Hope in Instruction

Faith Church September 20, 2009 Matthew 5:1-5

Introduction:

- We’re into our 5^th week of our series: Finding Hope in the Wonderful Counselor

- since we all are in need of hope at various times in our lives (every day), the issue is: Where are you going to go to get it?

- what better place than from the Wonderful Counselor –Jesus Christ, the Son of God, God the Son He is greater than we could begin to comprehend.

- [REVIEW] Our definition of hope is::

Hope = the anxious anticipation of good – (biblical perspective) vs. the world’s definition more as ‘an uncertainty of the outcome’

- that definition comes from Romans 8:18-25 [esp. v. 24-25]

Romans 8:24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

> we have HOPE because of Who God is, what He can do, and what He promised to do

- So far we’ve studied how we can

#1: Find Hope in the Questions He Asked

#2: Find Hope in Defining Problems (the way He did)

#3: Find Hope in the Relationships HeBuilt

> Jesus was a ‘people-person’ in a good sense; a perfect sense – He loved people, and He loved them enough to tell them the truth . . . to serve them . . . and to DIE for them!

#4: Find Hope in Giving Hope – but you have to have hope before you can give hope!

* Today our focus is on Finding Hope in the Instruction He Gave

> i.e. the Wonderful Counselor gave instruction to us that can give us hope . . . IF we respond properly to that instruction

[Open your Bible to Matthew 5 – the challenge in doing a series like this is NOT ‘Where do you start?’ – but WHERE DO YOU STOP?

- the Word of God has sooooo much instruction for us – we could do a WHOLE SERIES on this subject alone . . . but we’re only spending 1 WEEK on this so hang on to your saddle!

- this is going to be more of an OVERVIEW of the subject (hopefully, enough to give us HOPE so that we can pass on these truths to others and give them hope!)

[READ Matthew 5:1-5 – summarize the rest of the chapter: Sermon on the Mount [explain context]

- let’s ask 3 questions about the Instruction given by the Wonderful Counselor:

Q: Why do we NEED instruction?

- remember, the 1^st step in solving a problem is to realize you have one, so that’s why if we are going to have hope, we have to start with this question!

- there are at least 4 answers to this question:

1) We are not God – God is God!

- it says in Genesis 1 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth . .. “

- the word “God” is in the plural form in the Hebrew language – referring to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit

Point: The Trinity was involved/responsible for Creation!

- Genesis mentions the “Spirit” & John 1:1-4 that Jesus was clearly part of the creation process:

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.² He was in the beginning with God.³ All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.⁴ In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.⁵ The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

Note: v. 5 is a reference to another one of our answers to the question: Why do we need instruction?

> we’ll focus on that answer in just a moment!

Point: Since God is the Creator, He has every right to determine what is right and wrong

> and He deserves the right to INSTRUCT us on what we need to KNOW and what we need to DO . . . [He has instructed us whether we want Him to or not]

- the issue is: How are you going to RESPOND to His instruction?

Are you going to acknowledge the truth?
Are you going to obey the truth?
Are you going to spread the truth (share it with others)?

- then ULTIMATELY:

* What will Jesus, the Judge, finally say about you when you stand before Him at the Judgment Seat of Christ?

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.¹¹ Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.

- OR (for a NON-believer – @ the GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT

cf. ‘the dead, small and great are going to stand before God’

cf. Revelation 20:11-15 [READ it!]

- Jesus put it this way:

Matthew 7:23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'

- We need to remember (every day) what Paul wrote in Romans 9:21:

Romans 9:21 Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?

- another reason why we need instruction is this:

2) We didn’t listen in the beginning – Genesis 2-3

- God clearly instructed Adam: “Don’t eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, for the day you eat of it, you will surely DIE!”

- you know the rest of the story: Adam sinned! – he didn’t listen to God’s instruction

Note: Listening in the sense of ‘hearing’ and ‘obeying’!

- the evidence of not listening was plain: 1) Cover w/fig leaves 2) Hide in the bushes 3) Make excuse, and 4) Blameshifting

- all of these were EVIDENCE of rejecting the Creator’s instruction

- that’s part of the reason behind John’s words that we referred to earlier:

John 1:4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.⁵ The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

- the problem is, it DIDN’T STOP with Adam … the curse of sin ADVANCED!!

3) We continue to need instruction – Genesis 6:5

- the very next chapter, Cain murders his brother (Genesis 4 – he didn’t listen to God either)

SPECIAL NOTE: Parent’s can make an impact on their children!!

- in the NT, it’s call the principle of sowing & reaping!

- there are exceptions (thanks to God’s grace/mercy) but that is a general truth

- after Genesis 3 & 4, it kept getting worse . . . all the way up to Genesis 6:5

Genesis 6:5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

- and that continued throughout the whole O.T. – Examples?

