Pathlight Studies

Continuing with our study of the sermon on the mount, this week we'll read Matthew chapter 6, verses 1-13, and then take an in-depth look at the Lord's Prayer..." Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast ...

We'll continue our examination of the sermon on the mount, as we take a look at Matthew 5:13-48, the conclusion of the fifth chapter of Matthew, where Jesus details the distinct differences between those who would seek after righteousness and those who only seek their own satisfaction. Beginning at verse 13..." Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 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. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I  say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, o...

Over the next few weeks, I'd like for us to take an in-depth look at the greatest sermon that has ever been preached, delivered by the most inherently qualified preacher who has ever lived. The sermon on the mount is the longest discourse of Jesus recorded in scripture, spanning 3 full chapters of the book of Matthew, and contains many beautiful precepts and precious promises, and countless  pearls of wisdom. It is just as relevant today as it was when it was first preached, and it is an invaluable insight into the mind and heart of Jesus.  First, a little background, and what led up to the sermon on the mount. Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the river Jordan, after which the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove, and God the Father expressed His love, as He said, " This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. " Jesus was then immediately led of the Spirit into the wilderness, where He was tempted by Satan for forty days and nights. Following this t...

This week, we'll wrap up our series on "learning the hard way" with a look at the apostle Peter, and some of the hard lessons that he had to learn while following Jesus. Peter was chastised and corrected on several occasions, and by examining these rebukes and what Peter learned from them, we can learn a lot about ourselves, and the frailties that we all face. First of all, let's take a look at the background of Peter. We are told that he was not an educated man, just a simple fisherman. In fact, Peter may have been illiterate, as is eluded to in Acts 4:13..." Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. " Peter may have been uneducated, but when he meets Jesus, we are told that he follows him without hesitation. In Matthew 4:18-20, we read..." And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon ca...