Preacher: Bob Bryant | Series: Blessed Are

Matthew 5:1 His disciples… 2 He taught them, saying:

Matthew 5:10  “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. 12 Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Matthew 10:1 His twelve disciples… 5 these twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying… 32 “Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven. 34 Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.”

Matthew 7:13 Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

6:47 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.

11:26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Matthew 5

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 have been persecuted for the sake of  righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

QUESTIONS FOR LIFE

1.Please read these words of Jesus: “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:10-12

2.Can you tell about a time that you have experienced what Jesus talks about in these verses?

3.Please read the words of Jesus: “Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32-33

4. Have you been taught this passage in the past? If so, how was it explained?

5. Please review how this passage was explained in today’s message?

6. What do you think Jesus is saying to you personally in Matthew 10:32-33?

7. Please read these words of Jesus that follow what he just said in Matthew 10:32-33: “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.  For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.” Matthew 10:34-36

8. What do you think Jesus is saying to you personally in 10:34-36 in light of what he says in 10:32-33?

9. Can you tell your group about someone you want to talk with about the gospel but have not yet had the courage to do so?

10. How can these words of Jesus help you to do what you have not yet had the courage to do? “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:10-12