Word of Life Study Series

Welcome to the Gospel Series- The Discourses of Jesus:   www.wordinspire.org

Discourse: “A Tree is Known by its Fruit”
Reference: Matthew 7:15-23; 12:33-35; Luke 6:43-45
Theme: Cutting through all the Smoke Screens to Real and Authentic Christianity
Context: Jesus Getting Near to the End of His Sermon on the Mount to all the People

Matthew 7:15-23
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” 

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Discourse: “Wise and Foolish Builders”
Reference: Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:46-49
Theme: We are Deceiving ourselves if we don’t put God’s Word into Practice - Destruction
Context: Jesus Closes His Sermon on the Mount with a Beautiful Illustration to Obey His Words

Luke 6:46-49
“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” 

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Discourse: “Ask, Seek and Knock”
Reference: Matthew 7:7-12; Luke 11:9-13
Theme: Jesus Revealing the Father’s Goodness and Principles of the Coming Kingdom
Context: A Continuation of His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Addressing a Multitude of People

Matthew 7:7-12
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” 

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Discourse: “Narrow and Wide Gates”
Reference: Matthew 7:13-14; Luke 13:22-30
Theme: There is only One Way to Heaven – through Faith in Jesus Christ
Context: For the Benefit of Religious People who Trust in their own Righteousness

Matthew 7:13-14
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” 

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Discourse: “Do Not Worry”
Reference: Matthew 6:25-34; Luke 12:22-34
Theme: Maintain the Rhythm of Life by Keeping our Priorities on God’s Kingdom as Number One
Context: A Continuation of His Sermon on the Mount Concerning the Kingdom of God

Matthew 6:25-34
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?  “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” 

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Discourse: “Judging Others”
Reference: Matthew 7:1-6; Luke 6:37-42
Theme: We Reap what we Sow, so let’s Treat Others in the Manner we want to be Treated
Context: A Continuation of His Sermon on the Mount, Addressing the Hypocrisy of Human Nature

Matthew 7:1-6
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.” 

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Discourse: “Fasting unto the Lord”
Reference: Matthew 6:16-18
Theme: Whatever we do Unto the Lord is meant to be done Discreetly and in Secret
Context: Humility and Devotion versus Religious Exhibitions of Hypocritical Pride

Matthew 6:5-15
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” 

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Discourse: “Storing Treasures in Heaven”
Reference: Matthew 6:19-24
Theme: The Smart thing to do is to invest our Whole Lives into God’s Kingdom
Context: True Authentic and Transparent Consecration to the Plan and Purposes of God in our Lives

Matthew 6:19-24
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” 

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Discourse: “Prayer unto the Lord”
Reference: Matthew 6:5-15; Luke 11:1-13
Theme: Prayer Offered to God Must be from the Heart as a Private and Intimate Offering to Him
Context: Jesus was refuting the abuses of the Religious Elite who used the things of God for show

Matthew 6:5-15
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” 

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Discourse: “Give to the Needy”
Reference: Matthew 6:1-4
Theme: We need to be Discreet when Ministering to the Needs of Others
Context: Keeping the Law Lends itself Towards Pride, the Grace of God is a Gift- God gets the Glory

Matthew 6:1-4
“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” 

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Discourse: “Love your Enemies”
Reference: Matthew 5:43-48; Luke 6:32-36
Theme: Unlike the World, God Expects More From Us because of God’s Grace
Context: The Law of the New Covenant of Love Versus the Law of Moses and Outward Conformity

Matthew 5:43-48
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” 

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Discourse: “Eye for an Eye”
Reference: Matthew 5:38-42; Luke 6:27-31
Theme: The Law was about Sin and Consequence, Grace is about Love and Mercy
Context: Going Beyond the Minimum of Obeying the Letter of the Law, Time to go the Extra Mile

Matthew 5:38-42
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’  But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” 

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Discourse: “Oaths”
Reference: Matthew 5:33-37
Theme: Setting the Record Straight on the Proper Use of Validating One’s Word to Others
Context: Jesus was Clarifying the Application of Old Commands under a New Covenant

Matthew 5:33-37
“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’ But I tell you, do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” 

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Discourse: “Divorce”
Reference: Matthew 5:31-32; 19:3-12 Mark 10:2-12
Theme: Marriage is for a Lifetime and Divorce was Never God’s Idea
Context: The Jews were Looking for Validation to Divorce as an Acceptable Instrument

Matthew 5:31-32
“It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.” 

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Discourse: “Adultery”
Reference: Matthew 5:27-30; Luke 6:18
Theme: It’s not just the Actions but also the Thoughts and Intents of the Heart that are Important
Context: Jesus Continues to Expands upon the Law of Moses in Light of the Kingdom of God

Matthew 5:27-30
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’  But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.” 

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Discourse: “Murder and Reconciliation”
Reference: Matthew 5:21-26; Luke 12:57-59
Theme: Walking in Love Towards others will Keep us out of Big Trouble
Context: Jesus Builds, Extends, and Expands upon the Law of Moses for the New Covenant

Matthew 5:21-26
You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.” 

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Discourse: “The Fulfillment of the Law”
Reference: Matthew 5:17-20; Luke 16:17
Theme: The integrity of the Scriptures can never be Compromised or Fail, they are Eternal
Context: Jesus was teaching a Large Group of people on a Mountain side in the Galilee Region

Matthew 5:17-20
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” 

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Discourse: “Salt and Light”
Reference: Matthew 5:13-16; Mark 9:50; Luke 14:34-35
Theme: Make a Difference in this World by letting what’s on the inside Come on the Outside
Context: Jesus was teaching a Large Group of people on a Mountain side in the Galilee Region

Matthew 5:13-16
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” 

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Discourse: “The Beatitudes”
Reference: Matthew 5:1-12; Luke 6:20-26
Theme: The Realities of being a Follower of Jesus. Character and Promises of being a Disciple of Jesus
Context: An introduction to His Sermon on the Mount in the Galilee Region

Luke 5:1-12
Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” 

Welcome to the Gospel Series- The Discourses of Jesus. We are going to explore the Lord’s sermons and discover their rich significance for us today. A discourse is teaching in various styles designed to communicate spiritual truths, religious principles, or moral lessons; it can be a short dissertation or lengthy complex series of interwoven nuggets of spiritual understanding. Jesus purposefully brought forth an abundant impartation of rich treasure- revelation truth of the Kingdom of God. Of which He is both Lord and Master forever!

Mark 1:21-22
They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.

Mark 10:1
Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them. 

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