whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother

 Matthew 12:33-50

For a tree is recognized by its fruit. It is a good tree or a bad tree.

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.

He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 

The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.

He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

The lawyers and Pharisees want to see Jesus do a miracle - a sign that will bear out his claims. But he will not perform for their benefit. One sign only will be given - Jesus' resurrection from the dead: the incontrovertible proof that his message is true; that he is who he claims to be.

The story is a warning to those who have repented and made the about-0turn in their lives as a result of what they have seen and heard. Unless they take the further step of wholehearted commitment, they are in grave danger.

Jesus' apparent lack of filial respect would have shocked his hearers, as he no doubts intended. He is making the point that the bond between those who respond to God is stronger even than family ties.

Why?

Good deed comes from good heart and mind. If there is not good behavior and spoke any words will become condemn to him on the final judgment. Speak the truth.

Jesus is the Lord who won't listen to the request of miracles. The last miracle is Jesus raise from the dead three days later.

Repent and follow the word of Jesus Christ. Be humble and gentle on the world for Jesus has done the example for us.

All Christians are the family of Jesus Christ.

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耶穌接著前面犯聖靈的人，他們不是說者無心，是與耶穌為敵。必須從內心的改變，他們的言行才會改變。

v38-42: 文士、法利賽人要求耶穌顯現神蹟。剛才看到神蹟現在又要求看神蹟，他們不認為是從神來的，若是如此為何要耶穌行神蹟，他們不相信神的人，怎麼會相信神蹟?這兩個都是矛盾的事，即使有神蹟也不會信。神蹟的目的要人悔改，相信神的人不見得會悔改。尼尼微人沒有看到神蹟只聽到信息就悔改，這是神的工作。最難改變的是人的心，心改變才是最大的神蹟。

人怎麼聽得到神的信息，因為人想聽就會聽見，就像南方的女王遠道而來，有心想聽，就聽到了。外邦的女人，雙重讓人看不起的人都如此努力，猶太人竟然不把握機會，還認為耶穌是靠鬼王。這裏雖然指猶太人而言，其實也是說我們基督徒，我們願意留在神的國度，讓神做王嗎？我們有如示巴女王如此渴望神的話。如果我只要神蹟、恩典，卻沒有讓主進來居住，在我們心中做王，就會被惡者進來做王，景況比以前更慘。

媽媽來了還不見她嗎？凡遵行神語言，追求神話語的人，都有機會親近神，如果如同耶穌的家人，耶穌會放下手邊的事來接見。

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How?

We rejoice and welcome the Holy Spirit lead my way and my all in all.

Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters

 Matthew 12;15-32

Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. He warned them not to tell others about him. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah.

Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”

But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”

But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

The Pharisees see Jesus as the devil's agent, despite the transparent goodness of his wok. If they were right, Satan would be set on a suicide course - as are all who, like the Pharisees, call good evil.

Why?

Jesus fulfills what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah, Jesus is the son of God.

People knew Jesus is different from other men but like the Son of David. But Prasisees said Jesus is the devil's agent, this is a huge lie and against Jesus. So Jesus says anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, it is against the mind of the Lord.

There is no middle position between Jesus and the devil. Whoever is not with me is against me.

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法利賽人對耶穌的反應，行神蹟，趕鬼

法利賽人想殺耶穌，因為耶穌和他們不一樣。明明看到耶穌的神蹟，故意說假話。法利賽人才是真瞎又啞。故意沒看到，說不出真話。因為他們無法改變既有的想法，且耶穌已經動了他們的地位，自大，猖狂。

耶穌是柔和謙卑，耶穌不去傳揚，也不要人去傳揚，這是柔和，謙卑。

我們不為自己爭，神為我們爭。

耶穌不與法利賽人想爭，如同鬼國不會相爭。但是法利賽人卻與耶穌為敵。他們對耶穌的反應，說成鬼王，就是與聖齡為敵。這怎麽回悔改歸向主。我們不是法利賽人，但是我們很可能成為法利賽人，因為自認為熟悉聖經，以自己的觀點來解釋聖經。不再柔和謙卑。

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How?

Identify the evil and good deeds to identify a good man or bad, do not rely on what they said.

I desire mercy, not sacrifice

 Matthew 12:1-14

At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”

 I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.  If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.  For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

They asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath? He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.

