Matthew – Chapter 5

vs 16: "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven".

OBSERVATIONS:  This is not a new thought and has always been true.  When Jesus ascended to heaven, the only plan He had for His ministry to continue on Earth, was for those whom He discipled to be His hands and feet in sharing the Good News worldwide.  It is now upon us to carry that torch.  That’s our task, our job, our ministry.  In II Corinthians 5:18, Paul tells us that Christ, "Gave us the ministry of reconciliation."  We are to reconcile a lost world to Him through Jesus Christ.

APPLICATION:  Before men will love our message they must love us as messengers.  Matthew 5:3-12 are the verses commonly known as the Beatitudes, Jesus’ first sermon.  He clearly instructs us that we must "be" something before we can "do" anything.  In our world of confusing and opposing philosophies, we earn the right to be heard by first demonstrating God’s love in the way we live.  Thus Matthew says to "do good deeds."  Not so people will like us or think better of us, but so they’ll praise the Father. 

A great example of The Pursuit family demonstrating God’s love and bringing praise to the Father is our participation in the Race for Life Cancer Drive this weekend.  It’s another chance for us to "be" something for God by serving others.  I hope to see you there.

PRAYER: Father, Creator of all that was, is and ever will be…thank You for allowing us to represent You and Your Son in this old world.  Help us to be the kind of people that will draw others to us so that we may share Your love with them.  Bless this weekend and all the efforts on behalf of those who’ve victoriously survived the dreaded disease of cancer.  Thank You for the precious time you extended my father and Linda’s parents so they could accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior before, like so many, they died from the effects of cancer.  I pray especially for Francie and her efforts this weekend.  In the name of the Giver of all life.  Amen!

Matthew- Chapter 4

vs 4   Jesus answered, "It is written: ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God ‘."

OBSERVATIONS: It’s very obvious that Jesus is practicing what he preaches in this verse.  He is quoting from the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy.  He was a student of the Word. He knew how important it was to know what God taught and be ready to use God’s Word when being tested.  All three times, when challenged by Satan, Jesus responded with scripture.

About twenty-five years ago, the church I was serving invited an old preacher (over 80) to come and preach.  We held three services and each one had to end on time to begin the next.  I was worried this old man might not be sharp enough to manage three services.  My nervousness increased when, upon arriving, he asked, "Brother Bob, what would you like me to preach on today?" It was five minutes before the service and he didn’t know?  I told him just to preach his favorite scripture…which he did.  He preached a wonderful message on John 3:16. He didn’t use notes and he ended right on time.  I barely finished a sigh of relief when he asked, "Brother Bob, what would you like me to preach on this  next service?" Again I answered, "Just preach your favorite scripture".  Again he preached John 3:16 but it was a completely different message, different points, different illustrations and again, he ended right on time.  Before the third service, he asked yet again what to preach on, and once more I answered, "Preach your favorite scripture" and so, for the third time, he preached an entirely different message on John 3:16. 

As a young preacher, I learned a couple of things that day.  First, don’t count out the old guys and  second, how important it is to know God’s Word before preaching God’s Word.

APPLICATIONS: So many times in my life and in the lives of those who’ve come to me for counseling, God’s Word has held all the answers.  I’ve spent hours trying to figure out solutions on how to move in the right direction, make good life decisions, and find success in future plans.  Then someone shares with me what the Bible says and the answer, simply put, is to "Live by the Word of God". 

That’s why we’ve challenged The Pursuit Church family and ourselves to read His Word daily!  The answers are in the Book, we just need to seek them out.

PRAYER: Father, help me to be a better student of Your Word. Help me not to be just a "hearer of the Word," but also a doer. Help me to practice what I preach.  In the name of Jesus, Amen!

Matthew – chapter 3

vs 17 "And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

OBSERVATIONS:  I’m an ‘off the chart’ extrovert.  I love people! I love talking to them, socializing with them, and hanging out with them.  I’m energized by being with people.  But I don’t know from whom I get my extrovertness.  My family, while warm and friendly, are not ‘huggers’ and my two sisters are very shy.  I’m the oldest and they always hated being compared to me in school.  My family is very close and we love each other BUT aren’t very demonstrative in showing our love. 

My father worked hard, never came to any of my sports activities, never saw me in a school musical, didn’t attend any of my graduations.  He did take a part of a day off to participate in my wedding.  Without saying it, I know that he loved me and was pleased with how I turned out. He didn’t become a Christian until the end of his life, but he was happy that I married Linda, entered ministry, and was a good person.

