Jesus was an Evangelist and a Disciple Maker, and His message was of Good News. The Good News of Salvation. Salvation to all men is at hand. His message was simple - believe in Me and you will know the Father, because the Father and I are One. Jesus taught His people what heaven will be like. He taught them how to live righteously in a fallen world.
To be like Jesus we have to know Jesus and follow him and learn from Him. It is an intimate relationship with God.
Jesus the Evangelist
Jesus Begins His Galilean Ministry
16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. 17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:
18 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”
20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4:14-21
To Be Like Jesus- Listen To Him
*** People hear things all the time but don’t pay attention, for example car alarms in parking lots. People don’t pay attention to car alarms because they are always going off. They only pay attention when it’s their car. ***
To Be Like Jesus- Desire Him
“Ho! Everyone who thirsts,
Come to the waters;
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And let your soul delight itself in abundance.
Incline your ear, and come to Me.
Hear, and your soul shall live;
And I will make an everlasting covenant with you—
The sure mercies of David. Isaiah 55:1-3
To Be Like Jesus- Pay Attention to Him
Jesus gave His all on the Cross, the least we can do is pay attention out of the love and respect we have for Him.
____________________________________________________________________________
Jesus the Disciple Maker
What is a disciple?
A disciple is a follower of Jesus Christ who strives to live like him
A disciple is someone who imitates the life and teachings of Jesus
What is discipleship?
is a journey of spiritual growth
is a relationship with a master teacher
*** Matthew 10:24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master.***
————————————————————————————————————-
Jesus was baptized by John, then went up into the wilderness to be tempted.
Then Jesus Begins His Galilean Ministry Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Preach
g2784. κηρύσσω kēryssō; to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel): — preacher(-er), proclaim, publish.
Preacher
g2258 preacher 1; to be a herald, to officiate as a herald to proclaim after the manner of a herald always with the suggestion of formality, gravity and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed
to publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done,
Proclaimer the public proclamation of the gospel and matters pertaining to it, made by John the Baptist, by Jesus, by the apostles and other Christian teachers...
To Be Like Jesus- Proclaim the Message of Repentance
Folks we are spiritually separated from Almighty God, the Creator and Sustainer and Redeemer wants no part of sin. Sin has an eternal consequence, it’s a forever, everlasting state. The true Gospel message is salvation by grace to those who believe, and those who believe turn from their wicked ways.
Four Fishermen Called as Disciples
Verse 18 walking by the Sea of Galilee - Verse 19 Follow me
To Be Like Jesus- Follow Him
4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.
Great multitudes followed Him—from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan. Matthew 4:25
Sermon on the Mount Matthew 5:1- 7:29 - Galilee
5:2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
7:29 for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
28:18 All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Jesus’s Ministry from Beginning in Matthew 4:17 to 28:20 is this-
To Be Like Jesus- Learn, Teach, Go Ye and Preach
____________________________________________________________________________
KINGDOM OF HEAVEN / KINGDOM OF GOD IS NEAR
The Beatitudes are the first part of Jesus’ teachings called the Sermon on the Mount, (Matthew 5:1–7:29). In Matthew 4:17 Jesus began his ministry by announcing the coming of the kingdom of heaven: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
The teachings in the Sermon on the Mount are descriptions and instructions for those living in the kingdom of heaven.
The Beatitudes are not commands the believer must fulfill to enter the kingdom of God. Rather, they are results, they are our ATTITUDES of the coming of this kingdom. They are part of the Gospel, the good news that Jesus, the Messiah, has come. The good news is that God was about to intervene decisively in history and produce people like the ones described in the Sermon on the Mount.
Kingdom of God / Heaven
The expression “kingdom of heaven” only occurs in the Gospel according to Matthew. Why? Because the Gospel of Matthew appears to have been for a Jewish audience, Matthew avoids using the name of God—out of respect, Jews avoid pronouncing God’s name.
Why the idea of the kingdom? It’s an important metaphor in the Old Testament: God is King (Psalm 47:7- For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.). Kings in the ancient world had absolute power over their dominions. However, they also had responsibilities toward their subjects. Kings were supposed to:
Protect their territories and the people in them
Provide for the needs of their subjects
Preside order in the kingdom, especially legal order
Partner with allies to maintain peace in the region
Represent the deity (in the Old Testament, God)—the king stood for God, representing his authority to the people
WHAT ARE THE BEATITUDES?
