The Sermon on the Mount
Daily Bible Studies for July 7-12, 2008
Learn what we believe and how we are to behave!
This Week’s Scripture: Matthew 5:27-30 MOT & NLT
[Jesus said,] 27You (all) have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery.” 28But I Myself say to you that all the ones looking at a woman to desire to possess her have committed adultery with her in his heart. 29So if your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it from you; for it is expedient for you that one of your members die and not all of your body be sent to Gehenna (hell). 30And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is expedient for you that one of your members die, and not all of your body be thrown into Gehenna (hell). MOT
[Jesus said,] 27“You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ 28But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. NLT
Monday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Once again as I turn to Your word in Matthew 5, I find that Jesus calls me to a higher standard than anything found in the Old Testament! I pray for a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit in my life right now that I may live as you would have me live in every area of my life. Thank You for the promise of Your word that when I ask I will receive. I take that promise at Your word, and look forward to a day of living in Your grace and power. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
[Jesus said,] “27You (all) have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28But I Myself say to you that all the ones looking at a woman to desire to possess her have committed adultery with her in his heart.” MOT
How does Jesus reinterpret the Seventh Commandment that makes it more difficult than it’s “face value”?
What will it look like in your life today as you live out Jesus’ command?
Today’s Challenge: I will put Jesus first, so that as He values other people so will I!
Tuesday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, even though You call me to the highest standard of all—perfection in You, I confess that I struggle day by day with living to that standard. The “old” me struggles against the Holy Spirit. I pray for victory today. I pray that You will fill me powerfully with the Holy Spirit that I may live effectively for You. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
[Jesus said,] 27“You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ 28But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. NLT
Is it possible to fulfill Jesus’ command here in Matthew 5:28? If not, then why would He give it? If “yes,” then how do you live it?
Take some time right now to ask God for additional strength in any areas that you are struggling to be like Jesus.
Today’s Challenge: I will trust in Jesus, so that what He desires in my life I will do in the power of the Spirit!
Wednesday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Jesus words are often difficult, and never more so than in Matthew 5:29. I pray that You will fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I may put aside ANYTHING that keeps me from living in Jesus’ ways right now and throughout this day. I pray that my life will be a reflection of Jesus in all that I am, think say and do, and that as I live in this way that others will see Jesus in me and be drawn to Him. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
29So if your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it from you; for it is expedient for you that one of your members die and not all of your body be sent to Gehenna (hell). MOT
How do you know that Jesus’ words are not to be taken literally here? Or do you?
Why do you think that Jesus took such a strong stand in this verse regarding how vigorously we must approach the elimination of sin in our lives?
Today’s Challenge: I will live with my eyes focused on Jesus, so that I see all things through Him!
Thursday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, apart from Your sustaining Spirit I am lost and without hope. I thank You that I have Your sustaining Spirit and therefore, my life can be lived in victory! I also thank You for the promise of Your word that in Christ there is no condemnation in my life. I pray that I may live the victory Jesus already died and rose again to win and assure in my life. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
. 29So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. NLT
Why do you suppose that the NLT translated “right eye” as “even your good eye”? Does it make any impact on the meaning of the text? If so, what?
How will you live out Matthew 5:29 in your life today?
Today’s Challenge: I will stand on the foundation of Jesus in my life today, so that all I “build” will rest on His rock solid base, and by His grace I will "stand."
Friday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, whatever it takes for me to enter Your Kingdom in this life and in the next, give me the courage to do it! Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may bring You glory and honor. This I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
30And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is expedient for you that one of your members die, and not all of your body be thrown into Gehenna (hell). MOT
Why do you suppose that Jesus found it necessary to comment not only on they “eye” but also on the “hand” as sources of sin in our lives?
What is the practical application of Matthew 5:30 in your life today?
Today’s Challenge: I will put my hands in Jesus hands today that He may lead me into effective action in all that I do!
Saturday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, as I come to the end of another week of trusting You and living in the power of Your Spirit, I thank You that I don’t have to succumb to the world’s lies, or the temptations that are so prevalent around me. I confess that I have not lived fully for You and ask Your forgiveness when I have not. Fill me anew with Your Holy Spirit that all I am and all I do with honor You. Prepare me today to worship You with all that I am and do. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
30And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. NLT
For all you left handers reading this, the NLT makes it clear that the original “right hand” isn’t the point—the point is we must give up ANYTHING that causes sin in our lives. Take an inventory of what it is that leads you to sin—is it certain people? Is it certain situations? Is it undisciplined thoughts? Is it unsurrendered areas of your life? Whatever it is, take some time right now, to ask God to deal with those areas, and to give You the power of the Holy Spirit to live boldly and confidently in Him!
Today’s Challenge: I will live boldly in the power of the Holy Spirit that my thoughts, words and actions will bring Jesus glory!
build” with materials that last.