Simply Ecclesia

I will be back in a couple of weeks. I have finals coming up and need to devote more time to that. Also my team and I leave for Germany on May 23rd. We will be leading English lessons for 6 weeks before returning. Talk to you soon.

Because of Jesus,

David Knapp

(photo by me)

In Matthew it appears that those who are “poor in spirit” and those who are “persecuted for the sake of righteousness” receive the kingdom of heaven. We see the qualifications and we know one has to be these two things in order to receive the kingdom of heaven. But what is the prerequisite?

Martin Luther says, “Christ is saying nothing in this Sermon about how we become Christians, but only about the works and fruit that no one can do unless he already is a Christian and in a state of grace” (qtd. in Stott 37). I want to concur with Luther because that is the right Christian thing to do. In order for me to be sure I need to ask who Jesus is talking to. Matthew tells us that He is speaking to His disciples. What are His disciples? They are Jewish. The word Christian does not even exist yet.

At first it seems that one would have to be Jewish in order to follow through with this sermon. At the end of Jesus life His disciples scattered. They went back to previous occupations and were unsuccessful with living life at the standard found in this sermon. It was not until they received the Holy Spirit that they were better able to live as Jesus lived. To live the sermon is to live as Jesus lived. So in order to be “poor in spirit” and “persecuted for the sake of righteousness” one has to be a follower of Jesus. Ultimately one has to be a follower of Jesus to receive the kingdom of heaven.

So do you concur with Luther?  Grace and peace to you.

Because of Jesus,

David Knapp

Works Cited

Stott, John R. W. The Message Of The Sermon On The Mount. Downers Grove, Illinois, 1978.

http://www.biblegateway.com

(photo by  chop1n)

“A bruised reed He will not break
And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish” (Isaiah 42: 3).

Isn’t it great that Jesus takes our heart into account.  For those who hurt, He didn’t come to make them hurt more.  For those who are blind, He didn’t also make them deaf.  He healed them.  He is the Savior who saves our soul but He doesn’t leave us there.  He also took care of the people who were around them.  He served them.

Are there times in your life when you know that you may have broke the bruised reed?  In other words, have you ever kicked somebody while they were down?  I know I have.  For some dumb reason it gives us satisfaction.  At least for a moment.  If we are in tune with God then He will let us know when we have hurt one of His creation.  Recently I said some things I didn’t like.  They weren’t that bad but they may have been.  I think and wonder if I hurt that person’s feelings.  That is not my mission in Christ.  We are supposed to encourage and be uplifting.  Even here on a blog.  This doesn’t mean we can’t converse and disagree but it does mean that we are not to be negative in our approach.

Take a few moments and ask God if there are any reeds that need mended or any wicks that need their flame back.  Let’s practice lifting each other up.  Hebrews 10:24 comes to mind,  “let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.”  Grace and peace to you.

Because of Jesus,

David Knapp

(photo by paulo sacramento)

Here is a comment I made in response to Halpin’s latest post.

I did some thinking on the Great Commission today. There are four commands Jesus gives His disciples.

1. Go

2. Make disciples

3. Baptize them

4. Teach them

There is no sinners prayer found in this context. I still believe that one can be a follower of Jesus with the Prayer because there is no magic formula. But it is good to understand what Jesus was telling His disciples. I believe that He was telling them to go and and spread the kingdom of God. Following Jesus is more about being the salt and light of this world than about being saved from the flames of hell. That is the problem with the sinners prayer. It is put into the context of saving us from hell. There is no challenge to change. This is the new Great Commission given by the modern day church:

1. Go to church

2. Make converts

3. Lead them in the sinners prayer

4. Teach them that God is upset with their sin so that they become legalistic

5. Make sure you don’t miss church

We are the Church! Where we are, there Church is. Being a follower of Jesus is more about showing mercy than it is about sacrifice. Less rules, more love. Jesus came to set us free. He is indeed our liberator! Let’s get busy spreading His kingdom here on earth. Grace and peace to you.

Because of Jesus,

David Knapp

(photo by  Shermeee)