[Q4. Dogs, Pigs and Pearls]

Q4. (Matthew 7:6) In Jesus' day, what did dogs and pigs have in common? What would holy food and pearls have in common? Read Matthew 10:14; Acts 13:44-51; 18:5-6; and 28:17-28. In what kinds of circumstances did believers turn away from a continued sharing of the gospel? To what kinds of people did they continue their witness?

They both was unclean animals to the Jews. The people belived in the Good News and was baptized daily. Jews and Gentiles

[Q3. The Speck and the Beam]

Q3. (Matthew 7:3-5) What about this parable is humorous? Why do you think Jesus compares a speck of sawdust with a plank or beam? What does the speck represent? What does the plank represent? According to this parable, when is it okay to remove a speck? When is it not okay?

When we notice something is wrog with other's and we think that we are so perfect within, now that's funny. Because in His Spiritual eyes they are both the samae in size. It respresent sin. It respresent sin too. Never if you have removed your own speck first.

[Q2. Judged with the Same Measure]

Q2. (Matthew 7:1-2) Read a similar passage in Luke 6:37-38. According to Matthew's account, what is our fate if we measure out big heaps of judgment with a critical spirit? According to Luke's account, how can measuring be both positive and negative? What should we measure out instead of judgmentalism?

For in that same way we may judge a person, it will come back to us the same indentical way.We are to show love to everyone, if we are to expect love and respect for others. See decernment from God and realize that we all are created in His image.

[Q1. Judging with Censoriousness]

Q1. (Matthew 7:1) Have you ever caught yourself severely criticizing others Christians behind their backs -- or to their faces? What is the attitude that underlies censoriousness? How can the psychological concept of "projection" motivate harsh judgment? Why must Christians show love in the face of a brother's or sister's failing?

Yes, and I convicted by the Holy Spirit to repent and confess that. Anger within one's heart has a lot to do with that. We do not have the right to try and judge any person at any time. Jesus told us to love one another as He has love us.

[Q5. Let Tomorrow Worry for Itself]

Q5. (Matthew 6:34) Is there humor intended in verse 34? What is the point of Jesus' joke here? What is the command in this verse?

yes, that's why He said it this way to them. "do not worry". God is in control. God is Omniscient , having infinte knowledeg; knowing all things (Hebrews 4:13).

[Q4. Seeking First the Kingdom of God]

Q4. (Matthew 6:33) What is the command in this verse? How must our seeking God differ from our seeking of food and clothing, according to this verse? What is the promise found in this verse?

"Seek first God's kingdom and His righteousness." We put God "first" in everything we do. God will provide everything you neeed according to His will if you you put Him first.

[Q3. Your Father Knows You Need Material Things]

Q3. (Matthew 6:31-32) Why does Jesus mention the "pagans" or "Gentiles" in verse 32? What point is he making? How should a Christian differ from a Gentile, according to Jesus' teaching in this passage? What emotional and faith effect does the phrase, "your heavenly Father knows that you need them," have in your life?

Jesus mention this because the Pagans worry about everything, food clothes, shelter, money,etc. The point Jesus is making is God is Omnipresent, all powerful; having unlimited power. He will supply all of our needs. As a Christian we are believers in God and what He will do for His children, as a Gentile they are non-believers, they do not believe until they see it right away. This has a positive effect in my life knowing that "my heavenly Father knows what I need" in my life to give Him the glory.

[Q2. Do Not Be Anxious about Material Things]

Q2. (Matthew 6:25-34) How many times in this passage does the phrase "do not worry," "do not be anxious," or "take no thought" occur? In what way does excessive worry border on sin? Are worry and trust exact opposites?

It occur in this passage 3 times, in verse 25,31, and 34. Excessive worry border on sin because it shows a lack of faith in God to provide for you, instead of letting go and letting God work things out in His timing for you. Yes worry and trust are exact oppsites because trust is faith and love and worry is sin and death.

[Q1. Parable of the Birds and of the Flowers]

Q1. (Matthew 6:26-30) What point does Jesus make with his twin Parables of the Birds of the Air and of the Flowers of the Field? Is the point trivial or is it valid?

The point that Jesus make with his twin Parables of the Birds and of the Flowers of the Field, is they do not worry about where to sow, reap or store away food for tomorrow because they know that God will feed them daily. Because they trust in Him. We the people need to really put our trust in Jehovah Jireh because "The Lord Will Provide." This is a valid point.