The first hint of what is to come: the antagonism runs so deep that Jesus' life is threatened.

Why?

Pharisees seeking the lawful deeds, but Jesus brings mercy better than follow the law.

Pharisees didn't understand the real meaning of the Sabbath, so they were angry and plotted to kill Jesus for Jesus against their laws.

The reaction of the word of Jesus shows their heart hardened and rejected to accept the gospel.

Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath, this is the identity of Jesus Christ.

安息日吃麥穗及醫病的事。

為什麼人不輕省，因為自己律法的重擔。

安息日不吃大衛豈不餓死？祭司安息日也工作。神要的是我們對神的愛，不是要送禮物給神。我們常想我們要做什麼？律法上要做什麼？神已經未我們指出一條回家的路。神要我們安息日什麼事都步要做，是希望我們安息，神已經為我們預備，享受神的恩典。包括醫病及吃麥穗。如果我們知道主喜愛憐恤，我們就是感恩領受。

How?

Jesus is the Lord, my savior, and the son of the Lord. May I have more mercy than sacrifice!

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light

 Matthew 11:16-30

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

Woe on Unrepentant Towns: Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 

 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

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

Most of Jesus' miracles took place in the small area at the northern end of Lake Galilee, around Capernaum. Chorazin and Bethsaida. They created much excitement. But as evidence of the coming kingdom, they were meant to change people's lives, to lead to repentance. This did not happen, so Go's judgment on their stubborn disbelief was inevitable. It the people of Tyre and Sidon - even Sodom - had seen what they had seen, they would have been in sackcloth and ashes to show grief for their sins and their intention to change.

It was the ordinary folk who receive Jesus - and he was glad. To all who are worn down by burdens, he offers relief. Those who enter his service will find him no crushing task-master.

Why?

People have not a positive reaction to Jesus' miracle for their heart is hardened.

Only real wisdom is proved right by his deeds. Doing the right deed is wisdom.

Jesus told the truth from the Lord, but many do not like it.

Following Jesus seems to bear the cross and heavy burden but Jesus said his yoke is easy and the burden is light. Because Jesus helps us in many ways.

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11~13章講人對耶穌的反應

施洗約翰只是一時不明白，所期待的耶穌有所不同。耶穌肯定施洗約翰是先知中最大的，我們比施洗約翰還要大，因為我們進入神的國，大是指我們的恩典比施洗約翰大。施洗約翰為耶穌施洗，介紹耶穌，當然超過所有先知。只有施洗約翰看到耶穌，其他先知沒有這種機會。

今天我們有這個機會為何不排除萬難來認識耶穌?應該努力來信主。耶穌做這麼多為什麼人沒有反應

1.人對耶穌所行的，麻木不仁。人用自己的聰明才智來判斷評論對不對，人不是來判斷而是來跟隨。

2.人從死裏復活不是普通的神蹟。怎麼外邦人都聽的懂，怎麼猶太人聽不懂。我們看到神蹟後，有把握機會嗎？不顧一切排除萬難來信耶穌人。我們是否就是那加百農人嗎？我們希望傳福音有果效，我們自己是否真信嗎？看的懂嗎？自以為聰明，懂聖經。

3.人雖然不聽，耶穌仍然感謝神。我們有時候因為受洗人多，大大感動。百人受洗，還登報，認為是聖靈的工作，大家歡喜。現在主日時打瞌睡、看週報，看手機，這是否聖靈的工作?這仍然是否，不管人聽不聽? 都是神的工作。他們聽是神的工作，他們不聽也是神的作為。耶穌此時仍然是歡喜感恩。耶穌相信他的工作就是完成父的使命，是否有人聽是神的旨意、神的工作。我們常常身體累，心很累，因為我們擔太多心。以為有人信主才是成果，因此人的擔子重。我們只要盡心盡力就是我們的工作，我們不要去設定什麼結果才是神的工作。軛也有律法的含意，人就繼續承擔律法的軛，於是感到勞苦！我們不要去擔憂！

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How?

Praise to the Lord and give thanks to Jesus Christ for God is working for us.

Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me

 Matthew 11:1-15

When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’

Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist, yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. Whoever has ears, let them hear.

