Tag: Sermon on the Mount

True Christianity, pt. 16-20

by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

Terry wrapped up his six-month series with a few messages on Matthew chapter 7. Each of the messages is included below, although one is missing notes (Sorry!). To listen to a message, simply click play on the audio player of the message you’d like to hear. All links will take you to the Scriptures referenced at BibleGateway.

True Christianity, pt. 16

Matthew 7:1-6

Intro: Matthew 6:33 tells us how to live in God’s peace and rest. When He is our priority, everything else falls into place. It’s not an idle life; we must be disciplined and diligent. All we need to know can be found in the Word and we need to walk that out in our lives. Psalm 139 reminds us that we are continually on the mind of God; He wants you to have Him on your mind continually. To love God is to know His Word.

  • Matthew 7:1 – Don’t Judge
    • to judge is defined as criticizing or condemning others
  • Matthew 7:2 – Standard of Measure
    • checks & balances
    • the way you judge others is the standard by which you will be judged
    • James 2:13
      • if you’re not merciful to those around you, God won’t be merciful to you
      • God is willing to forgive, but He’s watching everything you do
  • Matthew 7:5 – Hypocrite Pharisee
    • thought he was better than everyone
    • couldn’t see his own faults
  • Matthew 7:3-4
    • oftentimes, we’re the last to know about the things that are wrong in our lives
    • Christians need to help each other
    • look closely at the Scripture:
      • Does it say, “Don’t judge”?
      • It says, “Don’t judge lest you be judged.”
      • If you are doing the same thing, you will be judged in the same way
  • Judge Righteous Judgment
    • John 7:24
    • 1 Corinthians 5 – sin within the Church
      • v. 3 – Paul judged the situation
      • v. 9-11 – don’t associate with those who are immoral
        • the Word tells us to judge those within the Church that they might repent and be restored (v. 5)
      • v. 12-13 – God will judge those outside the Church
    • 1 Corinthians 6 – Right Judging
      • v. 1 – don’t take your business to the worldly courts
      • v. 2 – the believers shall judge the world
      • v. 3 – you shall judge angels
      • v. 4 – you have to make righteous judgments now
        • even the least among you in the Church should be able to judge righteously by the power of the Spirit
      • v. 5 – Paul rebukes the Church for not being able to judge wisely among themselves
    • Judge the world with righteous judgment
  • Matthew 7:6 – Don’t Cast Your Pearls Before Swine
    • Be careful and discerning when handling the Word in dealing with unbelievers steeped in sin.
      • don’t use the Word flippantly
      • the Word stands forever
      • the Word is the most powerful and priceless thing we have
        • let the Spirit work through you so you can know how to share/use the Word wisely
        • Jesus spoke in parables (starting in Matthew 13)
          • so those who were receptive would receive it
          • so those who were opposed would have it hidden from them
          • Matthew 15:14

True Christianity, pt. 17

Matthew 7:7-12

Review: Judges have the power to set free or condemn. We are able to judge those in the Church; God judges those who are unbelievers. The point of judging is to bring people to repentance.

  • Matthew 7:7 – Ask, Seek, Knock
    • this is a command
    • followed by a promise – it shall be given, you shall find…
      • our portion triggers God’s response
      • present perfect tense – continually, ongoing
      • prayer, prayer, prayer
        • it’s a privilege to come directly to God Almighty
        • “Oh, what peace we often forfeit. Take it to the Lord in prayer.”
        • cast all your cares (1 Peter 5:7)
    • God is under no obligation to hear the prayer of an unbeliever
    • The example of prayer is Jesus Christ
      • constant communication with the Father
      • only spoke the Father’s words (John 12:49)
  • Matthew 7:8 – Response
    • ask, seek, and knock are action words
      • He’s waiting on us
    • Everyone!
      • that’s the love God has for us
      • All things are possible with God (Matthew 19:26)
      • don’t limit your prayers
        • ask for big things – He can do anything
        • don’t walk by sight
        • pray by faith
          • pray the Word
            • “God, you said…”
  • Matthew 7:9-10 – Man
    • Fallen man cares about his children
  • Matthew 7:11 – Man vs God
    • if an unrepentant, sinful, evil man cares about his children
    • Your Father
      • we have a relationship with the Lord to benefit from these promises
      • intimate relationship
        • praying continually
        • meditating on Him, His Word
      • we are all created by God, but not everyone is a child of God
        • when you are saved, you are adopted into His family
        • closer relationship with Almighty God allows the cares of the world to fade
        • when we come together, we grow/encourage
  • Matthew 7:12 – The Golden Rule
    • Do unto others (my part)
    • What you would have them do unto you
      • treat others the way you want to be treated
    • This is a summary of the law and the prophets
    • the Golden Rule is a barrier-breaker between us and the unredeemed
      • when we love our enemies, treat them with respect, it changes us & them
  • Hebrews 4:14-16 – Come to the Lord’s Throne
    • we have a Great High Priest
      • He is our advocate
    • because of v. 14-15
      • let us come boldly to the throne of Grace
      • direct access to God through the blood of the Lamb
        • Jesus tore the veil separating us from God
        • you will obtain mercy and grace
        • Matthew 7:7 – Ask, Seek, Knock

