Dr. Mitchell next takes up Mat.6:5-8 where our Lord speaks on the subject of prayer.

Jesus instructs those listening concerning their personal relationship to their Father. He teaches them, again, about one's motive. Even one's motive in praying in public is open to God.

Next then, Jesus speaks about praying to the Father in private. He makes mention of the need to realize that Our Father knows what we need before we even ask Him.

Therefore, we don't need to use perpetual and meaningless repetitions of words with God. Jesus said this is what religious people do who do not know God as their Father.

Read 1Kings 18:20-38. Read the difference between the short prayer of Elijah and the many words of Baal's prophets.

Here on the Unchanging Word Bible Broadcast, Dr. Mitchell walks us through Mt.6:5-8.

As Jesus has spoken about love for one's neighbor, Dr. Mitchell cautions one about disguising one' sin as love for others.

Jesus then, having spoken to the future citizens of the kingdom of heaven about several topics, He now speaks about the Jewish custom of giving alms to the poor.

In Matthew 6:1-4 Jesus speaks of one's duties before God which in this case has to do with one's giving. Here Jesus looks again at the motives as well as the actions.

The Word of God speaks of God as a great giver. Scripture says, If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all men liberally and without reproach and it shall be given.

God gave us His only begotten Son and Jesus gave Himself for us.

Let's join Dr. Mitchell, in Matthew 6:1, here on the Unchanging Word Bible Broadcast.

As Dr. Mitchell has said, these words from our Lord deals with personal relationships. Jesus speaks on the topics of love and hate especially with reference to enemies.

Once again our Lord speaks to those who would be citizens of the kingdom of heaven. He now directs their attention to the difference between what they had been told concerning love for one's neighbor but hate to one's enemies.

What is especially precious in this passage is how God the Father is perfect and impartial to both the good and evil, both to those who are righteous and to those who are unrighteous. How precious is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is also our Father who is in heaven.

Remember that Jesus referred to God as His God and our God, His Father and our Father.

Let's join Dr. Mitchell, here on the Unchanging Word Bible Broadcast in Matthew 5:43.

The Unchanging Word Bible Broadcast continues in Matthew chapter 5.

Dr. Mitchell will be looking at verses 29 thru 42.

In these passages Matthew records our Lord's words concerning four separate topics.

Our Lord first speaks with authority about the real heart of adultery as an inner desire before it becomes an outer action.

Dr. Mitchell surveys scriptures concerning this topic.

The next topic has to with making and keeping vows which one may think it is possible to keep. What does Jesus say about this for the kingdom citizen?

The third topic has to do with the concept of retaliation for an injury incurred. What the Lord says, concerning the law for the one who will be in His kingdom, is that this one is not to resist evil, not to exact revenge, but on the contrary, to bless.

Let's join Dr. Mitchell, Matthew 5:27.

Jesus is teaching His disciples the laws of the King when He will reign in His kingdom during the millennium.

We are in Matt. 5 verses 21-28.

In these verses Matthew writes how Jesus confronts the very motives of a person's heart. The Lord gets right down to the heart of the matter. Matthew writes the very words that our Lord speaks, "you have heard that it was said...but I say unto you..."

Jesus speaks these words 6 times in this chapter. Jesus' authority is superior to what the disciples had previously heard and been taught as to what the law meant.

Dr. Mitchell will discuss the very differences between law and grace, and the very impossibility of keeping the law.

This leads one to the very grace of God and to trust in Christ and His finished work alone at the cross and resurrection. If you believe in God, believe also in Jesus Christ.

Here is Dr. Mitchell with Matthew 5:21-28.

Matthew chapter 5 verses 17 through 28 will be the focus of our study for this lesson.

Dr. Mitchell points our that the Bible is a complete revelation of God's purposes in any age.

Here in verses 17-28 , Jesus is teaching his disciples the law of the king for the future kingdom of heaven on earth.

There is also truth and principles that apply to us today in this age of grace and of the church. In fact, these truths are applicable for any time in history.

Jesus came to fulfill the law and the prophets not to abolish them. Here our Lord is speaking of the laws in what we know as the Old Testament. Please notice the superior authority of Jesus when He says, "For truly I say unto you..."

On the Unchanging Word Bible Broadcast here is Dr. John G. Mitchell, Matthew 5:17-28.

In these verses, Matthew 5:13-16, we are presented with the responsibility of the citizens of the kingdom.

There are four things that Matthew writes that Jesus said the citizens of the kingdom are to be.

1. The first is to be the salt of the earth.
2. The second is to be the light of the world.
3. The third is being a city on a hill which cannot be hidden.
4. The fourth is to be the kind of light that can light up all who are in the house.

The purpose of being on display before the world is to display the glory of God thru Jesus Christ, which is the supreme purpose of the Christian.

On the Unchanging Word Bible Broadcast here is Dr. John G. Mitchell, Matthew 5:13 thru 16.

Our study in Matthew chapter 5 continues with verses 10 thru 12 with Dr. Mitchell.

Continuing on from the Character of the citizens of the kingdom of heaven when Jesus reigns as King of Kings in Jerusalem during the millennium, we now read of the opposition to the kingdom citizens.

Matthew in quoting Jesus' words, for Matthew was with Him when He spoke these words to the people of Israel, Matthew writes of the response of the citizen of the kingdom while being persecuted.

Dr. Mitchell shares scripture that exhorts those who trust Christ in these days, those who are also being persecuted for their testimony to Christ and the Word of God.

Do you find yourself in this position where you are at this time? We can find encouragement from these verses here and now.

Here is Dr. Mitchell on the Unchanging Word Bible Broadcast, Matthew 5:10-12.

Our study continues in Matthew chapter 5.

The next three chapters, chapters 5 thru 7 are commonly known as the Sermon on the mount. Matthew presents Jesus as the Messiah, the King of Israel.

Dr. Mitchell calls these chapters, "The proclamation of the King". He likens these to the inaugural address of the president of the United States of America. Jesus is addressing His citizens, the Jewish people of the nation of Israel of His day.

Dr. Mitchell shares with us the character of the citizens of the kingdom of the King found in verses 3 thru 9. Dr. Mitchell takes us through these verses one by one.

Dr. Mitchell points out the distinct differences between Jesus' kingdom and rulers of this present age. What a contrast indeed.

Let's turn in our Bible to Matthew chapter 5 with Mr. Mitchell on the Unchanging Word Bible Broadcast.

Matthew writes about Jesus leaving Nazareth to live in Capernaum. He began to preach the kingdom of heaven as at hand. His very presence was a light to that region.

Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, calls His first disciples--Simon Peter, Andrew his brother, and James and John.

Dr. Mitchell says, this is the call to service.

Jesus, then, teaches in their synagogues and heals all kinds of diseases so people from a wide region followed Him. The ministry of Jesus, now, begins in earnest as He preaches the gospel of the kingdom.

Matthew up to this point, has quoted 11 separate Old Testament passages.

The Lord Jesus is the Messiah of Israel. Jesus is ever the focus of Matthew's writing in this Gospel.

Is this Jesus the focus and center of our affection and devotion in these days?

Here is Dr. Mitchell on the Unchanging Word Bible Broadcast, Matthew 4:12.