated, someone proud of themselves and their accomplishments, just to name a few.

Now, if I look at this scripture from a “biblical” view, and replace the word “poor” with lack I see this scripture in a different light. It would describe someone who “lacks” arrogance, “lacks” pride, “lacks” the need to boast, “lacks” the need to stand up to people, which, could indicate these individuals easily turn the other cheek.

So now, when I read this scripture I see it as a continuation of the teachings which “Christ” and His “Apostles” taught. Obviously, it’s not the “whole” Gospel, but, it does appear to fit within the “moral character” which Jesus wants for His people.