Abraham – w/ Hagar (God already told him Sarah would have a baby – ‘the seed’ He promised
Israel – in the wilderness, griping and complaining AFTER the exodus from Egypt
David – numbering the people instead of trusting God and doing what he was told

- and it’s till true of ALL mankind today . .. and will continue to get worse till Jesus comes!

Isaiah 53:6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.

- listen to what Paul wrote to Timothy:

2 Timothy 3:1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.² For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,³ unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good. . .
⁴ treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,⁵ holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.⁶ For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses,⁷ always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

- the 2^nd question for us to consider is:

Q: What is our SOURCE of instruction?

- where are you going to turn for your source of truth (epistemology)

NOTE: Everybody has a source of truth!

- it may be one’s own thinking and rationale – but it’s still a source of truth

- but TRUTH IS EXCLUSIVE!

- other religions claim to have the ‘TRUTH” – but the Law of Non-Contradiction states: Two opposing views cannot both be true!

* Answer: God’s Word

[READ Psalm 19] – Consider making this our ABF Passage of the Quarter – memorize it, quote it weekly

- think about these verses:

Psalm 119:9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word.¹⁰ With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments.¹¹ Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;¹⁷ so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
Jeremiah 15:16 Your words were found and I ate them, and Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I have been called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts.
Psalm 119:89 Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.

- now let’s think about this question (this is what gives us HOPE):

Q: What instruction did the Wonderful Counselor give us?

- one of the predominate ways He gave instruction was this (but not always)

1) Publically – Matthew 5-6-7

- the bible often refers to Jesus ministering to the ‘crowds’ – many who followed Him

- Matthew 5, 6, and 7 are very well known chps – referred to as “The Sermon on the Mount”

- let’s do a FLY BY and look at these chapters in a GENERAL, yet somewhat specific manner:

- these chapters gives us the following instructions that give us HOPE . . . if we listen

Key to blessing (Beatitudes) – 5:3-12 [READ & COMMENT]

Blessed = happy (our English use of this word has diminished the rich meaning it had/has in the Greek language)

- listen to what one author had to say about this word:

Already in the Old Testament the Septuagint uses it of moral quality. “Shaking itself loose from all thoughts of outward good, it becomes the express symbol of a happiness identified with pure character. Behind it lies the clear cognition of sin as the fountain-head of all misery, and of holiness as the final and effectual cure for every woe. For knowledge as the basis of virtue, and therefore of happiness, it substitutes faith and love. Jesus takes this word “happy” and puts it in this rich environment.^[1]

- you want to BE happy . . . you have to have HOPE and the Wonderful Counselor gives it through His instruction!

Key to influence – 5:13-16 [READ & COMMENT]

- Jesus said that we are the SALT and LIGHT of the world – both have a purpose and potential

Key to greatness (from God’s perspective) – 5:17-19 [READ & COMMENT]
Key to righteousness – 5:20-6:4 [READ & COMMENT]

Murder – 5:20-26 [tie this to the 2^nd greatest commandment!]

Adultery – 5:27-37 [w/murder and adultery – it’s not just the ACTION it’s what in the heart]

Enemies – 5:38-48 [the test of your godliness is revealed under persecution – like Jesus]

Motives – 6:1-4 [the REAL YOU is revealed in your motives]

Key to prayer – 6:5-18 [READ & COMMENT]
Key to the future – 6:19-34 [READ & COMMENT]
Key to solving problems – 7:1-5 [READ & COMMENT]
Key to answers to prayer – 7:6-11 [READ & COMMENT]
Key to treating people properly – 7:12 [READ & COMMENT]
Key to eternal life – 7:13-23 [READ & COMMENT]

Enter into the gate

Beware of false prophets (implies you KNOW the truth!!)

Evidence (‘fruit’ reveals the ‘root’ – what’s really on the inside)

Key to wisdom – 7:24-27 [READ & COMMENT]

- there are two steps to gaining wisdom

You first have to HEAR the truth – as they did

- But then you have to DO something – you ACT on the truth – that’s wisdom!

* Response: They were AMAZED

Amazed = to be astonished!

Q: When’s the last time you were AMAZED at what God said in His Word?

* Reason: The Wonderful Counselor taught as one having authority!

- He knew what He was talking about

- He knew He was right, and He communicated it in such a way they “GOT IT”

2) Small Groups (Disciples) – Matthew 10:1-5a

- this whole chapter is FULL of specific instruction He gave to the men who later ‘deny Him’ but would also be faithful ambassadors of the message entrusted them

- here are a few key verses in this chapter:

- Comment on how …

* Each these instruct them about their MINISTRY in which they would be involved and the MESSAGE they were to proclaim

Matthew 10:7 "And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'
Matthew 10:22 "You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.”
Matthew 10:28 "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
Matthew 10:32 "Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 10:42 "And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward."

