45 Days To Read The Gospel Challenge – The Gospel of Matthew Chapter Five: Love your enemies. Bless them that curse you.
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Time: 35 minutes to complete lesson: 20 minutes to read the entire post and take the interactive quiz, additional 15 minutes to view video resource and comment on social media.
Alt tag: #45 Days To Read The Gospel Challenge FREE
How to Get the Most Out of The Challenge
The Gospel consists of four books in the New Testament—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—that share the teachings of Jesus Christ. You can start the FREE “45 Day Challenge” at any time by visiting the ePrayer Circle homepage and selecting the “45 Day Challenge” menu option. Feel free to share these lessons and print them for use in your Bible study groups. You can also translate the content into multiple languages using the Google Translate menu bar on the homepage.
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.Transcript: HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THIS CHALLENGE
Step One. Start in the order of: the Gospel of John, Luke, Mark and Matthew for understanding.
The instructions are designed for accessibility and ensures the learner is not overwhelmed and confused. Post your questions in the comment section and the author will answer you. Please share your experiences and opinions.
Step Two. Each lesson takes about 35 minutes to complete: 20 min to study the lesson and take the quiz. 15 minutes to read the Bible resource
It is recommended to read the entire post and then take the quiz before reading or listening to the bible resources. Each lesson is self-contained and includes all resources needed.
Step 3: You should complete two lessons a day. 5 Days a week in order to complete the “45 Days to Read The Gospel Challenge in 45 days”.
There is no law that says you have to complete these lessons in 45 days. You are free to work at your own pace. Study the lesson and take the quiz in the morning, and later listen to or read the bible resources.
Step 4: Get organize with pen and paper. Take notes. Each lesson contains: Header Sections (Table of Contents): (1) chapter summary, (2) objectives, (3) outline, (4) reflection question, (5) chapter highlights, (6) resources, (7) interactive quiz, and (8) a call to salvation.
Step 5: Enjoy. The Gospel Changes Lives. Get active and communicate with others. Share the lessons with friends. No stress. Work at your own pace. Upon satisfactory completion you will receive a personal Certificate
Thank you for taking this challenge. Let’s get started.
Isaiah 9:6 KJV“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son, is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
Keywords: #spiritoftruth, #thehourhascome, #comforter, #holyghost, #risenchrist, #jesusascension, #repentanceandremissionofsins, #theresurrection. #resurrection, #prophecyfulfilled, #resurrectionsunday, #easter, #palmsundayangesthings, #alwaysprayandnotloseheart, #alwayspray, #jesuschristislord, #jesuschrist, prayer warriors, eprayercircle #thecrucifixion, #itisfinished, #thecross, #theblood, #jesusisbetrayedwithakiss, #eprayercircle, #gospelofluke, #temptation, #prayer. #epraye#godoftheliving, #eternallife, @salvation, #condemnation, #prayerchangesthings, #salvationisfree #treasuresinheaven, #45daychallenge, #repentance, #repent, #gospelaccordingtoluke, #eprayercircle, #treasureofheaven, #worthyisthelamb, #godoftheliving
Before Starting this Course:
Step 2: Share your thoughts or testimony to help others on Instagram @eprayercircleondemand, Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/eprayercircle, @eprayercircle, or in the comment section below each post.
Step 3: If you are not saved, please get saved today. See the “Offer of Salvation” below. If you need prayer, comment or fill out the prayer request form.
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Read the Word in the parking lot while waiting on others.
Read the Word in the morning with coffee and at night for easy rest at bedtime.
Read the Word when you walk for exercise.
Send the Word to your social media platforms.
Text the Word to people to encourage them in the Lord: children, friends, spouses, acquaintances, or neighbors.
Keywords: #birthofjesus, #nothingimpossiblewithgod, #johnthebaptise, #jesuschrist, #gabriel, #prophesy, #allpower, #receiveinfaith
Overview of The Gospel of Matthew
The Gospel of Matthew was written by the apostle Matthew, one of Jesus’ twelve disciples. Matthew was a former tax collector, called by Jesus to follow Him. His Gospel is believed to have been written between 50-70 AD, and it is the first book in the New Testament, even though it may not have been the first Gospel written. Matthew’s account emphasizes that Jesus is the promised Messiah and King, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies.
