48 sermon' topics for church growth

5. Let us consider the literary context of the Gospel of Matthew.

The Gospel of Matthew is one of the four canonical Gospels of the New Testament and occupies an important place in Christian literature. Its literary context includes several key aspects:

5.1 Authorship and Audience: The Gospel is traditionally considered to be authored by Matthew, one of the twelve apostles. This Gospel was probably written for a predominantly Jewish audience, as is evident from the numerous references to the Old Testament and the emphasis on the fulfillment of prophecy.

5.2 Structure and Style: The Gospel of Matthew has a clear structure, divided into five main parts, each ending with a formula about the end of Jesus' speech. This may be a reference to the five books of Moses (the Torah), which emphasizes Jesus' connection with the Jewish tradition. The writing style includes the use of metaphors, parables and allusions to the Old Testament.

5.3 Themes and Emphasis: The Gospel of Matthew emphasizes the teaching of Jesus as the new Messiah who comes to fulfill the Law and the prophecies. It emphasizes the importance of moral teaching, including the Sermon on the Mount, and emphasizes the Kingdom of Heaven.

5.4 Comparative Analysis: In a literary context, it is important to compare Matthew with the other Gospels (Mark, Luke, and John). For example, Matthew includes more extensive teachings of Jesus and more references to the Old Testament than Mark does. This makes it unique in its presentation of Jesus as the fulfiller of ancient prophecies.

5.5 Historical context: The Gospel was written in the context of an early Christian community seeking its place in the world after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE. This gives the text additional meaning as it addresses questions of identity and faith in the context of persecution and change.

5.6 Climax and Conclusion: The final part of the Gospel (chapter 28) describes the resurrection of Jesus and the Great Commission to the apostles, which emphasizes the missionary aspect of early Christianity and the call to spread the teachings of Jesus throughout the world.

Thus, the literary context of Matthew's Gospel enriches our understanding of its content and meaning, highlighting both its connection with Jewish roots and unique aspects of early Christian teaching.

6. Genre

The Gospel of Matthew can be classified into several genres that intersect and complement each other:

6.1. Historical genre: The Gospel is a narrative of the life, teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It seeks to convey the facts and events associated with his life, which makes it part of the historical genre.

6.2 Religious Literature: As part of the New Testament, the Gospel of Matthew serves as a religious text for Christians, containing teachings and commandments that are of great importance to believers.

6.3. Homilistic Genre: The Gospel contains many teachings and parables of Jesus, making it an important text for preaching and instruction. The Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7) is a prime example of this genre.

6.4 Paradigmatic Genre: The Gospel of Matthew includes many parables and allegories that are used to convey spiritual truths and moral lessons.

6.5. Apologetic genre: The text contains attempts to defend the Christian faith by showing that Jesus is the fulfillment of ancient prophecies of the Old Testament.

Thus, the Gospel of Matthew combines elements of historical narrative, religious literature, preaching and paradigmatic genre, which makes it a multi-layered and content-rich text.

7 The Gospel of Matthew Outline

1. Introduction (Chapters 1-2)

• The Genealogy of Jesus Christ (Chapter 1:1-17)

• The Birth of Jesus (Chapter 1:18-25)

• The Worship of the Wise Men and the Flight into Egypt (Chapter 2:1-15)

• Return to Nazareth (Chapter 2:16-23)

2. The Beginning of Jesus' Ministry (Chapters 3-4)

• The Sermon of John the Baptist (chapter 3:1-12)

• The Baptism of Jesus (Chapter 3:13-17)

• The Temptation of Jesus in the Wilderness (Chapter 4:1-11)

• Beginning of ministry and calling of the first disciples (chapter 4:12-22)

3. The Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7)

• Beatitudes (chapter 5:1-12)

• The Teaching of the Law and Righteousness (Chapter 5:13-48)

• The Practice of Godliness (Chapter 6:1-18)

