Read Matthew 5: 1-10
One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them.
3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,[a]
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4 God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,[b]
for they will be satisfied.
7 God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
9 God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
What does it mean to be poor in spirit?
Verse 4: "God blesses those who mourn." Do you interpret that as God blesses you because of the sadness you have shown because you lost a loved one or lost your job? Consider spiritual mourning, mourning for what we did that caused Jesus to die on the cross for us.
Verse 5: "God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth" God desires us to have the virtue of humility. What does this mean to you? Where do you need to work on your own humility?
Pastor Mitch discussed the stoning of the adulterous woman (and of course, we ask, what about the adulterous man that she was with...but that's for another time). The people asked Jesus what he felt about the law that says this woman should be stoned for her actions. What was Jesus writing in the sand as he knelt down in front of the crowd? Would you be able to cast the first stone? Was Jesus writing down anything pertaining to you in the sand?
Join us this Sunday morning at 8:30, 10, or 11:30 a.m as we worship God together and seek to keep Jesus at the center!