Crowd Involvement or Close Discipleship

Rev Enoch Thompson | JANUARY 20, 2023 | MATTHEW 5:1-2

KEY VERSE: Matthew 5:1 (NIV)

Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him,

MESSAGE:

Matthew 4 identified the main components of the ministry of the Lord Jesus as teaching, preaching, and healing. Examples of the healings He performed were mentioned in that context. Hereon Matthew in chapters 5 to 7 gives an example of the teaching-preaching ministry of the Lord, what has become known as the Sermon on the Mount. The Master-Teacher/Preacher explains clearly how Kingdom citizenship should affect the behaviour of those who are Kingdom citizens.

The rules of the Kingdom are demanded of Kingdom citizens, and non-believers are not to be held to those standards. The Kingdom of God makes a distinction between citizens and strangers to the Kingdom. Christians often make the mistake of expecting non-Christians to live by the law of Christ. The Apostle Paul corrects us

⁹I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— ¹⁰ not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case, you would have to leave this world.

¹¹But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. (1 Cor 5:9-11 NIV).

The Lord saw” the crowds,” but when He sat down it was “His disciples” who drew near to receive instruction.

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

Ask yourself if you are only part of the crowds that surge after and around Jesus (because they seek and desire to see miracles) or if you are a disciple, drawing closer to a wonderful Preacher/Teacher, to receive the wonderful words of life, which prepare you to receive the bounties of miracles in God’s way and in God’s time.

PRAYER:

Lord, I want to know you more and more. Please speak to me, and may I hear your teaching each time I read Bible or hear the Word preached. For your dear Name’s sake Amen.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!