The word beatitude comes from a Latin word (beatus) that means “happy” or “blessed.”
g3107. μακάριος makarios; supremely blest;
In his longest recorded sermon, Jesus began by describing the traits he was looking for in his followers. He said that God blesses those who live out those traits. Each beatitude is an almost direct contradiction of society’s typical way of life. In the last beatitude, Jesus even points out that a serious effort to develop these traits is bound to create opposition. The best example of each trait is found in Jesus himself. If our goal is to become like him, applying the Beatitudes will challenge the way we live each day.
BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT, FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
—Matthew 5:3
MEANING
The “poor in spirit” are those who recognize their need for God in all things. Like the poor and destitute who depend on others, the poor in spirit know that only God can save and protect them.
WHAT DOES THE WORLD SAY
Pride and personal independence, I don’t need God, or religion.
WHAT DOES THE OLD TESTAMENT SAY “POOR IN SPIRIT”
5 For thus says the High and Lofty One
Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
“I dwell in the high and holy place,
With him who has a contrite and humble spirit,
To revive the spirit of the humble,
And to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isaiah 57:15
To Be Like Jesus- Depend on Jesus
Jesus tells us that the truly happy people are those who have recognized they are spiritually bankrupt before God.
WHAT IS GOD’S REWARD:
Kingdom of Heaven
HOW TO DEVELOP THIS ATTITUDE:
Humility Cures Worldliness
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:7-10
RELATED TEXTS
Luke 18:9-14 Pharisee and the Publican - 9 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14
QUESTION
In what areas of your life are you trying to make it on your own, instead of asking God for help?
NOW AND FUTURE KINGDOM
In the New Testament, the kingdom of heaven is God’s gracious rule. In other words, it is where God’s will is done. The gospels make it clear that the kingdom was a present experience -
20 But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. Luke 11:20
21 nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:21).
Jesus’ miracles, teachings, and ministry are all manifestations of the kingdom.
Apostles continued in these teachings
Yet, the rest of the New Testament, the apostolic letters, makes it also clear that the kingdom is a reality in the future. That is, the fullness of the kingdom will only be experienced when Jesus comes back at the end of times.
Some theologians call these two realities about the kingdom of heaven the “already-not yet.” The kingdom of heaven and the promises within it are already part of the church’s experience. However, the fullness of the kingdom’s power and influence is not yet experienced. Christ will bring about the fullness of the kingdom in his second coming.
____________________________________________________________________________
BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN, FOR THEY WILL BE COMFORTED
—Matthew 5:4
MEANING
Grieve the Holy Spirit. Repentance leads to Salvation.
WHAT DOES THE WORLD SAY
Plausible Deniability, take no responsibility for your actions
WHAT DOES THE OLD TESTAMENT SAY “MOURN AND COMFORT”
1 “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me,
Because the LORD has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn, Isaiah 61:1-2
To Be Like Jesus- Repent and Be Washed in His Blood
In stark contrast, Jesus asserts that the way to true happiness must come through a radical shift in thought, a change of mind that first makes us see ourselves as we really are
WHAT IS GOD’S REWARD - SALVATION
HOW TO DEVELOP THIS ATTITUDE
Psalm 51:1-19 Prayer of Repentance
RELATED TEXTS
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30
QUESTION
How can we - Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32
____________________________________________________________________________
BLESSED ARE THE MEEK, FOR THEY WILL INHERIT THE EARTH
—Matthew 5:5
MEANING
g4239. πραΰς praus; mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit, meekness -
WHAT DOES THE WORLD SAY
Look at me Pride.
WHAT DOES THE OLD TESTAMENT SAY
9 For evildoers shall be cut off;
But those who wait on the LORD,
They shall inherit the earth. Psalm 35:9
To Be Like Jesus- Be Gentle and Kind
Although it may appear that meekness is a disadvantage according to the values of this world, it is a wonderful thing in the values of God. It is God’s invitation to trust in him, to have the certainty that his plans and work will accomplish what he promised.
WHAT IS GOD’S REWARD - INHERIT THE EARTH
Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done - on earth as it is in heaven - repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand
HOW TO DEVELOP THIS ATTITUDE
It’s important to understand that meekness doesn’t mean weakness. Consider, for example, the process of breaking a horse. The idea is not to break the horse of its strength or speed; rather, the goal is to break the horse of its self-will. As long as you remain independent and “wild,” you will never maximize God’s intention for you. To be meek is to learn to submit your will to God’s.
RELATED TEXTS
5 Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.
6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday.
