Matthew 5:1-12 The Beatitudes (Part 1) by Dr. Thomas Chung dated 26.7.15

The Beatitudes are linked to the Ten Commands.  We are to obey the Ten Commands, and in the Beatitudes Jesus showed us how we are to obey the Ten commands in the new covenant Jesus preached.

Matthew 5:17-19 spoke about Jesus who said He was here not to abolish the Law but to fulfil the Law.  Therefore, Matthew 5:17-19 are linked to Matthew 5:1-12.

The Beatitudes seem to be impossible to comply and they seem to contradict what we are being told now a days. 

What is Jesus saying in the Beatitudes?

These are spiritual characters of the kingdom of heaven.  According to Dr. Chung, the Beatitudes are the living out of the Ten Commands in the New Covenants of Jesus Christ.  If we want to fellow Jesus we must obey the Law.

Dr. Chung said, “The Ten Commands is like going the first mile, and the Beatitudes are going the second mile”.

The Word of God are like our compass, we are guided by God’s Words.

The word “Blessed” in Greek is “Makarios”. According to Dr.Chung the land of Greece is very blessed because they have the most fertile land in the world.  “Blessed” is everything good, also means fertile, and what desired for us.  It is from God and not of us.  A blessed person is a person whose life is in God.

In Luke 11:28 Jesus said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the Word of God and obey it”.

The blessings of God are to be enjoyed.

Beatitudes

Matthew chapter 5: 1-12

V.3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

The “poor” here does not refer to just economic disadvantage.  It also refers to spiritual deficiency.  People who are poor and have nothing they depended on God.  Dr. Chung quoted Mother Teresa who said, “you will never know Jesus is who you need, until Jesus is all you have”. ( paraphrase ).

John 15:5 is about abiding in Jesus

Luke 12:32 do not be afraid God is pleased to give us His Kingdom

V.4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

According to Dr. Chung “mourn” means a) mourn during hard times, like family members who died b) mourn with deep sorrow due to wickedness and evil.

Those who mourn are blessed, and there is the spiritual side.  Because as they mourned, they will be comforted.  This comfort is from God, and is not from us.  God knows how to comfort us in our time of sorrows.

V.5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”

“Meek” refers to gentleness.  Also means humility towards God and others.  It is not weakness.  A meek person is blessed and happy.  It is not about ourselves but meekness is about God’s given grace.

V.6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

a) Those who are in need materially      

b) Those craving for God – spiritual appetite.  

      V.7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy”   

      Micah 6:8  

      a)      To act justly 

      b)      To love mercy 

      c)       To walk humbly with God

V.8 “Blessed are the pure in heart as they will see God”

Don’t look at God will a squint eyes, where the images are distorted. Look at Him for who He is in reality.  Praise Him too.

Deuteronomy 11: Standing on the Promises of God by Song Ting Kee dated 19.7.15

Based on Deuteronomy chapter 11 “Love and obey the Lord”.  Bro. Song started by explaining the meaning of Deuteronomy.  He said the following:

Meaning of Deuteronomy

Repetition of the Law

The Jews called Deuteronomy as these are the words or this Book of the Law

The Bahasa translation of Deuteronomy is “ulangan” repetition

According to a commentary on the Holy Bible Deuteronomy was written at the close of the wandering in the wilderness and the crossing of the Jordan.

Moses and Deuteronomy

Moses reviewed the events and experiences of the past 40 years and gave repeated exhortations to gratitude, obedience, and loyalty to Jehovah.

The Jews selected Deu 6:4-9 for daily recitation as their creed, finding in these words the highest expression of the unity and spirituality of God and of the whole duty of man to his maker, preserver and redeemer.

Moses plead with the Israelites to obey God:

1.      Be grateful to God because God had brought them out of Egypt.

2.      Be obedient to God because obedience is better than sacrifice said the Lord

3.      Loyalty to Jehovah, the One and True God, Creator of heavens and earth.

Jesus quoted the most from Deuteronomy.  He quoted about ten times from Deuteronomy.

