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The Jesus Way

The Lord’s Manifesto in the Sermon on the Mount

Early in his public ministry Jesus described what a citizen of his kingdom looks like in the eight beatitudes. He closed the sermon with a call to wisely apply his teachings and not foolishly ignore them. In between these eloquent and memorable bookends, the Master Teacher summarized how he would fulfill the Law and call his followers to do the same. 
Nothing less than a complete transformation of identity and purpose would be sufficient to make his early followers (and us today) capable of being salt and light in this dark, broken world; of replacing worry with a commitment to God’s kingdom above all; of loving our enemies and learning to genuinely pray “your kingdom come.” Come to hear these familiar teachings in a fresh way and with a heart ready to be challenged and changed as we walk “the Jesus way” together!

5. Hunger and Thirst

In between the roots of faith (humility, repentance and surrender) and the fruit of faith (compassion, purity, ministry and endurance) is the central beatitude: to hunger and thirst for righteousness. This is how we grow to become more like Jesus: first we rest and...

4. The Meek

Meekness is often thought of as “weakness,” but the opposite is true in Scripture. Meekness is power under control. Moses was the Old Testament example of meekness. Jesus was the ultimate example. Neither of them was weak! Both were submitted to the guidance and plan...

3. Those Who Mourn

The blessing for those who mourn is not for people who are generally sad or depressed but for those who are grieved by their sin and turn from it to receive grace and comfort from the Savior. As Jesus begins to change us we will mourn first for our own sin, then for...

Momentum

https://youtu.be/AOTmQKSBGMU?si=Ys9CM1ZqeR59MlfQ “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger...

2. Poor in Spirit

The beatitudes are the famous and beautiful introduction to Jesus’ sermon on the mount. Nine characteristics of a citizen of His kingdom, these are not commandments to obey in order to earn citizenship, they are descriptions of things that are already (and...

1. Introducing… the King

Before we begin our journey through the sermon on the mount, let’s study Matthew’s four chapter introduction to the person and message of Jesus. He calls it “the gospel of the kingdom” (4:23): good news! John the Baptist and Jesus make two declarations: first that the...