The Book of Matthew - Part 09

The lesson on September 29, 2024 was part 9 of “The Book of Matthew” study and it continued in Matthew 5. The reason Wayne continues in Matthew 5 is because the improper teaching on the “perfection” that has become doctrine taken out of context and imposed on believers today which ends up in great frustration. When we read of five laws in Matthew 5:21-48 (Matthew 5:21-26 convers the Law of Murder, Matthew 5:27-35 The Law of Adultery, Matthew 5:33-37 The Law of Perjury, Matthew 5:38-42 The Law of Retaliation, Matthew 5:43-48 The Law of Love) that all reference the heart. These teachings are updating their fuller understanding of these laws they have heard of in their Synagogues from corrupt leaders in the Jewish faith that have taught on these laws with their bias. Jesus is preaching they should hear the fuller understanding of each of these. We looked at the textual structure from CH Welch that showed Matthew 5 5:1 through Matthew 7:24. We learned what is difficult for many Christians in the passages from Matthew 5:20; 6:6; 7:13; and 7:21 KJV (entering into requirements so we studied the Greek word “εἰσέρχομαι”). We learned that a gift is not a reward. Today, preachers are teaching that those should follow a walk of sinless perfection! This is the wrong take on the sermon on the mount that was targeted to Jesus’ disciples and those Jewish believers. This sermon on the mount is for a specific people at a specific time and it is not for us! We have a specific calling that is sent to us through the Apostle Paul in his post Acts prison ministry. Wayne will provide us a comparison of these callings in the next lesson.

The scripture reading was from Matthew 5:43-48 KJV “43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 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; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”