John, held prisoner by Antipas, is puzzled by the reports of Jesus. He expected the Messiah to come in judgment. Jesus' reply reminds John of the other aspect of Messiah's work, which he is fulfilling. Jesus thinks no less of John for his doubts. He is the greatest of the prophets, the latter-day Elijah predicted by Malachi. But John, though he heralds Chris's new kingdom, belongs to the old order, and at this point remains outside it. So the humblest person within the kingdom is more privileged than John.

Why?

John sent his disciples to confirm Jesus is the Messiah. 

Jesus is the Messiah, "The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. No one could do this before except Jesus Christ. All of these are the symbols of the Messiah and Jesus has done it.

Until John, the generation of the prophet is an end, a new generation, the kingdom of heaven is open to everyone who humbles himself. 

Whoever has ears, let them hear. Let us preach the gospel let people hear.

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不同的人對耶穌有不同的反應，有正確反應的比較蒙福。

施洗約翰所期待的與耶穌不同，期待的是審判，耶穌帶來的是憐憫。

窮人有福音傳給他們，猶太人不同意。猶太人認為窮是不得神喜悅！

因耶穌不是來滿足人的期待，不因耶穌而跌倒就是有福的。不因耶穌所行所說的而跌倒。

我們對耶穌是什麼樣的反應?我們找什麼，就是表示我們所重視的。舊約就是先知的傳統。施洗約翰大是因為在神救恩的地位中站重要地位。但是因耶穌基督進入基督的國更大。先知沒有機會進入耶穌，施洗約翰介紹出耶穌，卻沒有機會進入耶穌的國。連施洗約翰都會跌倒，不認識耶穌，我們豈有比施洗約翰更好?

天國是努力進入的，就是要把握機會進入，因信跟隨耶穌，否則我們也會和施洗約翰一樣會懷疑耶穌。

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How?

Jesus is the Messiah, only the blessing one turn their heart to Jesus could be saved.

Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth, but a sword

 Matthew 10:34-42

Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.

Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. 

Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.

Why?

The value of faith in Jesus is different from the world, so when anyone comes to Jesus Christ may cause the defense among his family. Because the family will be a war when anyone likes to away from the world.

To be a Chrisitan have loved Jesus Christ more than his family. For to be a Christian needs to bear his own cross to follow Jesus.

Even God's blessing with us, but we know we have to suffer much distress and burden for the name of Jesus Christ. We are not doing the matter of love but also be a messenger of the gospel.

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Why?設立12門徒後。說這些話。想要成為主 門徒，看重關係還是真理? 如果與人的關係和真理衝突，與人的關係和與神的關係衝突。與家人的關係最難割捨。這些改變在公司中還不會發生衝突，但是在家庭中，所走的路受父母影響大，如祖宗牌位等，結婚後受配偶的信仰影響。

人的仇敵是家人，因為最會影響我們最大的攔阻就是家人。信耶穌最大的助力也是家人，如果周圍的人反對，家人完全的支持。

聖經的方法是先愛神再愛家人。如果說沒信主的人也愛家人，但是那是從神來的愛，按自己的喜好來愛。愛神後的愛家人，是真誠的愛。懂得愛神，才知道如何愛家人。

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How?

Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul

 Matthew 10:16-33

I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

They are to expect hardship, to trust in God's care, and to fear no one.

Why?

To be a Christian there are many pressure and challenge comes on, even the persecution, don't afraid them, God is with us, everything happens is under the authority of the Lord. So our life is on the hands of the Lord.

Be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves for this world full of evil and anti-Christ. We have smart to identify them, the walk on the right way.

Because of Jesus we will be persecuted, and do not worry about saying something, the Lord will speaking to us through the Spirit.

Nothing can be hidden forever, everything in the darkness will be disclosed. God is the fire, the light, and the king. Nothing can hide before the Lord.

