Matthew 5:21–24 21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. 23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come ...

Matthew 5:17–20 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the ...

Matthew 5:13–16 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.   One thought: We want people to taste and see that ...

Matthew 5:9–12 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.   One thought: “While other worldviews lead us to sit in the midst of life’s joys, foreseeing the coming sorrows, Christianity empowers its people to sit in the midst of this world’s sorrows, tasting the coming joy.” Tim Keller   Three ...

Matthew 5:6–8 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.   One thought: We hunger and thirst for so many things in life – love, pleasure, meaning, knowledge – but we should be starving for righteousness.   Three questions: What do you make of the promise to those who hunger/thirst for righteousness (they will be filled)?   Do you hunger/thirst for righteousness?   Ask God to make you hungry/thirsty for the right thing   Prayer: Praise God that He is righteous and that all righteousness comes from Him. Give thanks ...

Matthew 5:4–5 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. One thought: To be Christian is to mourn differently than the world, we mourn sin and our sins even as we mourn its effects.   Three questions: What do you think Jesus means by meek?   Do you mourn your sins?   Reflect on your sin and desperate need for Christ   Prayer: Praise God for His grace to sinners, that He comforts His people. Give thanks that in Christ we have comfort now in the form of love and understanding, and comfort later in the new heavens and earth. Ask God to bring comfort to ...

Matthew 5:1–3 5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them. He said: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.     One thought: Joy, peace, love, hope, freedom – blessedness is all of these things at once.     Three questions: What does our world say blessedness looks like?   Do you feel blessed in Christ?   Remind yourself of your spiritual bankruptcy   Prayer: Praise God that He is the source of all goodness, joy and peace. Give thanks that we are blessed in Christ now and completely in the next life. ...

Matthew 4:23–25 23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. 25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.     One thought: A different kind of King who doesn’t go first to London, Paris or New York but to Shellharbour.     Three questions: How should we understand Jesus’ healings?   Do you feel privileged to know Jesus? ...

Matthew 4:20–22 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.   One thought: When the God-King turns up at your workplace – do what He says   Three questions: Is Matthew giving us a picture of repentance here?   What have you given up to follow Jesus?   Reflect on what aspects of your life still require ‘leaving’. Prayer: Praise God that He calls us out of an ordinary life and into ...

Matthew 4:18–19   18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”     One thought: Jesus calls us to a different purpose in life, one bigger than ourselves     Three questions: Why did some of the disciples change their name?   How do you see yourself?   Write a list of unbelievers to pray for   Prayer: Praise God that He cares for His people and pursues us. Give thanks that Jesus comes to save the lost and ...