Tafawa Balewa Way, Kaduna Theme: TRUE DISCIPLESHIP Sub - Theme: SERMON ON THE MOUNT Topic: THE DAILY WALK OF A DISCIPLE - Part ll Text: Matthew 6 & 7 Background Texts: Exodus 19:1-11; Leviticus 18:1-5 PRAYER: Psalm 119:33-37 NAME: ADDRESS: STUDY GROUP: HOME CELL: DATE:
INTRODUCTION The sermon on the mount, as noted in part 1 of the Daily Walk of a Disciple, was uniquely revolutionary in that "he that came down from heaven, even the son of man which is in heaven" put forth a set of values, akin to heaven, as a standard for mankind on earth. Jn 3:12-13, 31-34). The seemingly paradoxical nature of the message shows clearly that anyone who is native to the earth cannot uphold the values. The message, in essence, distills into such a sacrificial lifestyle that enhances, not only the peaceful co-existence of mankind and ultimately makes the world a better place to live in but also strengthens the hope of eternal life, for if anyone that uses this present world chooses to abuse it, who will ever commit to his trust the use of the world to come? (Lk 16: 11, I Cor. 7 :31). This position inevitably straightens out the life of a disciple, and makes him fit perfectly into the eternal scheme of things. (Acts 10:38, Eph. 2:10). Are you a disciple? Do you know that there are things that accompany salvation? (Heb. 6:9). Dearly beloved, "And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful" (Titus 3: 14; II Peter 1 :5-11). The Daily Walk of a Disciple part II deals essentially with good works springing out of faith in Christ and Christ alone. "Ye shall know them by their fruits (works) (Mt. 7:16) says the one before whom every man that ever stepped upon this terrestrial ball will give account of the "life" loaned to him or her. What have you been doing with your life (your mouth, eyes, feet, hands etc.); helping, building or spoiling and destroying? Never forget that man was created in the image of God and in returning back to God man must be in that same likeness of God. There is no place in heaven for anything short of that. This study ensures that you view yourself in the mirror regularly to avoid any obvious or apparent inexactitude. 1
A Giving/Almsgiving A1. Fundamental Issues About Giving a) Love is the basis of biblical giving I Cor 13:3 b) God is a giver i. He gave His only begotten son Jn 3: 16 ii. Eternal life" is a gift from God Rom 6:23 iii. He gave us all things to enjoy I Tim. 6: 17 iv. Whatever you have is a gift from God. Jn. 3:27, I Cor. 4:7, Ps.105:43-45 c) Jesus gave His life for us Jn. 15:13, 10:14-18; d) Jesus stressed the need to give Acts 20:35 e) Giving is not optional to a disciple I Jn 3:16-18, James 2:26. Thot: Dead Sea is void of life because it only receives, it does not give out. (f) Christ commanded His disciples to give Lk. 6:38, I Tim. 6:17-18, Matt. 10:8.Giving opens the door of blessings Prov. 11 :24 (h) God loves a cheerful giver. II Cor. 9:7, Ex. 35:4-5 (i) A disciple gives sacrificially. II Sam. 24:24-25 (j) Giving is God's way of cleansing a disciple from every trace of covetousness Lk. 11 :39-41 (K) A disciple of Jesus Christ is simply a giver Gal. 2:10; I Jn. 3:17; Ja. 2:16-17. 2
A2. Attitudinal Problem In Giving Matt. 6:1-4 The Jew had three ways to practice righteousness and demonstrate the depth of his religious commitment: giving alms and doing charitable deeds, prayer, and fasting. Hypocrites did these right things in the wrong way, with wrong motives. There will be no reward for such at the judgment seat of Christ (2cor. 5: 10), where all our works will be judged (1 Cor.3: 12-15). a. Read Matt. 6: 1-2 and discuss what almsgiving is. b. Compare Matt. 5:42 and Deut 15:7-11 in the light of Matt. 6:1-2 c. Discuss the warning in Matt 6:1 with respect to giving. d. Read the following passages and discuss some of the reasons why we should give. Deut. 14:28-29, 15:10, Matt 10:42, Matt 19:21, Luke 12:33 e. When we give, how should we give? Read Rom 12:8; 2Cor 9:7 f. Do we have hypocrites in the church today? If yes, discuss their character by the way they give. g. Discuss examples of giving in the following passages. Lk 19:8, Acts 9:36, 10:2, II Cor. 8-9 h. Read Matt 6:3-4. What does this mean? Discuss how we can practically give without the 'left hand' knowing what the 'right hand' does. A3. Model Prayer - Matt. 6:5-15 Prayer is the breadth of every spiritual life. It is the believer's spiritual contact with heaven. No spiritual life can be maintained without it. So our Master lived a life of prayer and taught the disciples to pray. It is not 3