Some examples:

1.      Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3 …..man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

2.      When Jesus was tempted by the Satan at the high place, He quoted Deu 6:16…Do not put the Lord your God to the test as you did at Massah

3.      Fearing the Lord, He quoted Deu 6:13.. Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name.

Promises of God

God promised the Israelites that He will bring them to the Promised Land, but not after the death of the older generations who were led out of Egypt had died in the desert.  The new generations were to enter this Promised Land.  This Promised Land was different from Egypt, it was literally a land “flowing with milk and honey”.

Meantime, Bro. Song shared a story from the prison that he and others are ministering to.  He said listening to the Words of God is important.  He shared that once, he and his colleagues wanted to share the Words with the prisoners, but inmates of other faiths including from the majority faith. He asked permission from the Prison Director, and to his surprise he agreed to let the others listen to the Words of God preached there.

At another time, a young prisoner believer was sharing about the miracles that he experienced everyday but those non believers questioned him whether he had experienced miracles that were mentioned in the Bible.  This young man asked them, why don’t you try just stop breathing for a few minutes and see what happen to you!  Our very breath is from God!  Indeed, those who obeyed and follow God’s command will witness miracles daily.

Mt. Gerazim and Mt. Ebal

Mt. Gerazim is where blessings were uttered, and Mt. Ebal was where curses were uttered.

Blessings are like fertile land, bountiful harvest, divine prosperity.

Curses are idolatry, not obeying parents, sexual immorality.

The message is to stand on the promises of God.  We are to be grateful to God, obey Him and be loyal to Him.

Deuteronomy 10: What Does The Lord Require of You? By Ho King Swee dated 12.7.15

V.12 "And now, Israel,

What does the LORD your God require of you,

but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways,

to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,

V.13 and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I command you this day for your good?

V.20 and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I command you this day for your good?

1. The LORD's mercy (10:1 - 11)

  1.1 Spare Israel (v.1-9)

a) Remake the tablets of Ten Commandments (v.1-5)

The LORD God is merciful and gracious to the Israelites not because of the righteousness of the people but because of His everlasting steadfast love and faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham.

b) Tribe of Levi to carry the ark and serve Him (v.6-9)

The Lord is more gracious to us now

Not only we are chosen to serve Him

God Himself dwells in us!

What inheritance do we have on earth?

Do we want God or earthly inheritance?

  1.2 Moses‘ successful forty-day intercession (v.10-11)

Exo 32:30 to 33

Deu_9:18  , Deu_9:25 

2. The LORD's requirement (10:12 – 22)

   2.1  Fear and love the LORD your God

Deut.10:12

Before Joshua died:

Jos 24:14 

1Sa 12:14 

     (b) The LORD loves you above all (v14-15)

v.14-15  to God belong all heaven……and all in it

Yet He loves only you!

Do people deserve to be so specially and deeply loved?  This is God’s grace.

     (i) Circumcise your heart and (v.16)

Be purified and set apart for God alone

      (ii) be no longer stubborn (v.16)

                - Humble ourselves

     (c) for the LORD is awesome, almighty, just and impartial (v.17-22)

Mat 19:16  to 22.

Psa_111:10  , Pro_9:10  , Pro 8:13, Psa 85:9, Psa 33:18, 147:11

1 Jn.4:8

Are we not afraid of God's justice and punishment?   Is our love perfect?

Growing in Fear of punishment/judgment

Fear of displeasing God- love righteousness and hate evil

Profound fear/awe for God’s infinite holiness, majesty and transcendent glory

The fear of God is the personal attitude towards God that comes from our hearts adoration, love, reverence and honor.
It focuses not upon the wrath of God but upon His majesty, holiness and transcendent glory

We shall and should grow to fear God not because of the fear of punishment by God

(1) to fear God for His infinite holiness, beauty and transcendent glory

(2) to love God with a deep appreciation of His  infinite mercy, grace and sacrificial love for us

The fear of God is also the
all-pervasive sense of our dependence upon God and responsibility or obligation to Him

2Co 7:1  Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion (perfecting holiness) in the fear of God.

