Brandon Gilliland

This passage comes from Matthew 5:3-12. It is a famous lesson from Jesus known as the “Beatitudes”. The passage is below, and I have some other links to some previous posts that I have outlined the different verses.

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 filled.
⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹ “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.

Beatitude Outlines:

Poor in Spirit (verse 3)

Meekness (verse 5)

Seeking God With a Pure Heart (verse 6 and
Persecution (verse 10 and 11)

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I saw this post over at Dustin W. Stout’s site. It was so good that I wanted to share a little of it over here. (By the way, the reason why I share so many posts from other writers is not only because they are good…but because it spreads the word about other awesome sites to follow!)

Dustin goes on to say:

Sex is everywhere. We live in a society that is shamelessly embracing it on an increasing level. It’s all over the television, billboards, magazines, music, and the internet. Our world is not just selling it anymore, it’s giving it away. Every day it becomes less of a big deal. This is why we must go to battle.

The world tells us, “It’s not a big deal, it’s just sex.” The world convinces us that “everybody’s doing it.” The world tells us that it’s fun and as long as you’re ‘safe’, it’s okay.

God created sex as a beautiful pure shameless secure display of trust and intimacy between a husband and wife. He created it for the context of MARRIAGE.

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Throughout the Bible, there are words and phrases that describe God’s Word. So as I was thinking about all the different words to describe the Bible, I decided to do some research on a few major words. I think it is awesome how God’s Word is described throught the Bible…

Here are the 8 major words found in the Bible to describe God’s Word:

• Double-Edged Sword

“For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

-Hebrews 4:12

• Fire

“Is not My Word like a fire?” says the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?”

-Jeremiah 23:29

• Hammer

“Is not My Word like a fire?” says the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?”

-Jeremiah 23:29

• Lamp

“Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

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Fear:

“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

-Deuteronomy 31:6

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.”

-Isaiah 43:2

Weary and Tired:

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

-Matthew 11:28-30

Regret/Guilt:

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

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     In today’s society, love is a powerful and often misunderstood conception. If individuals were surveyed and asked to define love, one would likely receive different view points. Since love is commonly used, it is important to understand the concepts from each type of love: eros, philia, and agape.

     Deriving from the Greek language, eros meaning “intimate love” is the first type of love. Because eros love is based on feeling, it can quickly develop or diminish based on circumstances. Sadly, eros love is the leading type of love in many relationships. Sociologists have noted that the average dating relationship will last one to three months. Relationships often fail when eros love becomes the only concept tying the relationship together. Although eros love is an essential factor in a marital relationship, it should not be the foundation upon which the relationship is built.

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I was reading this passage today and thought I might share it with you all because it should make us all examine ourselves…

“Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

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Opposite – Contrary or radically different

Illustration:

 Good Samaritan Story- Luke 10:30-37

Then Jesus answered and said: ?A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 On the next day, when he departed,[a] he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ?Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.? 36 So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves??

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I. The Importance of the Tongue – James 3:1-2

A) It is Examined by Christ – Psalms 19:14

B) It Exposes our Character – Matthew 12:34-35, 15:18-20

II. The Influence of the Tongue – James 3:3-12

A) The pictures of It

1. Its size

2. Its Significance

a) It can Direct

b) It can Destroy – Matthew 12:36-37

B) The Power of It – Proverbs 21:23

1. Power to Help

a) It can Challenge

b) It can Caution – I Peter 5:8

c) It can Comfort

2. Power to Hurt

a) It can Curse – Cursing really means to wish evil on someone who made you mad, to the point of asking God to damn them to hell for eternity.

b) It can Crow – Crow means to gloat, boast, or exult. – Proverbs 14:3

c) It can Contend

d) It can Conceal

e) It can Complain – Exodus 16:1-3

f) It can Criticize

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Persecution:

Overview:

 Persecute- Stems from the Latin word persequi meaning: to persecute.

 Persecution- is a word that started in the 15th Century and means to harass or punish designed to injure, afflict, or to cause one to suffer.

 Persecute is used approximately 76 times in the Bible in all of its uses.

 Reality and Reason of Persecution

Heroes of Faith ? What was the cost of their stand?

 John the Baptist

 Paul

 Stephen

 Daniel

 What ways are we persecuted today?

 How has persecution of the church changed in the past 50 years?

What does Jesus says about persecution?

 1 Peter 3:13-17:

We are to give a ___defense________ of the hope in us.

 1 Peter 4:12-16:

Rejoice in the ___sufferings__ for Christ because God will __rest__ upon us!

 Romans 8:18:

Our present __suffering___________ can not be compared to God?s __glory________ revealed.

 John 15:18-25:

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Seeking God with a Pure Heart- (Matthew 5:6)

• Hunger- A strong desire or craving for food, discomfort, weakness, or pain caused by a prolonged lack of food.

• Thirst- A sensation of dryness in the mouth and throat related to a need or desire to drink.

• Righteousness- Comes from the Greek word “Dikaiosyne” meaning rightness, quality of rightness, or justice.

What are things people hunger and thirst for?

• Money

• Power

• Popularity

• Physical Attraction

• Lust

- Your body can go without food for 40 days… 3 days without water, but what happens when you go beyond the limits?

- If we go too long without a hunger and thirst for God, we can die spiritually.

What does it mean to Hunger and Thirst for righteousness?

• It is not self seeking righteousness, but the righteousness that comes from God.

Seeking God-

- John 7:37- If anyone thirsts let him come unto me and drink.

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