Introduction:
The most authentic blessing we have from God is His mercy; mercy is said to be love that is set in motion and is expressed in our actions. We see the compassion of Christ when He went voluntarily to His Passion on the Cross to save all of humanity and open that door to our Father in Heaven. Christ took on all our sufferings onto Himself so He could grant us His Kingdom and set us free from the bondage of sin, death, and the evil one. God's mercy keeps blessing us as long as we stay part of His faithful servants.
Wisdom: Reading Psalm 6: A Prayer of Mercy and Faith During Times of Distress
Psalm 6 teaches us the Spirit of humility the faithful must have when we all pray, "Lord, have mercy," for this is repeated repeatedly in the service of the Orthodox Church. This type of spiritual humility is characterized by (1) A request for mercy, not a stern reproof and discipline due to our sins (vv. 1-2). (2): We must also recognize our weaknesses and understand the feebleness of our mortal nature (vv. 2-3), (3): A request for deliverance and salvation (vv. 4-5), (4): We need a contrite spirit that is a result of our tears and the need of help regarding our sinful passions (vv. 6-7), and (5): We need a firm stance against the fallen angels and the LORD's needed help in this spiritual warfare (vv. 8-10).
New Testament: Reading Matthew 5:43-6:24
We end Matthew 5, starting in vv. 43-48, that our LORD is directing us to a life of mercy, and to free ourselves from hate, sadness, and anger, and we are only able to receive this greatest virtue: by perfect love, and that perfect love is the love of our enemies, and this decision is not about emotions, but instead, it includes our direct decision that is showing through our actions. We are to treat and see our enemies as the closest members of our own family (1 John 4:7-21). In v. 48, as we end our time here in Matthew 5, reflect on this summary that Christians can indeed grow in perfection of the Father (Ephesians 4:13, talking about "Deification," and see 2 Peter 1), and this is shown by us all imitating our LORD's love and mercy (see and compare Luke 6:36).
Matthew 6:1-4: "How to Give Alms":
The chapter begins in these first four verses with Jesus representing three fundamental aspects of spiritual living: (1): "Charitable giving" (vv. 1-4), (2): "Prayer" (vv. 5-15, and (3) "Fasting" (vv. 16-18). These are the three disciplines that relate directly to God's righteousness. Remember, God is never impressed with what others think of us, not by our feelings. God will reward good deeds, but He will only reward them if they are done on pure motives of our hearts.
Matthew 5:5-15: "How to Pray."
The Lord's Prayer is our example.
Matthew 5:16-18: "Fasting"
Please do not keep a sad countenance to show off the fact that you are fasting because it is an external display. Here, Jesus is rejecting such hypocrisy. When we fast, the compassion of God outshines any physical discomfort, and fasting is not merely abstaining from foods. Still, it is consistent with our ability to self-denial ourselves in all areas of our lives to escape the control of our passions.
6:19-21: Attaching ourselves to treasures on earth, we cut ourselves off from heavenly treasures!!! Which will result in making us slaves to earthly things rather than living free in Christ. The heart of discipleship requires us to detach ourselves from the chains of earthly things and attach ourselves to the Lord, which is our True Treasure (v. 21):
6:22-23: The Mind (Greek. nous) is a spiritual eye of the soul; it illuminates the inner person and governs the will!!! Keeping our minds pure and wholesome is fundamental to the Christian way of life!!!
6:24: Servants as enslaved people can't serve two masters; people tend to attach themselves to earthly and heavenly things!!! But to the Lord and for us as well, we can't do this; both demand complete allegiance: Yeshua (Jesus) mammon ("riches"), a master not because wealth is evil by nature, but due to the control it can have on certain people!!! People can worship "mammon" (riches) like a god, idolizing their wealth over the welfare of others around them.
The Old Testament: Readings Genesis 14:1-16:16
Genesis 14 Summary:
We start the session with our Old Testament reading that Lot is taken captive. Abraham shows both courage and honor and although these two had gone separate ways, Lot was family to Abraham, Abraham who was usually known for his ability to be a peacemaker; the peacemaker now becomes a soldier, a man of honor who keeps his inner circle close and safe from danger.
John 15:13: Greater love has no one than this than to lay down one's life for his friends.
The Blessings of Melchizedek:
Melchizedek brought out bread and wine. His priesthood typified the High Priesthood of Christ, who gives His precious blood to the faithful in the bread and wine of the Eucharist (CypC).
- Christ's priesthood is also called "the order of Melchizedek" (Psalm 110:4; and Hebrews 5:6), and this is superior to the order of Aaron in the mosaic Law (Hebrews 7:11). The Book of Hebrews gives us numerous reasons for this superiority.
1. Melchizedek blessed Abraham
2. Abraham paid a tithe to Melchizedek, and in this act, so did Levi and Aaron (Hebrews 7). Salvation comes through the superior order.
Genesis 15: Summary:
God establishes His covenant with Abraham:
V. 5: THE SEED OR "DESCENDANTS": This is first Christ, and then it is His Church (Galatians 3:16; and Romans 4:16). THE STARS are the members of His body (Philippians 2:15), and the number is countless and will consist of both Jews and Gentiles (Ephesians 2:11-16).
Genesis 16: Summary
Hagar and Ishmael:
Let's see (Galatians 4:21-31), Paul uses Hagar and Sarah as an allegory, representing two covenants. Hagar and Ishmael represent the old covenant of the Law, and this gives birth to bondage." At the same time, Sarah and Isaac represent the new covenant, which gives birth to freedom. The Jerusalem below comprises those under the bondage of the Law, but the Jerusalem above is the Church, those under the freedom of God's grace.
In v. 10- The Angel is God the Son, "I will surely multiply your seed exceedingly, that it may not be counted because of its multitude." Let's keep it accurate: no creative angel can do this or make a promise like this, and that's why it is the Son of God to whom Hagar was speaking.
In v. 13: "You are God Who Sees Me." God is Spirit and is present, and He fills all things. He always listens to us when we cry out to Him and sees and feels our pains and concerns; by faith, He knows our hearts.
IN CHRIST, LOVE JARED W CAMPBELL
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