Bethel Church Temple TX Podcast (Sermons)

Beatitudes – How We Share Christ

Matthew 5.1-10

5 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.

Christian VALUE SYSTEM

This sermon is the BEST known teaching of Jesus which is the least understood and

the least obeyed. They are basically the descriptions of what Jesus wanted His

followers to be like and to do.

LADDER EXAMPLE (insert picture)

Overview of the Character Traits:

1. Putting Our Trust in God

2. Repentant Lifestyle of our Sins

3. Learning Humility & Gentleness

4. Righteous Living

5. Showing Mercy and Compassion

6. Growing More Holy

7. Making Peace

8. Rejoicing Through Persecutions

Growing MORE Holy

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

OPENING QUESTION:

WHEN and WHY is it difficult for us to live out in our actions what we believe in our heart?

PURE: (Popular Interpretation)

katharós, of uncertain affinity; clean (literally or figuratively):—clean, clear, pure.

Clean and Pure

1. Physically

2. Levitical Sense (Ceremonial or External)

3. Ethical

PURE IN HEART:

World asks…How do we find happiness? FOLLOW YOUR HEART

Jeremiah 17.9 -- The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

Soren Kierkegaard - “Purity of heart is to will one thing.”

One scholar wrote, “the single-minded, who are free from the tyranny of a divided

self.”

In the ancient Greek, the phrase pure of heart has the idea of straightness, honesty,

and clarity. 

1. Guileless:

2. Transparent:

3. Sincerity

Making Peace

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

First Thought:

Ones who break up the fights between two parties.

Not conflict, but peace….

1 Peter 3.11 -- let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.

Hebrews 12.14 -- Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

Romans 12.18 - If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Peacemakers:

This does not describe those who live in peace, but those who actually bring about

peace, overcoming evil with good. One way we accomplish this is through spreading the

gospel, because God has entrusted to us the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18).

2 Corinthians 5.17-21

17  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. [b]  The old has passed away;

behold, the new has come.  18  All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to

himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 

And this is Evangelism:

We make peace between man and the God whom they have rejected and offended.

Who are the peacemakers?

1. One who is bringing good into others’ lives

2. One who is bringing men to God

3. Does not mean an easy-going person. Someone to RUN OVER.

4. One who actively sets out to make PEACE.

5. The peacemaker is one who points men to God, that they might surrender to God

and have peace.

SUMMARY:

Be the ONE LIFE that makes PEACE on the Earth for God.

Series: Last Man Standing

March 31, 2024 Elwyn Johnston

“greatly perplexed.” Luke 24:4

“perplexed” – to be entirely at a loss

“Jesus first appeared to Mary” Mark 16:9

“she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she didn’t recognize Him.” John 20:14

“Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” John 20:15

“Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’” John 20:16

“I have seen the Lord” John 20:18

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear” Psalm 46:1 & 2

“Jesus Himself was suddenly standing there among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you’” Luke 24:36

“troubled” – to cause inward commotion, to take away one’s calmness of mind, to render anxious

“doubts” – to question what is true, it is to argue inwardly

Love Won

Series: Last Man Standing

March 24, 2024 Elwyn Johnston

1 John 4

Verse of the Week: “You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in

the world.” 1 John 4:4

1. Love won over the lies of the enemy.

“do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false

prophets have gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

“you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” John 8:32

“God first loved us.”   1 John 4:19

“Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love?” Romans 8:35

“I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.” Romans 8:38

“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Dt. 31:8

“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” Proverbs 19:21

2. Love won over fear.

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.” 1 John 4:18

“since I picked you to live on God’s terms and no longer on the world’s terms, the world is going to hate you.” John 15:19

“if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you.”

Matthew 6:30

“examine your own actions. Then you can be proud of your own accomplishments without comparing yourself to others.” Gal. 6:4

“don’t worry about…‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but

your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give

you everything you need.” Matthew 6:31 – 33

“do not worry about tomorrow” Matthew 6:34

“You will keep in perfect peace the one whose mind is focused on You” Isaiah 26:3

“to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

3. Love won because Jesus is greater!

“all have sinned” Romans 3:23

“The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8

“the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world” 1 John 4:14

“the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant” 1 Timothy 1:14

“God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.” 1 John 4:9

“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”

1 John 4:4

March 20, 2024    Daniel Frost

Jesus is still the ­­­­­bridge to heaven.

When we are in relationship with our good shepherd - we will lack nothing!

Only those who live in His presence will reap the benefits of it!

Jesus chase humble service.

Jesus is the source of all the truth in our lives.

We can’t know truth unless we know Jesus!

March 17, 2024 Elwyn Johnston

Verse of the Week: “Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love other believers.” v. 10

“we are children of God” v. 2

“God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 1:6

“by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no

one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8 & 9

“The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.” v. 8

“Whoever has been born of God does not sin” v. 9

“Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on

sinning, because they are children of God.” v. 9

“everyone who has this hope fixed on Jesus purifies himself, just as He is pure.” v. 3

“We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the believers.” v. 14

“it has not yet been revealed what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him just as He is.” v. 2

“may be able to comprehend with all God’s people what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge” Ephesians 3:18 & 19

“were by nature children of wrath” Ephesians 2:3

“put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God” Eph. 4:24

“Anyone who continues to live in Christ will not sin.” v. 6

A Disciple Of Jesus

Mason Worthy

March 10, 2024

1 John 2:3-6

1 John 2:6

Our actions must line up with our belief in Jesus (3 John verse 11)

Our love for Jesus cannot be divided (1 John 2:15)

We are called to abide in Jesus (1 John 2:28)

What does the Cross mean to you?

The Cross is not a license to sin.

The Cross requires a sacrifice while also offering hope.

What difference does the Cross make?

The Cross sets the standard for daily life.

The Cross is the difference from other religions.

Why keep our eyes on the Cross?

The Cross says, It is finished.

A focus on works opens the door to guilt; a focus on the Cross opens the door to hope.

The Cross is the compass of true north.

The world is crucified to us!

The Cross removes the weight of works and gives us a new heading.

Circumcision is not the issue!

Circumcision was about living by the rules; the Cross is living by grace.

This new gospel is for men and women.

The weight of works is gone!

Series: Last Man Standing

March 3, 2024 Elwyn Johnston

Verse of the Week: “You are the light of the world” Matthew 5:14

Light provides direction

"Follow Me." Matthew 4:19

Light reveals dangers

Influence

“Let your light shine before others in such a way that they will see your good works, and glorify your Father” Matthew 5:16

 

Invitation

 

Intercession

“O death, where is your victory? O grave, where is your sting….thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Corinthians 15:55 & 57

“God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5

“Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path” Ps. 119:105

Stand firm in the liberty of Christ!

The risk of going back to the law is great: alienated from Christ; fallen from grace.

Our encouragement is in Christ; what counts is faith working (expressed) through love.

Paul has strong words for those who agitate and sow confusion in this battle. 

The purpose of our liberty is to serve one another in love; the risk is indulging the flesh or sinful desires.

How then shall we live? Walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of your sinful nature.

There is a supernatural tension between works of the flesh (i.e., our sinful nature) and the work or fruit of the Spirit.