Jesus taught his disciples the Beatitudes, describing eight attitudes and circumstances that would be blessed. Those who are poor in spirit, mourn, are meek, hunger for righteousness, are merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and are persecuted for righteousness will receive the kingdom of heaven now or rewards in the future. The key point is that Jesus is calling his followers to adopt these attitudes as they follow him, with the assurance that they will be blessed despite any costs or consequences.

1. Lessons from Jesus
4th SUNDAY after
the Epiphany: 29th
January 2023

2. Whom did we look up to when we were young?

4. Context… what happened just before this?

5. 5:1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he
went up the mountain; and after he
sat down, his disciples came to him.
=========================
5:2 Then he began to speak, and
taught them, saying:
5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
5:4 "Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5:5 "Blessed are the meek, for they
will inherit the earth.
5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger
and thirst for righteousness, for they
will be filled.

6. Message for today…
Blessed:
Happy, approved, receive God’s favor
Where are we in this story?
All verses: are
Assurance to those going
through suffering, struggling …
you are BLESSED TODAY!

7. 5:7 "Blessed are the merciful,
for they will receive mercy.
5:8 "Blessed are the pure in
heart, for they will see God.
5:9 "Blessed are the
peacemakers, for they will be
called children of God.
5:10 "Blessed are those who
are persecuted for
righteousness' sake, for theirs
is the kingdom of heaven.

8. Message for today…
Blessed:
Happy, approved, receive God’s favor
Where are we in this story?
V3: theirs is
V4-9: will
The belonging to the Kingdom of
God is assured NOW!
For some promises, yet to come,
something to look forward to in
HOPE!
V10-12: theirs is

10. Message for today…
Verse Scenario Promise When?
3 Poor in Spirit@ Kingdom of God Present
4 Mourn* Comforted
Future, and
present
5 Meek^ Inherit the earth
6 Hunger and thirst for
righteousness#
Filled with righteousness
7 Merciful@ Receive mercy
8 Pure in heart* See God
9 Peacemakers^ Called children of God
10 Persecuted for righteousness# Kingdom of God
Present
11-12 People revile you… on Jesus
account
Reward in heaven

11. Key
point…
This is not a faith menu, where we pick and choose what
type of life we want.
Jesus is telling us to follow Him, and the costs and
consequences and promises are laid out.
We have assurance and hope.