How much we appreciate God’s love is conditioned by how deeply we fear Him.
God is most reverenced when He is most loved.

The deeper our perception of God’s love to us, the more profound is our fear of Him.
The fear of God and the love of God are like two sides of a coin and are inseparable.

The fear of God and the love of God will lead us to trust, obey and know God more and more intimately.

Application

Set apart & Devote to Fear and love God above all

Deu 4:7 to 10.  Deu 17:18, 19, Deu 31:10-13, Prov 2:1-5, Matt 22:37-40, Luke 14:26, Deu 10:12-13,

Are we able to grow in love or be perfected in love that we grow out of fear of punishment ?

or dread of God's presence?

Heb 12:18-21, Rev 1:10-18, Heb 5:7,

Because of His perfect fear or reverence and love for God the Father Jesus was probably the only person who was not fearful of punishment nor dread the full glorious presence of God the Father

Deuteronomy 8: Exhortation to Remember by Dr. Tiong Tung Hui dated 28.6.15

Dr.Tiong advised that he usually think of 2 Timothy 33:16-17 which says  that (paraphrase) the Word of God is God-breathed and is good for teaching, rebuking etc.  Psalm 119:105-His Word is lamp unto our feet and lamp unto our path.  He said as we look around what is going on in this world, we really need to be reminded of Psalm 119:105.

Exhortation to Remember

The Book of Deuteronomy has a lot of repetitions because God wanted to remind the Israelites.  Moreover, those who came out of Egypt have died.  Moses are facing the new generation who had no experience of the slavery in Egypt.

       1.    Provisions of God

       2.       Dependence on God

The Israelites who left Egypt were taken care by God, manna rained down from the sky, their sandals did not wear out, it was amazing that their legs were not swollen (perhaps evidence of healthy nutrition) from the constant walking.  At night they were led by pillars of fire and during the day led by pillar of smoke.  God led the Israelites for 40 years in the desert.  Preparing them to enter the Promised Land.

Purpose of Wilderness

God wanted to teach the people to be humble by putting them through the wilderness.  While in the wilderness, they were totally dependent on God for all their needs.  Like their foods, God provide manna.  God also wanted to prepare them for things that were to come.  It is important for them to follow God commands.  God’s commands were the standards they have to follow.  Similarly for us today.  

Be Careful to Follow

God reminded the Israelites to be careful to follow God’s commands.  He repeated what He said to them.

Deut 8:7-20

Exhortation not to forget God

God warned the Israelites not to forget Him, otherwise they will be destroyed like the surrounding nations that did not believe in God.  This was a stern and serious warning which we today is also to follow.

Danger of Prosperity

Prosperity is dangerous.  People usually do not come to God until when they are sick.  It is also more difficult for prosperous people to come to God.  Jesus Himself said it was easier for a camel to enter through the eye of the needle than for rich people to enter heaven.  He also said “What is the point to gain the whole world when we lose our souls?” No doubt there is nothing wrong with prosperity, but do not allowed prosperity to control us.  We must have God’s perspective.

Deuteronomy 7 The Secrets of Victory and Success by Gan Tuan Boon dated 7.6.15

In the story of Abraham, God led him from the land of Ur to Haran and subsequently to Canaan. Abraham just obeyed God and followed His instructions.  God gave three promises : 1.  I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you 2.  Your descendants will occupy Israel.  3.  You will have a son.  At that time, Abraham and his wife Sarah were very old, and he wondered how he was going to have a child.  Later Abraham and Sarah bore Isaac, Isaac had Jacob and Jacob had 12 sons.  One of his sons, Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt.  He served in the royal household and became powerful.  There was a great famine in Canaan, and Joseph invited his family to move to Egypt. This was where the story of the Israelites being enslaved in Egypt for 400 years.  Later they were led by Moses out of Egypt to wonder in the desert for 40 years where God taught the Israelites. 

