The early church during persecution used the fish as a way to communicate who they were without saying to much and getting reported to the authorities. There were times it could mean death the tell the wrong person you were a Christian.  I do not say using such a symbol was right or wrong, it is  just history.   The fish was used because in spelling fish in Greek  ἰχθύς , it is an acrostic for the names of Jesus and read as a statement it is true.

 ἰ      Ἰησοῦς     Jesus

χ      Χριστός  Christ

θ      θεός         God

ύ      υἱός          Son                 

ς       σωτήρ      savior

Jesus Christ, God’s  Son is our Savior.

This is only offered as some interesting and beautiful trivia you may use when you see the bumper stickers. I have asked many people “Do you know why the Fish is a Christian symbol?” almost always they don’t know. Then I have a door open to teach and witness.

Keep My Commandments!

Folder #13

The commandments of the New Testament. 

In First John we are told How to know if we are in Him:

1Jn 2:1  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

1Jn 2:2  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

1Jn 2:3  And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.     (44)  Jn 14:15

1Jn 2:4  He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

1Jn 2:5  But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

1Jn 2:6  He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

1Jn 2:7  Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.

1Jn 2:8  Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.

1Jn 2:9  He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.

1Jn 2:10  He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

1Jn 2:11  But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

We are told to Keep His commandments and to Love our brothers in Christ.  I ask, How will we keep His commandments if we do not Know What They ARE?  And more than just know the words we MUST understand what is being said!  I was going to simply define some terms and what the words originally meant, but there is often so much more involved that I shall try to give the best explanation I can.  I find that many times the words have lost their original emphasis or the modern liberal church has redefined them so they do not carry the New Testament meaning.  I will leave the verses in the order they come in the Bible, so they are easier to locate.   I am not a great writer, I find many of the older commentaries have beautiful answers to these truths,  So I will quote the commentaries freely and not try to rewrite all the answers. I will however try to make clear who and where I use these wonderful   authors.  I will Use initials for the writings and the reference will be the Bible verse.

BTNC       Bakers New Testament Commentary;  HAI    Harry Allen Ironside;  AC  Adam Clark ;

MH  Matthew Henery;  AB   Albert Barns;  ICC  International Critical Commentary

JFB           Jamieson, Fausset and Brown

This study is just a start to listing and understanding the commandments we are to keep. There is still a lot of room for any Christian to add years of study to these notes.         

The Reference number (##) at the end of a section refers to the 49 Commandments list used by many.

49 General Commands of Christ

 1. Repent                                                                              Matthew 4:17

 2. Follow Me                                                                       Matthew 4:19

 3. Rejoice                                                                             Matthew 5:12

 4. Let Your Light Shine                                                     Matthew 5:16

 5. Honor God’s Law                                                           Matthew 5:17–18

 6. Be Reconciled                                                                Matthew 5:24–25               

 7. Do Not Lust                                                                     Matthew 5:29–30

 8. Keep Your Word                                                             Matthew 5:37

 9. Go the Second Mile                                                       Matthew 5:38–42

 10. Love Your Enemies                                                     Matthew 5:44

 11. Be Perfect                                                                      Matthew 5:48

 12. Practice Secret Disciplines                                         Matthew 6:1–18

 13. Lay Up Treasures                                                         Matthew 6:19–21

 14. Seek God’s Kingdom                                                  Matthew 6:33

 15. Judge Not                                                                      Matthew 7:1

 16. Do Not Cast Pearls                                                       Matthew 7:6

 17. Ask, Seek, Knock.                                                        Matthew 7:7–8

 18. Do unto Others                                                             Matthew 7:12

 19. Choose the Narrow Way                                             Matthew 7:13–14

 20. Beware of False Prophets                                           Matthew 7:15

 21. Pray for Laborers                                                          Matthew 9:38

 22. Be Wise as Serpents                                                    Matthew 10:16

 23. Fear Not                                                                         Matthew 10:28

 24. Hear God’s Voice                                                         Matthew 11:15

 25. Take My Yoke                                                              Matthew 11:29

 26. Honor Your Parents                                                     Matthew 15:4

 27. Beware of Leaven                                                        Matthew 16:6

 28. Deny Yourself                                                               Luke 9:23

 29. Despise Not Little Ones                                              Matthew 18:10

 30. Go to Offenders                                                            Matthew 18:15

 31. Beware of Covetousness                                            Luke 12:15

 32. Forgive Offenders                                                        Matthew 18:21–22

 33. Honor Marriage                                                            Matthew 19:6

 34. Be a Servant                                                                  Matthew 20:26–28

 35. Be a House of Prayer                                                   Matthew 21:13

 36. Ask in Faith                                                                  Matthew 21:21–22

 37. Bring in the Poor                                                         Luke 14:12–14

 38. Render to Caesar                                                          Matthew 22:19–21

 39. Love the Lord                                                               Matthew 22:37–38

 40. Love Your Neighbor                                                   Matthew 22:39

 41. Await My Return                                                         Matthew 24:42–44

 42. Take, Eat, and Drink                                                    Matthew 26:26–27

 43. Be Not Troubled                                                          John 14:1

 44. Keep My Commandments                                         John 14:15

 45. Watch and Pray                                                            Matthew 26:41

 46. Feed My Sheep                                                            John 21:15–16

 47. Baptize My Disciples                                                 Matthew 28:19

 48. Receive God’s Power                                                  Luke 24:49

 49. Make Disciples                                                            Matthew 28:20

There is a 2nd century document that is reported to be the teachings of the apostles and resembles the writing of Matthew and John called   The Didache or Teaching of the Apostles.   I include this excerpt only to show that listing the New Testament commandments is not a new Idea and the 1st century teachers took this very serious.

The Didache or Teaching of the Apostles (trans. and ed., J. B. Lightfoot)

1:1 There are two ways, one of life and one of death, and there is a great difference between the two ways. 1:2 {The way of life} is this. 1:3 First of all, {thou shall love the God} that made thee; 1:4 secondly, {thy neighbor as thyself.} 1:5 {And all things whatsoever thou would not have befall thyself neither do thou unto another.} 1:6 Now of these words the doctrine is this. 1:7 {Bless them that curse you, and pray for} your enemies and fast for {them that persecute you; 1:8 for what thank is it, if ye love them that love you Do not even the Gentiles the same But do ye love them that hate you,} and ye shall not have an enemy. 1:9 Abstain thou from fleshly and bodily lusts. 1:10 {If any man give thee a blow on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also,} and thou shalt be perfect; 1:11 {if a man impress thee to go with him, one mile, go with him twain; 1:12 if a man take away thy cloak, give him thy coat also; 1:13 if a man take away from thee that which is thine own, ask it not back,} for neither art thou able. 1:14 {To every man that asketh of thee give, and ask not back;} 1:15 for the Father desireth that gifts be given to all from His own bounties. 1:16 Blessed is he that giveth according to the commandment; 1:17 for he is guiltless. 1:18 Woe to him that receiveth; 1:19 for, if a man receiveth having need, he is guiltless; 1:20 but he that hath no need shall give satisfaction why and wherefore he received;

__________________________________________________________________________

The Great Commandment

Mat 22:34  But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.

