Spiritual Growth Class 1

Matt. 5: 1-48.

Over the years my approach to Bible studies have been devotional. My concerns have been to offer information to encourage spiritual growth by creating a hunger for the things of God. This year would be a little different. I plan on approaching this more like a class where we have questions to consider and a few assignments. If you intend to grow spiritually and in knowledge, then this year’s study’s will be directed to you. I want to approach you like students of theology and practice and not just people interested in the Bible.

I asked myself a question while in prayer. If God has given us the keys to the Kingdom, God is entrusting us with what? Many people approach Christian faith in the context of congregational life. They measure themselves against themselves. The experience God or not within the context of church, small “c.”

Most of Jesus ministry took place outside of the synagogue. We are looking for is a lifestyle based on knowledge. We begin searching for the key elements of our faith. We will work to know the key elements, to practice them on a daily basis, and then mastered them.

The scripture the challenged me the most on January 1, 2023 was from Matt. 25:14

Matthew 25:14 NIV

“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them.

The owner of the kingdom went on a journey. He called his servants and entrusted them with his goods. The Lord entrusted us with the faith. What is the faith we’ve been entrusted with?

Let’s begin at a very familiar and monumental place. Matt. 5:

Take notes. What we’re looking for are the key principles of Jesus’s sermon on the mount.

We will highlight,

We will contextualize and

We will apply.

Matthew 5:1–11 (NIV)

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

This is the first of Five major messages in Matthew given by Jesus concerning the kingdom of heaven.

The true purpose and pursuit for Christians to live in the kingdom of Heaven.

Compare the Sermon on the Mount to the giving of the Law (the Ten Commandments) on Mt. Sinai.

Ex. 20:1-17.

This is important to understand the depth, scope and brevity of Jesus’ message. It is like he is updating The Law.

The beginning of this message is called The Beatitudes. God gave Ten Commandments, with other laws, to Israel. Jesus gave Nine Beatitudes- Blessing statements- to the people near Galilee.

Themes in the Beatitudes.

Blessed means , to be fortunate, well off, Favored, happy, supremely blessed.

Let’s look at the literal translation of Matt. 5:3-4

Matthew 5:3–4 YLT

‘Happy the poor in spirit—because theirs is the reign of the heavens. ‘Happy the mourning—because they shall be comforted.

Matthew 5:3–4 M:BCL

“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

One of the first key principles to the kingdom of Heaven is coming to the end of life according to this world’s standards and the restoration to follow from God’s favor.

The key principle is the coming restoration to the oppressed.

The poor in spirit are the disconsolate. Those who do not find happiness in this world in in their current condition.

Those who mourn are those who feel the oppression and injustice of life or feel sorrow due to their own weakness.

Review

1. How many major messages did Jesus Christ deliver in Matthew?

2. The true purpose of Christians is to live where?

3. Jesus did updated what when he delivered the Sermon on the Mountain?

4. Blessed, means what?

5. What is the first principle of our faith in the sermon on the Mountain?

6. Who is the messages first directed to?

7. What does it mean to be poor in spirit?

8. What does it mean to mourn?