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做門徒是艱難的。

門徒會遇到，如羊進入狼，面對人要靈巧像蛇，面對神要馴良如鴿子。基督徒最容易起爭執的是自己的家人，其次是君王、外邦人，對外邦人則要做見證，反而在會堂內沒有交待要做見證，會堂中的審理沒有公正。保羅在法庭中爭辯，可以做見證。

福音本來就是與世界的價值觀是對立的，所以人需要悔改，福音到的地方會引起紛爭。如果我們傳的福音與世界的人所喜歡的，那麼就是有問題了。門徒會被排擠。

罵耶穌是別西卜，靠鬼王趕鬼，耶穌都如此了，我們成為耶穌的門徒怎麼可能會比耶穌好。門徒不會得到世界認同，不會得到人群的稱讚。愛心工作會讓人喜歡，但是門徒不是僅做愛心工作。而是要傳講神的道，這是人所拒絕的。我們如果不傳福音，就是不是主的門徒。

掩蓋的事，暗中的事，即耶穌告訴他們的，要去房頂宣揚出來。福音一定會被人知道，神的道不會被捆綁的。福音一定會傳開。那些人不能殺我們的靈魂，雖然可以殺我們的肉體。若非父的允許，我們不會遭受任何傷害，比麻雀更貴重。門徒的堅持，一定得到成果，神的稱讚。

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How?

Be strong and encourage! For the Lord is going before us.

Jesus called his twelve disciples

 Matthew 10:1-15

Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts—Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

The word apostle means messenger and the task of spreading the word about Jesus would rest with them after his death.

Now, having called them, he sends them our for the first time, with his own authority to heal. He gives them their instructions and warns them of the king of reception they are likely to get, both now and in the future. They are to expect hardship, to trust in God's care, and to fear no one.

Why?

Jesus called twelve disciples and gives them authority as the messenger of the gospel. They have the same authority to drive out the impure spirits and to heal every disease. This is the authority we like either. But this is the tool, the mission is to call people to come to Jesus to release their sins.

Because of this authority is blessing the people who welcome them, so the peace and greeting is deserved to them. If they rejected them, they will receive judgment for their own sins.

Some people reject the gospel, some people accept the gospel. It is the work of the Lord and their mind. To be a Christian, our mission is to let people know Jesus is the Lord and who is the fountain of blessing.

How?

Go and be a messenger to tell others the good news of Jesus Christ.

Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

 Matthew 9:27-38

As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”

Jesus Heals the Blind and the Mute, The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”  But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.”

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Jesus' pity for the people, God's harvest, leads straight into the account of his selection of the 'Twelve'. The choice and training of this inner ring of disciples was a vital part of Jesus' mission.

Why?

Jesus has pity on his people, so he healed the blind and the mute. drove out the demon from men.

Inner heart is more important than following the regulation.

Jesus gives his mission to us, pray to the Lord of harvest, and send out workers into his harvest field. We are the missionary to make it.

How?

Gospel is the mission from the Lord, pray to the Lord of the harvest.

Your faith has healed you

 Matthew 9:14-26

Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

Pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.

Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.

"The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. News of this spread through all that region.

Why does Jesus feast whereas John fasted? Luke gives Jesus' answer most clearly. His radically new teaching cannot be squeezed into the mold of the old legalism. It must find new forms of expression or the old will be destroyed and the new spoilt.

Jairus' daughter and the woman with bleeding were healed.

Why?

For Jesus is the God so his followers do not fast, but the time He left up his followers have to fast.

Jesus brought the new mind and new salvation to this world, the old one could not mix with the new one like wine. We should have a new idea of Jesus to face the old laws. Both are God's word but the New Testament has enhanced the spirit of the Old Testament.

Faith is the most important element to renew people's life.

Even the girl is dead, but his father trusts in Jesus Chris, so his daughter got up with Jesus' hands. 

In Jesus we trust will turn our life into a new generation.

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摩西律法中，一年一次禁食，在悔改認罪時，禁食目的在專心在神身上不管生活只求親近神。現在主就在你身旁，怎麼還要禁食呢? 此時的禁食已經成為表面上的悔改。當時人著重在聖殿。

如果不去接近這些不潔淨的人有罪的人，怎麼能夠去醫治人，救贖人。在神眼中，比墨守成規重要是憐恤。神的話語看似死板，其實是活的，有血肉的。

血漏者得潔淨，耶穌碰這些婦人，摸死去的人也是不潔淨，她摸耶穌的衣服，耶穌不會不潔淨，反而她得到潔淨。這婦人，和管會堂的人，都有超越的觀念。愛人憐憫人，比守潔淨的規條。我們是否願意被耶穌觸摸而得潔淨嗎？

這兩件事當事人都在絕望、憂傷中。他們都有新的思維，與主連結就能得到喜樂。已經憂傷變喜樂、不潔淨變潔淨，為什麼還要禁食呢?

