Heritage Baptist Church of Frankfort IL

Jesus clarified the seventh commandment and made clear that the battle against immorality starts in the heart. His solutions for protection seemed radical. However, He was not promoting self-mutilation, but mortification of the flesh. The main solution in the battle is not to feed the flesh. This requires the believer to either flee when temptation comes, or remove the source of temptation.

Many believers struggle with assurance of their salvation. However, salvation does not rest on us. God has made both a promise and an oath that Jesus is our high priest. We can hold in faith to God's promise and oath that Jesus allows us to enter into the presence of God. This is an anchor, sure and steadfast.

David experienced the overshadowing wings of God as he fled his deadly enemies. The obvious working of God's steadfast love caused David to exalt God, especially through the means of song. He serves as an example for believers today.

Jesus begins to clarify what righteousness greater than the Pharisees looks like. The first issue he deals with is "Thou Shalt Not Kill." The Pharisees had a narrow understanding of the command that it it forbade physical murder. Jesus gives the intent of the law. The believer is to stop murder from coming out of the heart and being found in our speech. In fact, the Lord challenges believers as peacemakers to proactively meet warring situations and try to get them to cease before more harm occurs.

This passage is one of warning. However, the difficult question is "Who is it warning?" Much discussion has been given to this passage with a variety of interpretations. In the end it seems to be warning those who have been surrounded by Christians and the church yet at some point fall away because they are not saved. It is impossible from a human standpoint to bring someone back who has left the faith. Can a person like this be saved? With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

David's time in Gath caused him a great deal of fear about what men might do to him. However, in this psalm he rehearses and declares his faith in God to himself. This psalm is one that finds echoes in other parts of the Scripture due to the comfort it provides for believers.

In the book of Acts a commission is given to reach all of the world. In reading the book that commission is not accomplished as quickly due to wrong thinking and attitudes in the church. These attitudes can show up in churches and hinder the growth of the gospel in the world.

Jesus did not come to get rid of the Old Testament but came to give it fullness. Teaching of the OT and prophecies find fullness in Christ. The citizen of the kingdom takes great care to declare and live out what is found in the whole of Scripture. Their righteousness ought to be greater than the Pharisees.

These section is warning for people who check out when a topic of Scripture seems unnecessary or boring. The topic of Jesus as High Priest was started earlier in the chapter. The discussion will go on two more chapters. Some in the congregation were lazy. The danger of not hearing the word and doing something with it is stunted growth. Some Christians are still like spiritual babies because they do not consume the word of God and use it. They are not ready for stronger doctrines because they have not bothered with the easier ones.

The believer often finds themselves in turmoil both physically and spiritually. This turmoil is caused by multiple sources. However, the believer cannot stay in this depressed state. He/she must communicate to the soul truths about God and place trust in Him.