[Q4. Serving God or Money]

Q4. (Matthew 6:24) Jesus seems to make it sound like you can't seek wealth and God simultaneously. Does he really mean this? Is this hyperbole? Figurative? Literal? Can wealthy people serve God in actual fact?

Jesus is not saying that you can't seek wealth and God. In fact God does want His children to prosper, but do not put your wealth first, always put God first in everything that you do, This would be my first choice is to put God first and thank Him for His grace, mercy, and favor to be blessed with wealth. I believe this is Literal, where your treasue is, there your heart will be also. And yes wealthy people does serve God. not all of them but a true born again christian that is wealthy person will serve God.

[Q3. Rewards in Heaven]

Q3. (Matthew 6:19-21) According to the Bible, how does one "store up treasures in heaven"? What advantage does this have over accumulating earthly possessions? Why are we uncomfortable with the concept of rewards in heaven?

According to v 20, we are to store up for ourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, where thives do not break in and steal. in other words doing the will of God here on earth.

The is no garuantee on what earthly possessins we have here on earth.

I don't know why some people are uncomfortable with the concepts of rewards in heaven. I am very comfortable wityh the reewards that Jesus has promised for me in heaven.

[Q2. Storing Up Treasures on Heaven or Earth]

Q2. (Matthew 6:19) Jesus says, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth...." Is he speaking figuratively? Hyperbolically? Generally? Specifically? Is this a new teaching, or an old one?

Jesus is speaking Specifically. This is an old teaching, v21, "for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." What Jesus condemns here is greed and hoarding of money.

[Q1. Greed and the Rich Fool]

Q1. (Luke 12:15-21) Read the Parable of the Rich Fool. What did Jesus condemn him for? Storing his harvest? What is the key verse in this passage? What is the context of this parable? How does this relate to the Sermon on the Mount?

Question: Waht did Jesus condemn him for? Answer: Jesus condenm him for storing up his wealth on earth not in heaven. Question: What is the key verse in this passage?: Answer: Watch out. Be on your guard against all kinds of greed. a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions (v 15). Question: What is the context of this parble?: Answer: The Parable of the Rich Fool. Question: How does this relate to the Sermon on the Mount?: Answer: This relates to when Jesus was speaking in Matthew 6:20, store your treasures in heaven, and in Luke 12:21, in this context it probaly more specifically refers to using one's material wealth for good causes.

[Q4. Forgiving and Forgiveness]

Q4. (Matthew 6:12, 14-15) Why should we continually ask forgiveness? How can unforgiveness on our part block God's blessing? How can unforgiveness block God's forgiveness?

1. Because if we don't ask God to forgive us, we will never make it into His kingdom; Confession and forgiveness of our debts. 2. Wickness and evil and self-rightiousness can block God's blessings to flow to you. 3. You must repent always and ask God to forgive you daily if you want God to bless you. He said that when we ask for forgiveness He will forgive you and forget it too.

[Q3. Prayer for Daily Bread vs. Independence]

Q3. (Matthew 6:11) Why do we seek to be independent of asking anyone for help? Why do we seek to be independent of God? Why should we ask God to "give" us daily bread so long as we can earn a living for ourselves?

1. We are so full of pride. 2. in ourselves that we don't want to think of asking God to give us nothing until something bad comes into our lives or a strong spiritual warfare comes along, then we'll come to Him like baby's and telling God what He has promised to do for us. 3. We need ask God to "give" us bread, daily because it is His Word that gives us wisdom, power, strength, and knowledge as long as we ask Him in Jesus name.

[Q2. May Your Kingdom Come]

Q2. (Matthew 6:10) In what sense are we asking that the Father's kingdom should come? Why are we asking for the Father's will to be done here on earth? How should this prayer affect our living?

1. "His kingdom come", means Allegiance to God's sovereignty. 2. We are asking for God's will to come here on earth because we are under the submission to His will on earth and in heaven. 3. This is where each child of God should be the strongest; in the Word of God and in prayer, beacuse we need to talk with and listen to our heavenly Father, to do His will here on earth.

[Q1. Hallowed Be Your Name]

Q1. (Matthew 6:9) What about our lives and words "hallows" the name of our Father? What desecrates and besmirches it? How should we "hallow" the Father when we begin to pray?