Matthew’s Gospel begins with a genealogy that traces Jesus’ lineage back to Abraham and King David, highlighting Jesus’ royal and Jewish heritage. It then moves into the story of Jesus’ miraculous birth, His baptism by John the Baptist, and the start of His ministry.
Mary and her husband Joseph were both from the lineage of King David. Matthew 1:17 “So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.” Matthew tells of a prophetic word that told of Jesus’ birth.
Matthew 1:23 “Behold, a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” It is interesting to note that Joseph wanted to divorce Mary quietly because of her pregnancy. But an angel came to him and verified that Mary was pregnant by the Holy Ghost. Therefore, Joseph stayed married to Mary and did not consummate the marriage until Jesus Christ was born.
Note: Jesus Christ is a name translated in the English versions. It is accepted by God. For this purpose these studies are on the English speaking version. Philippians 2:9 KJV “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name:” There are many names people call Jesus but it is only one name to be saved by. If you mispronounce other names (thinking that is the original name) then you are not calling on the Lord.
It is known that what we pronounce today is not the way it was pronounced then. Develop a personal relationship with the Lord and you will know he answers to the name name Jesus Christ (the blood sacrifice). He is the God of the living. Psalms 100:3 KJV 3 Know ye that the Lord He is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.
The Gospel of Matthew is known for including many of Jesus’ key teachings, such as the Sermon on the Mount, where He teaches about love, humility, prayer, and the Kingdom of God. Throughout the Gospel, Jesus performs miracles, heals the sick, and casts out demons, showing His divine authority.
Matthew also places a strong emphasis on Jesus’ role as a teacher and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. He frequently references the Scriptures to show how Jesus’ life and mission align with what was foretold about the Messiah. The Gospel also includes Jesus’ parables, teachings on discipleship, and warnings about the final judgment.
The story of Jesus’ crucifixion, death, and resurrection is the heart of the Gospel. Matthew ends with the Great Commission, where Jesus commands His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, spreading the message of salvation.
In summary, the Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus as the promised Messiah, the fulfillment of God’s promises, and the King of all nations, whose life, death, and resurrection bring salvation to the world.
Note From Editor: The name “Jesus Christ” is an English translation, and it is accepted by God. Philippians 2:9 KJV says, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.” People call Jesus by many praise names, but only one name is called upon for salvation by English speaking people and that is Jesus Christ. If you mispronounce other names thinking they are the original, you might not be calling on the Lord.
Language has changed over time, but when you have a personal relationship with Jesus, you will know that the name Jesus Christ, the Savior is accepted by God. The Holy spirit bears witness. Jesus gave His life for us. Psalm 100:3 reminds us, “Know ye that the Lord, He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.”
Keywords: “Jesus Christ, Son of God, birth of Jesus, Virgin Mary, Joseph, King David lineage, Holy Ghost, Emmanuel meaning, God with us, prophecy of Jesus, angel of the Lord, Philippians 2:9, name of Jesus, blood sacrifice, personal relationship with God, God of the living, Psalm 100:3, Bible prophecy, Matthew 1, Jesus the Savior, King James Bible.”
45 Days To Read The Gospel Challenge – The Gospel of Matthew Chapter Five: Love your enemies, bless them that curse you.
Alttag: #Love thy enemies
OVERVIEW OF THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW CHAPTER FIVE
This lesson covers Matthew Chapter 5, which includes Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount. In this chapter, Jesus teaches His followers the principles of righteousness, emphasizing the importance of humility, mercy, purity, and peacemaking.
Students will explore the Beatitudes, Jesus’ fulfillment of the Mosaic Law, His teachings on marriage, adultery, and divorce, and the call to love others, including enemies, with perfect love. By the end of this lesson, students will understand the deeper moral and spiritual laws Jesus taught to guide His followers toward living in the Kingdom of God.
In Matthew Chapter 5, Jesus begins His Sermon on the Mount, teaching the multitudes about the characteristics of those who are blessed by God.
He emphasizes virtues like mourning, meekness, mercy, and purity of heart. Jesus calls believers the “light of the world,” encouraging them to let their good works shine for others to see (Matthew 5:14).
Jesus clarifies that He did not come to abolish the Law of Moses but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17).
He explains that righteousness goes beyond outward actions and focuses on the heart.
For example, He warns against lustful thoughts, stating that looking at someone with lust is equivalent to committing adultery in the heart (Matthew 5:27-28).
