San Antonio College Oklahoma Christian University Life of Christ: Matthew 15 Feb 2010 Bill Brewer Schedule Date Topic Assignments Due 11 Jan 10 Introduction 18 Jan 10 Lineage, Birth of Jesus syllabus 25 Jan 10 Timing, Preparation for Jesus' Advent 1 2, Gal. 3:23 4:7 1 Feb 10 Jesus' Baptism, Temptations; Test 1 (10%) 3, 4, 11, 14:1 12 8 Feb 10 Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Living 5; 6; 19:1 12 15 Feb 10 Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Living 7; paper 22 Feb 10 Fb10 Limited it Commission; i the Eternal Kingdom 10, 23 1 Mar 10 Parables of the Kingdom 13, 15, 25 8 Mar 10 By the Power of God; Test 2 (20%) 8, 9, 14 15 Mar 10 10 Spring Break 22 Mar 10 Power over Demons; Foundation of Jesus' Kingdom 12, 16 29 Mar 10 The Transfiguration; Instructions to the Church 17, 18, 19 5 Apr 10 Conflict withopponents; MountofOlives of Sermon 20 25 25 12 Apr 10 The Last Supper, Betrayal, Trial, Crucifixion 26 27 19 Apr 10 The Resurrection of Christ; Test 3 (20%) 28 26 Apr 10 Post Resurrection; Doctrine of Atonement 1 Cor 15; Heb 7, 9, 10 3 May 10 FINAL EXAM (20%) 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 2
15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 3 Lesson 6 Questions 1. Answer objective questions and write detailed paragraphs p on The inward nature of service to Jesus (Mt. 5-7) 2. In chapter 7, how far does Jesus sarcasm go in the part about judging others? 3. How do Prayer and the Golden Rule (Mt. 7:7-12) relate to the Lord s Prayer (Mt 6:9-13)? 4. What attitude does the Sermon take toward law keeping? 5. On what note does the Sermon end and how does it relate back to the Sermon s opening? 6. 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 4
The Western Conscience Western conscience begins with Augustine Augustine was first person in history to be so self-absorbed as to write his confessions The Western conscience reached its religious culmination in Luther Its secular counterpart reached its zenith with Freud O Wretched Man That I Am Rom 7:24 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 5 Development of the Western Introspective Conscience ISSUES Soteriology Ecclesiology Christology Luther Penance Augustine Mass Monastic Life Black Death 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 6
The Western Conscience (cont.) Augustinian introspection was amplified by such things as... Christian hope of individual resurrection Monastic life Doctrines of penance and purgatory The Black Death Gnosticism Modern-day Protestantism is especially prone to Gnostic-like preferences for... Subjectivity over objectivity Private knowledge over public knowledge Individual over community Inwardness over outwardness, and so forth... Thus the tendency may be to over-emphasize the Sermon s attention to inwardness 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 7 Matthew 5-7: Emphasis on Inwardness The First Discourse: the Sermon on the Mount (5:1 7:29) The Setting of the Sermon (5:1 2) Introduction (5:3 16) The Foundation of Righteous Living: The Beatitudes (5:3 12) The Essence of Discipleship: Salt and Light (5:13 16) The Main Body of the Sermon (5:17 7:12) The Relation between the Old and the New Righteousness (5:17 48) Continuity with the Old (5:17 20) The Surpassing of the Old: The Six Antitheses (5:21 48) On Murder (5:21 26) On Adultery (5:27 30) On Divorce (5:31 32) On Oaths (5:33 37) On Retaliation (5:38 42) On Loving One s Enemies (5:43 48) Not Here Here? Not Here 11 Jan 2010 - Bill Brewer 8
Matthew 5-7: Emphasis on Inwardness Outward vs. Inward Righteousness (6:1 18) Almsgiving (6:1 4) Prayer and the Lord s Prayer (6:5 15) The Setting of Prayer (6:5 6) On the Right Way to Pray: The Lord s Prayer (6:7 15) Fasting (6:16 18) Dependence upon God (6:19 34) Serving God Rather Than Wealth (6:19 24) The Disciple and Anxiety (6:25 34) Various Teachings and the Golden Rule (7:1 12) On Not Judging Others (7:1 5) Discernment in Proclaiming the Gospel (7:6) The Answering Father (7:7 11) The Golden Rule (7:12) Here Not Here 11 Jan 2010 - Bill Brewer 9 Matthew 5-7: Emphasis on Inwardness Conclusion (7:13 27) The Two Ways (7:13 14) The False and the Genuine (7:15 23) Warning concerning False Prophets (7:15 20) The Insufficiency of the Charismata (7:21 23) The Parable of the Two Builders (7:24 27) The Astonishment of the Crowds (7:28 29) Not Here 11 Jan 2010 - Bill Brewer 10
