Sermon on the Mount 10 - Matthew 7:1-12 – Building Relationships

This part of Jesus teaching from the Mount incorporates two short texts which at first seem quite different – one looking at how we judge one another and the other about asking and seeking God. What both of these texts have in common is that they talk about the importance of healthy balanced relationships – first one with another and secondly in terms of how we relate to our Father in heaven.
They raised a number of interesting questions for discussion including:

1. What are the possible reasons why we find it easy sometimes to judge others (either internally or out loud)?
2. If Jesus tells us not to judge then how does this work in a culture where we have judges who sit in courts to pass judgements? What about parents who need to make judgements for their children?
3. The bible also tells us it’s OK to correct one another (2 Tim 4:2) – how do we do this without judging?
4. What sometimes stops us from asking things of God?
5. What does it really mean to ‘seek’ after God
6. In what other NT passages do we see similar relational themes of judging, asking and seeking that we can link to Jesus teaching here?

In our discussions we were caught up eventually by Jesus Great Commandment which seemed to sum up many of the connecting points of our responses to these questions – in effect – Love really is the answer:

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ Matt 22:37-39

Scott

Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 6 v7-15 - A Pattern for Dynamic Prayer

This is the passage where 'The Lords Prayer' is given by Jesus as a model for how we should pray to God. It begins with our declaration to God and recognition of Him; Our Father in heaven, hallowed be 'your' name, 'your' kingdom come, 'your' will be done on earth as it is in heaven. It then moves onto our requests; give 'us' this day 'our' daily bread and forgive 'us' 'our' sins as we forgive those who sin against 'us'. And lead 'us' not into temptation but deliver 'us' from evil. Later versions also include the now common final section; For 'yours' is the kingdom and the power and the glory for ever. Amen.

Discussion points then included;
• The amazing desire of God to be known by us as 'Our Father'.
• Does our daily bread include more than physical needs, what about emotional and spiritual daily 'bread'?
• If God already knows what we need then why should we pray?
• What does it mean to 'hallow' God's name?
• The connection between our own forgiveness and how we forgive others.
• Should we only pray The Lords Prayer?
• Do we regularly pray to God and does our own prayer life resemble this model?

Dan