In our exploration of Matthew 5:10-12, we delve into the challenging yet profound concept of being persecuted for righteousness' sake. This final Beatitude reminds us that living a truly Christ-like life may not always be met with praise, but rather opposition. We're called to understand that persecution for our faith is not just a possibility, but a promise from Jesus Himself. However, this shouldn't discourage us. Instead, we're encouraged to rejoice, knowing that our reward in heaven is great. This message challenges us to examine our lives and ask: Are we living boldly enough for Christ that it might invite persecution? Are we more concerned with earthly comfort or eternal rewards? It's a powerful reminder that our ultimate citizenship is in heaven, and that living for God's kingdom may put us at odds with the world's values.

Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He gave His disciples one final message. He said, “Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). This cause that Jesus sent His disciples on carries on today. As Christians, we are called to go and spread the gospel and disciple the world.

In exploring the Beatitude 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God,' we uncover a profound calling for every believer. This teaching challenges us to embody Christ's peace in a world of conflict. As we delve into Ephesians 2:11-22, we see Jesus as the ultimate peacemaker, breaking down barriers between God and humanity, and between diverse groups of people. This peace isn't just about avoiding conflict; it's about actively reconciling others to God through the gospel. We're called to diffuse peace wherever we go, viewing every situation through the lens of the gospel. This might mean listening before speaking, being positive in negative circumstances, or going out of our way to make peace. As we embrace this calling, we reflect our identity as children of God, standing out in a world that often chooses conflict over reconciliation.

Guest preacher Ronnell Wilson preaches on the importance of healing from division in our lives.

Over the past few weeks, we have been building up to this lesson. We have a pretty good grasp on how to write out and share our testimonies. Then we talked about the importance of going out and making a mark in our world by sharing Jesus to the people who are around us and with those we love. This week, we are going to talk about evangelism, but we are going to try this in a different way than normal. What if we only focused on a single person instead of a huge group?

In our exploration of the Beatitudes, we've arrived at a profound truth: 'Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.' This teaching challenges us to look beyond outward appearances and focus on the condition of our hearts. We're reminded that our hearts are naturally deceitful, as Jeremiah 17:9 states, but through God's grace, we can pursue purity. This isn't about perfection, but about sincerely seeking God's presence and aligning our desires with His. The story of David's repentance after his sin with Bathsheba beautifully illustrates how even after failure, we can return to God and find restoration. This message encourages us to regularly examine our hearts, keep short accounts with God, and continually draw near to Him. As we do so, we'll find that our perspective shifts, our priorities change, and we begin to see God more clearly in our daily lives.

One common trait that we see in many of the stories of people who were healed by Jesus, had Jesus change their lives, or cast out demons from them, is that afterward they all went and told how Jesus had changed them. God has called all of us to go and share the message that changed our lives and leave a mark on this world.

In our exploration of Matthew 5:7, we uncover the profound truth about God's mercy and our call to be merciful. This beatitude, 'Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy,' isn't about earning God's favor through our actions. Instead, it's a beautiful reflection of how God's mercy transforms us, enabling us to extend that same mercy to others. We're reminded that our salvation stems from God's unmerited favor, not our works. As we delve into Ephesians 2, we see how God's mercy breathes new life into us, even when we were 'dead in our sins.' This radical change in our nature should naturally lead us to show mercy to others, recognizing our own need for God's continual mercy. Let's challenge ourselves: Are we truly living out this transformative mercy in our daily lives? How can we better reflect God's compassion to those around us, especially those still caught in the grip of sin?

Your testimony is a part of God's bigger picture of the story of Jesus. Your story is meant to share and to lead people to the feet of Jesus. Will you be a bringer?

Matthew 5:6 says, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." This Beatitude shifts from recognizing our need for Christ to actively seeking righteousness. True hunger for righteousness is a deep, soul-level longing, not a casual desire.

Righteousness is threefold: justification (salvation through Christ), sanctification (daily transformation), and glorification (our future perfection in God’s presence). Jesus calls us to seek righteousness as urgently as food and water. Pursuing happiness alone leads to emptiness, but seeking righteousness brings true fulfillment.

God promises to fill those who hunger for Him, yet this hunger grows as we experience more of His presence. Are we satisfied with surface-level faith, or do we truly long for God? Let’s respond by seeking Him daily, trusting that He will meet, fill, and transform us.