True Christianity, pt. 18

Matthew 7:13-14

I apologize for not having notes available for this.

True Christianity, pt. 19

Matthew 7:15-20

  • Intro: If there is true Christianity, then there is also a false Christianity. We need to be aware of false Christianity in order to not fall into it.
  • Matthew 7:15 – False Teachers
    • In the OT, false prophets spoke words that were not from the Lord (though they claimed they were).
    • In the NT, Paul speaks of teachers rather than prophets.
    • They look like they are harmless.
      • Sheep’s clothing – to get in amongst the sheep and scatter them
    • They are ravenous wolves.
      • Trying to destroy the people of God
      • Like tares among the wheat (Matthew 13:24-30)
      • They twist the Word, etc., to fit their worldview
      • Paul said the wolves are going to come (Acts 20:29-30)
  • Matthew 7:16 – Fruit
    • You can tell whether a person is true or not by what their lives produce.
  • Matthew 7:17-18 – Trees
  • Matthew 7:19 – Bad Trees Cut Down
    • Teachers who deceive will be destroyed by the Lord.
      • Maybe not in this life, but certainly in eternity.
    • 1 Thessalonians 5:21 – prove and test
    • 1 John 4:1 – test the spirits
    • Acts 16:16-19 – what the spirit was saying was true, but the spirit was not of God – only discernment can tell the difference
    • Right judgment
      • Discernment is judging, but it is righteous judgment
        • judge the fruit of people’s lives
          • not by worldly “success” standards
          • by spiritual standards
        • listen VERY carefully to what they are saying
      • Jude – how false teachers are deceiving the Church
      • Matthew 24:24 – even the elect can be deceived, especially in the last days.
  • Matthew 7:20 – You Will Know
    • It doesn’t say, “You will know them by their words.”
    • Their fruit = their lifestyle
      • Jesus’ life matched His message
    • Mark the false teachers and depart from them.
  • Galatians 5:16-25
    • If we abide in the Vine (John 15), we will produce good fruit.
      • the Holy Spirit will cause us to live a holy life and produce the fruit of the Spirit
    • If we are attached to a rotten vine, we will produce bad/fleshly fruit.
    • v. 16 – The power of the indwelling Spirit breaks the power of sin
    • v. 17 – tug-of-war of the spirit
      • the Christian life isn’t easy
    • v. 19-21 – the works of the flesh
      • who we are apart from the Lord
      • God takes these away by the power of the Spirit, as we ask Him to (He won’t take what we don’t give)
    • v. 22-23 – godly fruit – who our God is
      • what the Spirit brings
      • Joy
      • Peace
        • John 14:27
        • completely at rest, no striving
        • doesn’t come and go
        • is always there if we keep our eyes fixed on Him
      • Patience/Long-suffering
        • put up with a bad situation or difficult person
        • rubs the hard edges off of me
      • Gentleness & Kindness
      • Faithfulness
      • Goodness
      • Self-control
    • You can tell who has the Spirit by these fruits
      • all the fruit will increase as we grow closer to the Lord
      • the worries of the world fall away & our focus turns heavenward
  • Fruit is important to God!