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How?

Jesus is the Lord, trust in Jesus, it is the way to blessing.

I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners

 Matthew 9:1-13

Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”

Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.”

On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

The man with paralysis. Jesus uses the physical healing as proof of the spiritual cure: the man's forgiveness.

Son of man: A phrase Jesus often uses to describe himself. It emphasizes his humanity.

The tax collector is called Levi, and the feast is held at his house. 'Matthew may have been Levi's first name, as 'Peter' was Simon's. Jesus's presence in such a company scandalized the religious Pharaisees.

Why?

Jesus has the authority to forgive our sins. It is the authority of the son of the Lord.

First, forgive the sin then heal his diseases. diseases come from our sins.

Healing our disease is temporary but erase our sins is more important.

Jesus is the savior and a doctor to heal the sinner. Jesus coming for all of the sinners. If we don't think we are sinner, we don't need Jesus, the doctor of our life.

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有人用褥子抬一個癱子來，醫治了他。

赦罪的恩典：1.我的需要我知道嗎？神比我們知道的清楚。放心你的罪赦免了。還是不能走，怎麼能放心呢?能走就不會勞苦愁煩嗎？每個階段，職分、角色都有他的困難和煩惱。人的問題是罪的問題，離開福氣的根源。人常常看重次要的，忽略了重要的。耶穌先赦罪後再醫治。醫治證明赦罪的恩典與權柄。耶穌來最重要的工作是赦罪，使人復活，其他先知也做過，只有耶穌能夠赦罪

耶穌召馬太：稅吏是在宗教上是不潔淨的，道德上是欺壓百姓的，都是被排擠的。耶穌與他們吃飯，法利賽人看到當然不高興。耶穌說我愛憐恤，不喜歡祭祀。法利賽人有獻祭，所以認為自己是潔淨的。稅吏是不潔淨的。耶穌來的目的是憐恤人，給人赦罪的恩典。獻祭雖然好，但是神更喜歡憐恤心。如果依然故我則像癱子一樣癱瘓。離了主我們不能做什麼！我們若只是做宗教活動，讓我們看重與主的連結與主的關係。

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How?

Subdue to the Lord, for all of us are sinners, only Jesus can save us

Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?

 Matthew 8:28-34

When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?

The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.

He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.

Matthew has in mind the two witnesses required for a valid testimony under Jewish law. Jesus restores both men to sanity. But the residents of Gadar - one of the Ten Towns 1-km south-east of the Lake - were so scared that they sent Jesus away.

Why?

People of Gadarence are more focused on their property instead of the life of a man. People love money than life.

Even the demon knew that Jesus has the authority to drive them out from the man. For Jesus is come to save the human being. 

The end of the demon is dead, but Jesus comes to release sin from us, from the dead, and give us the new life.

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寧可要豬群與鬼同在，卻不要耶穌與他們同在。

鬼都認識耶穌，門徒卻不認識他，也服耶穌的權柄。人卻不如鬼。

鬼有可能到其他人身上，耶穌可以不要豬群，不能不救兩個人。人卻不願自己的財產損失，人為了保有財物，寧可有鬼騷擾。彼得寧可放下船、漁網，要得人勝過得漁。跟隨耶穌要付代價，雖然可能沒有那麼多財產，卻一定更好。跟隨耶穌是否能放下神要我們放下的。

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How?

Really know Jesus Christ and the Lord to follow Him. Jesus Christ is my saviour from the sins.

Jesus calm down the sea

 Matthew 8:14-27

When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever.  He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.

When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.  This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: He took up our infirmities  and bore our diseases.”When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake.  Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.

He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

At Capernaum Jesus uses his healing power to cure sickness and demonstrates his authority over evil spiritual powers which were seen to be at the root of many ills. Matthew appp;ies Isalish'w rods quite literally to Jesus' healing ministry.

18-21: Jesus' response to two would-be followers provides a lesson on commitment.

23- tellingly. Matthew has the story of Jesus' control of the wild and violent storm immediately followed by the calming of two wild and violent men.