• Teaching on Wealth and Cares (Chapter 6:19-34)

• Conclusion of the Sermon (Chapter 7:1-29)

4. Miracles and Signs (Chapters 8-9)

• Jesus' Healings and Miracles (Chapter 8:1 – 9:34)

• Healing of the leper

• Healing of the centurion's servant

• Healing of Peter's mother-in-law

• Calming the storm

• Healing of the possessed

5. The Call and Mission of the Disciples (Chapter 10)

• The Epistle of the Twelve Apostles (chapter 10:1-42)

6. Society's Response to Jesus' Ministry (Chapters 11-12)

• John the Baptist's Doubts (Chapter 11:1-19)

• Jesus and the Lawyers (Chapter 12:1-14)

• Prophecy about the Messiah (chapter 12:15-21)

7. Parables of the Kingdom of Heaven (chapters 13)

• The Parables of the Sower, the Mustard Seed, and the Leaven (Chapter 13:1-52)

8. Conflicts and confrontations (chapters 14-16)

• The Murder of John the Baptist (Chapter 14:1-12)

• The Miracle of the Multiplication of the Loaves (Chapter 14:13-21)

• Peter's Confession (Chapter 16:13-20)

9. The Teaching on Suffering and Service (Chapters 16-20)

• Prediction of Jesus' suffering (chapter 16:21-28)

• The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Chapter 20:1-16)

10. The Passion of Christ (chapters 21-27)

• Entry into Jerusalem (chapter 21:1-11)

• Cleansing of the Temple (Chapter 21:12-17)

• The Trial of Religious Leaders (Chapters 21:18 – 22:46)

• The Passion, Crucifixion, and Death of Jesus (Chapters 26:1 – 27:66)

11. The Resurrection and the Great Commission (Chapter 28)

• The Resurrection of Jesus (Chapter 28:1-10)

• The Great Commission to the Disciples (Chapter 28:16-20)

Our passage is in Part 3 of the Sermon on the Mount, in its final, practical part. Jesus, having established the Beatitudes, gives practical recommendations on how to follow them, and what they mean from the point of view of internal moral choice.

The practical part of any sermon is necessary for the audience to implement the stated principles in life, and the criteria for their successful or unsuccessful application. Just stating the principles would reduce them to moralizing and deprive the audience of the opportunity to practically apply them in their lives.

12 Therefore, in everything, treat others as you want them to treat you. This is the essence of everything written in the Law and the Books of the Prophets!

13 {The Narrow Gate} Enter through the narrow gate. The way that leads to destruction is broad, and the gate is spacious, and many enter in through it.

14 But strait is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.

15 {A tree is known by its fruit} Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

16 You will know them by their fruits. Do people gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles?

17 A good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit.

18 A good tree does not bear bad fruit, and a bad tree does not bear good fruit.

19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

20 So you will know them by their fruits.

21 Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, cast out demons in your name, and perform many miracles?”

23 But then I will say to them, “I never knew you; get away from Me, you evildoers!”

24 {Two Foundations} He who hears My words and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on a rock.

25 The rain came down, the rivers came up, the winds blew and beat against the house, but it stood firm, because it was built on a rock.

26 But everyone who hears my words but does not put them into practice is like a fool who built his house on the sand.

27 The rain fell, the floods came, the winds blew and beat against the house, and it fell, and its fall was terrible. (Matt. 7:12-27)

I Jesus Transfers the Law into the Sphere of Desired Relationships

A As you would like to be treated

B Enter through the narrow gate

C Wide gates lead to destruction

D Few find the way to salvation

II A man is known by his fruits

A We know the life of people by their deeds

B It is not enough to be called a Christian, it is important to be one

C Many will say, “We served You!”

D will answer: “Move away, I don’t know you.”

III It is possible to build on two foundations

A What does it mean to build on rock?

B What does it mean to build on sand?

C To listen and perform or not to perform.

