Friday: Further Thought – Sermon on the Mount
Read Ellen G. White, “The Sermon on the Mount,” pp. 298-314, in The Desire of Ages and the book Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing (Book available online at www.whiteestate.org/books/mb/mb.asp).
In the parables of Matthew 13:44-46, the men found something of great value. Given the context, especially after Jesus told the third parable (Matt. 13:47-50), what they found was the truth, the truth that leads to eternal life, as opposed to eternal destruction “in the furnace of fire.”
Image © Providence Collection from GoodSalt.com
This is important because we live in an age where the idea of “truth” itself is considered old-fashioned at best or dangerous at worst. And, unfortunately, this is a false idea that some Christians have bought into. Nevertheless, the message of these parables is that not only does truth exist but that truth will make a difference for eternity in every human life. This shouldn’t be surprising. The Bible is predicated on the idea of absolute truth. After all, Jesus said, “‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:6, NKJV). If that is not stating an absolute truth, what is? Of course, when someone with as much knowledge of the truth as Paul could say that “we know in part” (1 Cor. 13:9), it’s obvious that there’s a lot we don’t know. But his mere statement that we know “in part” implies that there’s more truth to know, truth that literally makes a difference either for eternal life or eternal death. Eternal life or eternal death? It doesn’t get more absolute than that.
Discussion Questions:
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We have about 60,000 waking seconds (1000 minutes) of time every day.
What we do with them and our bank statements show what we value.
In question 2 above, the writer of the lesson attempts to provide a reason behind the foolish man's decision to build his house on the sand. The byilder's possible excuse is that 'In the dry season, the difference in the appearance of the rock and the sand on the shores was almost imperceptible, and a builder could build his house on sand, thinking it was rock'. The fact is this excuse is not from the Bible.
On the flip side of the coin is the fact that it should have been easier and faster to byild a house on the rock than on the rock. It is easuer to believe in 'nothing' and thus be free to gratify one's natural desires without worrying about consequences. It reqyires a strong will to choose Christ and to byild a strong faith by enduting trials and trusting in His word. The latter choice may result in less popularity with friends and family. However in the long run, building in the rick proves to be the right choice. As my all-time favourite hymn says;
The Lord's our Rock, in Him we hide.
A shelter in the time of storm
Secure whatever may betide
A shelter in the time of storm.
I praise God for the Rock Jesus Christ.
Mat 13:44 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hides, and for joy thereof goes and sells all that he hath, and buys that field."
There is an aspect of Jesus' teaching method which is far from "politically correct".
If a "worldly wise man" were to view the scenario presented in this parable, he might say something like, "What a scoundrel! Instead of informing the owner of the field about the find, that man worked to gain the property [belonging to another], at a price far below its real value."
The man even appeared to hide/conceal the fact that he has found the treasure, until such time as he was able to purchase the field. It can sound crooked, and yet Jesus was as honest, and as straight, as it was possible for a person to be.
But again and again Jesus met the people "where they were at"; they could all relate to the parable I'm sure, and perhaps those listening, would - without exception - have done exactly as the character in the story had done.
So often Jesus uses what might be unexpected 'vehicles', illustrations, to teach pure, heavenly, principles. I marvel at the fact that He even used an illustration in which various dead people have a discussion, and in no respect does Jesus feel the necessity of qualifying the picture by saying, "But you know, of course, that the dead do not know anything...".
Very salient points Stewart. Besides, there's no hint in the parable that the owner of the field knew nothing of the treasure or that he did. Maybe he treated the matter with scant regard for wanting to get the money from the immediate sale. That he could see and was sure of! Remember Essau? He wanted a quick fix to relieve his hunger and was prepared to wager his birthright, without thinking twice about the value of this inheritance, which was rightfully his, as firstborn son.
As we know the trade off was not worth the immediate gratification from a bowl of soup. The loss was irreversible and painful. Jacob and his mother, on the other hand, crocked and deceitful and conniving as they were, saw the inestimable value of this God appointed heirloom, and stopped at nothing to secure it, even lies and deception. God does not want to lie and deceive, but to get the point that our promised inheritance of His kingdom is worth giving up everything for, even our lives.
I really appreciate the fact that Jesus uses examples of real people in real-life situations to illustrate our true nature, corrupt and desperately wicked but the message is always clear as crystal - we must look to Him as our Example.
Claudette and Stewart, Jesus was illustrating a vivid point of one seeing a greater value worth giving up all else to acquire. Also, it was legal to purchase property and thus claim all the owner's rights to it. Remember Jeremiah purchasing the property and recording the deed to show there would be a restoration following the captivity? The seller of the property would not have forgotten such a treasure had it been his, so the plowman is without fault and perfectly legal. Still, the lesson is for us to give all we have for what is eternal in value.
Stewart, didn't Jesus already teach that the dead know nothing, and would rise "at the last day" when He would call them forth? He also had mentioned that Abraham was dead and must also be resurrected "at the last day".
He had also spoken through Solomon long before. No part of scripture stands alone from the rest.
When going to trials we have to remember to trust God, because without him we cannot do nothing.
i now know where to stand, be on good or worst moments in my life
Living in a world where people lived by the principles found in the "beatitudes" or Jesus "sermon on the mount", would make all the difference in the WORLD. Unfortunately, this world as it is, is not that world and will not become until the vision seen by John through Divine revelation comes to pass. "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea" (Rev. 21:1). Until then, we can practice a little heaven down here by treating all people with respect and doing acts of love and kindness from the heart.
'TIS LOVE THAT MAKES US HAPPY
‘Tis love that makes us happy,
‘Tis love that smooths the way;
It helps us mind, it makes us kind
To others every day.
Refrain
God is love; we’re his little children.
God is love; we would be like Him.
‘Tis love that makes us happy,
‘Tis love that smooths the way;
It helps us “mind,” it makes us kind
To others every day.
This world is full of sorrow,
Of sickness, death, and sin;
With loving heart we’ll do our part,
And try some soul to win.
And when this life is over,
And we are called above
Our song shall be, eternally,
Of Jesus and His love.
What would it be like living in a world where everyone followed the principles found in the Sermon on the Mount?
If faithful, we will soon know. Ps 37:11 tells us that the meek who inherit the earth “will delight themselves in the abundance of peace”. Sounds pretty good.
How to obtain a sure foundation: Ps 37:1-8; 40:1-3, Prov 2:1-5; 3:1-8, Matt 5:3-11.
The parable of the pearl of great price has a lot to tell of those who seek Christ. There were two classes of people in Christ time who were seeking the Pearl of Great Price 1. The Jews who were dissastisfied with there current religion, 2. those like Cornelius who desire The Truth. These two classes of people both came to the conclusion that in seeking the Pearl of Great Price they must give of themselves to Christ totally, seek salvation as though it were the most valuable possession, surrender their bad habits to Christ, garner the power of the Holy Spirit, visualize Christ, and then go out and tell others of what Christ has done for them. I do believe that this a good cure for narcissism self-love to the point of shuting out everyone else, including God.
What an awesome week I appreciate all the comments made . I've enjoyed the different personalities and opinions. The dialogues were healthy and very well engaged . Teachers in my opinion should be well-equipped to face their individual classes. Stewart you are my brother and a great scholar. Can't wait to face next week's lessons.