The secrets of victory and success

There are three principles.

Principle 1 – Destroy the enemies totally and remove all idols.

The Israelites are to destroy all inhabitants of Canaan and break down all their altars and idols.

Deut. 7:1-2, 5-10, 16-26

(73% of Chapter 7 is devoted to Principle 1)

There are two reasons for the total destruction of the Canaan inhabitants:

a)      God’s righteous judgment against the wickedness of Canaan inhabitants.

b)      Preparation of the spiritual setting for the coming of the Messiah.

Applications for Christians

(a)    Destroy the enemy-- sins in our life.

(b)   Remove all the idols– things in our life that take the place of God.

Principle 2 – Do not be mismatched with unbelievers.

“Do not intermarry with them (Canaan people). Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons” Deu 7:3

Reason: “for they (Canaan people) will turn your children away from following me to serve other gods, and the Lord’s anger will burn against you and will quickly destroy you.” (Deut. 7:4)

Principle 3 – Diligently obey the word of God.

Therefore, take care to follow the commands, decrees and laws I give you today.

If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the Lord your God will keep his covenant of love with you, as he swore to your ancestors.

(Deut. 7:11-12)

3-Fold Blessing from the Lord

1.       Materials blessing

God will bless the crops of your land—your grain, new wine and olive oil—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks in the land he swore to your ancestors .

(Deut. 7:13b)

2.       Physical Blessing

The Lord will keep you free from every disease. He will not inflict on you the horrible diseases you knew in Egypt, but he will inflict them on all who hate you.

(Deut. 7:15)

3.       Familial Blessing

He will … increase your number. He will bless the fruit of your womb…  You will be blessed more than any other people; none of your men or women will be childless… 

(Deut. 7:13 & 14)

Summary

Principle 1 — Destroy the enemy totally and remove all the idols

Principle 2 — Do not be mismated with unbelievers

Principle 3 — Diligently obey the Word of God

                                                (a) Material Blessing
                                                (b) Physical Blessing

                                                (c) Familial Blessing

Jesus the Good Shepherd by Pastor Mun Heng Au Yong dated 24.5.15

Declare His glory among the nations,

His marvelous deeds among all peoples.

Psalm 96:3

Jesus comfort us and encourages us. 

John 10 Jesus identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd

John 10:16   Jesus said, “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.”

Five Fundamentals of Mission

John 10:16  " I have other sheep......"

I. The Basis of mission.

Acts 18…..Paul’s evangelistic ministry at Corinth

vv. 9-10   In Corinth, Jesus said to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”

John 10:16 "“...those other sheep that are not  of this sheep pen…”

II. The Scope of Missions

There are 6900 unreached groups with 2.5 billion people!

Pastor illustrated mission withe the story :

1. Old Testament : Story of Jonah

2. New Testament : Cornelius story

What hold back mission today?

Like Jonah : Prejudices? Indifference?

Like Peter : Near-sightedness? Ethnocentric?                   

Pre-occupation with Self?

John 10:16  “.....I must  bring them also……….”

III. The Motivation of Missions

Missions is a “must” with Jesus

Luke 19:10

2 Peter 3:9

1 Tim 2:4

We are not just saved from sin and hell, but we are saved to serve the purposes of God.

John 10:16  “…..They too will listen to my voice….”

IV. The Success of Missions

Rom 10:13 “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Rom 10:14-15 

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?

And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?

And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

And how can they preach unless they are sent?

“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Rom 10:17 “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.”

John 10:16 “…..and there shall be one flock and one Shepherd.”

V. The Goal of Missions

Rev 7:9 “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” 

v.11……….they WORSHIPPED

A Passion to See God Glorified and Worshipped Among the Nations