Let Your Light Shine Before Men (Matthew 5:7-9, 13-16)
/Christ commands the church, in light of the great blessings she has received, to show the world mercy, to be content in Christ and to take the gospel to a lost world.
You Are the Light of the World (Matthew 5:14-15)
/Jesus calls the church the light of the world in order to encourage her that she reflects the glory of the new creation in a dark world.
You Are the Salt of the Earth (Matthew 5:13)
/Jesus describes the church as that which is holy and set apart in the world, that for which the last day has been postponed.
When You Are Persecuted, Part 2 (Matthew 5:10-12)
/Jesus explains the first four beatitudes and how the church is to (internally) respond to the antagonism of the world.
When You Are Persecuted, Part 1 (Matthew 5:10-12)
/Jesus explains the first four beatitudes and how the church is to (internally) respond to the antagonism of the world.
The Pure in Heart (Matthew 5:8)
/Jesus rewards his people with the blessing of a pure heart, which so delights in the Lord that it desires nothing but God and is rewarded on the Last Day with the fulness of his presence.
The Merciful (Matthew 5:7)
/As former enemies of Christ who have received mercy, the church is called to treat the hostile world with mercy.
Those Who Hunger and Thirst After Righteousness (Matthew 5:6; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-12)
/To hunger and thirst after righteousness is to long for the day of God's righteous judgment when the evil will be punished and the righteous will receive the fullness of the kingdom.
The Meek (Matthew 5:5; Psalm 37)
/Meekness is the willingness to be patient for the inheritance and possession of the New Heavens and the New Earth, knowing that what is promised is far greater than what this world can offer.
Those Who Mourn (Matthew 5:4)
/Mourning is the natural response to being an exile and is a blessing because it betrays your heavenly identity.
The Poor in Spirit (Matthew 5:3)
/Those who possess the kingdom are necessarily poor in the world’s eyes.
Introduction to Beatitudes, Part 2 (Matthew 5:2; Proverbs 31:1-9)
/Jesus, having received the kingdom through his obedience opens his mouth to proclaim words of righteousness and comfort to his kingdom people.
Introduction to Beatitudes, Part 1 (Matthew 5:1)
/The Beatitudes are a series of blessings that belong to all believers because of their union with the exalted Christ.