THEO 101 Lecture 5.3a - True Deeds

Introduction to True Deeds

Lecture by Dr. Seaman, part one of a comprehensive four-part series focusing on true deeds as expressions of faith and integrity in the context of Christian teachings.

Core Focus

• The primary focus of this lecture is the Sermon on the Mount, which serves as a vital template for core values that define the essence of Christian teachings.

• The Sermon is elaborately presented in Matthew's Gospel, which contains the profound teachings of Jesus, including the Beatitudes that highlight the qualities and attitudes expected of those who belong to the Kingdom of God.

Overview of the Sermon on the Mount

• We previously examined Matthew chapter five, establishing foundational concepts.

• Two key questions were explored:

  1. Who belongs to the kingdom? This question delves into the criteria that define membership in the spiritual community.

  2. How does one enter the kingdom? This inquiry addresses the pathways to spiritual entry, emphasizing faith and repentance.

• We briefly touched on a third question: 3. How should one seek the kingdom? This will be addressed more thoroughly in lecture three, particularly focusing on the importance of prayer.

Seeking the Kingdom Through Action

• In this section, we focus on the second aspect of seeking the kingdom: through deeds or actions. The emphasis is on the practical application of faith in daily life.

• There will be an analysis of Jesus's teachings regarding actions, particularly His instructions on righteous living and ethical behavior.

• The final part of this learning segment will incorporate Jesus's warnings found in chapter seven of Matthew, discussing issues like hypocrisy and the importance of genuine faith.

• We will also extend our learnings to chapter 25 of Matthew’s Gospel, which contains critical insights about God’s evaluation of human actions and the final judgment based on one's deeds.

Connection to Integrity

• There is a strong encouragement to reread the first chapter of the Sermon on the Mount, with an acute focus on integrity and how it relates to one's faith and actions, particularly within the context of the Beatitudes.

Key Concepts of the Beatitudes

• The Beatitudes articulate a series of blessings and describe the attitudes that reflect the values of the Kingdom of God (or Heaven).

• They define membership in the Kingdom based on certain characteristics, such as humility, mercy, purity of heart, and a hunger for righteousness.

Attitudes Versus Actions

• This lecture encourages reflection on the important question: What is more important: attitudes or actions?

• The conclusion drawn is that both are equally important; attitudes inform actions, and righteous actions are a testament to one's inner beliefs and values, ultimately defining both integrity and belonging to the Kingdom of God.

Next Steps in Lecture Series

• We will begin the next part by examining Matthew chapter six, where the focus will shift to exploring the principles of seeking the kingdom through actions, including teachings on giving, prayer, and fasting as expressions of faith.