I am come that they might have life, and that
they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10
In the "Beatitudes" (Matthew 5:1-12),
Jesus presents the normal lifestyle of the Christian.
Our Lord, who has Himself shown us what it means
to be perfect and holy, now calls all His people
to a life of perfect holiness. Yet, all through
this message He reminds us that it’s impossible
for us to reach this perfection on our own.
What, then, can we do? The secret to triumphant
life in Christ is not trying to do my best;
it is trusting my all-sufficient Shepherd. It's
not seeking to empower myself, but recognizing
that on my own I am inadequate. It’s not
building self-esteem, but "looking at Jesus"
- my Savior and my Friend.
To the extent that I accept the truth about
my own neediness and God’s greatness,
Jesus Christ can freely live His life of perfect
love in and through me. "For with God nothing
shall be impossible." (Luke 1:1). Therefore
"my God shall supply all your need according
to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
(Phil. 4:19).
Read, ponder, and meditate on His wonderful
Word and promises. They hold the key to abundant,
victorious life with Him forever.
Precious Lord, open my heart and mind to understand
the secrets of the abundant life. I want your
way, not mine -- your perfect holy life, not
my finite, failing life. Apart from You I would
fail, but by Your Spirit, I can share in Your
triumph. Therefore, I yield myself to you so
that you might accomplish your purpose in and
through me.
FIRST DAY: Read Matthew
5:1-8.
Note: This foundational part of Jesus' sermon
speaks of the condition of the believer's heart.
It could be called "Capacity to Receive."
Our hearts are like the soil in the parable
about the sower (Luke 8). The seed, God’s
Word, remains constant, but the soil changes.
Only good soil - a ready heart - can receive
and nurture the seed, then produce fruitful
new life. The Beatitudes show us how to prepare
our hearts to receive His word.
1. What common elements do you see in these
promises?
2. (Personal). Someone has wisely said, "God’s
way up is down."
Consider what these verses tell you about God’s
loving purpose in your difficult circumstances.
Might He be enlarging the capacity of your heart
to receive more of the riches He longs to give
you? Will you let Him prepare you to receive
His greater blessings? Please tell Him your
answer.
SECOND DAY: Read Matthew
5: 10-16. This section concerns the Christian's
relationship with the world.
1. Before His death, Jesus prayed to His Father
about us, saying, "They are not of the
world, even as I am not of the world."
(John 17:14-16). Why then might this next section
of the sermon be called, "In, but not of,
the world"?
2. In vs. 9 & 13-16, what is God asking
you to be for Him as you live in the world?
(A deep awareness of your identity in Him prepares
you to live that wonderful reality).
3. What is God's message to you in vs. 10-12?
Were you encouraged by these promises? Why,
or why not?
(Optional: For deeper insights see Romans 8:17-18
and Phil. 3: 7-10).
Note: Matthew 5:1-6 might be considered a general
introduction and an outline of the rest of this
sermon. Now we will look at some specifics.
THIRD DAY: Read Matthew
5:17-48. The remainder of chapter 5 might be
called "The Believer's Righteousness"
or "Right Standing Before God."
1. In light of this passage, why might v. 20
be considered the key verse?
2. How does this verse emphasize the difference
between human goodness (and good intentions)
and the "righteousness" believers
have through Christ and the cross?
3. Why, then, was God's "righteousness"
so precious to Paul? (See Philippians 3: 7-10).
FOURTH DAY: The Old Testament shows us various
responses to God's call and guidelines. Some
lead to failure, others to victory, When Moses
told the people God's instructions for possessing
the promised land, they presumptuously answered,
"All that the Lord has spoken we will do!"
(Exodus:19: 8) Why might such a statement actually
lead to failure?
When Jehoshaphat faced a difficult battle,
he prayed, "we have no might against this
great company that cometh against us; neither
know we what to do: but our eyes are upon Thee,"
(2 Chronicles 20:12) Why would this statement
lead to victory?
(Personal) How do you pray when facing a difficult
battle? Consider what your words reveal about
your attitude toward God end toward yourself?
FIFTH DAY: To prepare
your heart to receive all that God wants to
give you, ponder (and, if you are willing, memorize)
the words of Psalm 25:1-2, 4-5. From the content
of this prayer, what seems to be the condition
of David’s heart?
Are you ready and willing to receive and believe
that the God who calls you to live with Him
in His kingdom is also able to accomplish it
in you? How does 2 Corinthians 3:4-6 encourage
you?
All the way my Savior leads me
Cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for every trial,
Feeds me with the living Bread.
Though my weary steps may falter
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see.