Mat 22:35  Then one of them, who was a lawyer, asked him a question, testing him, and saying,

Mat 22:36  Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?

Mat 22:37  Jesus said unto him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.

Mat 22:38  This is the first and great commandment.

Mat 22:39  And the second is like unto it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Mat 22:40  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

1. The question was, Master, which is the greatest commandment of the law?

2. The design was to try him, or tempt him; to try, not so much his knowledge as his judgment. The question was harmless enough; and it appears by comparing Luk_10:27, Luk_10:28, that it was an adjudged point among the lawyers, that the love of God and our neighbor (see note below on meaning and use of neighbor)  is the great commandment, and the sum of all the rest, and Christ had there approved it; so the putting of it to him here seems rather a scornful design to catechize him as a child, than spiteful design to dispute with him as an adversary.

Now here we are directed,

[1.] To love God as ours; Thou shalt love the Lord they God as thine. The first commandment is, Thou shalt have no other God; which implies that we must have him for our God, and that will engage our love to him. Those that made the sun and moon their gods, loved them, Jer_8:2; Jdg_18:24. To love God as ours is to love him because he is ours, our Creator, Owner, and Ruler, and to conduct ourselves to him as ours, with obedience to him, and dependence on him. We must love God as reconciled to us, and made ours by covenant; that is the foundation of this, Thy God.

[2.] To love him with all our heart, and soul, and mind. Some make these to signify one and the same thing, to love him with all our powers; others distinguish them; the heart, soul, and mind, are the will, affections, and understanding; or the vital, sensitive, and intellectual faculties. Our love of God must be a sincere love, and not in word and tongue only, as theirs is who say they love him, but their hearts are not with him. It must be a strong love, we must love him in the most intense degree; as we must praise him, so we must love him, with all that is within us, Psa_103:1.

(3.) To love our neighbor as ourselves is the second great commandment (Mat_22:39); It is like unto that first; it is inclusive of all the precepts of the second table, as that is of the first. It is like it, for it is founded upon it, and flows from it; and a right love to our brother, whom we have seen, is both an instance and an evidence of our love to God, whom we have not seen, 1Jn_4:20.

[1.] It is implied, that we do, and should, love ourselves. There is a self-love which is natural, and the rule of the greatest duty, and it must be preserved and sanctified. We must love ourselves, that is, we must have a due regard to the dignity of our own natures, and a due concern for the welfare of our own souls and bodies.

[2.] It is prescribed, that we love our neighbor as ourselves. We must honor and esteem our fellow  men, and must wrong and injure none; must have a good will to all, and good wishes for all, and, as we have opportunity, must do good to all. We must love our neighbor as ourselves, as truly and sincerely as we love ourselves.

2. Observe what the weight and greatness of these commandments is (Mat_22:40); On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets; that is, This is the sum and substance of all those precepts relating to practical religion which were written in men's hearts by nature, revived by Moses, and backed and enforced by the preaching and writing of the prophets. All hang upon the law of love; take away this, and all falls to the ground, and comes to nothingInto these two great commandments therefore let our hearts be delivered as into a mould; in the defence and evidence of these let us spend our zeal, and not in notions, names, and strifes of words, as if those were the mighty things on which the law and the prophets hung, and to them the love of God and our neighbour must be sacrificed; but to the commanding power of these let every thing else be made to bow.      Matthew Henery

We need to define Neighbor here the modern English usage is not what is meant in this verse.

- Original: πλησίον- Transliteration: Plesion- Phonetic: play-see'-on

- Definition:

1. a near; close by; brother, fellow citizen  

a. a friend

b. any fellow Jew, and where two are concerned, the other (thy fellow man, thy brother), according to the Jews, any member of the Hebrew nation and commonwealth

In this time neighbor meant one of the nationality and faith as the rest, NOT any person around.

c. according to Christ, any other person in Faith.

1Jn 2:3  And by this we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

1Jn 2:9  He that says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness even until now.

1Jn 2:10  He that loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him.

In His own Image means, That part of God in man that makes man similar or like God. That which allows a person to fellowship with and know God.

In the Old Testament Deu 6:4 there is a prayer called the Shem:

 Hear, O Israel:

          The LORD our God is one LORD: 

 And you shall love the LORD your God

with all your heart, and   (the word for heart the action of will.)

with all your soul, and     ( the word for Soul is “ Breath of life” and the instinct to preserve it.)

with all your might.          ( the word for Might is  exceedingly, all ability, the mind and reason and the seat of emotion)

Jesus interpreted this Hebrew word Might (strength) as the Greek word  MIND.

Mat_22:37  Jesus said unto him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.

Mar_12:30  And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength: this is the first commandment.

Based on the content of this famous prayer, many have used these ideas to express the way a person’s mind works, the way we relate to God by His command.

Mind,   Thinking,  The ability to reason, know, and understand; Feeling, emotion,

                               hope, despair, love, hate.

Heart    Acting    The Free Will of man to act on reason and understanding,

                              tempered by emotion, even at times controlled by motion. (14)

Soul      Animal Life, Breath of Life and the instinct to preserve it.

    

Man is free to act within his own Choice to serve God or not.

The image of God in man is self-aware Choice. Only Man, in all creation, has the Glory of God in the ability Think, Feel, Act; that is with awareness of results, make a choice.

Man was created in the image of God’s Glory with the ability to and right to Choose to Fellowship with God or not.

In the so-called “Sermon on the Mount” our Lord was not preaching the gospel, but He was setting forth the principles of The Power of God, which should guide the lives of all who profess to be His disciples. In other words, this is the law of the Gospel.  The keenest intellects of earth have recognized in the Sermon on the Mount the highest ethical teaching to men, and have praised its holy precepts even when conscious of their inability to measure up to its standards.  HAI

If the person that follows the teachings are called blessed, It makes sense that they are to be followed.  The sermon is the Highest description of what Christians must Do, that is a commandment.

Matthew 5:1  When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 5:2  He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,

Matthew 5:3  "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the royal authority of heaven.

But here the explanatory words, “in spirit,” fix the sense to “those who in their deepest consciousness realize their entire need”   This self-emptying conviction, that “before God we are void of everything,” lies at the foundation of all spiritual excellence, BNTC

James, Peter, and Paul referred to this kind of emptying and living in the spirit as being a bond slave of Christ. By choice giving up all of self and choosing to be servant, poor, in Christ.  The real question for a Christian is not “what do I owe Jesus?”   But, what in the deepest recesses of myself,   would I KEEP FROM HIM?”                 (28-34-37)

Matthew 5:4  "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

 It is that entire feeling which the sense of our spiritual poverty begets; and so the second beatitude is but the complement  of the first. It is the mourning of those who recognize their spiritual bankruptcy , their sin and that of others.