True Christianity, pt. 20

Matthew 7:21-29

  • Intro: The truth of God can pierce the heart, deeply, through all the deception of the world. The truth is found in the Word of God.
  • Matthew 7:21-23 – “I never knew you.”
    • Many people think they are on their way to heaven, but they aren’t.
      • only those who do the will of the Father
        • hear what God says AND
        • do what God says
      • we are not saved by our works
        • we are saved by faith in Jesus
        • our works demonstrate what we believe
        • our lives need to match what we profess
      • Matthew 7:13, 18, 21-22, 24-25
        • Two ways:
          • 2 gates
          • 2 trees
          • 2 types of people
          • 2 foundations
      • hypocrisy – from the Greek for actor/putting on a mask
    • v. 21 – not everyone who cries out Lord
      • Lord = Master
    • v. 22 – many will call Him “Master,” but haven’t let Him be the Master of their lives
      • you must yield – turn your life over to Him
      • Matthew 16
        • deny yourself
        • take up your cross
        • follow Jesus
        • fall in love with God & He will transform you into the image of Christ
      • 2 Corinthians 13:5
        • take inventory of your life
        • religion is just adding God to your life
        • holding onto you rlife will not take you down the narrow way
      • God never knew them
        • they knew who God was, but God never knew them
        • they prophesied – knew the Scriptures
        • they cast out demons “in Your name” & performed miracles
          • were terribly deceived
          • were trusting in their works, not in Jesus
  • Matthew 7:23 – Depart from Me
    • Do you know the President of the US?
      • You may know who he is, may have heard him speak, but does he have any idea who you are?
  • Matthew 7:24-27 – The Two Foundations
    • Everyone who HEARS the Word & does it
      • nothing can destroy them
      • Jesus is the solid rock of our salvation
      • walk out salvation moment by moment
    • Your responsibility
      • What will you do with what the Lord has given you?
    • 1 Peter 1:6-7 – out faith will be refined by fire
    • Everyone who HEARS the word & doesn’t do it
      • will crumble when problems arise
      • have nothing solid to stand on
    • Exact same trials/difficulties in v. 25 & 27, but faith makes the difference in the outcome.
  • Matthew 7:28-29
    • The people were amazed.
      • overwhelmed

True Christianity, pt. 10-15

by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

Hello! I must apologize for taking so long to post these messages (and for the missing message and/or notes). Life gets in the way sometimes, technology fails us, but God is always faithful and good! So here are a few of Terry’s recent messages in his series on True Christianity from the Sermon on the Mount in the book of Matthew.

True Christianity, pt. 10

Intro: In this section of Scripture, Jesus is going deep on issues to help us be the salt & light – to live an upright life – to manifest true Christianity to those around us. We can’t do this on our own; Christ can do it through us. As Christians, we have to forfeit our rights and take offense without demanding retribution. Taking matters to court makes us just like the world. Don’t lose your witness/testimony over “stuff.” God uses those situations to work in the hearts of unbelievers (Proverbs 25:21-22). Be willing to lose things for the sake of His kingdom.

  • Christian Love: Matthew 5:43-48
    • This is a supernatural work – no way we could love our enemies in our own power.
    • We need to grow more like Christ every day
      • if you’re not coming closer to God, seeking Him daily, you’re falling away – there is no static place
      • we need to be moving toward holiness & godliness
      • God won’t force it on us; we must yield
    • The Christian life is hard, but it is peaceful, blessed
      • Ephesians 4
      • be obedient to His prompting
      • if we put the things of God on hold, our lives are shallow, empty
      • we come alive when we begin to be used by the Lord
    • Matthew 5:43
    • Matthew 5:44
      • LOVE your enemies
        • don’t just put up with them
        • what does this look like?
          • love manifests in action
            • God so love that He GAVE
    • Matthew 5:45
      • God loves even His opponents
      • This is true Christianity. God wants to use you and me to reach the lost, but we have to yield to Him to do that.
        • Corrie ten Boom & her sister, Betsie, are great examples.
      • In every aspect of the Christian life, we NEED God.

True Christianity, pt. 11

Intro: It’s easy to love the lovable, but Christ calls us to love our enemies. Romans 5:6-11 says that we used to be God’s enemies, but even while we were His enemies, He died for us. God exhibits His love by action. We must conform to God’s standard, but there’s a wrestling that comes with that conforming (Genesis 32). God will continue to work with us as we yield to Him.

Jesus dealt primarily with doctrine & teachings of the false religious teachers in chapter 5. Now in chapter 6, Jesus will deal with what the false religious teachers were doing.

