Main Idea: Jesus clears up some significant misunderstandings; that the Old Testament would be done away with, that the expectations for believers were only temporary, and that keeping the law was only for Pharisees. He is the key to connecting the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Point 1: The misunderstanding of the purpose of the Messiah and the Law: Understanding Jesus is the Key.

Point 2: The Law has always existed, and still exists.

Point 3: There is no room for breaking the law.

Main Idea: Jesus ends the Beatitudes with this conclusion: 

Our Christian lives should be felt, seen and heard by the world. The combination of Grace and Truth makes us useful to influence others toward God's Kingdom and bring God Glory.

The Grace of Saltiness

The Brightness of Truth

The Glory of God

Persecution Will Come for Those Who Live For Christ.

Recognizing Specific Types of Persecution.

How to React When Persecution Happens to Us.

• Count on being mistreated when you live righteously. Are you living in such a way that people notice you belong to Christ?

• Persecution comes in many forms. Know the difference between just asking for it versus being faithful to stand for truth. Are you sharing the Gospel? With Gentleness and Love?

• We should be honored to suffer for Christ like heroes of the past. Our persecution proves and strengthens our faith. Rejoice that you are counted worthy! Obey God rather than Men!

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

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

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

The Sermon on the Mount is for Christians.

• Kingdom Living

Christians Live Differently...

1. We are under the authority of Jesus.
2. We are dependent on God, not on self.
3. We find delight in living life God's way.

Everywhere Jesus stepped and spoke He was bring the Kingdom of God with Him.

The Threefold Ministry of the King

1. Preaching
2. Teaching
3. Healing

The Miracles of the Merciful Messiah

People Want a Compassionate King

True followers of Jesus recognize His authority, power and love. It doesn’t just change them for a moment but for a lifetime and eternity.

MAIN IDEA: Jesus calls ordinary men and women to follow Him as Lord and Savior of their lives. And, He uses the faithfulness of those followers to grow His church.

The Strategy of Preaching. The Illuminating Work of Preaching. The Priority of Preaching.

What is Preaching? J. I. Packer says that it is “the event of God himself bringing to an audience a Bible-based, Christ-related, life-impacting message of instruction and direction through the words of a spokesperson.”

Calvin believes similarly but nothing is to be attributed to man who is mortal/despised.

“That man is there to deliver the message of God, a message from God to those people. In the language of Paul, he is ‘an ambassador for Christ.’ That is what he is. He has been sent, he is a commissioned person, and he is standing there as the mouthpiece of God and of Christ to address these people... Preaching is a transaction between the pastor and the congregation. It does something for the soul of man, for the whole of the person, the entire man; it deals with him in a vital and radical manner.” Martin Lloyd Jones

(kēryssō): vb.;1. announce, in an official capacity; 2. tell, announce publicly; 3. preach, proclaim with the goal to persuade, urge, warn to comply

Main Idea:

This text isn’t about us! It’s about the inauguration of Jesus’ ministry on earth and a recapitulation of the history of Israel and man’s failure. A typology. Where Israel failed in the wilderness: to Trust God, to Obey God’s Word, and to Worship Him Alone; Jesus was victorious!

The baptism of Jesus reveals the Trinitarian nature of God.