Jesus also speaks on marriage and divorce, stressing that divorce should only occur in the case of sexual immorality.
He highlights the importance of protecting the sanctity of marriage and warns against causing others to commit adultery through unjust divorce (Matthew 5:31-32).
In His teachings, Jesus encourages His followers to love everyone, even their enemies.
He explains that loving those who may be difficult to love reflects God’s perfect love. He calls His disciples to be “perfect” in love, just as God is perfect (Matthew 5:48).
Jesus also reminds His followers of the two greatest commandments: to love God with all their heart, soul, and mind, and to love their neighbors as themselves.
These commandments are the foundation of all the law and the prophets (Matthew 22:37-40).
Note: God is love and perfect. Jesus is perfect, and his standard for us is to be perfect in love as well – a benefit of the shed blood. Matthew 22:37-40 KJV The first two commands: 37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38This is the first and great commandment. 39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 40On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Alt tag: #GOD IS LOVE
Time: 35 minutes to complete lesson: 20 minutes to read the entire post and take the interactive quiz, additional 15 minutes to view video resource and comment on social media.
Objectives for Chapter Five -The Gospel of Matthew. What you will learn:
A. Identify the commands of righteousness that Jesus taught to the multitude.
B. You will learn that believers and disciples are seen by Jesus as the light of the world.
C. Explain Jesus’ relationship to the Mosaic Law and how He fulfills it.
D. Compare the teachings of Moses with the Gospel message as presented by Jesus.
E. You will learn why Jesus describes obeying His commands as a path toward spiritual perfection.
Outline for Chapter Five of the Gospel of Matthew
1. The sermon on the mount
2. The disciples of Jesus are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
3. Jesus came not to destroy the law, but to fulfill it.
4. He compares the teachings of the law of Moses with the Gospel message
5. The command to love your enemies and to be perfect.
Reflection and Discussion: Something to think about.
Jesus commands us to love our enemies and pray for them, as this leads us to righteousness and perfection in Him. Just as the sun and rain fall on both the just and unjust, we are reminded that vengeance belongs to the Lord. He fights our battles, so we avoid stepping into sin or temptation. Romans 12:19 KJV says, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
Can you recall a time when you walked away from a situation you didn’t want to, but did so out of obedience to God? Were you later thankful that you made that decision?
Resources For This Lesson
Click here for the King James Bible version in the text (pdf), mobile viewing on the web (KJV), YouTube audio, and video (total time: 8 min.) Part One, Part Two and Part Three.
See “Chapter Five Highlights” below for scriptures and help with the quiz. If needed, refresh the screen to retake the quiz.
alt tag: #Chapter Highlights
1. You will learn the commands of righteousness Jesus taught the multitude. Matthew 5: 1-7 KJV
1And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
2And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
2. You will learn that believers and disciples are seen by Jesus as the light of the world. Matthew 5: 13-16 KJV
13Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15Neither 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.
16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
3. You will learn who Jesus is in relationship with the Mosaic law. Matthew 5: 17-19 KJV
17Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19Whosoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
4. You will learn Jesus’ comparison of the teachings of Moses with the Gospel message. Matthew 5: 20-42 KJV
20For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
21Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hellfire.
23Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there remembers that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
25Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary delivers thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
26Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
27Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
29And if thy right eye offends thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
30And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
31It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her writing of divorcement:
32But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
33Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
34But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:
35Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
35Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
36Neither shalt thou swears by thy head because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
37But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than this cometh of evil.
38Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
5. You will learn why Jesus’ explanation of obeying his commands is a state of perfection. Matthew 5: 43-48 KJV
43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thine enemy.
44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Interactive Quiz
alt tag: #Quiz
#1. True or False. Matthew 5:7KJV 7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
#2. True or False Matthew 5:14KJV 14Ye (disciples and believers) are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
#3. True or False. Moses gave the Mosaic Law but Jesus Christ gave us Grace and Truth. Therefore, Matthew 5:17KJV 17Think not that I am come to destroy the law (Mosaic), or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
#4. True or False. Matthew 5:22KJV 22But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hellfire.
#5. T or False. Jesus standards are perfect and he expects the same from us and through his Holy Spirit our standards are perfection in love. Matthew 5:48KJV 48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
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Call to salvation:
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Romans 10:9-10 9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation.
John 3:5-6 5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is the Spirit.