 To be sure, when a person bemoans his sin he also laments sin's consequences   BTNC

Rom 3:23  for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,

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

Rom 8:6  For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace

Rom 8:7  because the carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the Law of God, neither indeed can it be.

Rom 8:8  So then they who are in the flesh cannot please God.   (1-6-43)

Matthew 5:5  "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

It is impossible, indeed, that “the poor in spirit” and “the mourners” in Christ should not at the same time be “meek”; that is to say, persons of a lowly and gentle carriage. BTNC   “Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Mat_11:29)    (25-34)

Matthew 5:6  "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Our  strongest instinct is hunger and thirst in this verse denoting that spiritual and entire conformity to the law of God. To know God is the life of a believer.   When we are in Christ, we want to know Him and know the Father.  (5-24-48)

Matthew 5:7  "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven’ (Luk_6:37; Jam_5:9). And thus, while he is ever to look back on the mercy received as the source and motive of the mercy which he shows, he also looks forward to the mercy which he yet needs, and which he is assured that the merciful  shall receive, as a new provocation to its abundant exercise of mercy. BNTC   (9-18-46)

Matthew 5:8  "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

The conscience purged - the heart sprinkled - there is light within wherewith to see God. “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with the other” - He with us and we with Him - “and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us” - us who have this fellowship. BTNC  (4-11-18-27)

Matthew 5:9  "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Those who strive to prevent contention, strife, and war; who use their influence to reconcile opposing parties, and to prevent lawsuits and hostilities in families and neighborhoods. Every man may do something of this; and no man is more like God than he who does it. AB    (6-8-9-10-30)

Matthew 5:10  "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

To persecute means literally to pursue; follow after. Here it means to vex, or oppress one, on account of his religion, to injure their names, reputation, property, or to endanger or take their life, on account of their religious opinions. AB      (9-18-20-22-32)

Matthew 5:11  "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.

Reproach you; call you by evil and contemptuous names; ridicule you because you are Christians.  An emphasis should be laid on the word falsely in this passage. It is not blessed to have evil spoken of us if we deserve it; but if we deserve it not, then we should not consider it as a calamity. We should take it patiently, and show how much the Christian, under the consciousness of innocence. AB  (4-31-45)

____________________________________

1. Repent                                                                               Matthew 4:17

Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say,

Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Matthew 21:32, “For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.”

       The best way to interpret the Bible is to allow the Scripture to speak for itself. Concerning our text verse, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to Jesus to question His authority. Jesus rebuked them for their unbelief. They had heard the preaching of John the Baptist. They had seen the publicans and harlots believe on Jesus. Yet, the Bible says they repented not themselves.

Had they repented they would have believed. That is what Jesus said. Jesus didn't say they would have forsaken their sins or surrendered their lives to God if they repented. No, rather, Jesus said they would have BELIEVED on Him had they repented. Biblical repentance is turning to Jesus to be forgiven of one's sins. It's that simple.

The Gospel of John mentions the word “believe” or “believed” 85-times, without ever mentioning the word “repent” even once. This is clear evidence that faith and repentance are inseparable; and that by believing on Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, one has also repented. Repentance is acknowledging one's sinnership—admitting that I am as dirty and guilty a sinner as God hath declared me to be in His Word. The Law of God was given “that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God” (Romans 3:19).

It is wrong to teach that a person must repent first, and then believe second; that is a false doctrine. The Bible teaches that the man who believes on Jesus has also repented. They happen simultaneously. One who has turned to Jesus for salvation has also turned his back against sin. This is Biblical salvation, evidenced by the plain words of John 20:31, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” You don't turn from your sins to trust Jesus; you turn to Jesus to be forgiven of your sins. Amen!

Here we find one of the problems we must address, TURN FROM WHAT?  Sin is such an over used word it does not tell the story.  Sin means to miss the mark, PLEASE STOP AND ASK WHAT MARK!  Romans 3:23 says for all have missed the mark and fail to share in  THE GLORY OF GOD. You will get the right idea if every time you see the word “sin” you read “disobey God”.

By the Spirit's guidance Matthew, giving us his own version of Isa_9:1-2, views Christ's settlement in Capernaum as another fulfilment of prophecy; this time Mat_4:14-16 …

that what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, Toward the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles,
The people sitting in darkness Have seen a great light, And upon those sitting in the land of the shadow of death Light has dawned. BTNC

This discussion of light and darkness needs a little more explaining to see just what Jesus was saying.

Israel over and over disobeyed God, The point came where He said I am finished with you.  First the northern 10 tribes were taken into captivity then later Judah and the capital Jerusalem.  The first to see God's rejection and captivity, to enter the darkness of God's rejection was the area Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali. Thus we have the first into Darkness seeing first the coming of Jesus.

To come out of darkness what must we repent of sin? 

What is Sin?  What did Adam do to plunge the world into such a state. 

Gen 2:15  And Jehovah God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.

Gen 2:16  And Jehovah God commanded the man, saying, You may freely eat of every tree in the garden,

Gen 2:17  but you shall not eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. For in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.

There are two clear points here, 1. Do Not eat of the tree of knowledge. 2. You shall surely die. 

The not so clear point is that God intended for Adam to ODEY Him.

The result of Adam's action was that he had not kept God's commandments, he disobeyed God.  Some have said there was something about the tree of knowledge of good and evil which made Adam and in him mankind evil by nature.  It was not the knowledge or what was eaten that was the problem it was disobeying God. 

Disobeying God broke the fellowship between God and man in the garden. The result was that man would die physically.  Man by his own free CHOICE followed his own desires not the word of God.  It took GOD'S GRACE to repair the damage, we are restored to fellowship by grace.

Repent is to change the choice of disobeying God, To choose to keep the Commandments.

Repent is a change from self to a choice to follow God and do His will. 

Saved by grace through Faith is an act. The spiritual life or death is and always has been a choice “Will I obey God”. We have the gift of salvation (restored to fellowship) and are justified.  The choice to live in the spirit of Christ, to live for Him, requires conversion a change from the old flesh (live MY way) and a choice to live for and in Christ.  There are no works of man in grace. There are a lot of works of a Christian living in Jesus to serve Him.

The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.  The Nation if Israel was no longer God's chosen people He had rejected them. Now the people of God were to be the ones saved by grace. (There was a remnant of the Hebrew people that were saved by choosing to follow and obey God, into that group were the NT saints grafted, every one ever saved was saved by Grace).   The followers of Jesus, the Church made up of the adopted children of God. 

Matt- 4:17  reform you mind join yourself to God for the royal power of heaven

The verse says, Change the way you think, renew fellowship with God, you are the royal power of heaven.

