This Fall we are turning to the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 where the blessing of God is declared to be upon his people in eight unique ways. These beatitudes dispel false notions of God’s blessing, and establish what it really means to be favored by God. They help us better understand the true nature of the Christian life, as one formed by the grace of God as we follow the Son of God. We live lives marked by trials and temptations in a world marred by sin and suffering, and the Beatitudes cut through all of it to reveal the ground of Christian satisfaction and joy.
THE SERMON SCHEDULE
Although there are eight Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1–12, we will cover them over six weeks. On October 12 we will consider the fifth and sixth together, and on October 19 the seventh and eighth.
PREPARATION
To help you prepare for worship and engage more deeply with each week’s message during our series on The Beatitudes, we invite you to follow the guide below in the days leading up to each service.
Blessed are:
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Read Mt. 5:1-3. Reflect on your frailty and fallenness. Consider your need for God’s mercy and grace. How can this lead you to humility and meekness of spirit? How does the humility of Christ encourage you to come to him?
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Read Mt. 5:4. How can mourning and blessing be experienced simultaneously? What sin and suffering should you grieve before God? Are you resisting the mourning that leads to repentance? How does God’s promise of comfort find its ultimate fulfillment in Christ?
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Read Mt. 5:5. Do you understand the difference between weakness and meekness? What form does pride most often take in your life? What would it look like if meekness took the place of pride in that part of your life? How does Christ’s meekness give you an example to follow and an expectation of grace?
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Read Mt. 5:6. Consider what you are most hungry for in life. Is it a desire for something you lack, or for more of what you already possess? Where does God fit into your daily longing? How does a hunger for righteousness shape your prayers and decisions? How does God actually satisfy such hunger?
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Read Mt. 5:7, 8. To whom is God calling you to extend mercy? Are there any you are hesitant to offer kindness? Can you identify things in life that capture your heart and challenge your devotion to Christ? How does Christ’s mercy and purity cleanse and renew your heart?
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Read Mt. 5:9-12. Where in your world is peace needed? What steps can you take to pursue peace there? How do you respond when your faith is mocked? How does Jesus, the true Peacemaker who suffered persecution for our sake, give you the grace and courage to persevere?
RESOURCES
BEATITUDES SERIES GUIDE
The series guide introduces the biblical concept of beatitudes, provides recommended reading for further study, and includes weekly prompts to help you prepare your heart for worship.
At the request of some of our members I provide a copy of my handwritten sermon notes to the congregation. While they aren’t created as a listening aid and may be a bit hard to read, you may be one of those people who find them helpful while listening to or reviewing the messages.
PASTOR’S NOTES
This document will be updated weekly.
