Matthew 4:12-25 and The Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-16

Matthew 4: 12-25 (read)  …….

4 v. 12  Where did Jesus go?  Galilee (N. of Samaria)

                Isaiah 9:1-2 – darkness in that land …..for a time   …..until Christ

4 V. 17 What does Christ preach?  Repent

                Matt. 3:2 What does John (the Baptist) preach?  Repent

4 V. 18  Who does HE choose?  Simon Peter and Andrew

4 v. 19  Follow ME ….. is referring to an external following at this time ….later they will have an internal transformation and follow HIM in “saving faith”

4 v. 21  who does HE choose?  James and John

4 v. 23 What are the 3 main aspects of Christ’s ministry?

                #1  teach

                #2 proclaim gospel ….salvation of sinners from the wrath of God

                #3  healing

Read Matthew 5: 1-16 …….and drew storyboards of each Beatitude

The Beatitudes are to reveal our sin and lead us to brokenness and humility….so that we can be used by God to glorify Him….You are the light in a dark world….if the Holy Spirit is living in you.  Truly repentant people are not flippant over their sin ….they take it seriously!

Read Isaiah 66:2  “But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit and who trembles at My word”

This is referring to someone who is broken over their sin.  Read Ps. 51:17….broken spirit and contrite heart…

Blessed means:  happy, fortunate, blissful            But this passage is referring to more than surface emotions!

5 v. 3 What is “poor in spirit”?    You are spiritually bankrupt…..you don’t deserve to be in God’s presence on your own merit or goodness.  You are “blessed” if you recognize this!

What did Jesus say we must do in order to be a part of the Kingdom of Heaven in 4 v. 17?  Repent   we also reviewed what John the Baptist                         said…”REPENT”

               

How people respond when they see their own sin in Light of a Holy God:

Read Isaiah 6:5  - “woe is me for I am ruined……”

                Read Luke  5:8 – “go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man….”

                When we see our sin in light of a Holy God ….. we realize our unworthiness …..we need a Savior!

5 v. 4 What does it mean by “those who mourn…..they shall be comforted”?  This is not written for someone who mourns in self-pity.  This is someone who mourns spiritually and grieves over their own sin! 

When was the last time you grieved over your sin??

                Read Luke 18:13 ….. “God be merciful to me, a sinner …..”

                Read 2 Cor. 7:10 …..godly sorrow produces repentance that leads to salvation…

5 v. 5  What is gentle?  This is a turning from pride and arrogance to humble meekness ….before a Holy God

                Read Ps. 37:11  ….the humble  (meek)  will inherit the land….

5 v. 6  Who hungers and thirsts for righteousness?  When we hunger and thirst for righteousness, we turn away from our sin.

                Read John 4:14 ….whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst…..  and John 6 …I am the bread of life….

                Read  Philippians 3:9 ……righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith….

5 v. 7  What is merciful?   Compassion

                Read James 2:13 …… judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy….

                Read Prov. 11:17 …..the merciful man does himself good, but the cruel man…..

5 v. 8   What is pure in heart?  Someone who’s internal thoughts are pure…this leads to external purity

                Read Ps. 24:4 …..he who has clean hands and a pure heart…..

5 v. 9  Who are peacemakers?    …….sons of God?

                Read Hebr. 12:14 ….pursue peace with all men…

                Read Rom. 8:14 …..all led by the Spirit of God are sons of God….

5 v. 10  Who have been persecuted?     Read 1 Peter 3:14 …. If you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed ….

5 v. 11   Why would people insult and persecute you?   Read 1 Peter 4:14 …. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed….    Reviled =  “pascho” # G3958 ….Suffer, experience pain

5 v. 13 ….. you are salt = “halas” = prudent ….your useful

5 v. 14 ….you are light = “phos” = to shine or make manifest, luminous ….. 

5 v. 16 “let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven”…

                Read  1 Peter 3:8  ….all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted and humble in spirit….