Introduction: We have a saying in the United States about “Bumper
Sticker” responses, referring to slogans a person might put on the
bumper of a car. You ask someone a question, and they give you a
“bumper sticker” answer. “The least of these” is like a bumper
sticker. What does it mean? God loves every person, so how can we
label someone a “least?” Jesus tells us that the “least” of us “is
the greatest” ( Luke 9:48). At the same time, Jesus twice refers to
the importance of helping “the least of these” ( Matthew 25:40 & 45).
We need to drill down and understand God’s will, so let’s dive into
our study of the Bible!
- Understanding Jesus’ Sermon
- Read Matthew 5:3. What does it mean to be “poor” when it
comes to our spirit? Is that a “least?” - Read Romans 8:13-14. Shouldn’t we have a “strong” Spirit?
(The comparison is between our own “spirit” and the “Holy
Spirit.” If we are proud and satisfied with our own
inclinations, then we are in trouble. But, if we submit
our “poor” spirit to the Holy Spirit, then we are
inheriting the Kingdom of Heaven.) - Read Matthew 5:4. Is it a goal to mourn? (Read Romans
15:13. No, the goal is joy.) - If our goal is joy, what does Jesus mean? (Jesus
teaches that if we mourn, He will provide comfort. I
don’t think mourning is a goal.) - Read Matthew 5:5. What is your definition of “meek?” Is a
meek person a “least?” - Read John 18:22-23. Does this fit your definition of
meek? - Read Acts 16:36-37. Does this fit your definition of
meek? (Accepting an unjust result is not what Jesus
meant, if Jesus and Paul are acting consistently with
Jesus’ teaching. I think kindness is the best
understanding of this, and not a selfish, superior
attitude.) - Read Matthew 5:6. When you think of being hungry and
thirsty, how anxious are you to fix those problems? - Do you have the same level of hunger for knowing
God’s will? - What will happen if we have a strong desire to know
God? (Our desires will be “filled.”) - We are not going to go over all of Jesus’ sermon, but we
started it because some argue that Jesus is talking about
“poverty in ourselves and in our world?” Is Jesus
promoting or recommending “poverty?” (No. Plenty of poor
people are strong-willed and convinced that they are
morally superior to those that are rich. This is one
reason why some argue that government should take money
from the rich and give it to the poor. At the same time,
there are plenty of rich people who think that they are
better than others because they are rich. Jesus commends
those who rely on Him, those who trust Him, and those
whose self-worth comes from Him.) - Read Matthew 5:38-42. Re-read John 18:22-23. I’m going to
assume that Matthew 5:39 and John 18:23 are not in
conflict. How would you resolve the apparent conflict? - To further complicate matters, read Luke 22:36-38 and
Acts 23:1-4. Why would Jesus suggest the purchase of
a sword to those who are supposed to turn the other
cheek? - Re-read Matthew 5:38. When Jesus says, “you have heard
that it was said,” that sounds like some sort of fable. Is
this just an unsubstantiated saying? (Read Exodus 21:24,
Deuteronomy 19:21 and Leviticus 24:20. This is the Old
Testament law given by God.) - Now let’s read the context in Deuteronomy. Read
Deuteronomy 19:18-21. What is the motive for this kind of
punishment? (This is God’s way to eliminate evil. People
will fear to do evil.) - Once again, how would you understand what JesusWould our
God of the Old Testament contradict our God of the New
Testament? (I think Jesus is teaching that we need not
insist on our rights. We may insist – just as Jesus and
Paul insisted on their rights. We need to show wisdom and
humility to decide when to assert our rights.) - Is there a distinction between the government
confronting evil and personal revenge? (The judicial
goal in Deuteronomy was government confronting evil.
However, when Jesus and Paul stood up for their
rights they did it against government agents.) - Is there a difference between calling the police and
having them enforce the law, and you shooting an
intruder in your house who is trying to harm you? (I
don’t think that is the appropriate distinction.
Matthew 5:39 says “do not resist an evil person.”
But, the “evil” sounds minor – a slap, your shirt and
coat, or walking an additional mile. This is one way
to reconcile the apparent contradiction. When we are
talking about important principles, then we can
resist. When we are talking about minor
inconveniences, we are better off not trying to
enforce our rights.) - Paul’s Sermon
- Read Romans 12:9. What does Paul say our attitude towards
evil should be? (We should hate it.) - Read Romans 12:13. How does Paul limit helping the needy?
(He refers to the “Lord’s people.”) - Compare Matthew 25:35. Is a “stranger” part of the
“Lord’s people?” - Read Romans 12:14-16. What light does this shed on Jesus’
teaching about not resisting an evil person? - Read Romans 12:17. We spoke about personal revenge. What
does this teach us? (We are not to be doing evil to
anyone. If we repay evil for evil, the world may only see
the evil we are doing!) - Let’s skip ahead and read Romans 12:19. What will
give us comfort when we are harmed by evil people?
(God promises that He will repay.) - Read Romans 12:18. What are the two most important points
in this text? (First, God wants us to l in peace. That is
the goal. If it takes suffering a bit to do it, that is
what God desires. Second, this acknowledges that peace
may not be possible.) - Read Romans 12:20-21. This whole area requires wisdom
inspired by the Holy Spirit. I know I don’t always display
this wisdom, but you decide. My job is to sue “bad guys”
to make them respect the religious and political
conscience of my clients. I use the courts to resist evil
done to others. But, in this litigation, I am friendly
and attempt to be kind to my opposing counsel. Is this
consistent or inconsistent with the words of Jesus and
Paul? - Life Application
- Let’s read part of two stories. Luke 16:19-23 and Matthew
25:33-36 and Matthew 25:41-43. What is the obvious
conclusion to be reached from these two stories? (The rich
are bad and the poor are good. If you help those in need
you go to heaven.) - Is the Bible otherwise consistent with this
conclusion? Your status in life or your works
determine your salvation? - Read Romans 8:1-4. How does this say we are saved?
- Read Job 1:1-3. What does this say about Job’s
standing with God, even though he was extremely rich? - Let’s examine the rest of our original stories. Read Luke
16:24 and Luke 16:27-29. This teaches us that the lost
are in constant torment from fire, and they see and speak
to people in heaven. Plus, the dead can visit us. Are
these all Bible-based truths? (Those are disputed, just
like the status of being rich means you are lost.) - Read Luke 16:30-31. Who is the person who will rise from
the dead? (Jesus! These “facts” are fabricated to fit the
conclusion that the extraordinary rise of Jesus from the
grave will not convince those who refuse to follow the
existing instructions from God.) - Are the facts intended to teach us Biblical
principles? (No, especially when they contradict
other Bible texts. The facts simply set up the
conclusion that some will resist the most persuasive
proof about Jesus.) - Read Matthew 25:37-40. How do you understand Jesus’
statements if we are not saved by our works? (The
reasonable conclusion is that a faith relationship with
Jesus causes us to help those in need. It changes our
heart.) - There are many who want to keep religion out of
government, but inconsistently think the government
has a moral obligation to take money from some
citizens and give it to others so they will be more
equal. What do these verses teach us about that?
(Jesus commends us for what we personally do, not
what we force others to do.) - Friend, we are saved by grace alone, not by our works.
But, a converted heart is a heart that loves and cares for
others. Will you ask the Holy Spirit to continue to soften
your heart and sharpen your mind? - Next week: Ministry in the New Testament Church.