Into the darkness where God rejected Israel, came the savior of the people, to give the ones living in Him, His Church, the royal power of heaven . Repent, turn from the old self and be priest and kings, adopted children and heirs.

[Physical Kingdom is not the right idea.

The Greek word here is Βασιλεία  Basileia  definition:

1. royal power, dominion, rule a. not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom ]

A word for word translation of this verse is: Mt 4:17

"Change your mind and draw near for “the royal power of God”.  Note in this verse the “draw near” is in reference to the one changing their mind not the “kingdom or power”. There is no grammatical reason the move the “draw near” to the kingdom of Heaven.   Change your mind is “You” second person plural, Draw  near “the ones changing” is third person singular.  Power of God is the object of the preposition “for” and first person singular.

"You change your mind the ones changing draw near for the royal power of God"   

The royal power of heaven is the power of the King of Kings, God's authority to rule over eternity.  When changed by grace, children of God, we are heirs and joint heirs with Christ. He is the King there is only one King, yet as heirs we have the power (βασιλεία) of The King

                                                                                                                                                                     

2. Follow Me                                                                        Matthew 4:19

Mat 4:19  And He said to them, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.       (2)

Follow Me

1.Follow Christ as your Teacher.

2. As your Example.

3. As your Friend.

4. If you see to the following what will Christ do? (D. B. Hooke.)

1. These heavenly fishermen follow Christ personally.

2. They follow Him circumstantially.

3. They follow Him singly, He was their LORD.

The great lesson of the text may be summed up in this-that successful work for Jesus must spring out of a devout imitation of Him. “Follow Me,” etc. In the example of Christ there are two points which it is important to look at.

I. The estimate Jesus Christ gave to humanity in contrast with all the other objects that engaged His attention. In comparison with the claims of man, everything else was regarded as subsidiary.

II. His whole career was evolved from this central conception in regard to humanity. To save men-that was His mission. I must work-that was His motto. These thoughts were always present to His mind. Our grand central controlling purpose must be the imitation of the Master, in striving to become the servant of all.

1. Christian work must so far resemble Christ’s work as to be inspired with the soul of earnestness.

2. The possession of yearning pity and interest in humanity.

3. The cultivation of a spirit of large self-denial.

4. Persistency in effort.

5. Prayer.

Follow Me

I. Whom? Not simply a human teacher, but Jesus, who qualified Himself by His earthly life, with its temptations, toil, and suffering, to be the efficient leader of men.

II. How? We cannot follow His person as the disciples did; but we may-Obey His precepts and copy His example.

III. Why? We cannot direct our own course-there is no leader equal to Christ-if we follow Him we shall be in good company. Only thus can we escape spiritual danger and eternal death.

IV. Whither? To God: “I am the way,” etc. To heaven: “In My: Father’s house,” etc.

V. When? Now. Always.

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3. Rejoice                                                                              Matthew 5:12

Matthew 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

I think we can see from the previous point there is reason to rejoice; from lost and in sin to a child of the King, Heirs with Christ, and Priest of GOD. From nothing to everything that is a step big enough for rejoicing.

IF the world persecutes you it is understandable for they persecuted the prophets which were before you.  You are still a child of the King.   (3-4-39)

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4. Let Your Light Shine                                                      Matthew 5:16

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Repent, “be converted”, Live so others can see Jesus in you. Let the light that shines in the world (same illustration from above) shine in you so others will see Jesus in you.  This is the best witness we can have. A life committed to Jesus Christ shining for all the world to see.  Repent “be converted” don't just tell people about Jesus live a Christian life before them.

Praise, or honor God, or be led to worship him. The world seeing in your lives the Excellency of God's love, and the power and purity of the gospel, they may be won to Christ also, and give praise and glory to God for his mercy to a lost world.    (4-35-39-45)

5. Honor God’s Law                                                            Matthew 5:17–18   (5)

Mat 5:17  Do not think that I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to destroy but to fulfill.

Mat 5:18  For truly I say to you, Till the heaven and the earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle shall in any way pass from the Law until all is fulfilled.

Mat 5:19  Therefore whoever shall relax one of these commandments, the least, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of Heaven. But whoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of Heaven.

1. Christ fulfilled the law in His teaching. He completed it.

2. Christ fulfilled the law by His own personal, unbroken obedience.

      3. Christ fulfilled the law by. His sufferings and death. (W. G. Barrett.)

The Epistles make very clear the relation to the law which the true believer sustains, who has eternal life and is in Christ. “So that, my brethren, we also have been made dead to the law by the body of Christ, to be another who has been raised up from among the dead in order that we might bear fruit to God” (Rom_7:4). We are dead to the law, yet the law in itself is not dead; it is as much alive as ever, and holy, just and good. However, the new nature which we have Is the perfect law of liberty; it is something altogether new; yet the old law still exists and has its power, but never for him who is a new creation in Christ Jesus. “The law has been our tutor up to Christ, that we might be justified on the principle of faith, but faith having come we are no longer under a tutor, for ye are all God’s sons by faith in Christ Jesus” (Gal_3:24-25). The law could make nothing perfect, but Christ came, and perfection is in Him and through Him. What is the meaning of “to fulfill”? It means to give the fullness, to make full, to fill out the law and the prophets.    (5)
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6. Be Reconciled                                                                 Matthew 5:24–25               

Matthew 5:23-24 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there remember that thy brother hath aught against thee; (24) Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

The Pharisees were intent only on the external act in worship. They looked not at all to the internal state of the mind. If a man conformed to the external rites of religion, however much envy, and malice, and secret hatred he might have, they thought he was doing well. Our Savior taught a different doctrine. It was of more consequence to have the heart right than to perform the outward act. If, therefore, says he, a man has gone so far as to bring his gift to the very altar, and should remember that anyone had anything against him, it was his duty there to leave his offering and go and be reconciled. While a difference of this nature existed, his offering could not be acceptable. He was not to wait until the offended brother should come to him; he was to go and seek him out, and be reconciled. So now the worship of God will not be acceptable, however well performed externally, until we are at peace with those that we have injured.  AB (6-11-15)

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7. Do Not Lust                                                                      Matthew 5:29–30

Matthew 5:29-30 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. (30) And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

_This command must not be taken literally, for even if a person should literally pluck out his right eye he would still be able to sin with his left eye. Jesus has himself supplied us with the key to its interpretation, namely, in Mat_18:7-9, where in slightly different form this command is repeated. From that passage it follows clearly that the eye and the hand that lead a person into sin symbolize and represent “occasions of stumbling,” or if one prefers, enticements to do wrong, beguiling allurements. The general meaning of the passage, then, is this: “Take drastic action in getting rid of whatever in the natural course of events will tempt you into sin.”  BNTC       (7)

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8. Keep Your Word                                                              Matthew 5:37

Matthew 5:33-37 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: (34) But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: (35) Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. (36) Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. (37) But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Here again, as previously, what was quoted of men  long ago was not incorrect. It was a fair summary of the letter of the law concerning the oath (Lev_19:12; Num_30:2; and cf. Deu_23:21). Only, from the words of Jesus it is very obvious that the Pharisees of Jesus' day, misplaced the emphasis. As is clear from the context in every case, the divinely intended emphasis (note italics) was as follows:

“You shall not swear by my name falsely” (Lev_19:12).

