The Joy of Christ’s Disciples – Part 2
The Joy of Christ’s Disciples – Part 2
Introduction
This week two people stood out for me.
One was me watching Julias Malema on a court stand defending his right to sing a song of killing white farmers.
Two was stopping at a petrol station across from a man who opened his window and shouted to me how he hated white people.
Listening to these men, and reminding myself of Christ’s words, that what proceeds from your mouth comes from the heart. The unbelievers’ heart is filled with hatred, hatred ultimately towards God and His creation. So, I realized also how dark and sad it must be to live with so much hatred, and a sense of feeling that you’re a victim of life.
The sermon on the Mount reveals key truths about Jesus’ message and mission.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus provides the moral, ethical and spiritual guidelines that should govern the disciples or subjects of His kingdom. Jesus teaches the true way towards happiness.
Jesus speaks of great joy, a deep sense of abiding happiness that belongs to those disciples of His that have certain qualities.
Christians today, think that church, God and His Word just takes away all the fun in life, when in fact, God’s Word is teaching the opposite.
Historical Background
Matthew had proven that the Messiah:
• came from royal stock.
• was conceived in a virgin by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT.
• came in fulfillment to prophesy.
Mathew revealed:
· John as the forerunner called people to repent for the coming Messianic King with His kingdom here on earth.
· God the Father and God the Son confirmed Jesus as the Son of God.
· The Son of God overcame Satan’s attempts to tempt him, proving the Messiah’s moral character
· The Messiah moved to a strategic location to make disciples, calling people to repent because the kingdom was at hand
· Jesus, The Messiah called people to follow Him and He promised to make them disciple makers
In the Sermon on the mount Jesus provides the content for being a disciple. He gave the moral, ethical and spiritual guidelines that should govern the disciples or subjects of His kingdom. Jesus Began His sermon teaching about what qualities in a disciple would produce abiding happiness.
The Sermon on the Mount teaches a number of key truths:
1. It reveals the impossible high standards of Gods commands.
2. It reveals the importance or need for Savior.
3. It reveals what it means to live Christ like
4. Also it reveals what the life of a disciple should be like
5. And it reveals content that you should teach other disciples.
6. Another revelation is what would give God joy.
7. It begins by revealing the true way towards lasting happiness.
Proposition
5 Characteristics of the Blessed Disciple:
1. Happy are the Merciful –Matthew 5: 7
2. Happy are the pure in heart – Matthew 5: 8
3. Happy are the peacemakers –Matthew 5: 9
4. Happy are the persecuted –Matthew 5: 10-12
Bible Passages used in this sermon:
1. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Matthew 5: 3-11
Hebrews 2: 17
Matthew 6:3
For they shall have mercy…
Titus 3:5
Ephesians 2: 4-6
Daniel 9:9
Numbers 12: 13
1 Samuel 24
2. Happy are the pure in heart vv8
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Genesis 6: 5
Genesis 8: 21
Jeremiah 17: 9-10
Matthew 23: 27
Matthew 5: 20
Matthew 5: 48
Psalm 24: 3-5
Acts 15: 8-9
Acts 15: 11
3. Happy are the peacemaker’s vv9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Isaiah 45:7
Psalm 29: 11
Isaiah 9:6
4. Happy are the persecuted vv10
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
2 Timothy 3: 12
…for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Philippians 1: 29-30
Matthew 5: 11-12
“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
John 15: 18-21
“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
1 Peter 1: 4-6
