the king’s manifesto for life “you are the light of the world” study 3

The King’s Manifesto for Life

““You are You are the light the light

of the of the world”world”

Study 3


Foundation of KingdomFoundation of Kingdom“And behind this teaching on the way of life is the fact that the pattern character which he paints is his own. It must be so, for he is the King, the Anointed of the Lord, and from him the Kingdom must take its character and its law; by him the ground of citizenship must be defined.”

Bro. L.G. Sargent - The Teaching of the Master, pg.89


Manifestation of the Christ Manifestation of the Christ CharacterCharacter

Matt. 5Matt. 5V.13-16V.13-16 Revealing the Christ character -

Relationship with the world

The new law in operationV.17-20V.17-20 New and old law – True

righteousness must abound

The law of the heartV.21-24V.21-24 Dealing with hatred in the heartV.25-26V.25-26 Humility in error – judgement and

mercy – Peace-making


Foundation of KingdomFoundation of Kingdom“Jesus has pictured for the disciples the character which has its foundation in faith in God as Father, and in a clear conviction in His Kingdom and His righteousness. This character is revealed in the very conditions of evil which exist in the interim before the Kingdom is established; in those conditions the character must retain its unfailing savour which belongs to the covenant with God.”

Bro. L.G. Sargent - The Teaching of the Master, pg.89


The Salt of the EarthThe Salt of the Earth Salt a necessity of life in warm climate -

used in the preparation of food (Job 6:6Job 6:6) and animal fodder (Isa. 30:24Isa. 30:24). Had two main uses:

Preservative - arrested decomposition; preserved from corruption.

Condiment - giving zest and savour to food.

Symbol for faithfulness (Num. 18:19; 2 Num. 18:19; 2 Chron. 13:5; Lev. 2:13Chron. 13:5; Lev. 2:13), purity and zest (Mk. Mk. 9:49-509:49-50). Occurs 8 times N.T. = immortality.Stands in this context for the savour and

strength of the Christ character revealed in the Beatitudes.


The Salt of the EarthThe Salt of the Earth“To the man of the world meekness, poorness of spirit, and the rest, are the insipid virtues of the feeble, and under-vitalized, the inferior; they are the mark of the ‘slave morality’. To Jesus exactly the reverse is true: the men of God are not insipid but ‘salty’; it is they who have savour and strength of character.”

Bro. L.G. Sargent - Teaching of the Master, pg.81


Rubbing salt into woundsRubbing salt into wounds Salt stings open wounds like leprosy.

Flesh will react and fight back!

Persecuted for righteousness – V.10-12V.10-12.


The Salt of the EarthThe Salt of the Earth“When human pride brings rivalry among the disciples he can tell them to ‘have salt in themselves, and have peace with one another’. The salt of humility gives the savour of peace. But this potent quality of life does not belong to men by nature. How is it attained? Only by the self-discipline which is self-sacrifice.”

Bro. L.G. Sargent - Teaching of the Master, pg.81


LampstandLampstand “candlestick” – luchnia – lampstand.

Occurs 12 times in N.T.

The lampstand is a symbol for the ecclesia – The Israel of God.


Ye are the light of the worldYe are the light of the world

Mat 5:14-15Mat 5:14-15 - Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.


Concealing the LightConcealing the Light Light here represents the fruits of knowledge

revealed in the character portrayed in Vv.3-12Vv.3-12. Christ mentions two ways this light can be

concealed:

Matt. 5:15Matt. 5:15 - Putting it under a bushel - a dry measure of capacity used for buying and selling in the course of daily living - it stands for the interference of ‘business’ and the ‘cares of life’.

Luke 8:16Luke 8:16 - Putting it under a bed - a place for repose - it stands for the antithesis of the bushel - inactivity and slothfulness.


The Law FulfilledThe Law FulfilledMatt. 5:17-18Matt. 5:17-18

“destroy” – kataluo – dissolve, destroy, demolish.

“fulfill” – pleroo - to make full, to fill up; i.e. to complete.

“jot” – iota – the smallest Hebrew letter. “tittle” – keraia – a little horn; very small

projections that differentiate Hebrew letters.

“no wise” – ou me – never, by no means.


An Abounding RighteousnessAn Abounding RighteousnessMatt. 5:19-20Matt. 5:19-20

“break” – luo – loosen, unbind, release from bonds. Even ‘jot’ and ‘tittle’ principles must not be diminished.

“least in kingdom” – Everlasting penalties apply to diminution of God’s law in practice or teaching.

“exceed” - perisseuo - to superabound, be in excess, excel.

“no case” – ou me - never, by no means.


Righteousness of Law versus FaithRighteousness of Law versus Faith

“The Pharisee, beginning from the outside, fails to reach the core. Jesus, beginning with the innermost principle, works outwards to externals.” – Teaching of the Master, pg. 108

Divine morality

and principle

s

Law of

Moses

Scribes and Pharisees

Rabbis

Externals

Externals

SadduceesExternals

Lawyers

Externals

“The Law is…holy, just and good.”

Law fulfilledLaw fulfilled

“The Law

written in their hearts.

”


Hunger for RighteousnessHunger for Righteousness“...it is precisely as his own spiritual sense grows that the godly man becomes more aware of the gulf between the holiness of God and the corruption of man.”

“....they cannot wish for the righteousness of God to be manifest in the earth unless they long for it to be fulfilled in themselves.”

Bro. L.G. Sargent - Teaching of the Master, pgs.45-52


Murder in the HeartMurder in the HeartMatt. 5:21-24Matt. 5:21-24

“angry” – orgizo - to be provoked to anger, be angry, be wroth.

“Raca” – (Aramaic term of contempt) -empty, i.e. a senseless, empty headed man.

“council” – sunedrion - the Sanhedrin, the great council at Jerusalem - 71 members - scribes, elders, prominent members of the high priestly families .


Humility towards GodHumility towards God“Meekness is first a disposition towards God; an awe of Him which results in confident dependence on Him as righteous and faithful. But humility towards God has its effect in a forgiving and self-abnegating spirit towards men.”

Bro. L.G. Sargent - Teaching of the Master, pgs.41,44


Reconciliation must precede Reconciliation must precede sacrificesacrifice

“fool” – moros - dull or stupid (as if shut up), that is, heedless, (morally) blockhead.

“hell” – gehenna - The valley of Hinnom, south of Jerusalem, where the filth and dead animals of the city were cast out and burned.

“gift” – doron - A present; specifically a sacrifice.


What is Peacemaking?What is Peacemaking?“The peacemaker is not one who plasters over a crack so that it does not show, nor one who takes the easy line of surface amiability. Peace is made by the love which builds up.”

“’The repairer of the breach’ (Isa.58:12Isa.58:12) - what better synonym for a peacemaker?”

Bro. L.G. Sargent - Teaching of the Master, pgs.68-69


Humility when in errorHumility when in errorMatt. 5:25-26Matt. 5:25-26

“Agree” – eunoeo - to be well disposed, of a peaceable spirit.

“adversary” – antidikos – opponent in a law suit.

“quickly” – tachu - quickly, speedily (without delay).

Early submission is advisable when in error – Man’s justice system is very ‘unforgiving’.


Next Next StudyStudy

(God (God willing)willing)Study 4 – “The Law of the

Heart”

the king’s manifesto for life “you are the light of the world” study 3

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