- and Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor, also gave specific instruction to individuals

3) Individually – John 3, 4

John 3:1-21 – Nicodemus [if time, READ the verses]

* Instruction: Eternal Life

[summarize John 3:16-18]

Martha – Luke 10:38-42

*Instruction: Priorities

Luke 10:38 Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.³⁹ She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord's feet, listening to His word.⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me."⁴¹ But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things;⁴² but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
Rich Young Ruler – Mark 10:17

* Instruction: Revealed the genuineness of his heart

- Jesus told him:

Mark 10:21 Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, "One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."

- the next verse sums it up:

Mark 10:22 But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.

Q: How much are you willing to give up to ‘come and follow’ Him?

Q: What are you willing to sacrifice to bring glory to God?

Input: Other examples that come to your mind of Jesus giving instruction to individuals?

Conclusion:

Q: Are you willing to RECEIVE INSTRUCTION so you can have hope and pass it on to others the way Jesus did?

Q: Are you willing to RESPOND to that instruction in a way that MODELS hope for others to see?

Q: What needs to CHANGE in order for you to receive and model the instruction from the Wonderful Counselor?

Put Off: Pride Put On: Humility

PRAYER TIME that we would receive His instruction so we can share the truth with others and give them hope!

Finding Hope in the Wonderful Counselor

Finding Hope in the Instruction He Gave

Introduction:

Hope = the anxious anticipation of good
Romans 8:24For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

#1: Find Hope in the Questions He Asked

#2: Find Hope in Defining Problems

#3: Find Hope in the Relationships He Built

#4: Find Hope in Giving Hope

Finding Hope in the Instruction He Gave

Q: Why do we NEED instruction?

1) We are not God – God is God!

John 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.² He was in the beginning with God.³ All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.⁴ In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.⁵ The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

How are you going to RESPOND to His instruction?

Are you going to acknowledge the truth?
Are you going to obey the truth?
Are you going to spread the truth (share it with others)?
2 Corinthians 5:10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.¹¹ Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.
Matthew 7:23"And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'
Romans 9:21Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?

2) We didn’t listen in the beginning – Genesis 2-3

John 1:4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.⁵ The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

3) We continue to need instruction – Genesis 6:5

Genesis 6:5Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Isaiah 53:6All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.
2 Timothy 3:1But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.² For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,³ unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good. . .
⁴treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,⁵ holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.⁶ For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses,⁷ always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Q: What is our SOURCE of instruction?

* Answer: God’s Word

Psalm 119:9How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word.¹⁰ With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments.¹¹ Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.
Psalm 119:105Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
2 Timothy 3:16All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;¹⁷ so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
Jeremiah 15:16Your words were found and I ate them, and Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I have been called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts.
Psalm 119:89Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.

Q: What instruction did the Wonderful Counselor give us?

1) Publically – Matthew 5-6-7

Key to blessing (Beatitudes) – 5:3-12

Blessed = happy

Key to influence – 5:13-16
Key to greatness (from God’s perspective) – 5:17-19
Key to righteousness – 5:20-6:4
Key to prayer – 6:5-18
Key to the future – 6:19-34
Key to solving problems – 7:1-5
Key to answers to prayer – 7:6-11
Key to treating people properly – 7:12
Key to eternal life – 7:13-23
Key to wisdom – 7:24-27

* Response: They were AMAZED

* Reason: The Wonderful Counselor taught as one having authority!

2) Small Groups (Disciples) – Matthew 10:1-5a

* Each these instruct them about their MINISTRY in which they would be involved and the MESSAGE they were to proclaim

Matthew 10:7"And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'
Matthew 10:22"You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.”
Matthew 10:28"Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
Matthew 10:32"Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 10:42"And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward."

3) Individually – John 3, 4

John 3:1-21 – Nicodemus

* Instruction: Eternal Life

Martha – Luke 10:38-42

*Instruction: Priorities

Luke 10:38Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.³⁹ She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord's feet, listening to His word.⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me."⁴¹ But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things;⁴² but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
Rich Young Ruler – Mark 10:17

* Instruction: Revealed the genuineness of his heart

Mark 10:21Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, "One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."
Mark 10:22But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.

Conclusion:

Q: Are you willing to RECEIVE INSTRUCTION so you can have hope and pass it on to others the way Jesus did?

Q: Are you willing to RESPOND to that instruction in a way that MODELS hope for others to see?

Q: What needs to CHANGE in order for you to receive and model the instruction from the Wonderful Counselor?

Put Off: Pride Put On: Humility

Finding Hope in the Wonderful Counselor

Finding Hope in the Instruction He Gave

Introduction:

Hope = the anxious anticipation of good
Romans 8:24For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

Q: Why do we _____________ instruction?

1) We are not _____ – ______ is ______!

Q: How are you going to ________________ to His instruction?