D The consequences are appropriate

The Bible shows us the following stages of establishing and developing the relationship between God and man:

1. God created the world and man in it for eternal relationships filled with love.

2. Man sinned and lost his relationship with God.

3. God spoke to humanity through the prophets, preparing it for the coming of the Son.

4. Jesus came into the world to show the Father's love in action.

5. We receive forgiveness and establish relationships

6. We change in preparation for our “marriage” in Heaven

To establish eternal relations with God, filled with love, a deep internal change of a person is necessary. For this, God grants him internal moral freedom – applies mercy to him, instead of the prescribed punishment and expects further retransmission of this approach in the life of a person in relation to other people. This criterion becomes the main one in assessing a person's life. If he was able to make the right moral choice, we can talk about the person's birth from above. If this did not happen, then the person remains in the old system of relationships of the old world.

To receive forgiveness and grace in your life, simply pray and ask God to forgive you for your life without Him in the name of Jesus Christ. Ask Him to come into your mind and heart and expect His answers, they will surely follow. Find a local church and attend it regularly, find your ministry and follow the Lord faithfully!

May God bless you in your search for Truth!

With respect, prayers for you and God's love

Rustam Kodash Nasyrov.

True love

The Nature of Love – Why Does Love Bring Suffering?

World literature and world cinema have created an attractive image of love. In real life, love often brings suffering and pain rather than joy and happiness, which are also undoubtedly present. What is the real nature of love, why is a person built with the need to love and be loved, and the need for an unceasing relationship filled with love? I would also like to draw attention to the fact that God, who loves us, also went through suffering and death so that a person could build these eternal relationships with Him, or refuse them.

1 After passing through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue.

2 Paul, as was his custom, went in to them and spent three Sabbaths speaking to them from the Scriptures,

3 revealing and proving to them that Christ must needs suffer and rise from the dead, and that this Christ is Jesus whom I preach to you.

4 And some of them believed and joined Paul and Silas, both of the Greeks who worshiped God, a great multitude, and of the noble women not a few.

5 But the unbelieving Jews, becoming jealous, took some wicked men from the marketplace, gathered together as a crowd and stirred up the city, and came to the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.

6 When they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers to the city officials, shouting, “These troublemakers of the world have come here too,

7 And Jason received them, and they all act contrary to the commands of Caesar, considering another king, Jesus.

8 And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city who heard these things.

9 But these, having received assurance from Jason and the rest, let them go.

10 The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, where they arrived and went into the synagogue of the Jews.

11 Now these men were more noble than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with all readiness of mind, and examined the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.

12 And many of them believed, and not a few of the Greeks, both men and women of honor.

13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica learned that the word of God had been preached by Paul also at Berea, they came there also, stirring up and agitating the people.

14 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul away, as if he were going to the sea; but Silas and Timothy remained there.

15 Those who accompanied Paul brought him to Athens, and when they received orders for Silas and Timothy to come to him quickly, they set out.

(Acts 17:1-15)

We try to evangelize and talk about Christ to people who do not know the Law and it is difficult for them to understand that they are sinners and that they need a Redeemer. The nature of love is such that it leads to unity and oneness of lovers, if one of the parties is not perfect, then this causes painful emotions for the perfect party. The sinless Jesus died for sinful people. Now we need to become perfect.

I Paul preached Christ to people who knew the Law.

II Successful preaching of the Gospel can cause jealousy

III Paul and Silas were sent to Berea, where they preached Christ.

Successful preaching of Christ includes the demands of the Law, the recognition of oneself as a sinner, and the search for a solution to the problem of sins – the need for the substitutionary sacrifice of the Messiah. Successful preaching causes envy and brings suffering to those who preach.

Why is a “gradual” approach necessary in preaching the Gospel – the law, the realization of sinfulness, and the need for Christ’s substitutionary sacrifice.