  • Matthew 6:1-4
    • v. 1 – Take Heed!
      • pay close attention
      • don’t do what the false teachers do
      • don’t perform for men
      • give with the right motive
        • God wants us not to be stingy, but to give rightly (with the right motives in the heart)
          • don’t give just for accolades
          • don’t give just because you think you have to (that’s trying to work for salvation)
    • v. 2 – How Not to Give
      • the Pharisees, etc., made sure everyone saw them giving
        • hypocrites (actors)
        • did it to receive the praise of men
    • v. 3 – How to Give
      • don’t do it on a stage
      • give (money, time, care, love, etc.) as a part of everyday life
        • be willing/open to being a blessing at any moment
        • pour yourself out to meet the needs of others around you
    • v. 4 – Deeds in Secret
      • our charitable giving (if done with the right motives) will be rewarded by God, rather than by men
        • our needs will be met now
        • our reward will be in heaven
      • our motive in everything should be to please God because He is worthy
        • comes from a heart that has been redeemed
        • He will give us discernment when we are giving, if we yield those decisions to Him

True Christianity, pt. 12

Matthew 6:5-15

The Proper Way to Pray

  • v. 5 – Don’t Be as the Hypocrites
    • prayer is a private thing between the individual and Almighty God
      • the false religious people were praying only to draw the focus and attention to themselves
        • wanted a big audience
        • seeking the approval/accolades of man
    • How did Jesus pray?
      • He would often slip away in the evening and pray to His Father
      • He is our example
    • hypocrites
      • actors playing a part
      • Matthew 23 – the “reward” for the hypocrite
        • the core of the hypocrite is pride
        • pride has no place in the kingdom of God
    • God won’t hear your petition if your heart/motive isn’t right.
    • Prayer, which God has given us access to Himself through, is intimacy with Him.
      • 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – pray without ceasing, talk with God all the time, be in constant communication
  • v. 6 – Aspects of Proper Prayer
    • Get away from distractions
    • Pray to the Father in private
  • v. 7 – How to Pray
    • don’t babble or repeat the same thing over and over again
      • unbelievers think they will be heard if they just keep talking
      • vain repetition = not coming from the heart
  • v. 8 – The Father Already Knows
    • He knows what we need, but He wants us to talk to Him, ask Him, petition Him
  • v. 9-13 – The Model Prayer
    • Don’t pray these words in vain, unthinkingly, just repeating the words without meaning them.
    • This is the model for prayer that Jesus gave to the disciples.
      • a simple prayer
      • a comprehensive prayer
    • v.9 – How to start your prayers:
      • Our Father – who you are praying to
      • in heaven – where He is
      • hallowed be Your name – reverence for the Lord, keep God in His holy place, exalt Him
    • v. 10 – What is important to God:
      • Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
        • put God and His plan first and foremost
        • Revelation 4-5: continual worship in heaven
        • putting His plan first will help us mentally/emotionally overcome our circumstances
    • v. 11 – Our physical needs:
      • Give us this day our daily bread.
        • bless us with what we need for each day
          • we are abundantly blessed in America, but we don’t have to put our need for provision in God’s hands as much as others do
    • v. 12 – Our spiritual needs:
      • Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
        • God’s forgiveness is contingent upon us forgiving those who have sinned against us.
        • Sin is an indebtedness to God.
        • Repentance, faithfulness, and obedience need to follow forgiveness.
    • v. 13 – Keep us from transgressing:
      • And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
        • an important part of the Christian life
          • God doesn’t tempt us (James 1)
          • God does allow temptation
          • we all have to deal with temptation, but we can ask God to keep us away from temptation
        • we need protection from the devil
          • 1 Peter 5:8 – the devil prowls
          • sin brings ruin, destruction, and death.
          • it’s not something to be trifled with
          • we are commanded to live a holy life, and we can’t do that if we are mired in sin
          • 1 Corinthians 10:13
      • For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
        • exaltation sandwich – begin prayer with praising God and end prayer with the same
        • He is sovereign over everything
        • All glory is His!
    • v. 14 – Addendum
      • We have to forgive others before God will forgive us.
        • He wants to set the captives free, and unforgiveness is a hang up to the believer
          • freedom for our souls is conditional
          • yield to the Holy Spirit
          • God wants us to be in agreement with Him

True Christianity, pt. 13

Matthew 6:16-24

*Unfortunately, this message did not get recorded, and I was out of town, so there are no notes available. Sorry!

True Christianity, pt. 14

Intro: Jesus is comparing what the Word of God says to what the religious leaders were teaching. We can never meet God’s standard on our own – we need the indwelling Holy Spirit to work in and through us. Luke 19:10 No one is born saved – we are called to salvation & choose to believe, follow, yield. John 14 tells us He went to prepare a place for us (Revelation 21:1-5 describes the place) in eternity. We are in training now for dwelling with Him for eternity – the Sermon on the Mount is part of that training.

