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The Beatitudes, Matthew Chapter 5

One day as He saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes

“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for Him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

God blesses those who mourn for they will be comforted.

God blesses those who are humble, for their will inherit the whole earth.

God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.

God blesses those who are merciful for they will be shown mercy.

God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.

God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called children of God.

God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you an lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are My followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.” (vv. 1-12, NLT)

(Insight: I facilitated a course in the Beatitudes for my small group. The video was on the Beatitudes by Matthew Chandler. In the past, I thought the Beatitudes were speaking of separate groups of people. I was wrong. The Beatitudes are a set of characteristics of each believer in Christ. This makes the Beatitudes much more personal and willingness to strive to have these qualities in our lives as followers of Jesus Christ.)

Crowds Follow Jesus, Matthew Chapter 4

“Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing about the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. News about Him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began brining to Him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed – he healed them all. Large crowds followed Him wherever He went – people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River. ” (vv. 23-25, NLT)

The Ministry of Jesus Begins, Matthew Chapter 4

When Jesus heart that John had been arrested, he left Judea and return to Galilee. He first went to Nazareth, then left and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea or Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. This fullfulled what God said through the prophet Isaiah:

“In the lan of Zebulun and Naphtali, beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River, in Galilee where so many Gentiles live, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who live in the land where death casts its shadow, a light had shined. ”

From then Jesus began to preach. “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingom of Heaven is near.” (vv. 12-17, NLT)

The Baptism of Jesus, Matthew Chapter 3

Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John tried to talk Him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by You,” he said, “so why are You coming to me?”

But Jesus said, It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize Him.

After His baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and setting on Him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings Me great joy.” (vv. 13-17, NLT)

The Return to Nazareth, Matthew Chapter 2

When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dram to Joseph in Egypt. “Get up!” the angel said. “Take the child and his mother back to the land of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child are dead.”

So Joseph got up and returned to the land of Israel with Jesus and his mother. But when he learned that the new ruler of Judea was Herod’s son, Archelaus, he was afraid to go there. Then after being warned in a dream, he left for the region of Galilee. So the family went and lied in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said: “He will be called a Nazarene.” (vv. 19-23, NLT)

The Escape to Egypt, Matthew Chapter 2

After the wise men were gone, and angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said, “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is goin to search for the child to kill him.”

That night, Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called My Son out of Egypt.”

Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and younger, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance. Herod’s brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:

“A cry was heard in Ramah – weeping and great mourning. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted, for they are dead.” (vv. 13-18, NLT)

The Birth of Jesus, the Messiah, Matthew Chapter 1

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her fiance, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David, ” the angel said, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived y the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.'”

When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus. (vv. 18-25, NLT)

The Coming Day of Judgement, Malachi Chapter 4

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says,” The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw. They will be consumed – roots, branches, and all.

But for you who fear My name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in His wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture. On the day when I act, you will tread upon the wicked as if they were dust under your feet,”says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

“Remember to obey the Law of Moses, my servant – all the decrees and regulations that I gave him on Mount Sinai for all Israel.”

“Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise I will come and strike the land with a curse.”

The Lord’s Promise of Mercy, Malachi Chapter 3

“Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to they said. In His presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared Him and always thought about the honor of His name.

‘They will be My people,’ says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. ‘On that day when I act in judgment, they will be My own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child. Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and who do not.” (vv 16-18, NLT)

The Coming Day of Judgment, Malachi Chapter 3

“Look, I am sending my messenger, and He will prepare the way for Me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to His Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming.” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

“But who will be able to endure it when He comes? Who will be able to stand and face Him when He appears? For He will be like a blazing fire that refines metal, or like a strong soap that bleaches clothe. He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away all the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord. Then once more the Lord will accept the offerings brought to Him by the people of Judah and Jerusalem.”

“At that time I will put you on trial. I am eager to witness against all sorcerers and adulterers and liars. I will speak against those who cheat employees of their wages, who oppress the widows and orphans, or who deprive the foreigners living among you of justice, for those people do not fear me,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. (vv. 1-5, NLT)