Introduction – Patterns or principles?

By Tony Kostas  |  Published 1975

An understanding of the principles which God teaches us requires us to hear from God, to be directed by God and to know the way that the principles are to be applied in various situations.

We will be studying the fifth, sixth and seventh chapters of Matthew and looking at what is commonly called the Sermon on the Mount and studying fifteen such principles which Jesus shared.

The Principle of Identification

By Tony Kostas  |  Published 1975

In studying the Principle of Identification, we come to that part of the Bible which is commonly called the Beatitudes. These are thought of as being sweet, encouraging and comforting. Though they are all of these things, they are far more than beautiful, poetic thoughts and sentiments. They give to us the first great Principle  that of Identification with Jesus. In fact, a ninefold Identification with Jesus.

The Principle of Being

By Tony Kostas  |  Published 1975

One of our friends, who was recently in Switzerland, learnt a lesson one day as she walked amongst the magnificent towering mountains. She was impressed by the fact that those mountains were not doing anything and yet, by just being what they were, they glorified God with a loud voice even whilst they were saying nothing. Because God had made them what they were, they glorified Him, and His glory was seen on them by their very being. And it is “being” that this principle is all about.

The Principle of Fulfilment

By Tony Kostas  |  Published 1975

God is not seeking our bright ideas, nor is He seeking our methods, nor is He asking us to define purposes and goals. Rather He is wanting to involve us in His purposes and to show us His goals and then He will be responsible for their fulfilment.

The principle of relationships

By Tony Kostas  |  Published 1975

There is much that is vital for us to understand concerning relationships. When Jesus said that the truth would set us free he did not only mean the truth about himself, but also the truth about ourselves and about one another, when we understand how to share, receive and handle such truth we are, in fact, entering into a true understanding of relationship.

The principle of disciplined obedience

By Tony Kostas  |  Published 1975

In introducing the Principle of Disciplined Obedience, we need to emphasise that to commit an act of sin is merely the end result. Jesus is saying that God’s concern is less with the final outward act and more with where it comes from. Committing sin is the end result of what has already gone on in your heart.

The principle of marriage

By Tony Kostas  |  Published 1975

The principle of marriage is fundamental to the way in which we relate to God.   For some Christians “service” is the predominant aspect of their relationship to Jesus.   In not appreciating that first and foremost their relationship to him is that of a marriage, they have reduced it to one of employer-employee.

The Principle of the Spoken Word

By Tony Kostas  |  Published 1975

The kingdom of God is based on reality and our speech is so much a vehicle for conveying what we are, that we must learn to be people whose speech conveys only that which we really are.

The Principle of Retaliation

By Tony Kostas  |  Published 1975

Whilst some thus resist in their hearts and are angry, resentful and bitter, others react outwardly by their words and deeds. However, any of this kind of resistance, either active or passive, is wrong. Simply because love dictates a positive response.

The Principle of All-Encompassing Love

By Tony Kostas  |  Published 1975

The term “all-encompassing love” refers of course, to the love that covers everyone and God’s love is just that kind of love.  His love is not turned on and off by our behaviour.  He may disapprove of our behaviour and he may punish us for it, but he never stops loving.

The principle of reward

By Tony Kostas  |  Published 1975

There are a number of references to rewards in the Bible. God is a rewarding God and he also emphasises to us that the rewards which he gives are the only ones worth seeking after. He is a jealous God and does not take kindly to people seeking after rewards from other sources. If we do this, we spoil his opportunity to be to us the true rewarder that he is.

The principle of security

By Tony Kostas  |  Published 1975

It is natural for people to seek security of one form or another. In this study we will see that there are two basic types of security and that only one of them really works. (I) Earthly, that is the security offered by the godless world’s system and (ii) Heavenly, that is the security which comes from heaven and has as its source, God himself.

The principle of recompense (the golden rule)

Published 1975

Our Bible reference for this Principle is Matthew 7:1-12. Jesus’ teaching on Recompense here can he divided into three parts. We will see how this Principle operates in judgment, in discernment and in need.

The principle of progress

By Tony Kostas  |  Published 1975

Being “born again” is but a beginning and unless progress is made from that point on, we are not walking in God’s way. It is also important for us to note that this principle does not only refer to God’s way for our lives in general but also for each specific situation in which we find ourselves.

The principle of reproduction

By Tony Kostas  |  Published 1975

In covering this Principle we will see the way in which we are to discern between true and false prophets, remembering that a prophet in this context is anyone who claims to be speaking a word from God.

The principle of foundations

By Tony Kostas  |  Published 1975

It is appropriate that this final principle is that of Foundations. In coming to it Jesus made the point that his teaching as contained in chapters five to seven (which we have divided into fifteen Principles of the Kingdom of God) is to be foundational for our lives.