The last three messages tell us we need to do things in “secret”: 1) our giving should be glorifying to God, not ourselves; 2) our prayer life should not be about impressing other people; 3) our times of fasting are important to teach us to deny ourselves in order to get in tune with God & allow God to work in us.

  • Matthew 6:24
    • James 1:6-8
    • He’s given us all things to be used and enjoyed, but remember that it can’t be what you worship/depend on
  • Matthew 6:25 – Wean Yourself Off the World
    • what do eating, drinking, & clothing have in common?
      • they are physical and temporary
    • we need to focus on our eternal life
    • our bodies do have their needs, but the physical needs should not worry us as much as the spiritual needs
  • Matthew 6:26 – Look at the Birds
    • God takes care of them
    • you are even more important to the Father than they are, so He will take care of you, too
    • Psalm 115:12 – God knows what you need & He will bless you, if you put Him first
    • John 3:30 – should be our desire
    • Birds don’t just hang out in the nest and wait for the seeds to come – they are diligent
      • be busy about what God is calling you to do
      • don’t be idle
  • Matthew 6:27 – Worry Doesn’t Help
    • What does worry accomplish?
      • nothing
      • worry only negatively affects the body
      • when you’re anxious, cry out to the Lord
        • anxiety means you’re not trusting God
  • Matthew 6:28-29 – The Lilies
    • Why worry about clothing?
      • the lilies are beautiful without worrying about how/where they grow
  • Matthew 6:30 – Faith
    • worry is the opposite of faith
    • faith is trusting in the Lord despite how everything looks around you
  • Matthew 6:31 – Commandment
    • Do Not Worry!
      • don’t take any thought for your physical/temporary life
    • Trust in God!
  • Matthew 6:32 – The People of the World
    • the shallowness of life apart from the Lord
      • like running on a treadmill trying to keep your head above water
    • God knows we need these things
      • not pretending we don’t have needs, knowing He will meet our needs if we focus on Him
  • Matthew 6:33 – Culmination
    • Seek Him first
      • look to Him, rest in Him, grow in Him, put all of Him first
    • all these things (our physical needs) will be given to you
      • the righteous way to do things:
        • don’t worry about your life
        • seek the Lord instead
        • He will meet your needs
  • Matthew 6:34 – Another Commandment
    • Take no thought for tomorrow
      • worrying about what might happen is useless
        • physically/mentally/emotionally damaging
    • Rest in His peace
      • don’t sweat the details
      • Trust in Him
    • Luke 12:16-21 – Rich Man
      • in a few verses, the rich man focuses solely on himself 8 times
        • I’m the beginning of my life & the end of my life.
        • very superficial
          • worry about yourself, not others
      • “You fool!”
      • Be rich towards God!
    • This is true Christianity.

True Christianity, pt. 15

Intro: Last week, God was telling us about how the kingdom operates. We need to seek Him first (v. 33). We all have a tendency to worry, but worry saps your joy & puts the focus on your circumstances, instead of on the Lord (v. 34). Romans 5 tells us that the Spirit puts God’s agape love in your heart so you can manifest it back to Him and then extend it to others in His family, to those outside the kingdom, and even to your enemies. Cast your cares upon Him (1 Peter 5:7).

Matthew 6:33 – First is a command – seek Him & it will trigger the second part which is a promise – He will be faithful.