“When a man makes a vow to Jehovah or swears an oath … he shall not break his word” (Num_30:2).

“When you shall make a vow to Jehovah your God, you shall not be slack to pay it” (Deu_23:21).

Or, using the phraseology of the interpreters:

“You shall not break your oath, but shall keep the oaths you have sworn to the Lord.”

In each case the emphasis is on truthfulness: a person must be truthful when he solemnizes his promise with an oath. He must really mean it. He must also be faithful in keeping the oath; that is, he must carry out his promise. Even in connection with the promises which God himself confirmed with an oath it is truthfulness that is stressed, “Jehovah has sworn to David in truth; he will not turn from it” (Psa_132:11). And in connection with “the two immutable things” (the promise and the oath) from which believers derive strong encouragement (Heb_6:18) it is emphasized that “it is impossible for God to lie.”

Now this emphasis on truthfulness “in the heart” or “in the inward parts,” absence of “falsehood and deceit” (respectively Psa_15:2; Psa_51:6; and Psa_24:4) is well distributed in the writings of the Old Testament.

Being truthful In oath or Keeping your oath is so important, Such a responsibility, We are told it is better to just say and mean YES for yes and NO for no.  More should not be needed from a truthful Man. BTNC     (8) ___________________________________________________________________________________

9. Go the Second Mile                                                        Matthew 5:38–42

Matthew 5:39-41 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. (40) And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. (41) And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

 In Exo_21:24-25 we read, “… eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.” Lev_24:20 adds “fracture for fracture”; Deu_19:21, “life for life.” This was a law for the civil courts, laid down in order that the practice of seeking private revenge might be discouraged. The Old Testament passages do not mean, “Take personal revenge whenever you are wronged.” They mean the exact opposite, “Do not avenge yourself but let justice be administered publicly.” This is clear from Lev_24:14, “Take the blasphemer out of the camp; and let all who heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him.” Cf. Deu_19:15-21.

The Pharisees, however, appealed to this law to justify personal retribution and revenge. They quoted this commandment in order to defeat its very purpose. Cf. Mat_15:3, Mat_15:6. The Old Testament repeatedly forbids personal vengeance: “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am Jehovah” (Lev_19:18). “Do not say, I will repay evil. Wait for Jehovah, and he will save you” (Pro_20:22). “Do not say, as he has done to me so will I do to him; I will pay the man back according to what he has done” (Pro_24:29).

What then did Jesus mean when he said, “Do not resist the evil-doer; but to him that slaps you,” etc.? When Christ's words (verses Mat_5:39-42) are read in the light of what immediately follows in verses Mat_5:43-48, and when the parallel in Luk_6:29-30 is explained on the basis of what immediately precedes in verses Luk_6:27-28, it becomes clear that the key passage, identical in both Gospels, is “Love your enemies” (Mat_5:44; Luk_6:27). In other words, Jesus is condemning the spirit of lovelessness, hatred, yearning for revenge. He is saying, “Do not resist the evil-doer with measures that arise from an unloving, unforgiving, unrelenting, vindictive disposition.” BTNC    (9)

Matthew 5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

When someone in distress asks for assistance, one must not turn a deaf ear to him. On the contrary, says Jesus, give, not grudgingly or gingerly but generously; lend, not selfishly, looking forward to usury but liberally, magnanimously. Not only show kindness but love kindness. (9)

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10. Love Your Enemies                                                      Matthew 5:44

Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy” must have been the popular way in which the average Israelite during the days of Christ's ministry summarized the second table of the law and regulated his life with respect to friend and foe. He must have learned it from the scribes and Pharisees, though not necessarily from all of them without exception. We know at least that the scribe whose summary is reported in Mar_12:32-33 and the lawyer (an expert in the Jewish law) who speaks in Luk_10:25-27 were careful not to omit “as yourself” when they quoted Lev_19:18. What was even worse than this omission (see Mat_5:43) was the addition “and hate your enemy.” Nowhere in the Old Testament do we find anything of the kind. In fact, by means of this addition the emphasis was again shifted away from the original intention of the law as happened also in connection with the commandment concerning the oath (see p. 307). Lev_19:18, “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am Jehovah” emphasized love over against vengeance. Its perversion in the popular summary drew a sharp contrast between neighbor and enemy, as if the purpose of the commandment had been that the former be loved and the latter hated. BNTC    (10)

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11. Be Perfect                                                                       Matthew 5:48

Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

This, too, was in harmony with the law: “Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them, You shall be holy, for I Jehovah your God am holy” (Lev_19:2). “You shall be perfect before Jehovah your God” (Deu_18:13). See also Lev_11:44; Lev_20:7, Lev_20:26; Eph_5:1; and 1Pe_1:15-16. Does this mean that Jesus was a perfectionist in the sense that he taught men that they could reach sinlessness before death? Not at all, as the beatitudes clearly show and as the petition that he taught his disciples to pray, namely, “And forgive us our debts” (Mat_6:12) reaffirms. He never even hinted that there might be a time before death when this petition could be omitted! Against perfectionism in the sense indicated see also 1Ki_8:46; Job_9:1; Psa_130:3-4; Pro_20:9; Ecc_7:20; Rom_3:10; Rom_7:7-26; Gal_5:16-24; Jas_3:2; and 1Jn_1:8.

If the question be asked, “Then why even try to become perfect?” the answer would be, “Because that is what God commands,” as has been shown. Also, a follower of Jesus cannot do otherwise. BNTC   

The word translated perfect is  τέλειοι Teleios  it means complete or mature wanting nothing necessary to a full grown adult. Our idea of perfect (without error fault or sin) is not the meaning used here.(11)

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12. Practice Secret Disciplines                                          Matthew 6:1–18

Matthew 6:1-4 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. (2) Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. (3) But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: (4) That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

the purpose of the hypocrites, referred to in Mat_6:1 ff., is to obtain praise for themselves. They perform their religious acts in order “to attract the people's attention,” so that the latter will carefully inspect and closely examine them, while they are engaged in almsgiving, prayer, and/or fasting. Hopefully the spectators will then say, “How devout, how remarkably pious are these scribes and Pharisees!”—Naturally, a public display, so motivated, must be avoided.

The point in “… otherwise you will not have any reward with your Father who is in heaven” is, “You will then already have your reward, yes, your reward in full, namely, from men, the very people from whom you expected the reward of honor, admiration, and praise. Since in your innermost being you never meant to please and glorify God, he will not reward you. BNTC        (12)

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Matthew 6:5-8 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. (6) But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (7) But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. (8) Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

“when thou prayest” Jesus did not ask if you would, this is not a suggestion, Prayer is so important Jesus just says When you Pray! 

