Untitled Sermon (2)

Beatitudes

There is a problem in ministry and churches, where teaching gets limited to 'new believers' and 'just the basics'...milk and not meat.

There is a way to do both. If we do not do both, the disciples aren't being fed (other than on their own) and the new believers are learning the same thing over and over with no growth.

Many churches will focus on the new Christians and setup other classes for those already saved and try and feed them in groups, home meetings, etc.

I'm not saying anything bad about that...I just think PERSONALLY, I would like to see the church grow in the Word weekly and set up the classes for new Christians to grow.

In chapter 4, Jesus gets his disciples and

5 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him.

Matthew 5:2

2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them,

Who is He teaching? Both

So Jesus ascends the mountainside above Capernaum to address both disciples AND the crowd. (Some versions say he "taught" them).

What is Jesus doing... he is teaching the disciples while calling the crowd to discipleship.

Just as Moses went up the mountain to get the law, Jesus goes up to expound on God's love.

As God's Word once prepared Israel for life in the land, it now equips citizens for the kingdom.

I want you to see that the Beatitudes are pronouncing blessings, not issuing orders; He begins with the gospel, not the law.