Commands of Christ-23c

Look at Sam Storm’s commentary

Wednesday, June 8, 2022 Commands of Christ – 23

A Christian’s Relationships: Within God’s family

1. Three weeks ago we began by talking about how family relationships are special.

We spent a lot of time talking about biological family and Church family.

Then we talked about how families protect and stand up for each other — particularly we talked about trying to protect the little ones — and there are a lot of predators out there!

We read: Matthew 7:1-5

2. Our relationship with our brothers & sisters: Why does Jesus tell us not to judge others (Matthew 7:1-2)?

3. According to Jesus, why are we often unfit to be judges (Matthew 7:3-4)?

Question 3. … We have a fatal tendency to exaggerate the faults of others and minimize the gravity of our own.

4. Some have assumed that Jesus was forbidding all judgment, even in law courts. How would you respond to this suggestion?

Question 4. … If, then, Jesus was neither abolishing law courts nor forbidding criticism, what did he mean by "Do not judge"?

(John Stott)

It is not a requirement to be blind, but rather a plea to be generous.

[And i would suggest, generous ESPECIALLY to our brothers and sisters in Christ.]

Jesus does not tell us to cease to be human (by suspending our critical powers which help to distinguish us from animals) but to renounce the presumptuous ambition to be God (by setting ourselves up as judges).

Then, last week, we turned to: Matthew 7:6

Matthew 7:6 (AV) 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.

Matthew 7:6 (CEV) Don’t give to dogs what belongs to God. They will only turn and attack you. Don’t throw pearls down in front of pigs. They will trample all over them.

Matthew 7:6 (NLT) “Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.

6. Our relationship with "dogs" and "pigs": This is startling language from the lips of Jesus. What kinds of people do you think he refers to as "dogs" and "pigs" (Matthew 7:6)?

I think it is pretty clear that Jesus is talking about people outside of relationship with Jesus.

And even then sharing Jesus with the worst of the worst, drunks, drug addicts, murderers, prostitutes, pimps, child abusers — you name it — sharing the Good News of salvation through Jesus ...

UNLESS, the Holy Spirit says, “No!” This person is NOT open and it would be like giving what is holy to dogs, or what is precious (like pearls) to pigs. Not only is it demeaning the things of God and God Himself to do that IN THIS CASE, but you will be in danger if you do so.

Maybe physical danger, but possibly spiritual danger or emotional danger.

Hard sayings of the Bible: The construction of this saying seems to be chiastic.

It stands as a comparison to Mat 7:1-5 -

Vs. 1-5 - Don’t be too strict

Vs. 6 - Don’t be too lenient

The ONLY way we can do this is through the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

So, tonight we move to:

Read Matthew 7:7-11

Matthew 7:7–11 (NASB95) “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 “Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? 10 “Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? 11 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!

Why do you think Jesus, Matthew, the Holy Spirit, wanted this section on prayer placed here where the context is how we treat others?

Keener, Craig. S. (2009). The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary

Matthew did not elect to place this passage on prayer in his longer section on the subject in 6:5–15, but the present passage fulfills important functions in its immediate context.

The image behind “asking” is that of a dependent child making a request of his or her father (6:8–9; cf. 21:22);

the image of giving a gift may continue the thought of 7:6 suggested above.

Contextually, the supreme object of “seeking” is the kingdom (6:33; for the food he mentions, cf. also 8:11; on “finding,” cf. 10:39; 11:29; 13:44; 16:25);

though disciples ask God to supply their material needs (6:11), they do not “seek” them zealously (6:32–33; cf. 1 Tim 6:5–11).

The door to be opened is the gate of salvation (7:13; contrast Lk 11:5–13).

Thus it is possible that Matthew’s emphasis in this section is prayer for God’s rule (cf. 6:9–10).

Another possible sense of the context is that if one should not judge others (7:1–5), one may nevertheless pray for them (cf. 18:15–20).

In either case, the specific application of the saying in a given context depends on its more general principle concerning how God hears prayers of faith (21:21–22; cf. 14:28–31).

The Sermon on the Mount is a treasure trove of prayer principles.

Can you think of any that we have already covered?

Many of the beatitudes tell us a good attitude not only for living with others, but in relating to God.

Recognizing our spiritual poverty

Mourning sin

Hungering I thirsting for righteousness

Pure heart

Verse 5:44 prayer for enemies and those who persecute us

Verse 6:5-18

Don’t pray to be seen and heard by people

Meaningless repetition

Know that God knows even before you ask Him

The Model Prayer in Vs.9-13

16-18 - Fasting & prayer

Vs.25-34

Don’t pray out of worry

Pray in faith that as God takes care of the animals and plants He will take care of us

Psalm 8:3–8 (NASB95) When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; 4 What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him? 5 Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty! 6 You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, 7 All sheep and oxen, And also the beasts of the field, 8 The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, Whatever passes through the paths of the seas.

Other passages:

Vs, 6:14-15; 6:19-21; 6:22; 7:13; 7:15; 7:21; 7:24-27 - Priorities in prayer

7. Our relationship with our heavenly Father: What encouragement does Jesus give those who ask, seek and knock (Matthew 7:7-8)?

ask - given

seek - find

knock - opened

How can we be assured of these promises (Matthew 7:9-11)?

If fallen human parents take care of their children, how much more will God our heavenly Father?

Question 7. All three verbs are present imperatives and indicate the persistence with which we should make our requests known to God.

The force of Jesus' parable (Matthew 7:9-11) lies in a contrast rather than a comparison between God and men. It is another a fortiori or "how much more" argument: if human parents (although evil) know how to give good gifts to their children, how much more will our heavenly Father (who is not evil but wholly good) give good gifts to those who ask him (Matthew 7:11).

Read: Matthew 7:12

8. Our relationship with all people:

The Jewish Talmud (Rabbinic literature) stated: "What is hateful to you, do not do to anyone else."

If someone asks about the Talmud, you can tell them that it is a collection of ancient rabbinic writings that form the basis of religious authority for traditional Judaism.

Likewise, Confucius told his followers: "Do not to others what you would not wish done to you."

How does the golden rule (Matthew 7:12) go beyond these commands?

Question 8.

Not doing hateful acts is one thing (the Talmud and Confucius). Positively seeking someone's good is another (Jesus).

Self-advantage often guides us in our own affairs; now we must also let it guide us in our behavior to others.

All we have to do is use our imagination, put ourselves in the other person's shoes and ask, "How would I like to be treated in that situation?"

9. In what sense does this rule sum up the Law and the Prophets?

10. Think of a relationship that is presently strained or broken. How can this passage help to mend that relationship?

LifeGuide Topical Bible Studies - Sermon on the Mount.