enough to pray, but what are the contents of your prayer? Read also James 4:1-3 a. Read Matt. 6:5. What did Jesus discourage? What are the different postures in prayer? John 17: 1; Mark 11 :25 ; Lk 22:41; Matt 26:39; I Kings 18:42; Ps 63:6; II Sam 17:16; b. Read Matt 6:6. Discuss what a closet is. c. Does this apply to all kinds of prayer? Dan. 6:10, Mark 1:35; Matt.14:23; Acts 1:14; 12:5; 20:36; Matt. 18:19-20; I Cor. 1:2; John 4:20-24 d. Read Matt.6:7-8 and discuss what vain repetitions are in prayer. e. Discuss the contents of the model prayer: Matt 6:9-13 i. Our Father, which art in heaven.( Matt. 6:9). ii. Who is your father? Titus 1:16; Jn. 8:44; Gal. 4:8-9 iii. Read John 8:42; I Cor. 8:3 and share your testimony to buttress your claim. iv. Discuss the importance of father - son relationship Lk. 15: 11-32 v. From the story of the prodigal son, discuss the lifestyle of any son in a far country. vi. What is the significance of "our" instead of "my" Father? vii. Hallowed be thy name. Matt. 6:9 viii. Are you passionate about this or is it a mere cliche to you? Read and discuss Mal. 1:6 ix. How can God be honoured in your life everyday? (Relate this to every facet of life) x. Thine Kingdom come Matt. 6:10 xi. Read Mt. 3: 1-2; 4:7; 11: 12 and relate it to a desire for His Kingdom to come. xii What other things should characterize the lifestyle of anyone who is truly saying "Thine Kingdom come". Seek help from the following scriptures: Lk 2:25-38; Lk. 3:15 (LV.B) I Cor. 16:22; II Tim. 4:8; Rev. 22:20. 4
Xiii. Thine will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Matt. 6: 1 0 xiv. What can you learn from the following scriptures concerning The will of God? Matt. 21:28-32; Matt. 7:21; Matt. 26:36-44; Mk. 3:31-35; Jn. 4:34. xv. Is His will being done in your life in these other areas? I Th 4:3; 5:18 (LV. B). xvi. Give us this day our daily bread. Matt. 6: 11 xvii. Read Jn. 3:27; I Cor. 4:7; Ps. 104:21-28 (L V.B) Ps. 123:2 and discuss extensively the need for a disciple to live a life of total dependence on God even in situations where others are confident of what they can achieve on their own (particularly food provision). Note: The Lord wants His disciple to live in humble submission to the providence of God. xviii. Forgive us our trespasses,. as we forgive those who trespass Against us. Matt. 6: 12 xix. What is the basis of Christian forgiveness? Eph.4:32; Matt.18:21-35; Matt. 10:8b; Lk 23:24 xx. Read Matt. 6:14-15 and discuss the startling warning about unforgiveness. xxi. What are the other consequences of un forgiveness? Prov 17:22 xxii. Lead us not into temptation. Matt. 6: 13 xxiii. What qualifies a man to be restrained by the Lord from falling headlong into temptation? Gen. 20:6; II Chron. 25:1-2; 14-16; 20; Jer 4:6-10. What about Balaam? II Pet 2:16; Num. 22:32. xxiv. Discuss the joys and the pains of divine restraint. Read also Heb. 12:5-13 and comment. xxv. Deliver us from evil. Matt. 6:13; I Jn. 5:18; Jude 21 (L V.B) xxvi. Read Matt. 6:13b; I Cor. 15:19-28; Rev. 11:15; Rev 5:9-13 and comment generally. 5
4. Fasting- Matt. 6:16-18 Fasting is a powerful weapon of spiritual warfare that God has given to His children. For effectiveness, fasting must go with prayers. Biblical fasting occurs together with prayer in the Bible - ALWAYS. You can pray without fasting, but you cannot fast (Biblically speaking) without praying. Biblical fasting is deliberately abstaining from foods and or other desires for spiritual reasons: communication and fellowship with the Father. a. What are the reasons why you fast? God said, "When you seek me with all your heart, I will Be found by you" (Jeremiah 29:13,14). II Chr. 7:14 When a man or woman is willing to set aside the legitimate appetites of the body to concentrate on the work of praying, they are demonstrating that they mean business, that they are seeking God with all their hearts. Discuss