When someone says "I think I'm a good person" whose standard are they measuring by? When we talk about living the Good Life, who defines what is "good?" Jesus says in Matthew 5:20 "For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven." what did he mean?

Come as you are. Be changed. Go change the world. That is our Battle Cry. In Matthew 5:13-16 Jesus calls his followers to "influence" the world for good. What does it look like to be an "influencer" in this world? How can we effectively change the world?

Righteousness (living your life aligned with God's will and plan) is a magnet for persecution. It started with Cain and Abel and has continued throughout history right up to today. Righteousness is the light on the hill that cannot be hidden. The problem is, darkness hates the light. Jesus tells us in our passage today to BE GLAD & REJOICE (instead of the opposite natural reaction of discouragement or anger). Live for Him with no regrets.

Matthew 5:9 says "Blessed are the peacemakers." Who are the peacemakers? What does it biblical peacemaking look like? Why will they be called sons of God? This Beatitude gives us a lot to think about especially when it comes to our duties as followers of Christ.

What does it mean to be pure in heart? What should it look like in our daily lives?

Matthew 5:8

The shift in the Beatitudes from "vertical" to "horizontal" takes place in Matthew 5:7. While the first four are "vertical" between us and God... the rest of our Beatitudes will flow from the heart change that comes from a relationship with God to our "horizontal" relationships with others.

What do you hunger for? What do you thirst for? What truly satisfies your everything? As we progress through the beatitudes and look at Matthew 5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" know that our desire for Jesus leads to our satisfaction in Him.

In the progression, Jesus starts with "Blessed are the poor in spirit" (not those who think they are righteous but those who know they are broken) and follows that up with "Blessed are those who mourn" (not those who have are happy with themselves but hose who mourn their sinfulness). The next in the list is "Blessed are the meek or humble" (not those who are proud of all that they are and all they have done, but those who have given themselves to God and celebrate what He has done). How do we apply that truth in our lives?

Matthew 5:5

In the progression of the Beatitudes, Jesus follows up "blessed are those who are poor in spirit" (realize they are spiritually bankrupt without Christ) with "blessed are those who mourn." What does that mean? How can those who "mourn" be "happy or satisfied?"

Blessed are. Eight phrases over the next eight weeks from the mouth of Jesus telling us where we find our true JOY and contentment (even our happiness). It is "FLIPPED" from what the rest of the world might tell us... This week, Matthew 5:3 - Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs."