Mt Zion Christian Church

Matthew 5:31-37, 19:3-12 God wants His image bearers to be faithful and keep their word. Malachi 2:14-16 Marriage models the relationship between Christ and His Church. Ephesians 5:30-33 God expects a husband to protect his wife and children. Exodus 21:7-11 Each person involved in a divorce is in a precarious situation. There is life with God after divorce. Deuteronomy 24:1-3, John 4:17-18 If peop...

Matthew 5:21-26 We bear God’s name by living out the heart of the Law. Exodus 20:7 Anger pushes us in the same direction as murder in that we make ourselves judge over others. The heart of someone living in the kingdom is empty of contempt towards others made in God’s image. Anger, bitterness, and contempt quench the Spirit’s work within our hearts. Ephesians 4:26-32 Break the vicious cycle of ang...

Fan to Follower: Baptism and Communion Baptism Believers identify with Jesus’ death and resurrection in baptism. Romans 6:3-6; Galatians 3:27 Paul connects the signs circumcision and baptism. Colossians 2:11-12 Circumcision did not produce salvation. Romans 4:9-12 Circumcision and baptism are signs representing membership in a community of truth. Romans 3:1-2 Baptism is spiritual warfare! 1 Peter...

Matthew 5:17-20 God gave the Law and the prophets to protect His children and preserve their relationship with Him. The Ten Commandments are still intact today. According to Jesus, the greatest commandments start with, “Thou shalt” instead of “Thou shalt not.” Matthew 22:36-39, Deuteronomy 6:5, Leviticus 19:18 Jesus fulfilled the sacrificial law when He died on the cross. 1 Corinthians 5:7, Hebrew...

Fan to Follower: New Testament To a Jew, forgiveness of sin would mean the release from exile. Lam 4:22; Jer 31:31–34; 33:4–11; Ezek 36:24–26, 33; 37:21–23; Isa 40:1–2; 43:25–44:3; 52–55; Dan 9:16–19; Ezra 9:6–15; Neh 9:6–37, Deut 30; Luke 1:68-79 The end of exile and the forgiveness of sins would be marked by God’s presence returning to His people. John 1:14 The Gospel of the Kingdom connects the...

Matthew 5:13-16 Salt is a sign of Israel’s covenant with God. Numbers 18:19, 2 Chronicles 13:5, Leviticus 2:13 Christians should be a sign to the world of our covenant with God. Salt preserves, and salt improves taste. Salt creates thirst. Additives in salt may cause it to lose its saltiness. Salt trampled on the ground hinders growth. Christ in His children should light the world. John 8:12, 17:2...

Matthew 5:10-12 The Bible teaches that, when we are persecuted because of Christ, we are blessed! John 15:18-21 Persecution will be a reality for the Church until Jesus comes back. 1 Kings 18:4 When we experience persecution, we have intimacy with Christ. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 , 1 Peter 4:12-14 , Acts 7:55-59 When we experience persecution because of Christ, we have treasure in heaven. Acts 4:23-3...

Matthew 5:9 You cannot be a peacemaker if you are not at peace with God. Romans 5:1 Jesus makes personal and relational peace possible. Ephesians 2:14, Colossians 1:20 The God of peace is like an agitator in a washing machine. Matthew 10:32-39 God expects His children to live at peace with all others as much as possible. Romans 12:18, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Free will in people has the potential to...

Matthew 5:8 The human heart dictates human words and actions. Psalms 7:14-16, Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 15:17-20 Information fed the heart by our human senses must be discerned before it is assimilated into our being. Matthew 6:22-23 A pure heart agrees with God and rejects all temptation against God’s will. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 Israel is an example to the church of the opposite of a pure heart. 1 Co...

Mercy is not just a quality to be displayed, but it is the way of life for a Christian. Matthew 5:7 God defines Himself as merciful and gracious. Exodus 33:19 Mercy is more powerful than giving people what the deserve. Exodus 34:6-7, Mercy is grief towards sin and compassion towards sinners. Lamentations 3:16-24 We live out mercy from the mercy we have received. John 8:1-11 How can you show mercy...

