Gwen Bryant
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Posts posted by Gwen Bryant
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Q3. (Matthew 5:14-15) In the parable of "the light of the world," Jesus notes the stupidity of lights being hidden under bowls. Concerning what danger in the life of a Christian disciple does Jesus warn us in this parable?
A.) Jesus was concerned about Christians making their witness clear. Jesus wants our Christianity to be visible not hidden. How else can we bring light out of darkness if we hide the light.
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Q2. (Matthew 5:13) What might be the symptoms of a Christian who has lost his "saltiness"? Is it possible for a believer to detect such symptoms in himself or herself? What do secular people notice about a "de-saltified" Christian? What do other Christians notice about you? Is it possible to "resaltify" your life?
A.) Being influenced by the world rather than influencing the world is evidence of losing our saltiness. When we find ourselves returning to more of our old ways of doing things and blending in with the world more then being peculiar to the world we know that we have/are losing our saltiness.
B.) Absolutely; as mentioned in response A.) If we're falling back into our old way of doing things before we accepted Christ as saviour and blend in with the world we can know that we have "Lost our first love."
C.) Secular people will notice that we blend in with them and that our standards aren't any different from theirs, therefore, they don't need to look to us for any enhancers. They see our values as being the same as their values.
D.) Other Christians notice that the Christian who have lost their saltiness have standards and values that have been lowered. Also, the zeal and boldness fot Christ is diminished.
E.) Fortunately, because we have a gracious and mericful heavenly Father He welcomes us back with open arms when we repent and return.
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Q1. (Matthew 5:13) In what sense are Christians the "salt of the earth" using the preservation analogy? In what sense are Christians the "salt of the earth" using the seasoning analogy?
A.) Using the preservative analogy, Christians by their presence and through their their prayers hold back the wrath of God on a sinful society. Our righteous living bring about a change in living for those who see and want what we have. The Christian's holy lifestyle brings about spiritual healing and in many instances may lead to physical healings as well.
B.) Using the seasoning analogy, Christian's give that special spice to life that makes it all worth living. Without the pick-up flavor that comes from knowing Christ and that gives us the boost that is needed to endure the trials and sorrows that come with this life we would give up. Christians as salt bring back the sweet taste to a life that has gone sour.
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Q6. (Matthew 5:10-11) Why should we rejoice when we are persecuted? What keeps this from being some kind of sick masochism, or finding pleasure in pain? Why is the blessing "for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" appropriate for the persecuted?
A.) Persecution lets us know that we have been noticed for our righteous stand. The bible tells us that if we suffer with Jesus we will reign with Him also. This Beatitude confirms that when we are persecuted for righteousness we become like Jesus "sons of God." Such a great reward is something to rejoice about.
B.) The pain that we endure for righteosness is not something that we invite or find pleasure in, but rather as a result of our righteous stand we have an end to look forward to that will we know will reward us with eternal pleasure.
C.) Just as Jesus was persecuted and is now seated on the right hand of the Father in heaven, as the sons of God for enduring persecution we too are promised the reward of a home in heaven with our Heavenly Father.
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A.) Only those who have a pure heart are able to see, know and discern God, because they like Jesus have a singled-eye. They are not doubled minded as the scripture speaks to. They yield their members and their will to the Lord, allowing Him to work in them through His Spirit.
B.) Chronic sinners are blinded by the deeds of the flesh. They are fooled into thinking that because it looks good, feels good and many times they don't realize immediate consequences (like Adam and Eve) so they think it's alright, nothing will happen to them. Chronic sinners have their eyes on the things of this present world and not the world to come
C.) We obtain the pure or clean heart through the purging of our heart by God himself; this takes place after we reach out to God and receive Jesus Christ.
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Q5. (Matthew 5:8) Why can people with a pure heart see, know, and discern God? Why can't "chronic" sinners see God? How do we obtain the pure or clean heart that Jesus describes?
A.) Only those who have a pure heart are able to see, know and discern God, because they like Jesus have a singled-eye. They are not doubled minded as the scripture speaks to. They yield their members and their will to the Lord, allowing Him to work in them through His Spirit.
B.) Chronic sinners are blinded by the deeds of the flesh. They are fooled into thinking that because it looks good, feels good and many times they don't realize immediate consequences (like Adam and Eve) so they think it's alright, nothing will happen to them. Chronic sinners have their eyes on the things of this present world and not the world to come
C.) We obtain the pure or clean heart through the purging of our heart by God himself; this takes place after we reach out to God and receive Jesus Christ.
