February 18th | Matthew 5

SETTING THE SCENE

In Matthew chapter 5, Jesus gives the sermon on the mount. This sermon is pivotal because Jesus takes many laws or commands that the Jews would have known, and He elevates them. Jesus takes a command, and rather than just looking at the action, Jesus looks at the heart. Jesus says, “You’ve heard it said you shouldn’t commit murder, but I say you shouldn’t hold anger in your heart.” Or “You’ve heard it said, and I for an eye, but I say turn the other cheek.” Jesus is showing that radical obedience is required to enter the kingdom. Readers of this sermon should recognize we cannot perfectly keep the law of God, which is why we need Christ to redeem and perfect us through the power of the Holy Spirit!

READ & ASK

1. Matthew 5:43-45. What is our reaction when people wrong us? How does Jesus’ command seem different from the world?

2. Matthew 5:46-47. We are called to be different from the world as Christians. How can we look different from the world with our actions toward those who persecute us?

3. Matthew 5:48. Can you be perfect? No, we can’t be perfect, which is why we need Jesus!

PRAY

Ask for prayer requests and pray that God would give you strength to love your enemies as Christ has loved us. 

SING

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErwiBz1QA4o&ab_channel=Maranatha%21Music