Matthew 5-7: Emphasis on Inwardness Note that the inwardness of Mt 5-7 is not an end in itself Rather the inward turn has an outward purpose For example, one enters a private closet to pray for the public hallowing of God s name 11 Jan 2010 - Bill Brewer 11 Matthew 7:1-5 1 Do not judge lest you be judged. 2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. 3 And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, Let me take the speck out of your eye, and behold, the log is in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother s eye. (NASB) 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 12
Matthew 7:1-5 1 Do not judge lest you be judged. 2 For NOTES: in the way you judge, you will be judged; Vv1-5 are the source of and by your standard of measure, it will be probably the most mistaken measured to you. 3 And why do you look idea in all of Christianity it at the speck that is in your brother s eye, I.e., that one can escape God s but do not notice the log that is in your own judgment by totally suspending eye? 4 Or how can you say to your one s own judgment brother, Let me take the speck out of your The real point of vv1-5 though eye, and behold, the log is in your own is to judge in such a way as to eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out avoid bringing oneself into of your own eye, and then you will see judgment clearly to take the speck out of your brother s eye. (NASB) In other words, judge justly 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 13 Matthew 7:1-5 1 Do not judge lest you be judged. 2 For NOTES: in the way you judge, you will be judged; Question: Whose judgment is and by your standard of measure, it will be threatened in v1? measured to you. 3 And why do you look God s? at the speck that is in your brother s eye, Fellow believer s? but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your What would the context brother, Let me take the speck out of your suggest? eye, and behold, the log is in your own Common assumption is God s eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out end-time judgment of your own eye, and then you will see Matthew s interest though is on clearly to take the speck out of your harmonious relations within his brother s eye. (NASB) community E.g., criminations beget recriminations 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 14
Matthew 7:6 6 Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. (NASB) 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 15 Matthew 7:6 6 Do not give what NOTES: is holy to dogs, V6 is unique to Matthew and do not throw Dogs (cf. 15:26) and swine are highly offensive your pearls before V6 could mean swine, lest they trample them under Don t try to teach truths beyond what people can their feet, and turn stand or at least use parables! and tear you to Don t let unbelievers partake of the Lord s pieces. (NASB) Supper (Didache 9:5; also cf. Lev 22:10) Don t take the gospel to the Gentiles (e.g., 10:5; 15:24) Don t waste the gospel on those who are hostile to it (cf. 10:11-14) Don t waste prayers on apostate Christians (cf. Heb 10:29 trampled under foot the Son ) 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 16
Matthew 7:6 6 Do not give what NOTES: is holy to dogs, Or v6 could be a rather sarcastic restatement of vv1-5 and do not throw your pearls before (Bennett, WTJ 49 (Fall 1987) 371-386) Do not give dogs what is holy; and do = Do not swine, lest they not throw your pearls before swine judge trample them under their feet, and turn Lest they trample them underfoot = Lest you and tear you to and turn to attack you be pieces. (NASB) In other words judged Since Jesus had already judged d his listeners as unfit to judge; i.e., hypocrites (vv3-5), then They should avoid retaliation for their pearls of wisdom (judgments) by not casting them before those they deemed to be swine (vv1-2, 6) If so, then Matthew shows Jesus poking fun at both the ability and the sincerity of busybodies 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 17 Matthew 7:6 6 Do not give what OK dude, let me Or in more Excuse me, but I is holy to dogs, give you a little everyday think I see a and do not throw piece of friendly language speck in your your pearls before advice eye swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn It s about time and tear you to somebody pieces. (NASB) straightened this pig out!! Gal 5:15 But if you bite and devour one another, take heed that you are not consumed by one another. (NASB) 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 18