The reference here is to prayer in general, including thanksgiving, praise, adoration, confession of sin, personal petition, intercession for the needs of others, etc. Among the Jews, though prayers were always appropriate, there were set times for prayer, when the pious were expected to attend to their devotions. Thus, there were morning, afternoon, and evening prayers (Psa_55:17; Dan_6:10; Act_3:1). According to Josephus (Antiquities XIV.65) sacrifices, including prayers, were offered in the temple “twice a day, in the early morning and at the ninth hour.” There was also a sunset service. Naturally, if one were living or staying in or near Jerusalem and could get to the temple in time, that would seem to the devout Israelite to be the best place to pray (Luk_18:9-10; Act_3:1). Otherwise, the synagogue would do, or even the street.

Now Scripture nowhere condemns public prayer (2Ch_6:14-42; Neh. 9; Act_4:24-31), nor individual prayer offered in a public place. Neither the Pharisee nor the publican sinned by praying in the temple (Luk_18:9-10). What the Lord condemns here is ostentatious praying, that is, having one's private (?) devotions in the most public place, with the intention of being seen and honored by the people. That was, however, exactly what the hypocrites were in the habit of doing. BTNC   (12)

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Matthew 6:9-13 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. (10) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. (11) Give us this day our daily bread. (12) And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. (13) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Here is an example to follow, BUT PRAY and Keep Praying!

Literally, according to the original, the sentence reads: “Thus (or: in this manner), therefore, you should pray.” Some stress the fact that the second person plural imperative verb is in the present tense. They interpret this present as having continuative force (you should keep on praying), and on this they base their conclusion that Jesus wants his very prayer to be prayed again and again and again. Now it certainly is not wrong to make frequent use of this prayer if the worshiper, when he does this, is able to do it with heart and mind. On the other hand, very frequent use may easily lead to the sin of formalism which the Lord has been condemning. Besides, it must be borne in mind that Jesus said, “Thus” or “In this manner” or “This is how.” He did not say, “Use exactly these words, and no other.” The so-called “Lord's Prayer” is really the model prayer; meaning: it should serve as a pattern for our devotions. Its characteristics should mark also our prayers. The prayer consists of two parts: an invocation (“Our Father who art in heaven”) and six petitions; or, if the conclusion (“For thine is the kingdom, etc.”) be considered as belonging to it, then three parts, approximately seventy words in all. BTNC    (12)

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Matthew 6:16-18 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. (17) But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; (18) That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Like prayer , Jesus did not say how to , or when to, or the procedure for, fasting, He just said when you do it!  It was a given the we are to fast.

Fasting, as here meant, refers not to a condition that is forced upon a person (2Co_6:5; 2Co_11:27), but to voluntary abstinence from food as a religious exercise. It served various purposes, either singly or in any combination. Thus, it might be an expression of humiliation, that is, sorrow for, and in connection with confession of, sin.  Here in Mat_6:16-18, however, it is the fast as an expression of humiliation, whether feigned  or genuine, that is in view. The hypocrites, that is, the scribes and Pharisees , put on a dismal look, making their faces unsightly, perhaps by covering them with ashes, in order that to the people round about them they might look O so sorry for their sins; hence, O so pious! They were putting on an act. BTNC (12)

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13. Lay Up Treasures                                                          Matthew 6:19–21

Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: (20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Righteousness in relation to God requires not only the sincere devotion of the heart to the heavenly Father (Mat_6:1-18) but also unlimited trust in him under all circumstances. 

Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven - That is, have provision made for your eternal felicity. Do not exhaust your strength and spend your days in providing for the life here, but let your chief anxiety be to be prepared for eternity.  In heaven nothing corrupts; nothing terminates; no enemies plunder or destroy. To have treasure in heaven is to possess evidence that its purity and joys will be ours. It is to be heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ, to an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, 1Pe_1:4. The heart, or affections, will of course be fixed on the treasure. To regulate the heart, it is therefore important that the treasure, or object of attachment, should be right. AB      (13)

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13. Lay Up Treasures                                                          Matthew 6:19–21

Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

Since transitory earthly treasures do not satisfy, and setting the heart on them implies forfeiting the enduring pleasures of heaven (verses Mat_6:19-21), and since the yearning for such earthly riches blurs mental and moral vision (verses Mat_6:22-23), and finally, because a choice must be made between God and Mammon (verse Mat_6:24), do not continue to set your heart on the latter, that is, on earthly things, such as food and drink, to keep alive, or on clothes, to keep dressed. After all, it is your heavenly Father who gave you your life and your body and will sustain them. He who has provided the greater, namely, life and body, will he not also furnish the lesser, namely, food, drink, and clothes? Is not life more important than food, and the body than clothes? Do not, then, confuse priorities! AB   (13)

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14. Seek God’s Kingdom                                   Matthew 6:33

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

We cannot alter the disposals of Providence, therefore we must submit and resign ourselves to them. Thoughtfulness for our souls is the best cure of thoughtfulness for the world. Seek first the kingdom of God, and make religion your business: say not that this is the way to starve; no, it is the way to be well provided for, even in this world. The conclusion of the whole matter is, that it is the will and command of the Lord Jesus, that by daily prayers we may get strength to bear us up under our daily troubles, and to arm us against the temptations that attend them, and then let none of these things move us. Happy are those who take the Lord for their God, and make full proof of it by trusting themselves wholly to his wise disposal. Let thy Spirit convince us of sin in the want of this disposition, and take away the worldliness of our hearts.

The object of this seeking is “his kingdom and his righteousness.” The listeners are exhorted, therefore, to acknowledge God as King in their own hearts and lives, and to do all in their power to have him recognized as King also in the hearts and lives of others, and in every sphere: education, government, commerce, industry, science, etc. For the concept “kingdom of heaven” . It stands to reason that when God is recognized as King, righteousness will prevail.  MH     (14)

Matthew 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

 Providing for tomorrow is one thing. To a certain extent this cannot be condemned. See Luk_16:8-9, but note also verse Luk_16:13. Becoming anxious for tomorrow is always wrong. The only right way to provide for tomorrow without at the same time being anxious is to take care that today the admonition of verse Mat_6:33 (“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness”) is obeyed.

Jesus has given all the reasons that prove why worrying about tomorrow is wrong and senseless. Today has been given to us. On this day, therefore, we should, out of gratitude, do what God demands of us. “Today, O that you would hear his voice” (Psa_95:7). As to tomorrow, here personified, let that rest. Allow it to be “anxious for itself, When tomorrow arrives, there will be new troubles, but also renewed strength. God has not given us strength today for tomorrow's difficulties. When we reflect on the fact that “each day has enough trouble all by itself” (or: “Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof,”) BNTC  (14)

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15. Judge Not                                                                       Matthew 7:1

Matthew 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.