What God Says About His Word

  • The more time you spend in His Word, the more you’ll know/understand.
  • Put the spirit-life first
  • John 1 – The Word of God tells us about the Word of God
    • v. 1 – The Word (Jesus Christ)
      • was in the beginning of everything
      • was with God
      • was God
      • logos – the spoken words of God
        • Jesus spoke only His Father’s words (John 12:49)
    • v. 2-3 – The Word created all things
    • v. 4-5 – The Word is life & light
      • life is found in Him
      • He keeps the darkness at bay
    • v. 12 – Salvation come through the Word
    • v. 14 – The Word became flesh
      • the content of the Scriptures became a man and walked among us
      • Hebrews essentially says that sending His Son was the last thing God would do to bring salvation to mankind.
        • if the prophets couldn’t get through to you
        • if the Word can’t get through to you
        • there is no other way to salvation
    • Luke 19:10
      • God wants to use us to show others the Way to salvation
      • God is both love AND truth
    • Matthew 4 & Luke 4 – falling away from the truth starts with ignoring the WHOLE counsel of the Word
      • v. 4 (in both) – “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
    • We are sanctified (set apart for God) by the Word (1 Timothy 4)
    • Romans 12:1-2
      • the Old Testament called for dead sacrifices
      • the New Testament calls for us to be living sacrifices – offer your life to the service of God each day
        • be transformed by being in the Word
        • 1 Corinthians 2:13 – God will impart His mind to us as we spend time in His Word
    • God guides us though His Word
      • Proverbs can teach us what God wants us to do
        • turn us from fools to wise
      • Everything we need to get through each day can be found in the Word
      • As we come to the Lord, go into His Word, the cares of the world melt away.
    • Isaiah 55:11
      • God’s Word will accomplish whatever it is supposed to.
      • His words will never pass away (Matthew 24:35)
      • Forever, O Lord, Your Word is settled in heaven (Psalm 119:89)
    • Hebrews 4
      • v. 1-11: the believer’s rest
      • v. 12: the Word of God is…
        • living
        • active
        • sharper than any two-edged sword
          • will tell you things you may not want to hear
          • can bring salvation or condemnation
          • only the Word can penetrate the depths within us & remove what is wrong to replace it with what is righteous
      • v. 13: God knows everything about us
    • John 12:48
      • The Word is at the end of the road, and we will all stand before Him
    • Everything we need comes from the mouth of God.

True Christianity, pt. 1-3

by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

Hello! Terry has begun a series, entitled “True Christianity,” to explore the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5-7. The first three parts of this series are included below, with both audio and written notes. Praying this series blesses you, whether you can be with us in person or over the internet.

True Christianity, part. 1

Intro: What does true Christianity look like? Jesus tells us.

  • Jesus’ Ministry Begins
    • Matthew 4:17 is where Jesus begins to preach (His earthly ministry)
    • Jesus taught in Galilee (Matthew 4:23-25)
      • People came from all over (see map)
    • Three-Fold Ministry of Christ
      • teaching
      • proclaiming
      • healing
  • Jesus Prepares for Teaching (Matthew 5:1)
    • sees the multitudes
    • goes up a mountain
      • mountains are places where God meets His faithful
    • disciples come to Him
    • people wanted to know how to get into the Kingdom of God
      • Pharisees & teachers of the law each set their own standards of external righteousness & requirements were different depending on which teacher you followed (called the “yoke” of the law).
  • Jesus Begins to Teach (Matthew 5:2)
    • these attributes are what God will begin to manifest in the life of a believer
    • Matthew 11
  • Poor in Spirit (Matthew 5:3)
    • spiritually destitute apart from the Lord
      • recognizing you have nothing without Him, that you desperately need a Savior
      • opposite of what the world believes
      • Romans 7:18
        • you can’t obtain righteousness apart from God
        • James 1 – the anatomy of sin
      • Ezekiel 36
        • to be in the Kingdom of God, He must first exchange your heart of stone for a heart of flesh
      • Jesus is all we need (the “I am” statements of Jesus – John 6:35, 8:12, 10:9, 10:11, 11:25. 14:6, 15:5)
    • when we recognize our spiritual destitution/poverty, we turn to God for His grace and mercy
    • the reward for those who are poor in spirit
      • entrance into the Kingdom of God/eternal life
  • Those Who Mourn (Matthew 5:4)
    • we mourn for the things that break God’s heart, that grieve Him
      • is a spiritual mourning that comes when we see how sinful we are apart from Him, coming short of what God expects of us
    • shall be comforted
      • only the Lord can comfort and strengthen a broken heart
      • spiritual mourning should lead us to truly care about all the people who are hurting around us
        • take the focus off of self and put it on loving others
  • Conclusion
    • As we draw closer to the Lord (as He prepares us to join Him in eternity), we turn towards the cross & put our backs to the world more and more.

