Lesson 8 in Matthew, Marriage and Divorce

VIII. Marriage and Divorce                                         Matthew 5:27 – 32, Mark 9:43 – 48, 10:11, 12, Luke 16:18

          A. Law vs. the Heart                                           Matthew 5:28

Can we all agree that you just don’t show up at the destination of murder and adultery?

There is something that happens first in the mind and heart, and after it festers is acted upon. Jesus is trying to get Christians to deal with sin in the heart before it becomes physical. Many times, once it becomes physical the damage cannot be contained.

          B. Pluck it out                                                     Matthew 5:29

                   No sacrifice is too great if it enables us to conquer a lust which cuts us off from Jesus.

         

          C. Cut it off                                                                   Matthew 5:30

                   Cost of Discipleship pg 132

          D. Divorce, Sin and the Law                               Matthew 5:31, 32, Mark 10:11, 12, Luke 16:18

          Do we understand that once the law comes into play, Sin has already taken place?

          Sin happens and Christ gives us true and real forgiveness of sin where the law fell short. So now, with a heart changed by Christ, we can sin no more if we lean on him. When we lean on our own understanding, or the law, or on anything but God and his love, we will sin again and again.

          Marriage is the illustration that God uses when telling us of the return of the Groom (Jesus) to claim his bride (the Church). Let us take all of God’s precepts seriously, but marriage is a precept that shows the Christian example to the world.

I believe (the Great Commission in Matthew Chapter 10) that Christians are better to suited to witness when they have been taught to witness; not to go uninformed of God’s word. 

Lesson 5, Seasoning and Light of the World

Sunday School Lesson for the Adult Class

Witnessing as Jesus and the Bible instructs us to witness

V. Christians are the seasoning and light of the world                   Matthew 5:13 – 16

          A. Salt of the earth                                                        Matthew 5:13, Luke 14:34, 35, Mark 9:50,

If you are not full of God’s power and spirit are you any good for spreading the Gospel? Luke 14:33

          B. Light of the World                                                    Matthew 5:14, Luke 8:16, 11:33 – 36

Notice that we ARE the light and salt and not merely ‘have’ the light or salt. Once we accept him as our savior, we have a purpose that exists whether we choose to serve him or not. We can hide our light or salt, but we cannot remove it; we are made those things by Jesus Christ when we accept him.  –From ‘Cost of Discipleship’ Dietrich Bonhoeffer pg. 116

          C. City set on a hill -               When you are traveling at this time in history, you long for the cities. The highways and byways are where the robbers and bandits are. Traveling at night has its own hazards when there are no lights or electricity.

Do people look forward to our presence? Do people see us a haven in a sinful and dangerous world?

          D. Hidden candle -                  We can hide our lights, but it goes against common sense, the point of the candle, nature, and our God-given purpose.

          E. Light to the whole house - We are always to be a light everywhere we go, all the time.

          F. You let your light shine for God’s glory -       God gets the honor and glory if we are a light for him.

          Is there any self or ego in being a light for Christ?

Lesson 4 in Matthew, the Beatitudes

IV. The Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount                Matthew 5:1 - 12

            A. After attracting a following he begins to preach     Matthew 5:1, 2, Luke 6:20

Is a Christian’s work done in the church or outside the church building? Church is for worship and teaching, but Christ preached and taught in the church and evangelized outside the church.

Did Jesus convert more in the synagogues or outside them?

          B. The Beatitudes                                                Matthew 5:2 – 12, Luke 6:20 – 23

                   1. Blessed are the poor in spirit

                   2. Blessed are they that mourn

                   3. Blessed are the meek

                   4. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness

                   5. Blessed are the merciful

                   6. Blessed are the pure in heart

                   7. Blessed are the peacemakers

                   8. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake

                   9. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you

                             a. Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Cost of discipleship chapter 6 expounds this well.

          C. The opposite of the Beatitudes – Proverbs 6:16 – 19

                   1. proud look

                   2. lying tongue

                   3. hands that shed innocent blood

                   4. heart that deviseth wicked imaginations

                   5. feet swift running to mischief

                   6. false witness

                   7. he that soweth discord

Can we be successful in winning souls to Jesus without these characteristics described in the beatitudes?

Does Christianity require that we are willing to suffer for the cause of Christ? (Verse 12)

Does the ‘American’ or ‘modern’ way of life conflict with the beatitudes?

I believe (the Great Commission in Matthew Chapter 10) that Christians are better to suited to witness when they have been taught to witness; not to go uninformed of God’s word.