1 Thessalonians 5:16,17,18

Sermon on the Mount: Back to School Edition

Matthew 5:1,2,3, 5, 7, 8, 17 What kind of person took time to listen to Jesus? Laborers, fisherman, and common people who were opressed and taxed by the Roman Empire. They may have been sick, hungry, or thirsty. Blessed is happiness that comes from God rather than temporary circumstances. In that culture, being blessed meant having riches, not being without. How rich is my spirit with opinions, attitudes, and pride. Our spirit needs to be poor. God won’t compete with a rich spirit.

Matthew 5:5,7,8,17 Meekness means strength under control, like a war horse trained to obey the master with restraint. This wasn’t considered a virtue. The boldest, loudest, and most dominant are considered the ones to be blessed. I have the ability to choose to respond or react to please God. Jesus had power but he was meek. Instead of revenge and retaliation out of duty, Jesus taught mercy and love toward our enemies. There were a lot of rules to follow. Jesus introduced a new way of living from the heart.

Matthew 6:1,2,3,4 Outward performance is not purity of the heart.

Matthew 5:14,15,16 Leave your light on, no matter where you are. Showing the fruits of the beatitudes is a way of shining the light.

Matthew 7:24,25,26,27,28,29 A person who is building on eternal things adds rock to the foundation by spending time with God and choosing to have integrity.

I have to take care of my “house” (life), but all my time, affection, and energy shouldn’t be on the house. It should be invested in the foundation, which is eternal. Storms will beat on every house with pressure, pain, and loss. The storm came to both houses, but the foundation mattered the most.