Pearls from the New Testament

Matthew 6:1-18. Discourse given by Savior on worshipping the Father 1.          Why are we asked by the Savior to do good quietly?   By quietly giving we are doers of the word.   The Savior lived the quiet life of giving.   Let our deeds be discovered accidentally.   Those who need to know about those actions do.   The Father knows them and that is all that matters.   Our service can only be efficacious if accomplished for the love of God and the love of His children.   We should serve for the highest and best reason—the pure love of Christ. 2.        What are alms?   It can mean two things:   “acts of righteousness” and “donations for the poor.” 3.        Why do we perform service?   The Lord gave three examples of service; a.        Giving to the poor. b.       Praying. ...

Matthew 5; Luke 6  Lesson 6 Matthew 5:1-12. Jesus Teaches the Beatitudes 1.          What is the relationship between the Sermon on the Mount as recorded in Matthew and the Sermon on the Plain, recorded in Luke?   The Sermon on the Plain was delivered right after the calling of the twelve apostles.   Likewise the Nephite version was delivered right after the calling of the Nephite 12 apostles.   Parts were given expressly to those apostolic ministers rather than to the multitude in general.   The Sermon on the Mount and the Sermon on the Plain are one and the same. 2.        How are the Beatitudes interrelated?   As taught by Pres. Harold B. Lee, the Sermon on the Mount gives us 8 distinct ways by which we might receive joy.   They are referred to as the Beatitudes and are the preparation necessary for entrance into the kingdom of heaven.   He terms them as “The Constitutio...

John 2-4 Lesson 5 1.          Why did John highlight the day of the week when this marriage was held?   There is a suggestion made by various commentaries that according to tradition, Jewish weddings were often held on Tuesday, the third day of the week because, during the Creation of the world, God twice declared the third day good and the other days of the week were declared good only once.   To run out of wine was a social faux pas .   Cana was a small village and such an occurrence would be social ruin as it would never be forgotten.   Wine was a rabbinical symbol of joy.   To run out of wine would have been the equivalent of admitting that neither the guests nor the bride and groom were happy. 2.        Is there anything to be learned from the miracle of turning water into wine?   What is the significance of the vessels being made of stone?   It manifested Jesus’ power to eff...