True Christianity, pt. 2

  • Introduction: Biblical Christianity means denying yourself, taking up your cross, & following Christ.
  • Matthew 5:3 – what’s important is our relationship to God through Jesus
    • The “Blessing Sandwich:
      • joy on earth comes through right relationship with God
      • joy in heaven comes from eternity with God
    • Humility – the lower you go, the closer you come to God
      • 1 Peter 5:6
      • Matthew 10:39
      • Philippians 3 – let go to take hold
        • don’t just add Jesus into your life
        • get rid of the old, grab onto the new
      • David’s sin with Bathsheba & murder of Uriah (2 Samuel 11) led him to humility
        • Psalm 51, esp. verse 17
        • the word “contrite” in Hebrew (daka) can mean “deflated” or “crushed”
      • We need to see our spiritual bankruptcy before God.
        • Isaiah 64:6
        • Acts 26:18
        • Our life apart from the Lord is like a cup with a big rock in it. That rock is our pride, filling up the cup. We must empty it out (humble yourself) before we can fill it up with Christ.
  • Matthew 5:4 – mourn over the things God mourns about
    • the sin in my life
    • the hell-destined world filled with transgression against a holy God
  • Matthew 5:5 – meekness does not equal weakness
  • Luke 18:9-14 – The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican (Tax Collector)
    • Pharisee
      • compares himself to other people around him
      • thinks he’s better than they are
      • filled with selfishness & pride
      • self-exaltation
      • external religion
    • Publican
      • stands far off
      • wouldn’t even lift his eyes
      • beat his chest
      • “Be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.”
      • All signs of a broken and contrite heart
    • Jesus notes that the lowly, contrite tax collector was declared justified/righteous
  • Conclusion: We have been given a way to be right with God.

True Christianity, pt. 3

  • Intro: Being/becoming a true Christian is an ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It is a self-less life, modeled for us by Jesus Christ.
    • To be blessed is to:
      • have God in your heart
      • yield to Him daily to do His will for His glory
    • John 10:10
    • The lower we go in emptying ourselves, the higher God will raise us (1 Peter 5:6).
  • The Meek (Gentle/Humble) – Matthew 5:5
    • They will inherit the earth!
    • often overlooked/looked down on by the world
      • praised by God
    • opposite of what the world expects of successful people
    • characterized by joy & peace that can only come from God
    • can’t be shaken by the world/the enemy
      • secure in Christ
      • untouchable by the powers of darkness
  • The Beatitudes are a spiritual progression
    • recognize your need for a Savior
    • then mourn over the things God mourns
    • then we become humble
    • then we hunger & thirst for righteousness
    • etc.
  • The Hungry & Thirsty – Matthew 5:6
    • Jeremiah 29:13
      • must desire to find God & be willing to set aside the useless things of the world to yield to Him
    • We all have a God-shaped hole that only He can fill.
      • He wants us to know Him.
    • The closer we walk with Him, the more insatiable becomes our hunger & thirst to walk right with Him.
    • Matthew 6:33
    • We will be satisfied to the degree with which we hunger & thirst.
  • The Merciful – Matthew 5:7
    • We are not merciful apart from God.
    • God has unending mercy for us
      • 1 Corinthians 13:12
        • trying to figure out who this God is
      • We deserve His wrath, but He extends us mercy.
    • Keep short accounts
      • confess
      • be thankful
      • don’t hinder your rest by holding onto grudges
  • The Pure in Heart – Matthew 5:8
    • live at peace with others
      • let offenses go
      • don’t hold onto grudges
    • keep the world from defiling your heart
    • be clean spiritually
  • The Peacemakers – Matthew 5:9
    • come in the middle of those who are at odds with each other & help restore peace
      • in the world
      • in the workplace
      • in the home
      • in the heart
    • the biggest peace a believer can offer anyone is peace with God
      • we are all caught up in spiritual warfare
      • the unbeliever is at war with God
      • when we offer salvation, when someone accepts relationship with Christ, peace floods in
    • Jesus is the door (John 10:7)
      • all sin has been atoned for
        • when you accept Christ, that atonement is applied to you
    • be a peacemaker, led by God
  • The Persecuted – Matthew 5:10
    • persecuted for the sake of following Christ
      • when you are walking closely with Christ, Satan & his minions will oppose you
      • persecution (Greek: dioko – persecuted) -to pursue after; to inflict suffering
      • Jesus said that they hated Him, they hated His Father before they hated Him, and they are going to hate us (John 15).
  • The Insulted & Persecuted – Matthew 5:11-12
    • If we’re going to be His disciples, we can expect to be insulted, persecuted, and spoken falsely about.
    • Rejoice over being persecuted for living righteously, for His name’s sake (James 1).
      • great is your reward
        • not on earth, in this life
        • in the heavenly realm for eternity
    • Persecution has been happening to the people of God since He first created us.
  • Stand firm!