Congratulations to the Merciful

Introduction:

Who Are The "Merciful"? (Matthew 5:7)

Ephesians 2:4 - But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us...

Titus 3:5 - he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy...

Acts 7:60 - And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them."

Why Are We Congratulating the Merciful?

Matthew 6:12 - and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Matthew 6:14 - For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you...

Luke 6:37 - ...forgive, and you will be forgiven...

Ephesians 4:32 - Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Colossians 3:13 - ...forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

How Can I Be Merciful?

Matthew 18:21

5 Excuses People Give for Not Forgiving:

1. They have to Come To Me .
2. I'll forgive but I won't Forget .
3. They'll just do it Again .
4. They don't want to Reconcile .
5. I just Can't .

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read Matthew 5:7 and Matthew 18:21-35

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. Is Jesus teaching that receiving mercy (from God) is contingent on giving mercy (to others)? Why or why not?
   

3. What does it mean that the word “mercy” is associated with feelings? In other words - what role do feelings play in being merciful?
   

4. Give a short summary of the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21-35). What’s the main point of the parable?
   

5. How would you respond to someone in your small group who says “I will never forgive that person for what they did.”?

Breakout
Pray for one another. Who do you need to forgive? Hold each other accountable to pray for that person and reach out to them.

Congratulations to the Hungry

Introduction:

Who Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness"? (Matthew 5:6)

Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness?

Psalm 51:10 - Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

How Do I Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness?

Philippians 3:8-12 - ...For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

Why Are We Congratulating the Hungry?

How to Grow Your Appetite:

1. Taste .

   Psalm 34:8 - Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!

2. Eat .
3. Fast .

   Psalm 42:1 - As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read Matthew 5:6-7 and Philippians 3:8-12

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. How would you respond to someone who says, “I don’t really hunger and thirst for righteousness.”?
   

3. What are some practical ways a believer can increase their appetite for spiritual things?
   

4. Jesus said the hungry and thirsty will be satisfied. What does this satisfaction actually look like in the life of a believer today?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Congratulations to those Who Mourn!

Introduction:

Who Are the "Those Who Mourn"? (Matthew 5:4)

Why Are We Congratulating those Who Mourn?

Revelation 21:4 - He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.

Romans 7:24-25 - Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

How Do I Mourn? (James 4:8-10)

1. What Keeps Me from Mourning?

   James 4:8-10 - Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

   1. You aren't Drawing near to God.
   2. You're too Invested in your sin.
   3. You don't see Sin for what it is.
2. How Do I Know I Really Mourn My Sin?

2 Corinthians 7:10 - For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

→ You Repent without Regret.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read Matthew 5:4 & James 4:8-10

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. What exactly does it mean to “mourn” over your sin? Why is mourning necessary?
   

3. What would you say to someone that says “I’ve never mourned over my sin. And I don’t really see why I need to!”
   

4. How does God comfort those who mourn? What does that look like?
   

5. Read 2 Corinthians 7:10. Explain the difference between worldly grief and godly grief. What does it mean that worldly grief brings death?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Congratulations to the Poor in Spirit

Introduction:

Who Are the "Poor in Spirit"? (Matthew 5:1-3)

Romans 3:23 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...

James 2:10 - For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.

Why Are We Congratulating the Poor in Spirit?

How Do I Become Poor in Spirit?

Luke 18:9-14 - He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

3 Signs That You Are Poor in Spirit:

1. You Humble , Exalt yourself.
2. You compare yourself to God , not Others.
3. You bank on God's Mercy , not your Works.

   Congratulations to the poor in spirit, you have the kingdom of heaven!

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read Matthew 5:1-3 & Luke 18:9-14

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. What does it mean to be “poor in spirit”? How do we become poor in spirit?
   

3. “... for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” What is the significance of Jesus using the word IS? How would you explain this to a young child asking what it means that we get the “kingdom of heaven”?
   

4. How do you convince someone they are poor in spirit if they consider themselves “not that bad of a person”?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

A Miraculous Entrance

Introduction:

John 8:41 - "You are doing the works your father did." They said to him, "We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father--even God."

Why I believe in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ (and why it matters) (Matthew 1:18-25):

1. It is the Straightforward Teaching of scripture.
2. It is Certainly Possible with God.

   Luke 1:34 - How will this be, since I am a virgin?

   Luke 1:37 - Nothing will be impossible with God.

3. It is Essential for Salvation.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read Matthew 1:18-25

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. Why do you think the doctrine of the virgin birth of Christ is so consistently denied?
   

3. Why is believing in the virgin birth an important doctrine to embrace? What are the implications if Jesus was just naturally Joseph and Mary’s son?

Breakout
Pray for one another.