Preaching the gospel, especially in the context of the themes of law, grace, and Christ's substitutionary sacrifice, can be controversial and controversial. Here are some possible counterarguments to the idea of gradually preaching these themes:

1. The Need for Clarity: Some argue that gradual preaching can lead to misunderstandings of the basics of the faith. A clear and direct presentation of the doctrine of grace and the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ can be more effective for spiritual growth.

2. Focus on the Law: Preaching the law can be seen as a return to works, which is contrary to the doctrine of grace. Some believe that an emphasis on the law can distract from the central message of salvation through faith in Christ.

3. Risk of Legalism: The gradual introduction of law may lead to a legalistic attitude among believers, where the emphasis will be on keeping rules instead of a personal relationship with Christ.

4. Difficulty for New Believers: New believers may have difficulty understanding complex concepts such as law and grace. A straightforward explanation of grace may be more accessible and understandable.

5. Historical Context: Some may argue that the early Church did not use a gradual approach but preached the Gospel in its fullness all at once, which led to the rapid spread of Christianity.

6. Moral Responsibility: Preaching grace should not exclude the moral obligations of believers. Some may argue that emphasizing grace without mentioning the law can lead to moral laxity.

7. Spiritual Condition of the Audience: Depending on the spiritual condition of the audience, a more direct appeal to the theme of Christ's sacrifice may be necessary to encourage repentance and faith.

Let us look at the historical context of our passage in order to better understand the issue of correct, “gradual” evangelism, in particular, and in general, about the nature of love, and why the side that loves more suffers more, how love and suffering are generally related, and is it possible to do without suffering if you truly love someone?

To do this, we need to conduct a historical and cultural analysis of our passage.

Let us first examine the history of the writing of the book of Acts of the Apostles, or as it is also called, the “Book of the Acts of the Holy Spirit.”

The Book of Acts, also known simply as Acts, is part of the New Testament of the Bible and is traditionally attributed to the Apostle Luke. Luke, who is also considered the author of the Gospel of Luke, was a physician and companion of the Apostle Paul.

The Acts of the Apostles describes the history of the early Christian church, beginning with the ascension of Jesus Christ and ending with the missionary journeys of Paul. The book contains many details about the spread of Christianity and the interactions of the early Christians with the outside world.

Although Luke's authorship is traditional and widely accepted, some modern scholars have cast doubt on it based on various textual and historical analyses. However, most Christian denominations continue to accept Luke as the author of the book.

The Book of Acts in the New Testament is addressed primarily to the Christian community, as well as anyone interested in the history of the early church and the spread of Christianity. It is written by Luke, who is also the author of the Gospel of Luke. Luke begins the book by addressing a certain Theophilus, which may indicate that he was writing for a specific person or group of people who wanted to know more about the deeds and teachings of Jesus Christ and his followers after his ascension.

The exact date of the writing of the Book of Acts is not known, but most scholars assume that it was written between 70 and 90 AD. Some researchers believe that the book may have been completed around the 80s, since it ends with a description of events that took place in Rome and does not mention the destruction of Jerusalem in 70. This may indicate that the author wrote after these events, but before the end of the first century.

The purpose of the book of Acts is this:

1. Documenting Early Christianity: The book describes the formation and spread of the Christian church after the ascension of Jesus Christ, showing how the apostles and other followers preached the gospel.

2. Historical Context: Acts provides historical information about key figures such as Peter and Paul, as well as important events and missionary journeys that contributed to the spread of Christianity in the Roman Empire.

3. Strengthening Faith: The book serves as a source of inspiration to believers by highlighting the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the apostles and believers, and by demonstrating how faith can overcome difficulties and persecution.

4. Explaining the mission of the church: Acts emphasizes the universality of the message of Christianity, showing that the gospel is not only for Jews but also for Gentiles.

5. Showing the Unity of the Church: The book emphasizes unity between different groups of believers, emphasizing the importance of community and cooperation in spreading the faith.

