Discipline is part of the Christian life. Cultivating a maturity in following Jesus takes months, years, — better yet, it takes your whole life. Like the discipline of working out, we need equipment if we’re going to see the fruit of our labor. In the third message of our Sermon on the Mount series, we talked about the having the right blueprints if we’re going to build something. Fantastic news: we’ve got ’em. Talking with God? Prayer. Seeing Jesus revealed in all of humanity, history, and looking forward to the future Kingdom of God? The Bible. Unfortunately, we live in a generation that just pays lip service to both. We probably like the idea of praying, or like the idea of reading our Bible, because the idea of getting closer to God is appealing. But that’s just the thing… To many of us it’s only an idea. You know what’s better than ideas? Reality. Developing a discipline in having a life of prayer and being a skilled reader of the Word are attainable things. Not without hard work, though.

For prayer, you can set a reminder on your phone, computer, make a sticky note on your desk, fridge, or dashboard, to pray with, and for, Gateway Church. When? 12:01pm. 1201 is our address, right near the hot middle of the state of Arkansas, but what better place for a revival? Let’s pray that Gateway Church becomes a beacon of hope for the whole world.

For scripture, every Monday, we are going to be posting the scriptures that are behind the scenes of what we heard on Sunday. This will help us get a healthy balance of the Word of God and get an idea where Jesus gets many of His ideas, and other writers, too! This list of scripture is designed to enrich your devotional time and to help you better connect with the message throughout the week. Many of the scripture is behind the scenes in the text, or applies to the message.

The below verses are best spread out over the course of the week.

May 15, 2016

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-48

What Was (scripture that comes before):

• v. 21 – Exodus 20:13 (Deuteronomy 5:17)
• v. 21 – Deuteronomy 16:18
• v. 27 – Exodus 20:14 (Deuteronomy 5:18)
• v. 28 – Job 31:1, Proverb 6:25, 2 Samuel 11:2
• v. 29 – Leviticus 24:20
• v. 31 – Jeremiah 3:1 (Deuteronomy 24:1)
• v. 33 – Leviticus 19:12, Ecclesiastes 5:4, Deuteronomy 23:21
• v. 34 – Isaiah 66:1
• v. 37 – Proverbs 10:19, Proverbs 18:21
• v. 38 – Exodus 21:24 (Leviticus 24:20, Deuteronomy 19:21)
• v. 42 – Psalm 37:21, Proverbs 21:26, Deuteronomy 15:8
• v. 43 – Leviticus 19:18
• v. 44 – Exodus 23:4, Job 31:29, Psalm 7:4
• v. 48 – Genesis 17:1, Leviticus 19:2

What Is To Come (scripture that comes after):

• v. 17 – Romans 3:31, Romans 13:8
• v. 18 – Matthew 24:35
• v. 19 – 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, Galatians 3:10
• v. 20 – Romans 10:3
• v. 21 – Romans 13:9
• v. 22 – 1 John 3:15
• v. 29 – Luke 17:1
• v. 31-32 – Because of the difficult and confusing nature of divorce, all references to these passages will be handled on a case-to-case basis per request of any interested party.
• v. 33 – 1 Timothy 1:10
• v. 34 – James 5:12
• v. 37 – James 3:6, Colossians 4:6
• v. 39 – 1 Peter 2:23, Romans 12:17
• v. 44 – Romans 12:20, Acts 7:60, 1 Peter 3:9
• v. 45 – Ephesians 5:1, Philippians 2:15
• v. 48 – James 1:4, 1 Peter 1:15

It’s encouraged that you read the scripture used on Sunday, and then use the list(s) above to see more about the text.