March 30, 2025
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Matthew 5:13-16
Last week, we studied the Beatitudes, the blessings of Kingdom living in Matthew 5:1-12.
Today, we’ll be looking at Mathew 5:13-16, which as Dr. Danny Akin says, “flows naturally out of the Beatitudes.” For as he says it is “taking on and exhibiting the character of the Beatitudes that makes it possible for us to be salt and light on the earth”
While the Beatitudes describe the inner character and blessed state of those who follow Jesus as King, these next verses describe how we are to live as Kingdom people outwardly in this world.
How are we to live as Kingdom people? What does Jesus have to say about this? In the gospel of Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus used the two powerful metaphors of salt and light to call His disciples to faithfully bear witness of His transforming power by living as Kingdom people.
March 23, 2025
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Matthew 5:1-12
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blessing, sermon on the mount
How does King Jesus begin this sermon? He begins with a declaration of the blessings that belong to the citizens of God’s kingdom. Do you know this state of blessing that God offers to those who repent of their sins and follow Jesus as King? Or are you still seeking the temporary happiness that the world offers.
In the gospel of Matthew 5:1-12, Jesus began His Sermon on the Mount by declaring the blessings of those who live as citizens of God’s kingdom. We can experience the blessings of living as citizens of God’s kingdom.
February 14, 2025
“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20 ESV). Every believer should know the Great Commission, which is Christ’s command to make disciples of all nations. But let us not forget that the Lord’s command ends with a promise: “I am with you always.” He promises to “never
February 10, 2025
“And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest” (Matthew 26:58 ESV). On the night when Jesus was arrested, Peter tried to blend in as one of the crowd, following Jesus at a distance. This, after following so close must’ve been unbearable for Peter. Yet, it only
February 9, 2025
“And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives” (Matthew 26:30 ESV). The night when Jesus was betrayed, He shared the Passover meal with His disciples in Jerusalem. This was the last supper before His crucifixion. At the end of the meal, He joined His disciples in singing a
February 7, 2025
“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’” (Matthew 25:23 ESV). This Scripture quote is from the Parable of the Talents. Matthew’s gospel has this parable arranged in alignment with Jesus’ discussion
January 31, 2025
‘And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once’ (Matthew 21:19 ESV). The morning after Jesus had overturned the tables of the money changers
January 25, 2025
“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18 ESV). After Simon confessed Jesus as the “Christ, the Son of the living God,” Jesus blessed him and gave him a new name, calling him, “Peter,” or
January 23, 2025
“But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person” (Matthew 15:18 ESV). The Pharisees asked Jesus why His disciples didn’t follow the tradition of the elders by washing their hands before eating. He replied that it isn’t what goes into the mouth that defiles a man, but what
January 22, 2025
“When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick” (Matthew 14:14 ESV). After Jesus heard about the beheading of His relative, John the Baptist, He withdrew by boat to a remote place to be alone. However, as soon as He stepped ashore, He saw a