Matthew 7:7-10 7 Ask Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you, when his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he shall ask for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? (NASB) 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 19 Matthew 7:7-10 7 Ask Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, NOTES: and you shall find; knock, and it shall be Listeners are not told what to opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks ask or what to look for receives, and he who seeks finds, and to Let s see, what could it be? him who knocks it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you, when his Hallow Thy Name son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him Thy Kingdom come a stone? 10 Or if he shall ask for a fish, Thy will be done he will not give him a snake, will he? Give us this day (NASB) Forgive us our debts Lead us not into temptation Deliver us from evil Vv7-10 are commonly understood as referring to the forgiveness of sins 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 20
Matthew 7:11 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! (NASB) 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 21 Matthew 7:11 11 If you then, being evil, know how to NOTES: give good gifts to your children, how Cf. James 5:14-16 Is any one of much more shall your Father who is in you sick [astheneo-- feeble or heaven give what is good to those who weak]? He should call the ask Him! (NASB) elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick [kamno-- weary or faint] person well [sozo-- whole]; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 22
Matthew 7:12 12 Therefore Therefore, however you want people to treat you, so treat them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (NASB) 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 23 Matthew 7:12 12 Therefore Therefore, however you want people NOTES: to treat you, so treat them, for this is the The Golden Rule is central to Law and the Prophets. (NASB) Kingdom ethics and is the trademark teaching of Jesus It interprets Lev 19:18, love your neighbor as yourself In v12, it is a kelal statement climaxing and summarizing the main body of the Sermon It marks the transition to concluding warnings cast in sharp contrasts Narrow gate False prophets False confidence Wise builder 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 24
Matthew 7:13-14 13 Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. 14 For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it. (NASB) 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 25 Matthew 7:13-14 13 Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate NOTES: is wide, and the way is broad that leads to The metaphor of two ways is destruction, and many are those who common in Jewish, Hellenistic, enter by it. 14 For the gate is small, and and Christian writings the way is narrow that leads to life, and Jer 21:8 Thus says the Lord, few are those who find it. (NASB) Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death (NASB) Dt 30:15 See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and adversity 19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants (NASB) Ps 1:6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish (NASB) 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 26
Matthew 7:13-14 13 Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate NOTES: is wide, and the way is broad that leads to The wide gate, even broad way, destruction, and many are those who makes no demands and enter by it. 14 For the gate is small, and requires no disciplinei the way is narrow that leads to life, and The narrow way involves the few are those who find it. (NASB) real difficulties of going the extra mile, enduring persecution, etc. Acts 14:22 Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God (NASB) Choice of the word find in v14 reflects the true grace of becoming a disciple 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 27 15 Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, tl are they? (NASB) Matthew 7:15-16 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 28
Matthew 7:15-16 15 Beware of the false NOTES: prophets, who come to Presumably the false prophets are the ones you in sheep s who lead people through the wide gate and into clothing, but inwardly the broad way (vv13-14) 14) are ravenous wolves. A major question is their identity 16 You will know them Are they the same as the deluded charismatics by their fruits. Grapes of vv21-23? are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs See Mt 24:11, And many false prophets will from thistles, tl are they? arise, and will mislead many and 24:24, For (NASB) false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect (NASB) 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 29 Matthew 7:17-20 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit; but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will know them by their fruits. (NASB) 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 30