In our lives when we pray to Jehovah, Holy/hallow is His name. and when you are worshiping, praising, or praying to Him, know in your hearts that He is Holy.

Our Father in heaven Holy is Your name.

[Q4. Why Pray?]

Q4. (Matthew 6:8) If God knows what you need before you ask him, why should you ask him at all? What sense does prayer really make? Are we mainly to talk for our own edification and encouragement? Why or why not?

Because God wnt us to talk to Him about allof our needs. Our prayers are an open communication line to God the Father and Jesus our intercesor and the Holy Spirit our comforter. No. I want to edify God and let God encourage me.

[Q3. Secret and Public Prayer]

Q3. (Matthew 6:5-7) Why does Jesus tell us to pray in secret? Though public prayer in church gatherings is commanded in scripture (Acts 1:14; 2:42; 1 Timothy 2:1), in which circumstances might public prayer in a church service be contrary to the spirit of Jesus' instructions in these verses? How do flowery prayers hinder the development of disciples?

Jesus wants pray in secret so that our Father will see what is prayed in secret will be rewared openly, this is very true, because I have done this so many times in secret to God. This is intercession on the behalf of the church and the believers. This is called a "bootleg" annointing, it will hinder the true believers in their prayers.

[Q2. Giving to the Poor]

Q2. (Matthew 5:42 and 6:1-4) How does Jesus' teaching here and in 5:42 on giving to the needy influence you and your attitudes towards the poor? What will you do differently as a result? What keeps us from giving more to the poor? Is that a good enough reason?

In Matthew 5:42, this was probaly not a general requirement to give to everyone who asks, but a reference to the poor. In Matthew 6:1, Jesus is referring not to brag on giving to the poor. If the Holy Spirit prompts me to give something to the poor I will if I have it and think nothing else about it. Because some people will keep saying that can't help but being poor all of the time and will not try and help themselves. There is a big difference in being poor ad greedy looking for a handout. Yes that is a good readon to me.

[Q1. Performing for 'the Audience of One']

Q1. (Matthew 6:1-18) How do the commands in this section relate to "performing for the audience of One"? What is the antidote for the chief sin that is addressed here? In what ways do churches and non-profit organizations use this sin to motivate people to give?

Some people do their performing in front of people to try and get their approval, not looking to see what Jesus said in Matthew 6:1-4. Trying to be honmored by men instead of God. They forget the 10 commandments that say "There shalt have no other god." By preaching lies about "Can a man rob God? This text from Malachi has been misqouted for years. It's a lie fro the father of lies Satan.

[Q5. Defense against Evil?]

Q5. (Matthew 5:39-44) If the principle that underlies verses 39-42 is found in verse 44 and 22:39, are there times we must defend ourselves physically against evil men in order to fulfill the principle? What might be some examples?

Yes, there are times when we must defend ourselves physically against evil men in order to fulfill the principle, but first put on the Full Armor of God on. An example is, if someone is trying to walk up to me and just take something that I'm holding in my hand that is mine.

[Q4. Don't Retaliate]

Q4. (Matthew 5:38-42) If we were to assume that Jesus is teaching on retaliation and revenge rather than pacifism in verses 38-42, how would you sum up his teaching in a single sentence?

~Love your enimies and pray for those who persecute you.~

[Q3. Examples, Case Law, Hyperbole?]

Q3. (Matthew 5:39-42) What do Jesus' examples or tiny cameos in verses 39-42 have in common? Someone has said that if we were to carry out verses 39-42 literally, we would aid and abet evil. Do you agree? How should we take these examples: As case law? As hyperbole? As a series of aphorisms or adages? In another way?

The point is that it is better to be insulted even twice than to take the matter to court, this is what Jesus was trying to explain in His examples.

[Q2. An Eye for an Eye]

Q2. (Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:15-21) What was the purpose of the "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth" regulation? Is this law designed to be administered by a court or judge, or by an individual? Is it designed to govern judicial action or personal action?

In Exodous 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; & Deuteronomy 19:15-21, for those days in the Old testament, this respresets a a statement of principle. A similar law of retaliations is found in the Code of Hammurapi which also seems not to have been literally applied. It is designed to be administered by a judge. Yes it is designed to goven personal action.