[Jesus continued:] “God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.” —Matthew 5:5 NLT Key Thought Everything in our culture and experience says the meek and the humble will get run over and will be targets for bullies. But God says these are the very ones to receive the earth as …
[Jesus continued:] “God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” —Matthew 5:4 NLT Key Thought Paul told Christians in Rome, “Weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). Disciples face sadness for many reasons. Discipleship is not about always being happy. It’s about following the path of Jesus who was “a man of sorrows, …
[Jesus taught:] “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” —Matthew 5:3 NLT Key Thought The Kingdom family is made up of people who know they have deep spiritual needs. When we come into the presence of God, we are awed into a profound …
One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, and he began to teach them. —Matthew 5:1-2 NLT Key Thought A certain characteristic can define a family. Many members of the family can be distinguished by this special characteristic. It may be …
Large crowds followed [Jesus] wherever he went — people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River. —Matthew 4:25 NLT Key Thought In many of our minds, this list of towns is just a collection of Jewish hamlets. However, this list of towns — along with …
News about [Jesus] spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed — he healed them all. —Matthew 4:24 NLT Key Thought Jesus healed them all! He could handle any kind of …
Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. —Matthew 4:23 NLT Key Thought Preaching, teaching, and healing. Three key elements of authentic ministry are: Proclaiming the Good News of God’s Kingdom. Teaching people how to …
A little farther up the shore [after calling Peter and Andrew, Jesus] saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind. —Matthew 4:21-22 NLT Key Thought Most of …