Matthew 7:2  For with whatever judgment you judge, you shall be judged; and with whatever measure you measure out, it shall be measured to you again.

Just what did the Lord mean when he said, “Judge not” (AV)? Did he mean that all manner of judging is absolutely and without any qualification forbidden, so that with respect to the neighbor we are not allowed to form and/or express any opinion whatever, at least that with respect to him we must never voice an adverse or unfavorable opinion?  To be discriminating and critical is necessary; to be hypercritical is wrong. One should avoid saying what is untrue (Exo_23:1), unnecessary (Pro_11:13), and unkind (Pro_18:8).

That the sin here condemned was very common is clear, for example, from the fact that David condemned to death the rich man who, so the king had been made to believe, had stolen and killed the poor man's little ewe lamb, not realizing that in thus condemning him he (David) was passing sentence on himself (2Sa_12:1-7)!

Meaning: The standard of judgment that you apply to others will be applied to you. If you judge without mercy, you will be judged without mercy. Similarly, if you judge kindly, you will be judged and treated kindly. There will then be poured into your lap “good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.” You will be thus judged and rewarded by God.  BTNC     (15)

Matthew 7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

Christ directs us to the proper way of forming an opinion of ethers, and of reproving and correcting them. By first amending our own faults, or casting the beam out of our eye, we can “consistently” advance to correct the faults of others. There will then be no hypocrisy in our conduct. We shall also “see clearly” to do it. The beam, the thing that obscured our sight, will be removed, and we shall more clearly discern the “small” object that obscures the sight of our brother. The sentiment is, that the readiest way to judge of the imperfections of others is to be free from greater ones ourselves. AB   (15)

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16. Do Not Cast Pearls                                                        Matthew 7:6

Matthew 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

“Brothers” and “dogs” or “hogs” must not be treated alike. Believers must discriminate carefully.

In order to understand this saying it is necessary, first of all, to discover what is meant by “dogs” and “hogs.” Among the Jews the dogs of the street were held in low esteem. The reference here is not to little pet dogs but to pariahs, large, savage, and ugly. One could see them almost everywhere, prowling about the garbage and the rubbish thrown into the streets. They were considered unclean and filthy.

As to hogs or pigs (in Mat_8:30-32 and parallel passages, the chosen refuge of demons), these are here viewed as being similarly contemptible and filthy. The Old Testament mentions swine among the unclean animals. The eating of swine's flesh is called an abomination. Dogs and hogs are mentioned together not only here in Mat_7:6 but also in 2Pe_2:22.

Jesus is saying that whatever it is that stands in special relation to God and is accordingly very precious should be treated with reverence and not entrusted to those who, because of their utterly wicked, vicious, and despicable nature, can be compared to dogs (see also Php_3:2) and hogs. This means, for example, that Christ's disciples must not endlessly continue to bring the gospel message to those who scorn it. To be sure, patience must be exercised, but there is a limit. A moment arrives when constant resistance to the gracious invitation must be punished by the departure of the messengers of good tidings. BNTC    (16)

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17. Ask, Seek, Knock.                                                         Matthew 7:7–8

Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Ask, and it shall be given you ... - There are here three different forms presented of seeking the things which we need from God - asking, ‘seeking, and knocking. The latter is taken from the act of knocking at a door for admittance. See Luk_13:25; Rev_3:20. The phrases signify to seek with earnestness, diligence, and perseverance. The promise is, that what we seek shall be given us. It is of course implied that we seek with a proper spirit, with humility, sincerity, and perseverance. BNTC       (17)

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18. Do unto Others                                                              Matthew 7:12

Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets

“Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.” This is indeed the golden rule. It is linked with prayer, for no one can pray aright who is not characterized by active benevolence to his fellows (1 John 3:17-22). This is not the gospel; it is the fruit of the gospel. People often speak glibly of the golden rule, as though the keeping of it were a comparatively small matter, or as though it involved the whole of Christianity. How frequently we hear the assertion, “The golden rule is good enough for me. It is all the religion anyone needs.” But who, judged by this standard of unselfish living, would ever pass muster before God’s holy tribunal? It is but another way of insisting on the demand of the law, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” n rule. It is linked with prayer, for no one can pray aright who is not characterized  . HAI        (18)

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19. Choose the Narrow Way                                              Matthew 7:13–14

Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

The illustration of Gate and Way used here mean only that we are to choose to obey and follow God.  The narrow restricted gate is the choice to do only Gods will. We are saved by doing God’s will. Then we follow the narrow way that is we live to serve Him. There is more the Christian life than BEING SAVED, We are to LIVE FOR HIM. In the Spirit, In Christ living to serve and know Him we find Reward. The broad way every one can follow and do as their desires lead is “the flesh” living for self, the way to destruction.   Sre       (19)

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20. Beware of False Prophets                                            Matthew 7:15

Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Does entrance through the narrow gate and proceeding upon the path to which it admits mean that any further caution can now be thrown to the winds? Not at all. For the present we may conceive of the false prophet as being self-appointed and as being a person who, though pretending to proclaim God's truth, actually proclaims his own lie.  Jesus warns his hearers, “Beware of—literally, Hold (your minds) away from—false prophets.” Reason: although they “come in sheep's clothing,” dressed up in wool as if they were sheep, yet on the inside they are savage, rapacious wolves.   The scribes and Pharisees, Gnostics, Arians, How many heresies did the Early Church refute and condemn?  BTNC      (20)

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21. Pray For Laborers——Compassion  (21)

Mat 9:35  And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

Mat 9:36  But seeing the crowds, He was moved with compassion on them, because they were tired and scattered like sheep having no shepherd.

Mat 9:37  Then He said to His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few.

Mat 9:38  Therefore pray to the Lord of the harvest that He will send out laborers into His harvest.

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22. Be Wise as Serpents                                                     Matthew 10:16

Matthew 10:16-20 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.   (22) ___________________________________________________________________________________

23. Fear Not                                                                          Matthew 10:28

Matthew 10:26-31 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. (27) What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. (28) And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (29) Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. (30) But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. (31) Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.      (23)

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24. Hear God’s Voice                                                          Matthew 11:15

Mt 11:15  Hear God”s Voice  (24)

Mat 11:15  He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

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25. Take My Yoke                                                               Matthew 11:29

Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.    (25)

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26. Honor Your Parents                                                      Matthew 15:4

Matthew 15:4 For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.     (26)

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27. Beware of Leaven                                                         Matthew 16:6

Mt 16:6    Beware the leven    (27)

Mat 16:5  And when His disciples had come to the other side, they forgot to take loaves.

Mat 16:6  And Jesus said to them, Take heed, and beware the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Mat 16:7  And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no loaves.

Mat 16:8  And knowing Jesus said to them, Why do you reason among yourselves because you took no loaves, little-faiths?

