Collide - The Heart People

Collide - The Heart People
Introduction to a New Teaching Series

Matthew Vander Els from Founded In Truth Fellowship introduces a new teaching series titled "Collide." This series emerges from a previous discussion on "God's Mission," which explored the overarching narrative of the Bible as God's plan to restore humanity and bring complete peace to the world. The "Collide" series will delve into specific events within Yeshua's ministry, starting with a significant and well-documented event known as the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapter 5.

The Setting: A Greater Moses on the Mountain

The teaching begins by examining the scene of the Sermon on the Mount. Instead of simply stating that Yeshua went up a mountain, Matthew emphasizes that Matthew's Gospel uses a definite article in Greek ("the mountain"), intentionally evoking the image of Mount Sinai. Just as Moses ascended Mount Sinai to receive and deliver the Torah from God, Yeshua, referred to as a greater Moses, goes up "the mountain" to deliver a more profound message from God. This sets the stage for understanding the Sermon on the Mount not just as a collection of teachings, but as a new and deeper instruction from God, much like the Torah was for the Israelites.

The Audience: The Blessed Outcasts

Yeshua's choice of disciples was unconventional. Unlike other rabbis who sought out the most qualified individuals with impressive resumes and academic achievements, Yeshua chose ordinary people, such as fishermen, and even those considered outcasts, like Matthew, a tax collector. To these individuals, and to the crowds that gathered, Yeshua began proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God, stating that God's reign is now present and breaking into the world.

The first part of the Sermon on the Mount consists of the Beatitudes. The speaker clarifies that the word often translated as "blessed" (Greek: makarios) signifies a state of existence or a status bestowed by God within His kingdom, rather than merely earthly possessions or good fortune. Yeshua directs these statements towards the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted. He declares that theirs is the kingdom of heaven, that they will be comforted, inherit the earth, be satisfied, receive mercy, see God, be called sons of God, and possess the kingdom of heaven. This radical message inverts worldly values and includes those whom society often overlooks.

Heaven and Earth: An Interlocked Reality

The teaching addresses the common misconception of heaven and earth as separate and distant realms. Instead, the biblical understanding portrays them as originally interlocked and intended to be one, with heaven being the place where God's dominion is fully manifest. Humanity's actions, symbolized by the story of Eden, led to a separation. Yeshua's mission is to bring heaven back to earth, and he invites his followers to participate in this mission. Those who experience hardship and are considered outcasts are, in fact, blessed and have access to heaven now.

Following Yeshua means living differently from the world's standards, even if it leads to collision with those standards. Just as driving on the wrong side of the road would cause chaos, followers of Yeshua are called to stand against worldly norms that contradict God's ways. They are to be ambassadors of a heavenly reality that is not yet fully seen, living out its principles of peace and forgiveness even in a world that operates differently.

Salt and Light: The Role of Believers

Yeshua declares his followers to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. The analogy of salt, if it loses its taste, becomes worthless. However, the speaker clarifies through a Jewish rabbinic wordplay that salt (sodium chloride) does not actually lose its saltiness. The phrase "lost its taste" is interpreted as meaning to become stupid or to lack value. Therefore, Yeshua is conveying that a professed disciple who lacks commitment and passion is like tasteless salt—useless and to be cast out.

Similarly, believers are the light of the world, like a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden, or a lamp placed on a stand to give light to the whole house. Their good works should shine before others so that they may see and give glory to God. Believers are meant to reflect God's image and reign into the world through their actions.

Fulfilling the Law and the Prophets: A Matter of the Heart

A crucial point in the Sermon on the Mount is Yeshua's statement: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." In the first century, there were various interpretations of the Torah, and Yeshua's teachings provided a new and deeper understanding. He clarifies that his purpose is not to diminish the Word of God but to show how to properly fulfill it, revealing its heart and how it is meant to be written on people's hearts.

Application for Everyday Life

• Examine your heart: Regularly assess your thoughts and feelings towards others. Do you harbor anger, resentment, or disdain?
• Pursue reconciliation: If you are aware of having offended someone or of someone having something against you, take the initiative to seek reconciliation before engaging in worship or prayer.
• Practice forgiveness: Extend forgiveness to those who have wronged you, mirroring God's forgiveness in the New Covenant.
• Love your neighbor: Actively seek to love and care for those around you, even those who are different or difficult.
• Live differently from the world: Be aware of worldly values and norms that contradict God's kingdom principles. Choose to live according to God's ways, even if it means going against the flow.
• Reflect God's light: Let your good deeds and character shine in such a way that others may see the greatness of God and give Him glory.
• Commit to God's mission: Recognize that you are called to participate in bringing heaven to earth by embodying God's love and justice in your daily life.

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References Bible Verses

• Matthew 5:1
• Matthew 5:2
• Matthew 5:3
• Matthew 5:4
• Matthew 5:5

Books and Resources Mentioned

• IVP Bible Background Commentary
• Talmud (specifically Tractate Beccarot 8b)

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