Matthew 5:6 Luke 6:21a Every living person hungers and thirsts continuously. Revelation 6:9-11 The hunger and thirst may be for physical or spiritual nourishment. God provides physical and spiritual food and drink. Exodus 16:13-16, 17:5-7, Psalms 145:15-16, Isaiah 49:8-10, 55:1-2 John 4:9-15, 6:25-35 Jesus tells us to hunger and thirst for righteousness or justice. Matthew 6:33 To hunger and thirs...

Matthew 5:5 A meek person has the strength and wisdom to do what is right while doing the least amount of harm to those who are wrong. God is the greatest example of someone with a meek character. Jonah 4:1-4, 9-11, Matthew 21:5, Matthew 26:50-56, Isaiah 53:7 Jacob, Moses, and David learned to be meek. Genesis 34:30, Numbers 16:3-5, 2 Samuel 24:17 Jesus taught his disciples to be meek. Luke 9:51-5...

Matthew 5:4, Luke 6:21b To mourn is to express grief or sorrow because someone or something that is dearly loved is lost or absent. What was Jesus referring to when He spoke Matthew 5:4 and Luke 6:21b? The sting of the death of a much-loved person causes mourning. John 11:35, Acts 9:39-43 A fractured relationship with God or a loved one causes mourning. Genesis 3:23-24, Luke 19:41-44 Jesus may hav...

Mathew 5:3 As Moses gave the law, Jesus gave the beatitudes and upheld and defined the law. Jesus’ goal in the Sermon on the Mount is to make listeners become more like His Father. Mathew 5:48 To be poor in spirit is to know and understand your need for God’s grace and truth. John 1:17 People who think that they are entitled to certain privileges are not poor in spirit. People who are poor in spir...

From an outward perspective, Mary and Joseph were unlikely choices to bring a King into the world. Luke 1:26-38 1 Corinthians 1:26-30 1 Samuel 16:6-7 People tend to look at the outward appearance whereas God looks at the heart. God chose Mary and Joseph because they were humble servants whose greatest desire was to be faithful to His plans. Mary and Joseph show us that the only prerequisite to bei...

Grace is relational and not just a transaction. Luke 2:22-38 When compared to the way of the world, the value system of God’s Kingdom is upside-down. 1 Cor 1:26-30 Our response to grace is allegiance: a humble and submitted heart. Hebrews 4:12-13 God’s grace is a gift that calls us out of the world. Titus 2:11-14 Mark 10:35-45 The Kingdom of God is a “power under kingdom,” not a “power over kingdo...

Luke 2:4-20 Joy is a response to God’s grace. Exodus 15:19-21, Nehemiah 8:8-12, Psalms 51:10-12 Joy is the result of the angel’s good news. Joy is available to all people. Outside circumstances cannot steal the joy that comes from God. Matthew 5:11-12, 2 Corinthians 6:4-10 People who put their trust in idols will never attain lasting joy. Jesus was the sole source of joy that the shepherds found i...

John 3:16, 1 John 4:7-21. Have we lost the vision of covenant love? John is an eyewitness of Jesus’ life on earth. God the Father revealed His love for us by sending Jesus. Love defines God’s character. Isaiah 49:15-16, Zephaniah 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 2:13 Love is who God is and what God does. Love is God’s brand. The presence or absence of God’s love in a person defines their character. God’s love i...

Luke 2:8-20. God’s presence = PEACE Luke 1:79. 2:29 Fear and pressure to perform rob humans of peace. Angels from God always tell humans, “Do not be afraid!” Matthew 1:20, Luke 1:12-13, 29-30, 2:10 Those who glorify God find peace. The shepherds in Bethlehem were qualified to recognize the Passover Lamb. 1 Corinthians 5:7 The Shepherd’s reaction to Jesus’ birth is different from the reaction of He...