10 Weeks in the Word

Week 1: Matthew 5:1-12

Lydia Pentecost | About the passage

The Sermon on the Mount is often referred to as the greatest sermon ever preached by the greatest preacher who ever lived. This sermon prioritizes teaching followers of Christ how to live rather than teaching us how to become followers of Christ. Daniel Akin refers to the beatitudes specifically as “principles of life for kingdom citizens.” (1) We are called to this life of holy living, and the beatitudes tell us the result of delighting in our walk with Christ. Some of these seem counterintuitive, like paradoxes, but their foundation is that we must cling to Christ when we have nothing else to cling to. We are to delight in the Lord and the life we are called to live in him, and the world will hate us for this, but we are satisfied by Christ and Christ alone. We are called to lean on the Lord, grieve our sin, submit to Christ, long for him, and have pure hearts. From Akin, “Let’s delight and take joy in this high and holy calling from our King!” (1)
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Lydia Pentecost

Chapel Coordinator

Week 1: Matthew 5:1-12

The Beatitudes

1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Questions

  1. How does this passage affect the way we live each day?
  2. We are called to grieve our sin. Are there some sins that you find harder to grieve in your life? What can you do to start to shift your mindset?
  3. We are also called to be pure in heart. What do you think this means?

References

(1) Akin, D., & akin’. (2019). Exalting Jesus in the sermon on the mount (Christ-centered exposition commentary). Holman Reference.

Revelation 7:9

ESV: 9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,

NIV: 9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

NKJV: 9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands,

Matthew 5:23-24

ESV: 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

NIV: 23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

NKJV: 23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Matthew 18:15-17

ESV: 15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

NIV: 15 “If your brother or sister[a] sins,[b] go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’[c] 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

NKJV: 15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

 

Micah 6:8

ESV: He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,[a]
and to walk humbly with your God?

NIV: He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly[a] with your God.

NKJV: He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?

Genesis 1:27

ESV: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

NIV: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

NKJV: So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.