Beginners Comments On The Book Of Matthew!

Beginners Comments On The Book Of Matthew!

Hi everyone,

This is my first real post in the bible study section as I have finally finished reading the book of Matthew which is my 1st book!!! I did use to restrict myself to the newbies section and the moderators have told me to branch out of my comfort zone so here I am.

First of all I would like to say that I tried to start reading the bible about a year ago but I just got frustrated and my mindset was not ready for it and thus I ended up more confused and with more questions than when I started.

A year later I feel that I have really grown spiritually and that God has eased himself into my life at my pace. I have been praying and have started to attend church and I just feel that everything is falling into place for me to start my quest of reading the bible. When I started reading Matthew I noticed that I had a calmness about me and that I was able to absorb information. The difference this time round is that I have noticed how much my FAITH has grown. FAITH is everything! I did not realise how much my FAITH had grown until I started reading the bible again. It is truly an amazing feeling!

So know I thought I would love to write about my thoughts as a beginner on the book of Matthew. There are 2 reasons behind this. The first is to help other new christians (hopefully) and to share my thoughts and get some great discussion happening! Yes I would love feedback from everyone and anyone but please remember I am completely new to bible study so take it easy on me! :D

What I will do is share the passages that I highlighted which were relevant to me (I will put them in bold) and then I will post my personal comments under each one. Here goes (wish me luck)!

Matthew 4:16 (New International Version)

16the people living in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned."[a]

This is exactly what I feel God has been working on with me and the light for me is that LEAP OF FAITH! This passage is just so true and the directness of it just really hit me! :)


Matthew 5:14-16 (New International Version)


14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither 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. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

I really connected with this because the majority of my family are not Christian or religious at all. My wife is not religious and I just felt that this passage gave me hope. What I mean is that if I try to convert my wife it will just not work but if I can be the shining light then I can lead by example for my wife and 3 boys. I have faith that if I can do that God will take care of the rest! :D


Matthew 5:19-20 (New International Version)

19Anyone 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. 20For 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.


This passage hit me because through reading Matthew I have learnt a lot about the Pharisees and how they operate and I can really connect it the world these days where certain people claim to be great Christians and know the bible backwards but they miss the true meaning and the essence of it! This passage gives me inspiration to know that I do not have to be a bible expert but if I can get the essence of it then I am on my way! :)


Matthew 6:1 (New International Version)


Matthew 6

Giving to the Needy

1"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.


I really like this as I am a quiet achiever and it just makes me see that I do not have to turn into a super hero. I just need to do what is right and not blow my own trumpet (well maybe a little but I will do that in private) :D


Matthew 6:6 (New International Version)

6But 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.


Once again this a very private thing for me so to read that God likes this is fantastic!


Matthew 6:9-14 (New International Version)


9"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us today our daily bread.
12Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.[a]' 14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.


I found this of vital importance as it is not just me asking God for forgiveness but for me to be able to be strong enough to forgive others as well.


Matthew 6:24 (New International Version)

24"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.


I just love how pure and direct this passage is. To me it is about the spiritual world and the material world. Yes it is nice to have a nice house and so forth but at the end of your human life it will not count for anything. I would rather be poor with an eternal soul than rich with a dead soul!


Matthew 6:33-34 (New International Version)

33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.

Each day has enough trouble of its own.


I really love this passage as to me it means dont worry! Just take each day as it comes and do your best! :)


Matthew 7:1-2 (New International Version)


Matthew 7

Judging Others

1"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

This passage is great as I am a person who trys not to judge and I always am willing to respect others opinions and choices in life.



Matthew 7:7 (New International Version)


Ask, Seek, Knock

7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

This passage demonstrates how easy God has made it for us to gain eternal life if we are willing to walk with him! :)


Matthew 7:12 (New International Version)

12So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

As it says treat others the way you want to be treated! :)

Matthew 7:13-14 (New International Version)


The Narrow and Wide Gates

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

This just makes me realise and appreciate how lucky I am that I am going through the narrow gate when so many people dont! This saddens me but I also thank the Lord for leading me to the narrow path and I just hope through my own learning and life that I can lead others down that narrow road as well! ;)

Matthew 8:2-3 (New International Version)


2A man with leprosy[a] came and knelt before him and said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." 3Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured[b] of his leprosy.

This just really showed me the power of Jesus and God. It truly amazes me at how many people were against Jesus when they had witnessed this first hand! :(

Matthew 11:6 (New International Version)

6Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."

To me this is about staying on the narrow path and being faithful to the Lord no matter what temptations the devil puts on our journey!

Matthew 11:28-30 (New International Version)


28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Coming to God is just so relieving it is truly a miracle in itself. God is good! :)

Matthew 12:36-37 (New International Version)

36But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."

This really made me take notice as it is a warning about being fake. You will have to give account of your actions and words so think really hard before you act or say something!

