Compass – The Process of a Disciple
2023-01-15
Pastor Jonathan Falwell
2Today, we begin a series exploring the Sermon on the Mount. This will be a deep-dive into what Jesus had to say to His disciples 2,000 years ago and what He still is saying to us. This sermon was one of Jesus’ clear statements on what Kingdom living looks like. As Stuart Weber says, “This is the king’s manifesto!”
Matthew 5:1-12 (NKJV) “And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (vs 3)
• This statement represents our desperation without Christ
• Being “poor in spirit” is an understanding that without Him, we are nothing
2. Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. (vs 4)
• Mourning our condition which is a sinner in need of a savior
3. Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. (vs 5)
• Meekness doesn’t equal weakness. It is “power under control”
• Humility is the order of the day
4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. (vs 6)
• Again a picture of our desperation is that we hunger for what’s right
• We long for righteousness both here and for Heaven
5. Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. (vs 7)
• In response to what God has granted to us, we should grant to others
• Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses
6. Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. (vs 8)
• Our response should be to seek holiness in our own lives
• “See God” is not only a reference to Heaven, it’s a reference to seeing His hand at work today
7. Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. (vs 9)
• The outflow of a dependent, broken, humble, holy, merciful Christian is peace
• Peace for ourselves and with others
8. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (vss 10-12)
• Jesus understood living in this way would put us at odds with the world
• This statement is an endorsement of living right regardless of how one may be treated. It is always right to do right.
The Process of a Disciple
1. Recognize your desperate need for Christ
2. Be broken over sin
3. Walk in humility as a result
4. Long for the presence of Christ
5. Show mercy because you’ve been shown mercy
6. Work to be more like Him
7. Love others as He does
8. Don’t worry about the World’s response