Matthew 7:17-20 17 Even so, every good tree bears good NOTES: fruit; but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 Fruits are deeds A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, Cut down and thrown into the nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 fire is imagery of end-times Every tree that does not bear good fruit judgment common in Matthew is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus the false prophets p of So then, you will know them by their vv15-16 will ultimately be fruits. (NASB) exposed In the meantime, they can be identified by their deeds 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 31 Matthew 7:21-23 21 Not everyone who says to Me, Lord Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles? 23 And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness. l (NASB) James J. Tissot, "Jesus Preaches the Sermon on the Mount" (1886-1896), watercolor. 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 32
Matthew 7:21-23 21 Not everyone who says to Me, Lord Lord, NOTES: Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven; Matthew continues his interest but he who does the will of My Father who with deeds, not just lip-service is in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me on That day refers to the endtimes judgment that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out The charismatics offer an demons, and in Your name perform many impressive threefold proof of miracles? 23 And then I will declare to their genuineness them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness. l (NASB) None of that prevails over their lack of true discipleship; i.e., their practice of lawlessness I never knew you disavows any previous right relationship by reading the charismatics present alienation from God back onto any past right relationship they may have had 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 33 Matthew 7:24-25 24 Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock. 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock. (NASB) 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 34
Matthew 7:24-25 24 Therefore everyone who hears these NOTES: words of Mine, and acts upon them, may All of Matthew s five major be compared to a wise man, who built his discourses end with references house upon the rock. 25 And the rain to ends-times reckoning descended, and the floods came, and the Mt 7:27 winds blew, and burst against that house; Mt 10:42 and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock. (NASB) Mt 13:50 Mt 18:35 Mt 25:46 V24 has the hint of invitation The rock is the teaching of Jesus 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 35 26 And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that t house; and it fell, and great was its fall. (NASB) Matthew 7:26-27 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 36
Matthew 7:26-27 26 And everyone who NOTES: hears these words of The foolish man s mistake is a Mine, and does not act failure to act on what he has upon them, will be like a heard foolish man, who built his The phrase and great was its house upon the sand. 27 fall breaks the symmetry with And the rain descended, v25 for the sake of emphasis and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that t house; and it fell, and great was its fall. (NASB) 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 37 Making sense of chapter 7 Do not judge (7:1-5) Most scholars see chapter 7 as a Do not give that which is collection of largely disconnected logia holy (7:6) (sayings); e.g., Hagner, Matthew 1-13, Ask and it will be given WBC, Vol 33a, 2002 (7:7-12) We encounter a relatively abrupt Enter by the narrow gate break [at 7:1] from the preceding (7:12-14) material. Beware of false prophets [V6] appears to be a detached (7:15-20) independent logion apparently Not everyone who says to me, unrelated to the preceding. Lord, Lord (7:21-23) [Vv7-11 are] another self-contained everyone who hears these unit having no real connection with the words.. and acts (7:24-27) material that precedes or follows it And on and on. 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 38
