Pastor Blaine continues preaching out of Matthew as Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount, starting with the Beatitudes. Matthew 5:1-12 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Sermon Notes: Main Idea: True Blessing Is Kingdom Citizenship I. Blessed People Know Their Debt II. Blessed People Have New Hearts III. Blessed People Swim Upstream IV. Blessed People Endure Arrows V. Blessed People Live for Tomorrow Discussion Questions: 1. The beatitudes need to adjust our understanding and concept of being blessed. How do they do this? What is the difference from worldly blessing and Kingdom blessing? 2. The five marks of blessed people are evidences of Kingdom citizens. Discuss these marks with your group. How are they different from the world’s definition of blessing? Which ones are the most difficult for Christians? -Blessed people know their debt (v. 3) -Blessed people have new hearts (v. 8) *see Ps. 24:3; Ez. 36:24-32 -Blessed people swim upstream (v. 6) -Blessed people endure arrows (v. 10-11) -Blessed people love for tomorrow (v. 12)