Jesus Sermon on the Mount Matthew 5:9-10 Lesson 5

Transcription

1 Jesus Sermon on the Mount Matthew 5:9-10 Lesson 5 DAY ONE This week we will finish studying Jesus introduction to His sermon on the mount. The beatitudes continue with the focus now on how the Christian s attitude and character affect the people around them. 1. Fill in the blanks below as a way of reviewing what we have been building on. Matthew 5:3-8 Blessed are the in : for theirs is the of. are those who ; for they shall be. Blessed are the ; for they shall the earth. Blessed those who and after for they be filled. Blessed are the ; they shall obtain. are the in ; for they shall God. 2. We have been told that these attitudes will produce blessedness within us, like none other. From the above statements, place the attitudes in the correct column. Some may fall into both columns Inward dealings of the Believer Outward manifestation of the Believer 3. Describe what the believer s character and attitude will look like up to this point in the beatitudes. 1

2 4. List the next beatitude (verse 9) 5. How do you see this beatitude in the progression of Jesus thought? 6. Define Peacemaker: Is this peace a conciliatory action, or an appeasement, in all situations? Why or why not? 7. What will a peacemaker be called? Why this: Peace is a priority to God. Five times in the New Testament God the Father is called the "God of peace". In Isaiah 9 Jesus is called the "Prince of Peace". In the Bible the Holy Spirit is symbolized as the "dove of peace". The story of the Bible begins and ends with peace. It opens in the peaceful environment of the Garden of Eden, and closes in a harmonious heaven. In between, the Scriptures teach that man's sin has forfeited his current peace - and he can t recover it on his own. He needs the help of Jesus, the ultimate peacemaker. 8. There are many references to God and Jesus as Peace. Write about peace from the following: Judges 6:24 Luke 2:14 John 14:27 John 16:33 Ephesians 2:14 2

3 A bumper sticker reads, No God, no peace. Know God, know peace. This world, our families and all those we come in contact with have a desperate need for peace. Unfortunately, they seek to find it in all the wrong places. True peace can only be found in Christ. The verses above need to be committed to memory in order for you to effectively minister as a peacemaker by pointing others to Jesus. DAY TWO Jesus told us that blessedness comes from receiving peace through Christ and walking in it every day. The ability to be a peacemaker, like the other attributes, comes from the outworking of the Holy Spirit in us. (Galatians 5:22-23) There are other key components of peace that need to be in a peacemaker s life. Let s study a few. 1. Before we can go about peace-making, what instructions are we given in Colossians 3:15? What role does God ruling in your heart have in peace-making? 2. Read 2 Timothy 2:22 What are we to flee? What are we to pursue? How do these work together? Describe the type of heart that peace dwells in? What beatitude does this sound like? What role does this have in peace-making? 3. What does Isaiah 32:17 confirm for us? What does works of righteousness have to do with pursuing peace? What beatitude does this sound like? 3

4 4. For specific directions on living our life, record what Romans 14:19 says: In what ways can you actively pursue living in peace? 5. What is needed most, in being a peacemaker? James 3:16-18 Why do these make a difference in matters of peace-making? 6. Sometimes situations are beyond us. Refer to Philippians 4:6-7, and record how this can help you deal with these types of situations. 7. The Bible tells us that strife and disharmony have specific causes. List the effects these causes have on people, as found in the following verses: Proverbs 10:12 Proverbs 13:10 Proverbs 26:21 Proverbs 29:22 7. James 4:1-3 states several reasons for wars and fights -- in need of a peacemaker. List them: We are called to be peacemakers to the world around us. At times, that seems much simpler than maintaining peace with the ones we love. Whether it is our family, our friends or our church family we often neglect making peace. This old poem says it all: "To live above, with saints we love, will certainly be glory. To live below with saints we know, well that's a different story! 4

5 8. What instructions do Ephesians 4:2-3 give us: 9. Re-read Jesus sermon on the mount. What instructions did Jesus give to help maintain peace? DAY THREE Jesus who is called the Prince of Peace walked this earth, and yet peace did not always follow Him. As a matter of fact, when truth is spoken in love, division is bound to take place. John told us in 7:43, there was a division among the people because of Him 1. What did Jesus tell the disciples in Matthew 10:34? Why is this so? 2. Read Luke 12: What does Jesus tell us will happen? 3. Why can t there always be Peace? It is important to understand that peace cannot be separated from truth and righteousness. The truth of any matter cannot be ignored. Throughout all of the scriptures truth was never compromised. With our God of Truth, this is impossible. This is why Jesus included the next beatitude. Peace within ourselves does not always result in peace with the world around us. 4. Read Matthew 5: Re-write these last two blessed passages? 5. Considering the preceding statements how do these last two statements fit? 5

6 6. Complete the chart below: From verses Outward conflict described as Inward response 7. To fully understand, let s define some of the words Jesus used, as stated in the NKJV. Define Persecuted: Define Reviled: What difference do you see between reviled and persecuted? Explain: Explain: say all kinds of evil against you falsely DAY FOUR 1. Read Matthew 5: Is this type of worldly treatment reserved for just a select, chosen few? What word clarifies whether this will happen to us? What does that tell me personally? 2. Carefully look at verses 10 and 11. What, exactly, does Jesus say is the reason we will encounter persecution? 6

7 Again, from our previous studies, was does righteousness mean? Explain for my sake : It is important for us to comprehend the reason for persecution. I have heard people speak of their mistreatment by others claiming it is a result of their Christian stand. Whereas, they were simply encountering fall-out from their own poor choices. 3. What else can we learn about this situation as we consider persecution from the following scriptures? John 15:18-20 John 16:33 Philippians 1: Timothy 1:8-9 2 Timothy 3: Read: 1 Peter 2:19-25 and list the two reasons for Persecution: Which one finds favor with God? List the reason Christ suffered: (verse 22) What was Jesus response (verse 23) What were the sufferings of Christ? Why did He suffer? (verse 21) 7

8 DAY FIVE I do not always find myself rejoicing or being glad, let alone exceedingly glad, when I encounter persecution. Rejection by others plays on my emotions. I can loose the peace God has given me simply by focusing on the disharmony I experience with others. We all want to be accepted, loved, and part of the group, but that is NOT the purpose, or result, of Christ-like living. The Apostle Peter certainly had to deal with this when he had to make some hard choices. Peter learned. Let s study what instruction he left us. 1. Read: 1 Peter 3:14-17 What should we as believers be responsible for in times of suffering? List the reactions we are to have towards others when we suffer for Christ? What conclusion, in verse 17, does Peter give us. 2. What should be our reaction to persecution -- according to Jesus -- from Matthew 5:12? Define: rejoice: Define: be exceedingly glad : What reason are we given that makes us rejoice? What type of reward awaits us: 3. In order to find myself blessed in these situations, where should my focus be? How can that change my inner struggles? 4. Jesus said it will come. Are you ready? What have you learned from this study that will assist you in the future when dealing with persecution? Record, specifically, what steps to take to help manage reviling and persecution from others. Plan ahead. It will come. 8