Matthew 13:18-23 (New International Version)


18"Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. 23But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

I do not want to comment much here as the parable speaks for itself and as a new Christian I just found it so meaningful!

Matthew 13:49-50 (New International Version)

49This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Once again this passage demonstrates what the reality is for people who do not follow Gods rules. Very scary but this passage did make me sit up and take notice!

Matthew 14:29-31 (New International Version)



29"Come," he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"




I really relate to this as at times I struggle with Faith but it gives me great comfort that even Peter didnt have faith attimes and he knew Jesus directly!!!


Matthew 16:25-26 (New International Version)

25For whoever wants to save his life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

Just more evidence of how important the soul is compared to our lives here as humans on Earth!

Matthew 17:5 (New International Version)


5While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"

I read that with a smile on my face just imagining what it would be like to hear a message from God like that. Truly a blessing! :)

Matthew 18:19-20 (New International Version)


19"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

This just demonstrates to me that I cant do all this alone! That is why you guys at CFS are just so special to me and all the influences I have had in my life! :)

Matthew 18:35 (New International Version)


35"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."

Just reiterates how important it is to learn to forgive from your heart!

Matthew 21:31-32 (New International Version)



31"Which of the two did what his father wanted?"
"The first," they answered. Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

Just really love this parable as it demonstrates that God does not expect us to be perfect and realises that we will make mistakes! (Thank God for that!):D


Matthew 28:18-20 (New International Version)

18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

This really sums it up and is a wonderful passage to end the book. Jesus has 100% faith in us and it is time for me to give back to the man who gave his life for us!



Ok everyone so there it is. Thank you to everyone who actually read it all and I really hope that I am getting good understanding from the bible! :groupray:

 
Brad this is wonderful!!!
I have gotton through some of it and will try to finish reading the rest 2morrow cause it is so inspiring!!
You have found wonderful meaning and truth in these passages!!!
Praise the LORD!! I am sooo happy you have a Great Faith from the LORD to guide and help you!!!

It is so exciting 2 hear the happiness in your voice in this post! It truly does shine even through the computer.
May the LORD bless you and your knowledge in HIS word!Keep that faith and HE will give to you understanding!!!!
 
Brad , my son . What a wonderful inspiration you are to new Christians . The calmness that you said you are feeling is from the Holy Spirit and He is definately taking you to new heights . As you read and study the Word it comes more alive because as we know God's Word is the true and living word .

I am so pleased that you took the time to put everything down and will go back and read again cause you have given us a lot of food to digest .

14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither 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. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

I really connected with this because the majority of my family are not Christian or religious at all. My wife is not religious and I just felt that this passage gave me hope. What I mean is that if I try to convert my wife it will just not work but if I can be the shining light then I can lead by example for my wife and 3 boys. I have faith that if I can do that God will take care of the rest! :D

That is true that you cannot change your wife and kids but you can be the " Shining Light " and you never know when they are watching you and seeing your actions .Pray for them and continue to be that light and example cause Jesus is our hope and the light of the world . In time the Holy Spirit will bring them into the Kingdom .

Praise God Brad ... He will help you through your journey with Him and He never leaves us or forsakes us . When we are feeling down and think that all around us is not working to our plan , we can read His Word get inspired and He always gives us what we need.

Thank you Brad for this wonderful Thread and God richly bless you brother .
 


You did very well BRAD & I am so very proud of you ... have chosen some really good VERSES and my favorite one out of all the ones you posted has to be ... I agree too that it is hard to break from your comfort zone ... but I think you did a very good break ...

Matthew 7:7 (New International Version)

Ask, Seek, Knock - Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

I have always felt this one to be important esp. if your working with new babes in Christ ... it helps the older ones open doors to teach the new little ones to now the truth ... so good job.

Well, if you need me you now where to find me ... so keep up the good work and I am praying for you each & every day that you stronger in wisdom and strenghth.

Take care and keep it up !!!
 
Matthew 6:24 (New International Version)

24"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.


I just love how pure and direct this passage is. To me it is about the spiritual world and the material world. Yes it is nice to have a nice house and so forth but at the end of your human life it will not count for anything. I would rather be poor with an eternal soul than rich with a dead soul!

Amen to that . You are on the right track , brother.
 
Looking forward to that , Brad but take your time and let the Holy Spirit inspire you . May God richly bless you in your journey to know Him better. You will never go wrong or be sorry .

Meanwhile we can take some of these verses and talk about them .
 
I like this too ;
Giving to the Needy

1"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.



I really like this as I am a quiet achiever and it just makes me see that I do not have to turn into a super hero. I just need to do what is right and not blow my own trumpet (well maybe a little but I will do that in private) :D

We all need to remember not to be like the Pharasee who beat his breast and said he was glad he was not like others and was so full of himself .

