Blessed are the Meek for They Shall Inherit the Earth (Matthew 5:5; Psalm 37:5-11)

I. The blessing: blessed are the meek

A. Meekness defined: strength under control (Galatians 5:22-23; Colossians 3:12; James 1:19-21; Titus 3:2; 1 Peter 3:1-6)

B. Characteristics of the meek (Psalm 37:5-11)

1. Meek people are those who trust God (Psalm 37:5; Romans 8:31-39)
2. Meek people commit their way to the Lord (Psalm 37:5; 1 Peter 5:7)
3. Meek people rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him (Psalm 37:7; Exodus 14:13)
4. Meek people don’t fret over the wicked who prosper in their way (Psalm 37:7)

C. Biblical examples of meekness

1. Moses (Numbers 12:1-14)
2. Abraham (Genesis 13:8-9)
3. Jesus (Mattthew 11:28-30; Philippians 2:6-8; Isaiah 53:7)

II. The promise: they shall inherit the earth

Suggestions for Prayer: Thank God for the virtue of meekness, which He is producing in you by the power of His Spirit. Follow Christ’s example today so that meekness will mark your character.

For Further Study: Read the following passages, noting the responsibilities and blessings that accompany self-restraint: Proverbs 16:32; Ephesians 4:1-2; Colossians 3:12; and Titus 3:1-2.

Blessed are Those Who Mourn: Part Two (Matthew 5:4)

I. Types of mourning in Scripture

A. Mourning over unfulfilled evil desire (1 Kings 21:4)
B. Human sorrow- mourning over the circumstances of life (2 Samuel 18:33; Genesis 23:2; Jeremiah 9:1; Acts 20:31; Isaiah 53:3)
C. Godly Sorrow- mourning over sin (Romans 5:10)

1. Mourning over personal sin (Psalm 51:3-4, 10-12; Luke 18:13; Acts 2:37)
2. Mourning over the sins of others (Daniel 9; Ezra 10:6; Jeremiah 9:1; Matthew 23:37; Psalm 119:136)
3. Divine comfort through union and communion with Christ (Isaiah 40:1, 53:5; James 4:8-10; 1 John 1:6-9)

Suggestions for Prayer: If you have allowed sin to rob you of your communion with the Lord, don’t let it continue a moment longer. Like David, in Psalm 51, confess your sin and know the joy of forgiveness.

For Further Study: Read Luke 15:11-24. How did the prodigal son deal with his sin?

Blessed are Those Who Mourn: Part One (Matthew 5:4)

I. Types of Mourning in Scripture

A. Mourning over unfulfilled evil desire (1 Kings 21:4)

B. Human sorrow- mourning over the circumstances of life. (2 Samuel 18:33; Genesis 23:2; Jeremiah 9:1; Acts 20:31; Isaiah 53:3)

C. Godly sorrow- mourning over sin. (Next Week)

II. The mystery of human suffering (Deuteronomy 29:29; Romans 11:33-36)

III. The ministry of Divine comfort

A. God draws near to those who hurt and brings healing. (Psalm 34:18)

B. God uses suffering to draw us to Himself. (Psalm 34:4)

C. We grow faster in hard times than we do in good times. (Romans 5:2-4)

D. Our sufferings qualify us to minister to others. (2 Corinthians 1:4; Matthew 5:4)

IV. The majesty of God’s sovereignty

Pray: Thank God for the ministry of the Holy Spirit, who is the Great Comforter (John 14:16-17). When sorrow occurs, lean on the Spirit, feed your soul on God’s Word, and commune with Him in prayer.

For Further Study: Read Psalm 55. How did David express his desire to escape his difficult situation? What was his final resolve?

The Beatitudes: Blessed are the Poor in Spirit (Matthew 5:1-3)

I. What is a Disciple? (Luke 14:33; Matthew 16:24; John 14:14; Galatians 2:20; Matthew 28:19)

II. What are the Beatitudes? (Matthew 5:1-10)

III. The First Beatitude: What does it mean to be Poor in Spirit?

A. Biblical examples of the Poor in Spirit.

1. Abraham (Genesis 18:27)

2. Isaiah (Isaiah 6:5)

3. Peter (Luke 5:8)

4. Paul (Romans 7:18; 1 Corinthians 15:9; 1 Timothy 1:15; Ephesians 3:8; 2 Corinthians 12:9-11)

5. The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14)

IV. The First Beatitude: Reward- The Kingdom of Heaven.

V. Overview: Blessed are the Poor in Spirit.

Pray: Ask the Holy Spirit to minister to you through the Beatitudes. Be prepared to make any attitude changes that He might prompt.