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先知的預言早在幾百年前已經預言了。這些神蹟早已預言，在神的計劃中。

文士要跟隨耶穌。耶穌要他想清楚不要想過好吃好穿好的生活，以耶穌的方法為方法，耶穌的目標為目標。不是我們想像中的好處，雖然有好處。

另外一人跟隨耶穌，要請喪假。一般人都會准。耶穌在告訴我們，跟隨耶穌等一天都不行，猶太人人死後一天內才來。另外一個說法是等父母過世才來服事主，會有處理不完的牽絆。如果今天不行，明天也不一定行。信耶穌最優先，不要想用任何理由來推卻。不是人不可不能去處理父親的喪事。即請喪假都不可成為藉口，那麼還有什麼藉口來推辭?不是不能處理自己的事情，而是我們態度的問題。我們常擔心許多事情，我們也會遇到，其實都有耶穌會幫我們解決。冠冕堂皇的理由都不能使我們晚點來信耶穌。跟隨耶穌，耶穌負責到底。

How?

There is not excuse to follow the great Jesus.

The faith of the Centurion

 Matthew 8:1-13

A man with leprosy[a] came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

The Faith of the Centurion

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.

I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Jesus responds to human need. Teaching preaching and healing go together: his authority is expressed in what he says and what he does.

The leper. To the Jew, lepers were unclean, untouchable. Jesus could have healed the man with a look, or a word instead he reaches out and touches him.

The centurion's boy Jesus' mission is to 

Israel, but nowhere among his own people has he found faith to equal that of the Roman officer who recognized authority when he saw it.

Why?

The authority of Jesus over any man, he is the son of the Lord.

Jesus close to the unclean people, letter. Treat kindness to none Jews. For his faith shows the respective to Jesus Christ.

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登山寶訊很重要的是以誰為中心，我們看重的是什麼? 不要以自己為中心，要以神為中心。

大麻瘋患者的禱告，主若肯，他知道耶穌能。重點放在主的權柄，求主的肯，對主的權柄的尊重。

百夫長卻很疼愛僕人的軍官，統治者遇到困難，反而來求被統治者。尊重猶太人潔淨的規矩，尊重猶太人人不去外邦人家中的律法，因此他尊重耶穌的權柄。雖然他是軍官可以命令，要求。這裏是求耶穌的權柄彰顯出來。他不是吩咐耶穌來做事情，這是以神為中心的禱告。

這麼有信心的禱告，是指相信神的權柄，順服神的權柄。不是要神為我做這個、做那個。以色列人最後變成為自己求。讓我們更認識神，順服耶穌的權柄

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How?

Faith in Jesus Christ is the basic rock in our life.

The crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority

 Matthew 7:13-29

Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 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 the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

Make sure you are on the right road to eternal life.

Beware of being misled - tell true from false 'by their fruits'

Words are not enough; many are self-deceived.

The safe course is to act on Christ's teaching: a house built on rock can stand the storm

The  'sermon' over, Matthew notes the authority that set Jesus apart from all other teachers and impresses his hearers.

Why?

Jesus is the son of the Lord, so his teaching has authority.

Practice the word of Jesus in action is a wise man who built his house on the rock. When doing it, then it can stand under the storm.

Watch out the false prophets, we can not identify them from outside, but we can identify them by their fruit.

How?

Listen to the word of God and practice it in my daily life.

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you

 Matthew 7:1-12

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.

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 turn and tear you to pieces.

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; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

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

Do not be harshly critical; do be discriminating. Never give up praying.

The golden rule puts the whole sermon in a nutshell: Do as you would be done by. "This is the essence of both Law and Prophets.

Why?

Do not judge for we will be judged either.

Do not give dogs what is sacred, this is wisdom. Giving others fit them, something we think it is good but might be don't fit their need.

Do to others what you would have them do to you is the rule to all Christians.

How?

Do to others what you would have them do to you.

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

 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 than food, and the body more 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?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

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.

Everyone must decide their own priorities. Those who put God first can rest assured he knows all their needs and will not fail to supply them. They can be free from anxiety.

Why?

Do not worry! For the worry can not benefit anyone or anything. Everything is under the control of the Lord. Worry can not add a single hour to our life. But may reduce our life and unhappiness.

Just seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to us as well, how great Jesus and the Lord blesses us. Do our jobs.

How?