An alternative (integrative) view of chapter 7 Do not judge (7:1-5) An alternative is to see all of chapter 7 Do not give that which is sayings in relation to the overall theme holy (7:6) of the Sermon on the Mount; i.e., Ask and it will be given God s inbreaking Kingdom (7:7-12) God s inbreaking Kingdom would Enter by the narrow gate Be blessed (7:12-14) Beware of false prophets Be a peaceable Kingdom (7:15-20) Face opposition Not everyone who says to me, Be a contrast community Lord, Lord (7:21-23) Fulfill the Law everyone who hears these Exhibit true righteousness words.. and acts (7:24-27) Depend upon God Exercise righteous judgment Ask and receive in prayer 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 39 An alternative (integrative) view of chapter 7 Do not judge (7:1-5) Do not give that which is holy (7:6) Ask and it will be given (7:7-12) Enter by the narrow gate (7:12-14) Beware of false prophets (7:15-20) Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord (7:21-23) everyone who hears these words.. and acts (7:24-27) WARNINGS 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 40
Concluding Observations The Sermon on the Mount provides an antidote to the cheap pgrace mentality that infects much of Western Christianity Being a Christian means having a real interest in objective righteousness, not just lip-service According to Matthew, the good news of the Kingdom cannot be separated from the stern ethic of Jesus 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 41 Concluding Observations The Sermon on the Mount opens with the blessings of God s inbreaking Kingdom The Beattitudes It closes with four warnings that look forward to the full realization of that Kingdom 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 42
Lesson 5 Questions 1. Answer objective questions and write detailed paragraphs p on The inward nature of service to Jesus (Mt. 5-7) 2. In chapter 7, how far does Jesus sarcasm go in the part about judging others? 3. How do Prayer and the Golden Rule (Mt. 7:7-12) relate to the Lord s Prayer (Mt 6:9-13)? 4. What attitude does the Sermon take toward law keeping? 5. On what note does the Sermon end and how does it relate back to the Sermon s opening? 6. 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 43 Schedule Date Topic Assignments Due 11 Jan 10 Introduction 18 Jan 10 Lineage, Birth of Jesus syllabus 25 Jan 10 Timing, Preparation for Jesus' Advent 1 2, Gal. 3:23 4:7 1 Feb 10 Jesus' Baptism, Temptations; Test 1 (10%) 3, 4, 11, 14:1 12 8 Feb 10 Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Living 5; 6; 19:1 12 15 Feb 10 Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Living 7; paper 22 Feb 10 Limited it dcommission; i the Eternal Kingdom 10, 23 1 Mar 10 Parables of the Kingdom 13, 15, 25 8 Mar 10 By the Power of God; Test 2 (20%) 8, 9, 14 15 Mar 10 10 Spring Break 22 Mar 10 Power over Demons; Foundation of Jesus' Kingdom 12, 16 29 Mar 10 The Transfiguration; Instructions to the Church 17, 18, 19 5 Apr 10 Conflict withopponents; MountofOlives of Sermon 20 25 25 12 Apr 10 The Last Supper, Betrayal, Trial, Crucifixion 26 27 19 Apr 10 The Resurrection of Christ; Test 3 (20%) 28 26 Apr 10 Post Resurrection; Doctrine of Atonement 1 Cor 15; Heb 7, 9, 10 3 May 10 FINAL EXAM (20%) 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 44
Next Week s Questions 1. List the points Jesus covered in the Limited Commission. 2. What relevance does the Limited Commission have for Matthew s community? 3. What historical problem is raised in the Limited Commission and how can it be resolved. 4. List the seven woes on the Pharisees 5. 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 45 Current Postings 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 46
Backups 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 47 Timeline of (Western) Church History Christian Church 70-312 Christian Empire 312-590 The Middle Ages 590-1517 Reformation 1517-16481648 Reason and Revival 1648-17891789 Ideologies 1914-? Jewish Christianity 30-70 Dark Ages Progress 1789-1914 Renaissance Enlightenment Opposition to Modernism 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 48
Confidence in Truth Heraclitus, Parmenides,. Socrates, Plato, Aristotle Paul, Augustine, Anselm, Aquinas,. Sophists: Protagorus,. Epicureanism, Stoicism, Skepticism Renaissance Modernism Existentialism 5 th- 4 TH BC 1 ST - 16 th AD Postmodernism 15 Feb 2010 - Bill Brewer 49 1 The Immanuel Prophecy and the Protoevangelium 1 2 5 Gen 3:15 Isa 7:14 Gen 3:15 Isa 7:14 Gen 3:15 4 Isa 7:14 Faith Faith Faith Ancient Claim Claim Claim Non- Jewish Gospel of Modern-Day Exegesis Exegesis Exegesis Christian Scriptures Matthew Christians Jews Isa 7:14 3 Main Points: Ancient non-christian Jews saw neither Isa 7:14 nor Gen 3:15 as messianic. 2 Matthew saw Isa 7:14 as messianic but did not address Gen 3:15. 3 Modern-day Christians exegete Matthew s use of Isa 7:14. 4 They also adopt his faith claim on Isa 7:14 as their own. 5 Third, they make a faith claim on Jesus s fulfillment of Gen 3:15 in Matthew. 15 Feb 2010 50