Chapter 17 of the Book of Acts describes several key historical moments related to the missionary work of the Apostle Paul. Here are the main events:

1. Philippi and Thessalonica: Paul and his companions (Silas and Timothy) travel from Philippi to Thessalonica, where he preaches in the synagogue. He explains that Jesus is the Messiah and uses the Scriptures to support his claims.

2. Reaction to the Sermon: Paul's sermon provokes various reactions. Some of the Jews and many of the Gentiles accept the faith, but others, envious of Paul's success, raise a wave of opposition against him and his companions.

3. Thessalonica Pogrom: Paul's opponents riot and he is forced to leave the city. This event highlights the tensions between the early Christians and the Jewish authorities.

4. Berea: Paul and Silas go to Berea, where the people are more noble-minded: they receive the word readily and search the Scriptures to test the truthfulness of Paul's teaching.

5. The Reaction at Berea: When the Jews of Thessalonica learn that Paul is preaching in Berea, they come there to cause a commotion. Paul is forced to leave the city again, while Silas and Timothy remain.

Chapter 17 of the Book of Acts describes several key geographical locations associated with the missionary work of the Apostle Paul. Here are the main ones:

1. Philippi: This is the city in Macedonia where Paul and his companions began their missionary work. Here they met Lydia, the first convert to Christianity, and founded the first Christian community in Europe.

2. Thessalonica: After Philip, Paul goes to Thessalonica (modern Salonika), a large city, where he preaches in the synagogue. Here he encounters opposition from some Jews, which leads to his forced departure.

3. Berea: From Thessalonica, Paul and Silas head to Berea (modern-day Berea). Here the people are more willing to listen to Paul and test his teachings against the Scriptures.

Acts 17 contains several cultural points that highlight the early Christians' interactions with different cultures and religious traditions. Here are some of them:

1. Missionary work in different cities: Paul preaches in Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea and Athens, which demonstrates his desire to bring Christian teachings to different peoples and cultures. Each of these cities had its own unique cultural and religious traditions.

2. Synagogues as centers of communication: In Thessalonica and Berea, Paul addresses the Jews in the synagogues. This emphasizes the importance of synagogues as places for discussing religious issues and spreading new ideas.

3. The Philosophical Context of Athens: When Paul arrives in Athens, he encounters a rich philosophical tradition. Athens was a center of philosophy, where thinkers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle studied. Paul mentions the “unknown God,” which shows his attempt to establish a dialogue with the Athenian philosophers and religious leaders.

4. Idolatry: In Athens, Paul notices many idols, reflecting the polytheistic culture of the Greeks. His sermon on the one God and how idols are merely the work of human hands is a criticism of this practice.

5. Reaction to the Sermon: The different reactions to Paul's sermon among the Athenians illustrate cultural differences. Some of them ridicule him, others are interested and want to hear more, which shows the diversity of opinions and openness to new ideas in Athenian society.

Let's consider the literary context of our passage.

The Book of Acts of the Apostles is a genre of historical literature within the New Testament. It describes the early history of Christianity, the work of the apostles, especially the apostle Paul, and the spread of the Christian faith after the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Some key characteristics of the genre:

1. Historical Narrative: The Acts of the Apostles is a sequential account of the events that took place in the early church, beginning with the day of Pentecost and ending with Paul's travels.

2. Preaching and Teaching: The book contains the sermons and teachings of the apostles, which emphasizes the importance of transmitting the faith and the basics of Christian doctrine.

3. The context of cultural and religious interactions: Acts describes how early Christians interacted with different cultures and religions, which is important for understanding the spread of Christianity.

4. Spiritual Experiences: The book also emphasizes the work of the Holy Spirit, who guides and supports the apostles in their missionary work.

Thus, the Acts of the Apostles represents an important source of information about early Christianity and its development in historical context.

An outline of the Book of Acts that can be used to study and understand its contents:

Introduction

1. Preface (Acts 1:1-2)