Even today what I will do left to the hands of the Lord, may the Holy Spirit leads me and give me the words I say.

No one can serve two masters, serve both God and money

 Matthew 6:16-24

But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others 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.

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin 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 healthy, your whole body will be full of light. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

People can choose what to set their hearts on. They can go all out for money and material things, or for God and spiritual things. But not for both. 

Why?

Fast is for the heart to the Lord, it is not a show to others, so do it in private.

Store our treasure in heaven is better than in the world, for our life in the world is short and it will be destroyed or stolen.

The eye is the lamp of the body, so keep our heart and eyes in the truth, or we may live in the darkness.

No one can serve two masters, so we could not serve both God and money.

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這些教導都與我們所行的動機有關。標榜自己有多麼愛主！犧牲物質上的享受，換取從人來的榮耀、掌聲，更危險。不知不覺開始驕傲，成為敗壞的開始。行善多了，掌聲多了，人容易驕傲，以致不信耶穌。

我們不能為那張證書讀聖經，或是為禮券讀聖經。參加讀聖經達成進度，送證書或是送禮券，主要在乎動機如何?不是送證書比禮券好，其實一樣。禁食是因為重視與神親近的時間。

我們的財富要投資在那裏?我們都是投資在地上的生活。要有正確的眼光，眼睛要光明。

不能事奉兩個主：

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How?

Serve the Lord with all my heart, my soul, and my strength.

Motives, thoughts, intentions, what goes on deep inside, are what matter when it comes to religious practice

 Matthew 6:1-15

Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them.

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 others.

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.

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. And 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 other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Motives, thoughts, intentions, what goes on deep inside, are what matter when it comes to religious practice, too. God gives no prizes for an outward show of piety. So Jesus tells his followers to give and pray and fast without drawing attention to themselves. God will reward them. Prayer is to be simple, trusting: as children come to a loving Father, eager to please, conscious of failings. It is expressed in the model prayer Jesus gives his disciples, which we know as 'The Lord's Prayer'

Why?

To be a real Christian, motivation, thoughts, intentions are important than our behavior. If the motivation is correct the behavior will be correct and meet the requirement of the Lord.

Jesus gives us a way to be a real follower. Even the prayer should be for the kingdom of the Lord, not started from our desire.

Forgive other people when they sin against us. Love the enemies and bad guys need more love inside our hearts.

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施捨：八福的憐恤的人。無論什麼人都有憐恤的心。但是差別在於世界上的人是要叫人看見。例如一些廟會刻芳名錄，甚至於以他的名字命名。這是故意要得人的榮耀。為了怕人說沒有愛心。行善很容易落於驕傲，目的不是愛他，而是為了自己。這是以自我中心的憐憫。

禱告：八福的清心的人，飢渴慕義的人。故意叫人看見的禱告，也是以自我為中心的禱告。虛榮心，要人來稱讚他。用重覆的話，例如叫主耶穌一百次，或是同一件事禱告50次，百次，神就要聽嗎？強求神應許嗎？其實是求自己需用的。禱告不是要神來滿足我，我需要的神知道，禱告是求神的名被高舉，以神為中心的禱告。神的權柄行在地上，其中的攔阻就是人及撒旦、魔鬼。求神改變我的心，將以自我為中心改為以神為中心的禱告。我們需要的神都知道，求神讓我們聖潔，不被撒旦魔鬼所利用。

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How?

Pray to the Lord give me more love and faith and strength to follow your way.

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you

 Matthew 5:38-48

“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 anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

“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 children 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 own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Why?

 Love enemy and pray for those who persecute you is very hard to do it. But this is the teaching from Jesus Christ. 

Be perfect, as our heavenly Father is perfect. Love of Jesus beyond our thought and imagination. But this is true love. 

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以牙還牙提醒人害人是要付代價的，有時代價超過你所得到的。

耶穌提醒不用報復來對敵人，永無止境的報復。只有以愛來待人。消滅敵人最好的方法是使他變為朋友，變為家人。

溫柔的人不爭，我們不是都沒有了。主必為我們伸冤，必承受地土。聖經的教導是以溫柔、以愛來回報。爭，抵抗，永遠有無止的敵人。

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How? 

Dear Lord, please help me and give me the strength to love the one I don't like for you have saved me even I am not good at all.