some of the wrong attitudes to fasting. Zech 7 :4-5 i. Hypocritical Religious Exercise - Lk 18: 12a ii. To Manipulate God. Jr. 14:12, Acts 23:12,14 We must never think of fasting as a hunger strike designed to force God's hand and get our own way! We don't need to strong arm God. God is good (Psalm 119:8) and eager to answer our prayers. He is generous (James 1:5) and eager to give us 'good things' (Matthew 7:11). Don't waste your time trying to use fasting to push God into a corner to act on your behave. b. Read the following scriptures and see some reasons for fasting. Ex. 34:28, Dan. 10:2-3; Ester 4:3; Joe 1 2:12-13; Ps 35:13; Matt 17:18-21; Lk 4:1-2; I Sam. 7:3-14; Acts 9:9-12; 13:2; Ezra 8:21-24. 6
C. Read Is. 58 and discuss the type of fast God desires. D. Is there any such thing as dry fasting? Comment with reference from the scriptures. B. The Attitude Of The Disciple To Wealth, Treasure, And Anxiety (matt 6:19-34) When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life begun (2Cor 5: 17 LBV). This is why the Holy Sprite tells the disciples of Christ, "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person, with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your experience how His ways will really satisfy you. (RomansI2:2 LBV). The Lord equips and fortifies His disciples with every necessary resource to be able to maintain good works (Matt. 10:8; Eph. 2: 1 0) after His own pattern. Most often however we miss the purpose of such enrichments when in ignorance we cleverly and selfishly isolate wealth from the programme of eternity put in place by the Master. Disposition of wealth thus become a problem having many accompanying heartaches. In this section we seek to learn the ways of Christ regarding wealth: its acquisition, valuation, use, and disposition, -the keys to averting anxiety over issues. May we experience the satisfaction that comes from following His ways as we discover them. B.1 Read Matt 6:19-21 Wealth and Treasure a. Distinguish between wealth and treasure b. Is God against being wealthy? Job 1:3 & 8, Lev. 26:5 & 9 c Discuss the means of acquisition of wealth for a disciple. Prov. 13 : 11; 23:4. Deut 8 :18, Psalm 127: 1-2, Roman 12 : 11 (LB) 7
d. Discu ss the assertio n tha t mone y is intrinsica lly unrighte ous Lk 16: 9-10, 1 Timo thy 6:9-10 e. Describe h ow one can la y up treasure o n the ear th L k 12 :16-21 f. Why do eve nl Christians lay up treasure s o n ear th? Ro m. 12: 2-3 ( LB) g. What are the danger s of layin g up treasure s on earth? Mat t 6: 19 & 21, L k. 12:20, 2Pe t 3 :10, I Tim 6: 7, Mk. 10:24. h. How ca n one lay up treasure s in heaven? Ma tt 19:21, Lk 12 : 21; Ro m. 12: 13; I Tim. 6:18. i. Discu ss the difficulti es of laying u p treasures i n heav en J. Wh y shoul d a disciple l ay u p treasu res i n heav en? Mat t 6: 20 &21, Mat ti9: 21. CoI 3: 2-4, Lk1 6 :9; Itim. 6: 19 B2 Re ad Matt 6:22-24 The discip le' s attitu de to wealth a. Explai n Matt 6:22-23 i n relation t o value system s. See als o J n 1: 4, Jn 1: 5-7, 2Cor 5: 16 b. He i s w ary of covetousn ess L k 12: 15 c. He do es no t overw ork to be rich Pro v 23: 4, Jn. 6: 27, 1 Ti m. 6: 9-10 d. He do es no t pu t hi s trust i n wealt h P s 49: 6-8, Ps. 62: 10, Pro v 23: 5 e. He do es no t misuse (Abuse) i t 1Co r 7:30-31 f. H e is conten t 1 Ti m 6: 6, H eb 13: 5 g. He do es no t serve i t. Mat t 6: 24, Lk 16:13. Describe h ow on e can serve Money. h. He u ses wealt h to lay u p treasures i n heav en. L k 16: 9 8
i. He is faithful to God and to men in matters of money. Lk 16:10-11 B3 The disciple and anxiety. Read Matt 6:25-34, Lk 12:22-31. a. What does it mean to worry? Matt 6:32 (LB), Lk 21 :26 &35 b. Discuss the things we worry about. c. Why do people worry? Matt 6:25 & 30 d. What does Christ tell his disciples to do instead of worrying? i. Learn from lower creatures and have faith. Matt 6:26-30, Ps 34:9-10 ii. Pray Phil 4:6-7 (Msg), Lk 18: 1 (LB) iii. Cast ALL his cares on God. 1 Pet 5:7 iv. Have the correct value for things Lk 12:15, Lk 16:11 v. Be content Prov 17:1, 1 Tim 6:6, Heb 13:5 vi. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness Matt 6:33, Ps 33:18-20 vii. Live one day at a time Matt 6:24 e. What are the dangers of anxiety in a disciple? Mat 6:32 (LB), Lk 21: 34 (LB) C DO NOT JUDGE - Matt 7:1-6 To sit in judgment of a brother or sister in Christ demonstrates a spirit of bitterness and lack of love. But 'judge not' does not mean that we are not to distinguish between good and evil. Neither are we to excuse or condone sin. Practice the Golden Rule. 'Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the law and the Prophets.' Matt 7:12) 1a. (i) Read Matt 7:1, Luke 6:37. (ii) What does it mean to judge? (Work from known to unknown) 9
