Matthew 5 - The Greatest Sermon : from my perspective

St. Paul Lutheran Church

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If you would rather comment privately please, email me at Prshepherd@westriv.com

"Two are better than one," says Ecclesiastes,

"because if one falls down, his friend can help him up."

I deeply desire to bring Christian comfort and the power of prayer to those who are challenged with sickness or circumstances in life. However, in this time of restricted visitation call me and I will attempt to contact them.

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Pastor Dennis

from my perspective…

Breaking News, or Headline News, is updated by the hour and minute. The programs are designed to get our attention and to sell advertising. (Big surprise!) On the other hand, the Good News of Jesus Christ was proclaimed and is proclaimed today for an entirely different purpose.

Mark begins his gospel with “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” (Mk 1:1, ESV) It sounds like Mark is reporting, “Breaking news! Pay attention! Something important has happened!”

Matthew begins his gospel, “The book of genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David.” (Mt. 1:1) It sounds like Matthew is introducing a history lesson whereby we might learn something. Don’t get me wrong – I love history because I believe with George Santayana, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

John begins his gospel, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God.” (Jn. 1:1) This is something totally different. John invites us to lay aside our daily concerns and ponder life’s Big Questions concerning God and “The Word of God.”

Each year, we might take a measure of our life on Tax Day, an anniversary, or any number of other milestones. Regardless of the circumstances, we go through a process of reflection, evaluation, and decision-making. We might reflect on the Big Questions of Life, like “Who are we? And “How do I fit in with family and society?” or “What positive difference am I making?”

I will grant that the most common daily question is, “Am I happy.” But I believe the Bible teaches us that happiness results from how we think of ourselves and our relationship with others. Therefore, John invites us to ponder anew our relationship with the One God of the Holy Scriptures, as opposed to mental or emotional gods of pleasure, wealth or self-importance.

In the church year, Lent is the season that encourages us to ponder our relationship with the one and only eternal God and one another or who we desire to become.

Join us as we explore Jesus’ great encounters with religious rulers, a disrespected woman from a disrespected people and His disciples. In John, Jesus, the Word of God, invites people to question who we are in God’s eyes and who He desires us to become to live a fulfilling life. (e.g. John 10:10)

As John informs us, Jesus, the true Word of God, comes into the world to save us from ourselves and the destructive temptations brought on by the evil lies of the great Satan. “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:17, ESV)

Please join us in our encounter with the Living Word of God, your pastor, Dennis.

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Matthew 5 - The Greatest Sermon

by Pastor Dennis on 02/14/14

The Sermon on the Mount has been called the greatest sermon every given. Due to the profound wisdom of Jesus’ teaching, it is helpful to ponder each passage and the implications for our life and the life of our community.

Jesus calls the twelve Disciples to hear and to proclaim the Gospel; the good news of salvation through Christ for the world. (see Matthew 28:20) This will be possible when each Christian lives for Christ’s Community and each Community lives for the Nation and each Nation lives for God’s World.

Matthew 5:1-12 - Jesus says, “Blessed are you who are poor, mourning, meek, hungry, thirsty…”

a. See also, Lk 12.32; Rev, 21.4; Psalm 37.11; 42.2-5; Lk 6.35-36; Jn. 3.2; Rm 8.14; Jn. 15.20.

Matthew 5:13-14 – Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth, the light of the world.”

a. See also, Mk 9.50; Eph. 5.8; Jn. 8.12; Lk 8.16.

Matthew 5:21-37 – Jesus gives practical examples of living in a ‘Blessed Community” and the importance of capturing every thought in Christ Jesus. (II Cor. 10:2-5)

b. See also, Ex 20:13f; I Jn. 3:15; II Sam. 11.

Throughout the teaching Jesus names the disciples as “Blessed”, “Salt and light” and challenges them to live up to the names He has given them for the sake of community. Write each passage on a card and look at throughout the day; and record the insights as the Lord reveals to you: one day at a time.

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