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Q4. (Matthew 5:6) How can an intense desire for righteousness put you at odds with the world? What sort of righteousness is Jesus talking about, do you think? What promise are we given in this Beatitude?
A.) The world as we know it today teaches that we should get ahead by any means neccessary. Which is the total opposite of what the desire for righteousness compels you to do. Righteosness is just that ...right-living; doing the right thing.
B.) Jesus is talking about doing what is right; morally and spiritually. Not what's right according to how it makes you feel.
C.) This Beatitude promises that we will find righteousness if we seek it and if we thrist after it we will be filled.
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Q3. (Matthew 5:5) How does this sort of gentleness contrast with the world's ideal? How is humility important to Christlikeness?
A.) The gentleness that we as Christians are called to have is the total opposite to what the world prescribes for getting ahead. In Christ we learn that strength under-control is the mark of power. The world teaches that us that we must be assertive and aggressive to get ahead and we should get ahead "By any means possible." While Jesus lets us know that He is the only way to true moving forward and upward.
B.) Luke 9:23 says "If anyman would come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow Me. If we wnat to be Christlike we must follow Jesus' example and that includes a characteristic of humility, gentleness, meekness, bearing the cross by denying the self-centerness of our flesh (my way, my wants, my likes, etc., etc., etc.
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Q2. (Matthew 5:3-4) Why is it necessary to be aware of your spiritual poverty before you can become a Christian? What kind of mourning is necessary for a person to become a Christian? What kind of mourning is a common experience of Christians? (See Isaiah 61:2-3; Ezekiel 9:4.)
A.) We must first realize our lack (spiritual poverty) in order to understand our need of a Saviour, and thus we are able to accept Jesus our Redeemer and only way of being reconciled to our Heavenly Father.
B.) Mouring that leads to repentance, such as is spoken of in 2Cor. 7:10a " For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of:"
C.) The sorrow of a broken heart that is heavy with grief for the spiritually lost. Mourning over wasted potential, gifts and talents due to spiritual blindness. Mouring of a heart that is overwhelmed with grief for falling into temptation. Mourning over the lack of faith for what is loving, lasting, and living, but rather choosing what is passing, temporal, fading.
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Q1. (Matthew 5:3-11) Each Beatitude consists of two parts. What are these parts? Why do you think Jesus made each Beatitude a paradox? What is the relationship of the Beatitudes to the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)?
A.) The two parts I see are: 1st the conditions of a heart that is for/in God and 2nd the rewards that awaits such a person.
B.) I believe Jesus made each Beatitude a paradox to allow us to see the contrast between what is worldly good from what is spiritually good.
C.) see the Beatitudes as parrallel to the fruits (love, joy, peace, patients, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control), the fruits are the Beatitudes realized in a person's life.
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A. when we have a cheerful heart about giving we show that we recognize that we have to give, only because God has given to us and in appreciation it gives us great pleasure to give back to our giver and to to bless us as we've been blessed.
B. Possessiveness is selfcenteredness not God-centeredness.
C. All that we have or ever will have comes from God.
D. My possessions belong to God, He has made me the stewart over them and I must be thankful and giving of them
E. These truths has given me an even keener awareness of what God has provided for me and how I owe Him everything and want Him to have all that is within me to do and to give.
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A. Lord You are holy, You are righteous, You are just and all powerful.
B. Matt. 6 v9 (Father, hallowed), v10 (Thy kingdom), v11 [give us daily bread (it all belongs to and comes from You)], v12 [forgive us (You only can pardon our sin)] v13 deliver us from temptation and evil (as only You can) for You are the King with all the power who all glory belongs to.
C. "Great is Thou Faithfulness;" "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God:" "Nothing But the Blood of Jesus."
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A. When we acknowledge God as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords; Above all rulers, kings, and authority, we exalt God over all in our praises.
B. God is creator of all and therefore overall.
C. Exaltation of God builds our faith and the faith of others in God.
D. This says that we have a clear and correct view of who God is.
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A. When we freely praise God, because of His greatness, His wonderful deeds/works toward us and His goodness and mercy toward us. As well as when we give freely of our substance, gifts, talents and time that we've received from Him.
