Blessed The teaching of Jesus, in Matthew 5:1-10, helps us learn more about who God is and invites us into a blessed interaction with God.
Jesus is teaching the Good News and inviting people into the Kingdom of God.
“This is how God showed his love to us: He sent his one and only Son into the world so that we could have life through him. This is what real love is: It is not our love for God; it is God’s love for us. He sent his Son to die in our place to take away our sins.” – 1 John 4:9-10 NCV
“By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.” – 1 John 4:9 Legacy
How can we describe the Good News in a “story line” to help us understand what the New Testament believers understood?
God’s story line tells us 4 things:
1. What God wants for us (Creation)
2. What happened to us and what went wrong with the world (Fall)
3. What God has done in Jesus Christ to put things right (Redemption)
4. How history will turn out in the end as a result (Restoration)
– Timothy Keller Good News of Jesus Christ: What God has done and will yet do.
Who is God?
· One True Living God – Jer. 10:10-12 Psalm 18:46 1 Thess. 1:9
· Life-Giver: Provider & Protector Matt. 7:11 Jn. 14:14 2 Sam. 22:2-7 Psalms 138:7
· Creator & Redeemer Gen. 1:1 Isa. 44:24 43:1 Col. 1:15-28
· Good Father, Relational – Gen. 1:26-28 Isa 64:8 Matt. 6:26-33
· Rewarder of those who seek – Heb. 11:6
Who are we?
· Someone who God loved and gave identity, value, and purpose. Gen. 1:26-28
· Jesus follower Lk. 9:23-24 Jn. 13:34-35
· Child of God Jn. 1:12-13 1 Jn. 3:1 Rom. 8:16-17
· Coheir with Christ Rom. 8:17
· Royal Priesthood, Holy Nation 1 Peter 2:9
How does this connect to the teaching of Jesus about the Kingdom of God?
“Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” – Matthew 6:9-13
“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Change your hearts and lives, because the kingdom of heaven is near.’” – Matthew 4:17 NCV
“Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33 ESV
What do we learn?
1. The teaching of Jesus is helpful for our understanding and perspective of our natural world and the Kingdom of God.
2. The Kingdom of God is most valuable.
3. God blesses His people.
4. God is aware of our heart condition.
5. God responds to our heart condition.
What should we do?
1. Pray, asking God to help us learn more from the teaching of Jesus.
2. Identify our questions and what we are learning from the teaching of Jesus.
3. Share this journey with our church family.