Matthew__5

Scripture 

Matthew 5:21-22 -"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘ Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”

Matthew 5:23-24-““Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

Observation-What does it say?

This chapter is Jesus' sermon on the mount. It is a sermon that Jesus preached to His disciples, covering various topics that is still applicable to Christian disciples today. Based on Matthew Henry bible commentary, "It is the longest and fullest continued discourse of our Saviour that we have upon record in all the gospels."

Understanding-What does it mean?

The highest form of worship is loving our brothers and sisters in Christ. This is worship that is acceptable to God.

Here are a few Bible verses and quotes from several commentaries that I did research in. 

"Forgiveness and reconciliation is the highest form of worship on earth." (The Geneva study bible)

"Reconciliation takes precedence of all other duties, even of offerings made to God.....The lesson teaches us to be reconciled with all who bear grudges against us, and says nothing as to whether their reasons are sufficient or insufficient, just or unjust." (McGarvey and Pendleton)

"This shows that one guilty of wrongs to his fellow-man cannot offer acceptable worship of God. (B.W. Johnson's Bible commentary)

"We ought carefully to preserve Christian love and peace with all our brethren; and if at any time there is a quarrel, we should confess our fault, humble ourselves to our brother, making or offering satisfaction for wrong done in word or deed: and we should do this quickly; because, till this is done, we are unfit for communion with God in holy ordinances. And when we are preparing for any religious exercises, it is good for us to make that an occasion of serious reflection and self-examination." (Matthew Henry's concise commentary)

A gift or a prayer does not substitute for love. "For neither thy gift nor thy prayer will atone for thy want of love: but this will make them both an abomination before God."-(Wesley's Explanatory notes)

"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13 NIV

““But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”Luke 6:27-28 NIV

““If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that.” Luke 6:32-33 NIV

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” Romans 12:18-19 

Life Application

God is a God of love, relationships and reconciliation. We cannot claim to love God, yet hate a brother or a sister in Christ. God wants us to forgive our brothers and sisters from our heart or else He will treat us the way the Unmerciful servant was treated in Matthew 18:21-35. 

“We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” 1 John 4:19-21 NIV

This is one of the, if not the longest Soul Journal I've written as an opening post because I believe it is important to God's heart. I grew up in church and I've seen way too many times people look for another church or leave church altogether because they say they love Jesus, but they don't love His people. They don't love His bride. Scripture specifically states that that thinking is wrong!! We must love, reconcile and forgive our brothers and sisters from our hearts. When you forgive someone from your heart, you forego getting even with them, even in a passive way. Passive ways of getting even are gossip, slander and leaving the relationship/church family without first trying to work it out. We cannot say we love God, yet be bitter and unforgiving towards a brother or sister in Christ. Jesus says being angry with a brother/sister is the same as committing murder.

In Scripture, Jesus goes as far as saying to leave our gift at the altar. When I personalize it, He's basically telling me not to do ministry until my relationship with my brother/sister is reconciled, especially if I was the one in the wrong. If I don't do it, that gift is unacceptable to God. Sounds harsh, but then again, the God we serve is a God is love and relationship and relationships are more important than how heartfelt it is when I pray, encourage, sing, play piano, lead worship, write a SJ, tithe, administrate or teach for Him. I must love Jesus and people first before the music or gifts I want to offer Him. 

Dear Lord, You know my life and my heart and some of the ways You've had to personally walk me through this. I've had to put aside my gifts so that I could reconcile with my brother and sister because of miscommunication, misunderstanding, or hurt/anger that we had to work through. I desire to worship You and prove my love for You not just through song, but also through loving and submitting to my spouse, my children, and loving my brothers and sisters in You. I desire worship that is acceptable to You. Amen. 

-Michelle Gaddi

Matthew___4

Scripture

Matthew 4:19-20

““Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.”

‭‭Observation-What does it say?

Jesus began recruiting his first disciples. As he was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Peter and Andrew. They were fishermen and they were casting out their nets into the lake when Jesus approached them and asked them both if they would follow him so that he can make them fishers of men. How did the brothers respond?..They dropped everything immediately and began to follow Jesus.

Understanding-What does it mean?

To truly follow Jesus means we have to trust Him, leave our old mindset behind, and be willing to get out of our comfort zone.

It must have taken a lot of faith and trust in Peter, Andrew, James, and John to drop everything they knew in life, leave their families behind, and go onwards in following this man named Jesus. They were fishermen after all, and fishing is all they knew. Was Jesus that great of a "salesman" to sell them on this new life of fishing after men? Were they all just sick and tired of living the lower lifestyle of a fisherman, that they yearned for so much more in life, and believed this was their shot at it? Either way, these men all took a GIANT leap of faith when they decided to go ahead and follow Jesus. Just imagine being well crafted at a particular skill, a skill that has helped you make a living, and leaving not only that behind, but leaving your own personal "safety nets", your family, behind as well?! Now if you were to fail at this, who will be there to help support you?! These men literally put their lives Jesus' hands. They trusted Jesus to provide for them and help show them the way to something much bigger in life. Even if it meant learning something new and stepping out of their comfort zones, they were all willing to make that sacrifice. These men all knew that there was more to life and that they were going to be serving a bigger purpose. These men's lives were forever changed because of it, and their stories will be shared for generations to come!

Life Application

When Jesus calls us in situations where we may feel overwhelmed or inadequate, that's exactly where He wants us! So we can fully rely on Him!

“Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

 

-Moses Gaddi

Daniel_1

Scripture   Daniel 1:1&6   

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it...Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego. Observation-What does it say?   The beginning of Daniel places us at the time of the siege of Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezer of Babylon.  In 2 Kings 23 & 24, the story of Jehoiakim and Zedekiah, kings of Jerusalem, is given to us, explaining the siege was a result of both these men doing evil in the sight of the Lord.  When Nebuchadnezer took the land, he also ordered some young men be taken to Babylon to be trained in their ways.  Most likely this was done to implant the men back into Jerusalem and change the Jewish culture from within.  Among the men taken were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, whose Hebrew names mean “God is my judge,” “Jehovah is Gracious,” “Who Belongs to God,” and “Jehovah Helps.”  They are given the new Babylonian names, which carried importance to the Babylonian gods of the moon and sun.  The names were given to them to encourage them to forget their heritage, who they are in God’s eyes. Understanding-What does it mean?   Naming our three boys was very important to my wife and I.  The meaning in their names, to us, is a reminder of their God given identity.  We named them Jedidiah, “loved by God,” Ezekiel, “God’s strength,” and Matthias, “gift of God.”  Matthias, with the twinkle in his eye, great smile, and his ability to win over anyone is quite the charmer.  So, we decided it probably is best not to tell him his name means “God’s gift” until he is mature enough to understand it.  He’s too likely to try and use that information to his advantage. As Christians, we become adopted sons and daughters of God.  We now assume a life of sojourners in a foreign land.  Much like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, we are living in a place that is not our home, and the world is trying to distract us from our identity in Christ.  All around us are messages of slavery to this world.  It’s in advertisements, in music and movies, Satan is waging a spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:12) on our new identity in Christ.  Just like these four young men, we also need to cling to our identity in Jesus during our sojourning on this earth. To the Romans, Paul wrote, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”  This transformation is done through the continual dependence on God’s word, through worship, and through fellowship with the body of Christ.
Life Application  

 

Jesus, help me to remember my new identity in you (2 Corinthians 5:17).  As I make my way in this life, help me to encourage and remind those around me of their new identity in you.  Help me to sharpen others, as others help to sharpen me.      

 

-Tyler Galloway