For Further Study: Read the following verses, noting God’s perspective on pride: Proverbs 6:16-17; 8:13; 11:2; 16:5, 18-19; James 4:6.

Infallible Proof of the Resurrection (Acts 1:3; Matthew 28:1-15)

Acts 1:1-3, “The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”

I. Examining the Evidence
A. The Roman Guard
B. The Stone
C. The Grave Clothes
D. The Empty Tomb
E. The Resurrection Appearances
F. The Initial Unbelief
G. The Radically Changed Disciples

II. Facing the Truth
A. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the central fact of human history.
B. The Resurrection is at the foundation of the Christian faith.
C. The Resurrection of Jesus is the message that the world needs to hear.
D. The Resurrection of Jesus gives us hope in the face of death.

For Further Reflection and Study:
Read the Resurrection accounts in Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24 and John 20. Also read 1 Corinthians 15.

Read the book by Lee Strobel, “The Case for Christ” and/or watch the 2017 movie “The Case for Christ.”

The Old Rugged Cross: Part Four (Galatians 2:2)

Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

What does the Cross mean to you?

I. At the Cross, we die to the old life. (Romans 6:6; 1 Peter 2:24)

II. At the Cross, we die to self. (Galatians 2:20)

III. At the Cross, we must daily choose to take up our own cross and follow Jesus. (Luke 9:23-25)

Luke 9:23-25, Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?

Share the message of the Cross with someone this week!

The Old Rugged Cross: Part Three (Colossians 2:15)

What does the Cross mean to the forces of darkness?

I. When Christ died on the Cross, Satan’s head was crushed. (Genesis 3:15)

II. At the Cross, Jesus destroyed the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8)

III. At the Cross, the power of death was broken forever! (Hebrews 2:14-15)

IV. At the Cross, the powers of darkness were disarmed. (Colossians 2:15)

V. As a result of the Cross, Satan’s doom is now guaranteed. (John 12:31)

Our Response:
1. Put on the whole armor of God and stand victorious. (Ephesians 6:11-17)
2. “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
3. Pray “always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.” (Ephesians 6:18)
4. Stand fast in the Truth! (John 8:44-45)

Application:
What does the cross mean to you?
Share this with someone this week!

The Old Rugged Cross: Part Two (2 Corinthians 5:21)

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

What does the Cross mean to Jesus, the only begotten Son of God?

I. His Character: He knew no sin. (John 8:46; Hebrews 4:15)

II. His Sacrifice: He became sin for us. (Isaiah 53:12)

A. He took our Place — “For us.” (John 1:19; 1 Peter 3:18; Ephesians 2:8-9)

B. He took our Penalty–”He became sin.” (Isaiah 53:6)

III. His Gift: We might become the righteousness of God. (Matthew 5:48)

Application:
What does the cross mean to you?
Share this with someone this week.

The Old Rugged Cross (Romans 3:24-26)

What does the Cross mean to God the Father? (Romans 3:24-26)

I. The Cross turns away God’s wrath. (Romans 3:25; Hebrews 2:17; 1 John 4:10)

II. The Cross reveals God’s justice. (Romans 3:25-26)

III. The Cross demonstrates an outpouring of God’s grace. (Romans 3:24; 5:15)

APPLICATION:
What does the Cross mean to you?

 God’s Everlasting Covenant of Grace (Genesis 9)

I. A Description of the Noahic Covenant (Genesis 9:8-11)

A. The Noahic Covenant is unconditional, universal, and everlasting (Genesis 9:8-17).

B. Biblical covenants usually involved parties, terms, and promises.

II. The Sign of the Covenant, “I do set my bow in the cloud.” (Genesis 9:12-16)

III. The Everlasting Covenant of Grace is fulfilled through Jesus Christ. (Jer. 31:31; Luke 22:20; 1 Cor. 11:25; 2 Cor. 3:6; Heb. 8:8, 13; 9:15; 12:24)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
What is a covenant?
What is the significance of God making covenants with humans?
Do you trust God to keep His promises?
What do you think of when you see a rainbow?
What signs of grace has God given you to remind you of His promises?
How is the covenant of grace fulfilled through Jesus?
Is all your hope in Jesus?