Mat 16:9  Do you not yet understand, nor remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many hand baskets you took up;

Mat 16:10  nor the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many lunch baskets you took up?

Mat 16:11  How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you about loaves, but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?

Mat 16:12  Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

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28. Deny Yourself                                                              Luke 9:23        

Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.      (28)

Matthew 18:8-9 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. (9) And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

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29. Despise Not Little Ones                                               Matthew 18:8-10

Matthew 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.      (29)

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30. Go to Offenders                                                     Matthew 18:15

Matthew 18:15-17 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. (16) But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. (17) And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.        (30)

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31. Beware of Covetousness                                         Luke 12:15

Luke 12:15   Beware of Covetousness—Contentment  (31)

Luk 12:15  And He said to them, Watch and keep yourselves from covetousness. For a man's life is not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.

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32. Forgive Offenders                                                         Matthew 18:21–22

 Matthew 18:21–22  Forgive Offenders—Forgiveness    (32)

Mat 18:21  Then Peter came to Him and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Until seven times?

Mat 18:22  Jesus said to him, I do not say to you, Until seven times; but, Until seventy times seven.

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33. Honor Marriage                                                             Matthew 19:6

Matthew 19:6  Honor Marriage—Loyalty    (33)

Mat 19:4  And He answered and said to them, Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning "made them male and female",

Mat 19:5  and said, For this cause a man shall leave father and mother and shall cling to his wife, and the two of them shall be one flesh?

Mat 19:6  Therefore they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.

Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.     

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34. Be a Servant                                                   Matthew 20:26–28

Matthew 20:26-28 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; (27) And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: (28) Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.   (34)

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35. Be a House of Prayer                                                    Matthew 21:13

Mt 21:13 Be a house of Prayer   (35)

Mat 21:12  And Jesus went into the temple of God and cast out all those who sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of those who sold doves.

Mat 21:13  And He said to them, It is written, "My house shall be called the house of prayer"; but you have made it a den of thieves.

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36. Ask in Faith                                                                   Matthew 21:21–22

Mt 21: 21-22   Ask in Faith     (36)

Mat 21:19  And seeing a fig tree in the way, He came to it and found nothing on it except leaves only. And He said to it, let no fruit grow on you forever. And immediately the fig tree withered away.

Mat 21:20  And when the disciples saw, they marveled, saying, How quickly the fig tree has withered away!

Mat 21:21  Jesus answered and said to them, Truly I say to you, If you have faith and do not doubt, you shall not only do this miracle of the fig tree, but also; if you shall say to this mountain, Be moved and be thrown into the sea; it shall be done.

Mat 21:22  And all things, whatever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.

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37.Luke 14:12–14 Bring in the Poor——Hospitality     (37)

Luk 14:12  And He also said to him who invited Him, When you make a dinner or a supper, do not call your friends or your brothers, or your kinsmen, or your rich neighbors; lest they also invite you again, and a recompense be made to you.

Luk 14:13  But when you make a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind,

Luk 14:14  and you shall be blessed, for they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.

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38. Render to Caesar                                                           Matthew 22:19–21

Matthew 22:21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.   (38)

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39. Love the Lord                                                                Matthew 22:37–38

Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, and with all thy understanding. This is the great and first commandment. And the second is like it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments the whole law and the prophets hang” (39)

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40. Love Your Neighbor                                                    Matthew 22:39

Matthew 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.  

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God.” Jesus replied by quoting from Deuteronomy 6:5. If God is loved supremely, no one will violate anything He has commanded. This covers particularly the first table of the law, which sets forth man’s duty to God.

“The first and great commandment.” To violate this is, therefore, in the legal dispensation, the greatest of all sins.

“Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” This was a quotation from Leviticus 19:18 and covers all of the second table, for “love worketh no ill to his neighbour” (Rom. 13:10). He who loves mankind in this way will not violate any of the laws that have to do with the rights of others (Rom. 13:8-9).

“On these … hang all the law and the prophets.” Where love reigns, all else will be as it should be, for no one who truly loves God and his neighbor will intentionally wrong either (Matt. 7:12). All the law and the prophets hang therefore upon these two commandments cited by Jesus, for every sin that we might possibly commit is either a wrong done to God Himself or to our fellow men. The salvation provided for us is first of all an atonement, or propitiation, to meet all our sins, and then a regeneration to enable us to love God and our neighbor so as to cease from sin.  (40)

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Matthew 23:8-10 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. (9) And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. (10) Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

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41. Await My Return                                                          Matthew 24:42–44

Matthew 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.   (41)

Matthew 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Matthew 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

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42. Take, Eat, and Drink                                                     Matthew 26:26–27

Matthew 26:26-29 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. (27) And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; (28) For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (29) But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.     (42)

____________________________________________________________________________________________443. Be Not Troubled                                                        John 14:1

John 3:7 Be Born Again        (43)

Joh 3:3  Jesus answered and said to him, Truly, truly, I say to you, Unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Joh 3:4  Nicodemus said to Him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb and be born?

Joh 3:5  Jesus answered, Truly, truly, I say to you, Unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Joh 3:6  That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Joh 3:7  Do not marvel that I said to you, You must be born again.

____________________________________________________________________________________________444       Keep My Commandments                                    John 14:15

If you love me, keep my commandments.

15:10  If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

he believer is surrounded by cords of love, which draw him closer and closer to his Savior:

a. His love is always first, “We love because he first loved us” (1Jn_4:19). Now our love begins to operate. How does it manifest itself?

Answer:

b. We show our love by keeping his precepts, “If you love me, you will keep my precepts” (Joh_14:15).

c. This keeping of his precepts results, in turn, in our abiding in his love, “If you keep my precepts, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's precepts, and abide in his love.”

____________________________________________________________________________________________445. Watch and Pray                                                                Matthew 26:41

Mt 26:41  Watch and Pray   (45)

Mat 26:38  Then He said to them, My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Wait here and watch with Me.

Mat 26:39  And He went a little further and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.

Mat 26:40  And He came to the disciples and found them asleep. And He said to Peter, What! Could you not watch with Me one hour?

Mat 26:41  Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

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46   John 21:15-16   Feed my Sheep      (46)

oh 21:15  Then when they broke fast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You. He said to him, Feed My lambs.

Joh 21:16  He said to him the second time, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You. He said to him, Feed My sheep.

Joh 21:17  He said to him the third time, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me? Peter was grieved because He said to him a third time, Do you love Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know all things, You know that I love You. Jesus said to him, Feed My sheep.

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47.    Baptize My Disciples                                               Matthew 28:19

Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.   (47)  (49)

Luke 24:49   Receive God’s power   (48)

Luk 24:49  And behold, I send the promise of My father on you. But you sit in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high.

48     Luke 24:49   Receive God’s power   (48)

Luk 24:49  And behold, I send the promise of My father on you. But you sit in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high.

49. Make Disciples                                                             Matthew 28:20

Mat 28:19  Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit:

Mat 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.