Immediately after retiring from work, he had a leg amputated due to diabetes.  I was the only one strong enough to get him in and out of his wheelchair, take him to doctor’s appointments, etc.  One day as we sat in the waiting room of the hospital, he said, "Son, I don’t  know how I could have done this without you.  I love you!"  Perhaps he had told me before that he loved me but I don’t remember. 

I know how his telling me that he loved made me feel.  I think that Jesus must have felt the same way when He heard God say, "This is my Son, in whom I’m well pleased."  Jesus was just beginning his three year ministry, but so far His father was pleased with Him. 

APPLICATION:  I want to live my life in such a way that as I prepare to enter heaven, My Heavenly Father will say,"This is another of my sons and I’m well pleased in him."  I can only imagine how good it will feel to hear God say those words.

PRAYER: God, you have created each of us to be unique.  I marvel at the variety of nationalities, shapes, sizes and skin tones in which you have made us.  I’m amazed at the diversity found in your family.  Like the rest of your children, I can’t wait to hear you say you are pleased with me.  Forgive me of my sins and help me to live a life that is pleasing to you.

Your son, Bob.  Amen!

Matthew – chapter 2

vs 10,"When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. (11) On coming to the house,they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and incense and of myrrh."

OBSERVATION: We don’t know much about these magi, or wisemen.  Tradition tells us they may have been astrologers or Persian men schooled in medicine, science, and philosophy.  What we do know is that they were seeking the Christ child. Wise men still do that today!  And if anyone is willing to seek God they will find Him.  As a teenager, I knew that I wasn’t happy but I didn’t know what was missing in my life.  When a friend asked me to sing in the church choir, I went to choir practice just to have something to do.  Was I surprised to find a group of people who accepted me, loved me, and helped me find happiness.

Notice the wisemen’s reaction when they found Him – "they were overjoyed!"  That was my reaction too when I found Jesus.  HE gave me a new direction, forgave my sins and helped me to live a better life. I couldn’t believe that HE could love someone like me. 

APPLICATION: Next they, ‘bowed down and worshiped him.’   When we learn of God’s character and nature our first reaction is to feel ashamed because of our sin. Then we desire to worship (to honor) Him.  And they gave Him gifts.  Once I experienced God’s love and grace then I wanted to say, "thank you" and did so by giving my life to His service.  What gifts do we have to give God?  Our time, talents, and finances should be used in His service.

PRAYER: Dear God, you have given us a wonderful gift.  You have allowed your Son to live among us and show us how to live.  Please accept my life and allow me to serve you everyday. Amen!

Matthew – chapter 1

     The Pursuit Church has challenged her people to read a chapter a day from the Gospel of Matthew.   The sermon series is titled "TRUTH UNCENSORED". The staff has been asked to post our thoughts for the congregation to read and so, for the next 28 days, I will be interspersing postings about Matthew with other musings and news.

"Because Joesph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly." Matt. 1:19

     It’s not so surprising that Mary, a young Jewish virgin, chosen by God, would be engaged to a righteous man. If she was pure enough to be the mother of our Lord, then she would naturally be drawn to that kind of man. It only makes sense that God would choose someone righteous to nurture His Son.  We don’t know much about Joseph but saying that he was a righteous man puts him in good company with the likes of Abraham and Noah who were also described as righteous in God’s eyes.  God used them to accomplish some pretty important tasks also. 

       In an effort to apply that scripture to my own life, I can’t help but wonder if the people who have known me or know me now would say that I appear to be a righteous man.  Webster defines righteousness as 1: acting in accord with divine or moral law, 2: to be free from guilt or sin.  If God is going to use me in a BIG way then I have no choice but to strive to be righteous.  Each of us needs to evaluate our own life and change those actions that are not in step with God’s Word and hinder us from becoming more righteous today than we were yesterday.

          In conclusion, I ask you to partner with me in this prayer. "Father, thank You for the examples in Your Word of good and Godly men who lived righteous lives.  Thank You for the way You used them to accomblish Kingdom work on this earth.   Help me to honestly evaluate myself and allow the Holy Spirit to help me clease my life of the things that are sinful and unrighteous. I’ll never be perfect but I can strive to be better.  Father, use me!  In Jesus name and power,  Amen."