Gateway Visalia
The Way
Pastor Lance Ainsworth January 9 & 12, 2025 Matthew 5:3-12 Living your best life.
Locations & Times
GateWay Church
1100 S Sowell St, Visalia, CA 93277, USA
Thursday 6:45 PM
Sunday 8:30 AM
Sunday 10:00 AM
Sunday 11:30 AM
Introduction
The Kingdom of Heaven is a theocracy.
Genesis 1:22: Bless - baruch – pronounce favor
Genesis 1:22: Bless - baruch – pronounce favor
Matthew 5:3-12 ESV
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Three types of righteousness: Legal, Moral, and Social.
Jesus personifies righteousness.
Jesus personifies righteousness.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
A disciple is marked by compassion.
A disciple is marked by compassion.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
A pure heart has a singular focus and love.
A pure heart has a singular focus and love.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
To call someone a “son” is a statement of heritage and likeness.
Who do you know that needs peace?
To call someone a “son” is a statement of heritage and likeness.
Who do you know that needs peace?
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
2 Timothy 3:1-4 ESV
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
In God’s Kingdom: We have eternal life, comfort, an inheritance, satisfaction, mercy, clear focus, and our identity.
The Way
Matthew 5:3-12
January 9th & 12th, 2025
Living your best life.
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: What words would you use to describe blessed? How do they differ from the Beatitudes?
Read Aloud: Matthew 5:3-12
1. v.6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” What is the difference between legal, moral, and social righteousness? How does Jesus make us righteous? If we are righteous in God’s eyes through Jesus, why do we still pursue righteousness?
2. v.7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” Would you describe yourself as merciful? Why or why not? How does compassion correlate with mercy?
3. v.8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” How do we rightly prioritize our lives to be singular-focused?
4. v.9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Is it possible to have true peace without a relationship with Jesus? What is the ministry of reconciliation? (2 Cor. 5:18)
5. What contrasts do you see between the beatitudes and what Paul describes in 2 Tim. 3:1-4?
Matthew 5:3-12
January 9th & 12th, 2025
Living your best life.
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: What words would you use to describe blessed? How do they differ from the Beatitudes?
Read Aloud: Matthew 5:3-12
1. v.6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” What is the difference between legal, moral, and social righteousness? How does Jesus make us righteous? If we are righteous in God’s eyes through Jesus, why do we still pursue righteousness?
2. v.7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” Would you describe yourself as merciful? Why or why not? How does compassion correlate with mercy?
3. v.8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” How do we rightly prioritize our lives to be singular-focused?
4. v.9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Is it possible to have true peace without a relationship with Jesus? What is the ministry of reconciliation? (2 Cor. 5:18)
5. What contrasts do you see between the beatitudes and what Paul describes in 2 Tim. 3:1-4?