7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; Indeed, you will look carefully for his place, But it shall be no more.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. Psalms 37:5-11
QUESTION
What areas of your life hinder you from obeying or accepting God’s will? Pray that God will help you accept his will with meekness.
____________________________________________________________________________
BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR THEY WILL BE FILLED
—Matthew 5:6
MEANING
Far too many of God’s children are spiritually malnourished—not because they don’t eat, but because they eat the wrong things. Donuts taste good, but they have no nutritional value. You can’t have a donut-level spiritual diet and then wonder why you don’t experience God’s blessings.
WHAT DOES THE WORLD SAY
I’m a good person!
WHAT DOES THE OLD TESTAMENT SAY
It is a rule that brings justice for all. It is a reign in which God will satisfy the hungry and thirsty for righteousness. A fulfillment of God’s promise in Isaiah 65:13, “My servants will eat…my servants will rejoice….”
To Be Like Jesus- Seek After Him
Jesus is our Righteousness, we are created in His image.
WHAT IS GOD’S REWARD - SATISFIED
Satified -Jesus holds out the promise that those who are starved for righteousness will be satisfied. His kingdom is characterized by “righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).
HOW TO DEVELOP THIS ATTITUDE
Spiritual Diet- To hunger for righteousness is to apply the righteous standard of God to your life. You need to be hungry for that which pleases God. If you train your appetite in this way you will be filled—you’ll be satisfied with divine contentment. Matthew 5:6
RELATED TEXTS
“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink…” (John 7:37).
QUESTION
In what ways has God satisfied you when you have hungered and thirsted for righteousness?
Blessings and Curses
Luke’s gospel also contains a series of “woes” which are the opposites of the blessings (Luke 6:24–26).
The woes describe the natural consequences to ignoring God’s will. They tell us what we can expect if we do not live the way God desires. Here the blessings and curses are parallel, much the same as in Deuteronomy 28:1–19. At Mount Sinai, Moses set the covenant between God and the Israelites, laying out the natural consequences (both the blessings and the curses) of the people’s responses.
____________________________________________________________________________
BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL, FOR THEY WILL BE SHOWN MERCY
—Matthew 5:7
MEANING
Mercy is part of God’s own nature. “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness….” (Exodus 34:6). Besides, God expects mercy from his people: “He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). People who have experienced mercy and forgiveness are filled with gratitude. Their gratitude cultivates a merciful attitude in return.
WHAT DOES THE WORLD SAY
“We want justice, NOW!”
WHAT DOES THE OLD TESTAMENT SAY
13 So rend your heart, and not your garments;
Return to the LORD your God,
For He is gracious and merciful,
Slow to anger, and of great kindness;
And He relents from doing harm. Joel 2:12-13
To Be Like Jesus- Love Your Enemies
35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. Luke 6:35-36
WHAT IS GOD’S REWARD
There’s a blessing for those who are merciful (that is, who exercise pity rather than just condemnation), because you can bank on the fact that a time is coming when you’ll need mercy.
RELATED TEXTS
“But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God…” (Psalm 86:15).
“…Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love…” (Joel 2:13).
See also: Psalm 103:8, 145:8; Luke 6:36.
QUESTIONS
Which people in your life do you find it most difficult to be merciful to? In what practical ways can you demonstrate God’s mercy in your local community?
____________________________________________________________________________
BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART FOR THEY WILL SEE GOD
—Matthew 5:8
MEANING
Purity of heart involves being authentic before God, so come clean with him about the good, the bad, and the ugly, and you’ll see him operating powerfully in your life. Pure heart is clean of sin. Only Christ can clean us from sin. God must give a pure heart. Although purity of heart is not something we work toward, it is something we desire and God grants.
WHAT DOES THE WORLD SAY
While our culture values things like pure air, pure water, pure food, it seems to devalue the pure heart. Some people insist on a “smoke-free” environment but do not mind a polluted heart.
WHAT DOES THE OLD TESTAMENT SAY
Ezekiel 36:25–27: “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean… I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you….”
To Be Like Jesus- Confess Your Sins
True happiness begins in the presence of God. It is a hope that sustains and inspires those living in the kingdom of heaven. One of Jesus’ constant criticisms of the Jewish leaders was their hypocrisy. That is, their desire to appear pure and holy, while being corrupted and impure inside.
WHAT IS GOD’S REWARD
SALVATION
RELATED TEXTS
Psalm 24:3–4 3 Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD?