The dictionary meaning of "to judge" is To point out or declare what is just or law To try and decide questions of law or guiltiness To hear and try cases in a law court To pass sentence To compare facts to determine the innocence of To condemn. In Deut. 17:8-13 and I Cor. 6:1-4 we have the illustration of this common usage of the word - judge. It is obvious from the context of Matt 7: 1 that what the Lord is talking about is deeper than these ordinary meaning. Read again Matt. 7: 1 in living Bible and Amplified versions. What does it mean to criticize? The dictionary meaning is To pass judgment on To find fault with To censure (i.e. to blame, to condemn as wrong, to rebuke, to disapprove) From the foregoing deduce the answer to question (ii) above. (iii) What is the Lord aiming at when he says, "judge not N:B. Beware of discrimination (treating differently because of prejudices) because criticism most often springs from discrimination. b (i) Read Romans I4:3; lcor 4 :5 and James 2 :13; 4 :11. (ii) What can we deduce from these passages? (iii) From Matt 7: 1, what reasons can we deduce, why we should not Judge anyone. Read also Gal. 6:7-8 c. (i) Read Matt 7: 2. Does this mean that retributive justice will fall on all who judge? Explain. 10
(ii) Read Isa. 33: 1 and discuss it in the light of the above and relate it to every facet of life. (iii) Does Christ mean that with whatever judgment we judge our fellow God will judge us? Read Lk. 6: 38 and Psalm 18:25-26 - Discuss. d. (i) Read Matt 7 : 3-5 and discuss (ii) What is a beam? (iii) What is a mote? (iv) What are the characteristics of a Critic? (v.) What assumptions does the Critic bring into playas he criticizes a work? e (i) Who is a hypocrite? (ii) Are there hypocrites in our dispensation or did they cease during the time of Christ? (iii) What was Justus's attitude to the hypocrite? Give scriptural examples (iv.) What did Jesus say about the hypocrite in vs. 5? f. (i) Read Matt. 7:6, Prov 9:7-9 and explain them in the light of II Pet. 2:22. (ii) Discuss Rev. 22: 15 g. (i) Read Matt 7:7-9; I king 10 : 13 and comment. (ii) Does the gift depend on the giver or on he who is asking? (iii) What happens to the one who does not ask? (vi) Does God know our needs? So why does he still expect us to ask, seek and knock? (v) Can we give relevant scriptural examples to portray this kingdom principle? NB. Prayer is not only asking, it is an attitude of heart that produces an atmosphere in which asking is perfectly nurtured, and Jesus says everyone who ask receives. 11
h. (i) What can we say about the heart of God from Matt 7:9-10. (ii) Read verse 11 and discuss. (iii) Read verse 12 and discuss i. Read Matt. 7:13-14 and discuss it in the light of Prov. 14:12. (i) Why is the broad road more appealing to people than the narrow way? Lk. 16:15 D. FALSE PROPHETS - MATT 7:15-23 1. Identifying False Prophets ( a) Explain the statement "they come to you in sheep clothing"... Matt 7: 15, and " appear to people as righteous" Matt 23 :28. (b) What are disciples to watch out for? Matt 7:21-23, 24:11,24, 2Cor 11 :13-15 (c) Read and comment on the following scriptures: Deut 13:1-3; Neh 6:10-13; Jer.14: 11-16. (d) Identify the "fruit" by which we shall know them. Read also1john 4:5; Roman: 25; 2Tim 4:3-4. 2. Testing - Believers are exhorted to test the spirit in teachers, preachers and leaders in the church. 1 Thess 5:21; 1John 4:1. (a) Discern their character: Gal 5: 22-23; Hebl:9; Luke 3:18-20 (b) Discern their Motives: 2Cor 8:23, Phil 1 :20; Jude 3; 2Cor 6: 16-18 (c) Discern their integrity- ltim3:3; 6:9-10, Luke 16:10-13. 3. Doing The Will Of The Father - Jesus emphatically taught that carrying out the will of God is a condition of entering the Kingdom of heaven. Matt 7:22-27, Matt 19:16-26, Matt 25:31-46. (a) From the following Scriptures, explain how one can do the will of God. Luke 18:9-14; Rom 12:1-2; Eph 2:8-10; Phi 2:12-13; 12
