This Wednesday evening, Pastor Robert Baltodano continues our journey through the Sermon on the Mount as we begin exploring one of the most well-known and life-changing sections of Scripture: The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3–10).

Last week, he laid the foundation by examining the historical setting of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount—looking at the crowd, the significance of the mountain, and why the King sat down to teach His disciples. With the stage now set, we're ready to begin unpacking the truths of the Beatitudes. Over the next two weeks, we'll be looking at the Beatitudes in two parts as Jesus reveals the character of those who belong to His Kingdom.

This week we'll begin with: Part 1 - The Heart That Depends on God (Matthew 5:3-6)

These opening Beatitudes remind us that the Christian life doesn't begin with what we do for God, but with recognizing our complete dependence upon Him. 

Pastor Bobby is the Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel of the Hudson Valley in Poughkeepsie, New York, where he began the church in 1994 as a small Bible study alongside his wife, Liz. His heart has always been to reach his community with the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, and we are looking forward to what the Lord will do through his teaching.

Before we dive into the Beatitudes and the teachings of Matthew 5–7, pastor Robert will begin with an introduction that explores the world Jesus stepped into, the audience He addressed, and why His message was so revolutionary. In a culture marked by religious tradition, political tension, and spiritual confusion, Jesus announced a kingdom unlike anything the world had ever seen an Upside Down Kingdom where greatness is found in humility, strength is expressed through meekness, enemies are loved, and true righteousness begins in the heart.

More than 2,000 years later, Jesus' words continue to challenge our values, reshape our priorities, and call us to a radically different way of living. If you've ever wondered what it truly means to follow Christ in today's world, this study will clearly show us what it means to live as citizens of God's Kingdom in a world that often stands in opposition to it.

As David flees from his son Absalom, the unfolding crisis exposes the true character of everyone involved. Pastor Lloyd emphasizes that seasons of conflict reveal what is truly in a person's heart. While Absalom pursues power through pride and self-interest, David humbly entrusts himself to the Lord in prayer and submission. In these chapters, David's rejection by men and dependence on God point forward to Jesus Christ, who was likewise rejected yet faithfully submitted to His Father's will.

After Absalom kills his brother, he is sent away from Jerusalem. Though David is eventually persuaded to bring him home, Absalom slowly steals the hearts of the people of Israel, leading a rebellion against his own father. Pastor Lloyd contrasts these two charismatic leaders, showing that while David trusted in the Lord despite his failures, Absalom trusted in himself, revealing the danger of ambition, pride, and a heart that seeks power apart from God.

Pastor Lloyd examines the tragic downfall of David's family in 2 Samuel 13. After Amnon sins against his sister Tamar, he is ultimately killed by his brother Absalom. David's own past sin left him spiritually weakened in leading and disciplining his household, revealing the devastating consequences of unchecked sin. Through this sobering account, Pastor Lloyd points us to our need for a greater, perfectly righteous King—Jesus Christ.

What keeps you going when life doesn't make sense? The Apostle Paul endured imprisonment, persecution, beatings, and unimaginable hardship—yet he never lost hope. Why?

Join us this Wednesday night as we continue our Life of Paul series with a message titled "The Theology of Hope: Living Today in Light of Tomorrow's Glory." Pastor Robert Baltodano will teach from Romans 8:18–25, where together we'll discover how Paul found unwavering confidence in Christ, even in the darkest seasons, and why that same hope is available to every believer today.

Come prepared to be encouraged from God's Word as we explore the foundation of biblical hope and discover how tomorrow's glory gives us confidence to live faithfully today.