God requires us to be givers but we do not have to announce it to others . There is a passage ... Don't let the left hand know what the right is doing and that is so true cause we do not need the accolades of others but the approval from our Heavenly Father who sees all and will reward us accordingly .
 
Hey caveman,

Its really AMAZING to see how you have grown spiritually in your faith and walk with God...:) Always great to see someone do that!!

Ive had a read through half the way and its great to see how each of those verses do relate to you in your life...You are on the way to going somewhere great with God...

Ill keep reading on when i can...

God Bless you man
Jake
 
Can't wait till you read mark! Mathew is going to be a wonderful giude thru Mark and I pray the LORD be with you and give u understanding of all he wants for u and guides ur path as u read HIS word!
u are doing greAT!
 
Wow Brad! This is truly awesome! You have a really good grasp of the Word and it is so refreshing to read this from your perspective! How about if you make this a little tradition? Keep reading and give us your insights?... Personally I really like Hebrews. What do you say;)?

Laura:)
 
Wow Brad! This is truly awesome! You have a really good grasp of the Word and it is so refreshing to read this from your perspective! How about if you make this a little tradition? Keep reading and give us your insights?... Personally I really like Hebrews. What do you say;)?

Laura:)

I say it is a good idea but ultimately Brad needs to be in agreement .
Like you said Laura ..... It is so refreshing to actually get Brad's own words and not some one's copied ideas.
 
Wow Brad! This is truly awesome! You have a really good grasp of the Word and it is so refreshing to read this from your perspective! How about if you make this a little tradition? Keep reading and give us your insights?... Personally I really like Hebrews. What do you say;)?

Laura:)


Hi Laura,

Each time I finish reading a book I am more than happy to type up my thoughts and insights. I wont put out a time on when I will finish a book though as I just read when I can so I dont want to put any pressure on myself reading the Bible. I want to get a grasp on the gospels first so I wlill read Mark, Luke and John then from there I will ask you guys for your opinion on where to go next.

How does that sound? :)
 
I like this too ;


We all need to remember not to be like the Pharasee who beat his breast and said he was glad he was not like others and was so full of himself .

God requires us to be givers but we do not have to announce it to others . There is a passage ... Don't let the left hand know what the right is doing and that is so true cause we do not need the accolades of others but the approval from our Heavenly Father who sees all and will reward us accordingly .

Hi Dusty,

I completely agree and the message about not being like the Pharisees really shone through in Matthew. It is just amazing how there are still so many people who are like the Pharisees today and miss the true meaning of Gods word.
 
Great to see the verses that had a special impact on you Caveman. :) And it is good to see a new Christian reading the Gospels for themselves. Blessings to you.

I find that Mark and Luke are books that complement Matthew and fill in areas and tell the story from a slightly different perspective. You will probably find then\m very similar to Matthew. The Book of John however is different from the other 3 in a way that can only be appreciated when it is read.

I hope you continue to read through all the gospels and then continue into the letters of the apostles. The Holy Spirit revealed much more about the Way of Jesus through the Apostles. Reading them will help you grow greatly.

Always remember that it is God through the Holy Spirit that opens up understanding in us. Read and seek diligently but always remember that the true opening of understanding does not come from our seeking efforts. It comes when the Holy Spirit rewards our seeking by opening up the message to us.


All Praise The Ancient Of Days
 
Hi Laura,

Each time I finish reading a book I am more than happy to type up my thoughts and insights. I wont put out a time on when I will finish a book though as I just read when I can so I dont want to put any pressure on myself reading the Bible. I want to get a grasp on the gospels first so I wlill read Mark, Luke and John then from there I will ask you guys for your opinion on where to go next.

How does that sound? :)

Sounds great! Just to clarify, I am not trying to put pressure on you. I just enjoyed your take very much so I was saying that anytime you want to post your thoughts on what you read I will be happy to see it! Take your time Brad! That is the way to do it, you're right!

Laura:)
 
Wow, Caveman this is awesome. You can really see how God is working in your life, it has really been a blessing to me! Donna
 
Sounds great! Just to clarify, I am not trying to put pressure on you. I just enjoyed your take very much so I was saying that anytime you want to post your thoughts on what you read I will be happy to see it! Take your time Brad! That is the way to do it, you're right!

Laura:)

Hi Laura,

Sorry I didnt mean that you put pressure on me but I tend to get excited and try and go to quickly so I just wanted to write it so I wont do it! :)

Thanks for your kind words! :)
 
Wow. Caveman you have a gift.
The gift of discernment.
Your hard work and attention to detail show in your apologetics.

Matthew 12:36-37 (New International Version)

36But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."


This really made me take notice as it is a warning about being fake. You will have to give account of your actions and words so think really hard before you act or say something!
One of your best observations in my opinion.

Isn't it interesting how a thought can spring up in a second, and before we know it it has left our lips and can never be taken back.

I am curious, now that you have studied Matthew, I wonder what you plan to go to next, and why.
:)
 
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