Jude 20-21; Heb 7:25. (b) Read and comment on Matt 7:22.Compare and Contrast with Rev. 22:18-19 (c) Why is it that prophesying, performing miracles, casting out demons and other manifestations did not guarantee someone the approval of Christ? Matt 7 :22-23 (d) Comment also on the following scriptures. 2Cor 11:14-15, 2Thess 2:9-10, Rev. 13:3,12, Phil1:15-18, 1Tim 3:1-7 in the light of Matt 7:23.11 4. The Wise And Foolish Builders (a) What do you understand by the rock? Matt 7:24. How can we build upon the rock? MattI6:18. (b) What did the rain, the flood and storm represent? Read Matt 7: 25 contrast with lcor3:12-13 (c) (d) (e) (f) What do you understand by "sand" and to build upon the sand? Read Matt 7:26 and contrast with lcor 3:12-15. Read Psalm 11:3 and comment. Are you a Christian? What kind of foundations are you building your Christian testimony on? Are you married? What kind of foundation are you building your marriage on? (g) Lateral cracks on the wall of a building are obvious evidences of a faulty foundation (i) Are there no gaping wounds and cracks in your Christian testimony? Discuss. (ii) Are there no gaping wounds and cracks in the wall of your marriage? Discuss. (iii) If there are no cracks in the wall, can any lizard (unclean spirits) enter? Discuss. 13
(h) How can faulty foundation in a building be corrected? Discuss and relate to your Christian testimony and marriage. (i) What is your testimony in business like? (j) What is your reaction to the "sayings of the Lord". Matt 7:24 (i) Are you doing them as it was in the beginning? (ii) Are you trying to modernize them to suit our civilized society? (iii) Are you quietly opposing them in your heart and Demonstrating your opposition when you are alone? Ph 2: 12. (k) The super structure depends on the depth of foundation. How deep is your Christian foundation? (i) If you want to go up very high, what do you do? And how do you do it? By... (ii) If the soil covering foundation is eroded what happens? (iii) Mention some things (including some TV Programmes) that can erode the soil of your foundations. GENERAL WARNING:- Jesus warned His disciples 14 times in the gospel to watch out for leaders who would mislead. Matt7:15, 16:6, 11, 24:4, 24; Mark 4:24, 8:15, 12:38-40,13:5, LukeI2:1, 17:23,20:46,21:8. False prophets "make' their followers "vain:' (Jeremiah 23: 16) "cause (the) people to err by their lies" (Jeremiah 23:32), "strengthen also the hands of evil doers, that none doth return from his wickedness" (Jeremiah 23: 14; Ezekiel 13:22) "deceive the heart of the simple" (Romans 16: 18) "beguile you with enticing words" (Colossians 2:4). False prophets make sinners and backsliders hardened in their sins. "For ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves" (Matthew 23: 15)... 14
CONCLUSION: The Lord handed down Christianity on a platter of sacrifice (not of silver and gold) even though He owns all the silver and gold there is (Ps. 24: 1). He chose the platter of sacrifice because beautification through silver and gold can never meet up with His requirement (lsa. 48: 10). Christianity is essentially a life of sacrifice. The more the sacrifice, the more aromatic and the more pleasant the savour of your life. The weight of good works is determined on the scale of sacrifice [Mk. 12:41-44]. You cannot claim to be a disciple if you have not learnt to follow (the path of sacrifice). I Cor. 6: 12; 9:24-27; 10:23. Remember that a disciple is an epitome of the glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but holy and without blemish. A disciple must constantly be making sacrifice in this world (not gratifying his own desires) to be able to abide at this required level of purity (Lk. 11:41). Do not be dead sea. Learn to give out. Learn to spend and be spent also. The more sacrificially you give the sweeter you will find the love of Christ to be. 15
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If ye continue in My WORD, Then are ye My Disciples indeed. -John 8:31