Or who may stand in His holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,
Nor sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive blessing from the LORD,
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
QUESTIONS
What might happen if you pray to the Lord as David did in Psalm 51, verse 10: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me”?
____________________________________________________________________________
BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS FOR THEY WILL BE CALLED SONS OF GOD
—Matthew 5:9
MEANING
To be a peacemaker is to be a mediator and resolve conflicts between estranged parties. You make peace by identifying the truth, addressing the sin, and constructing a bridge between those who are at odds with one another. Peacemaking can be difficult work. But, if we persevere in it, we will be called sons of God because we will resemble our FATHER. He sent the Son of God to be our Mediator, bridging the gap created by our sin and granting us peace with him. Matthew 5:9
WHAT DOES THE WORLD SAY
RESIST - TAKE IT TO THE STREETS - GET UP IN THEIR FACE AND PUSH BACK
WHAT DOES THE OLD TESTAMENT SAY
6 “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb,
The leopard shall lie down with the young goat,
The calf and the young lion and the fatling together;
And a little child shall lead them.
7 The cow and the bear shall graze;
Their young ones shall lie down together;
And the lion shall eat straw like the ox. Isaiah 11:6-7
To Be Like Jesus- Be an Intercessor, a Mediator to Others
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives…” (John 14:27). His peace is a clear sign that the kingdom is in our midst. Only Jesus makes this peace possible and only in him we become adopted children .
WHAT IS GOD’S REWARD
THEY WILL BE CALLED SONS OF GOD
RELATED TEXTS
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18).
See also: Psalm 4:8; Isaiah 9:6; Romans 5:1.
QUESTIONS
Can you think of a difficult or painful time in your life when you experienced Jesus’ peace in a special way? How is the peace that Jesus gives different from the kind of peace the world promises?
____________________________________________________________________________
BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO ARE PERSECUTED BECAUSE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
—Matthew 5:10
MEANING
To be persecuted because of righteousness is to be mistreated because you display the kingdom characteristics described in 5:3-9. Some people won’t like you for doing so. Persecution may take a variety of forms and come from a variety of sources (your family, an employer, the culture, the government). But in receiving it you’ll be in the company of a class of people of whom the world is not worthy.
WHAT DOES THE WORLD SAY
Principles are good, but not if they get you killed or cause you grief. Righteousness has little foundation in our world today. Standards for right and wrong are not defined by what God desires for our good. People get away with what they can.
WHAT DOES THE OLD TESTAMENT SAY
Jeremiah
To Be Like Jesus- Be a Sheep Led to Slaughter
Jesus made it clear to his disciples that persecution would occur: “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also” (John 15:20). Often doing what is right leads people to feel lonely, isolated, and persecuted. However, Jesus promised that he would not leave these people alone. He sent the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort. Besides, he also promises that “Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy” (John 16:22).
WHAT IS GOD’S REWARD
KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
RELATED TEXTS
“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (1 Peter 5:10).
“But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed… But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord…” (1 Peter 3:14–15).
See also: Luke 6:22–23; John 15:18–21.
QUESTIONS
Think of a time when you felt like speaking up for what was right. If you did not speak up, what prevented you from doing so? If you did, what resulted from it? How can you help others who are facing persecution because of righteousness?
____________________________________________________________________________
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
—Matthew 5:11-12
MEANING
5:11–12 Notice that the persecution that brings blessing is directly tied to Jesus. When they insult you and tell lies about you because of him, you are blessed (5:11). Since essentially the same thing happened to the Old Testament prophets, you’re in good company. But how can you rejoice in the midst of the mess? You can remember that your reward is great in heaven (5:12), because “the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us” (Rom 8:18). Matthew 5:11
WHAT DOES THE WORLD SAY
WHAT DOES THE OLD TESTAMENT SAY
Jeremiah - John the Baptist - Daniel - Isaiah - Joseph - Samuel - Elijah -
To Be Like Jesus- Rejoice in (His) Persecution
18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. 25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, They hated Me without a cause.’ John 15:18-25
WHAT IS GOD’S REWARD
GREAT IS YOUR REWARD
RELATED TEXTS
1 Peter 4:13-14 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
QUESTIONS
Why rejoice and be glad about persecution? (5:11–12)
Because it reinforces our identity with Christ and the prophets. We can also be glad because, though righteousness has a price, it also has a reward. Persecution reminds us that we can anticipate something better in heaven. Our joy comes not from the physical suffering itself but from the reason for the suffering: Jesus Christ. Matthew 5:11