B. All that we have been given by God (His very image and all that goes with that image).
C. Such prayers are like the request of ungrateful children who think that they are owed something and that they should always be on the receiving end.
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A. It is possible to have a pure heart.
B. God purifies our hearts by our faith in the blood of Christ.
C. We must believe and accept this purification by faith.
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A. You must trust and believe that the one of whom you request the pardon is able and willing to pardon you.
B. That faith is based on belief and trust in the one you request pardon from; Faith and belief in their character and their love for you
C. This faith is gained by getting to know God and being in relationship with Him.
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A. David does not seek to minimize nor maximize his sin; He expresses the sin as it really is: A rebellion against God; A distortion of God's plan and purpose for our lives and relationships; A falling short of God's glory for man and evil compounded.
B. We cannot be forgiven for what we don't truly confess. If we take sin lightly, sin will take us over, because we aren't seeing it as the deadly snare it truly is. We must uncover all aspects of sin.
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A. He continues to ask---up to six times, each time increasing the odds of saving Sodom.
B. Persistence demonstrates the depth and sincerity of the prayer, as well as the faith and trust of the one praying for the one their praying to.
C. "Praying through," felt like a weight being lifted; like sunshine after a dark cloud; like a fresh burst of joy.
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A. Yes, Abraham's boldness pleased God, because his boldness revealed his faith in God to God.
B. Showing God that you believe His word by asking Him to prove Himself according to His Word. Which also let's God know that you are spending time in His Word and really getting to know and understand Him.
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A. Abraham asked God for permission to intercede.
B. We must always revere God in all that we do. The bible teaches us to "ask and we will receive----(Luke 11:8-10).
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A. On the basis that there are righteous people living in Sodom, at least 10.
B. God is a just God; God is a righteous God, as Judge of all the earth He must do the right thing in accordance with His character.
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A. Prayer that request God to alter His plan, but that asking according to His set boundaries---yet asking that He uses a different or less severe consequence, which would be in keeping with His character of mercy.
B. No
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A. If it has already been determined by God what will happen, why would I feel led to pray for any outcome other than the one He has planned; if the definition of predestination is true then I should pray to know God's predestined plan so that when I pray, "Thou will be done," I would be praying in obedience. Two biblical accounts come to mind when I reflect on this lesson:
The first is found in 2 Sam. 11-12; I believe that God's mind was made up regarding David's consequence for his actions, but I don't believe that God predestined the actions (adultery and murder). He allowed them, but predestined them?
The second is the account in Luke 18:1-5; Why is Jesus teaching us to always pray to God in this manner (continually), and is giving an illustration of a judge changing his mind, pe se, if our continued praying/asking has no effect on what God will do, because it's already predestined.
B. I call that belief a false belief
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A. Acknowledging that first. God is God; letting God know that you are aware of His character (loving and merciful), recalling to God His promises which are found in His word, and that you know His record regarding such matters and desire that He responds in like manner for your situation.
B. Moses appeals on the grounds of his history of and with God
C. I think it means to ask God to prove Himself according to His promises
D. When you know the word of God you can pray it back to Him
E. Knowing God's word, we know His will and therefore we can ask according to His will and word.
Q4. Glory and Suffering
in 2. Witnessing People: Living as Salt and Light in the World (5:13-16)
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A.) In vs 10-12 we are told of the blessing that we receive for the persecutions and insults we endure for right living; vs 13-16 lets us know the deeds that we must perform to make the world aware of this right living, which wil cause some to persecute and insult us. We can't just live right, we must make sure that others know that we live right and understand why we live right and how we are able to live right in the same world that they live in.... it is by the power and grace of God through Jesus Christ.
B.) When we hide our good works we rob God of His praise and glory, because others aren't made aware of what God has done for us and therefore they don't know that credit is due Him.
C.) No cross - No crown, just as Jesus suffered we too have to caring our cross if we are to reign with Him. For such it was with the profits of old.
D.) Jesus' purpose for coming to earth was to be the once-and-for-all sin offering for the human race (whosoever will come to Him). The Bible says: " Without the shedding of blood there can be no remission of sin," To that end, Yes, Jesus' suffering was necessary.
E.) Romans 12:2 lets us know that we are to be different from the rest of the world. We are the transformed of the world, and our role is to shine light on darkness so that others may see our light and conform to a life that is pleasing to God. As salt we are to show forth purity, a more excellent way that renews people and bring glory to God.