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Matthew 5:5 is the text for this sermon entitled, "The Third Beatitude: The Meek."

The Bible provides rich examples of the virtue known as "meekness". Curtis explores several examples in Matthew, in the rest of the New Testament, and then finally in the Old Testament that show the force of a person who controls their strength with compassion and forbearance. He describes 10 beautiful applications of this beatitude in our lives today.

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Matthew 5:4 is the text for this sermon entitled, "The Second Beatitude: Those Who Mourn."

What does the New Testament mean by the verb "to mourn"? We review the basic meaning of the Greek word and look at a number of verses that provide examples of mourning for the harm to or loss of people, tragic events, poor spiritual health, and sin.
- Mt. 9:15 wedding guests mourn when the bridegroom is taken away
- Mt. 24:30 tribulation of spiritual warfare
- I Cor. 5:2 sexual immorality

And what does Jesus promise to those who mourn? He offers the promise of God's comfort.
- Genesis 24:67 Isaac after his mother Sarah's death
- Psm. 23:4 Comfort of the shepherd and his tools
- Psm. 77:2 In the day of my trouble
- Psm. 119:50, 52, 76 God's promises, the rules of old, God's steadfast love
- Mt. 2:18 The death of the male infants ages 0-2 years
- Acts 9:31 The church experienced peace
- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 sharing in Christ's sufferings and comfort
- 2 Corinthians 13:11 Christians should comfort one another

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Matthew 5:1-3 is the text for this sermon entitled, "Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount & First Beatitude: The Poor in Spirit.

The purpose of the lesson is to help us embrace the “kingdom mindset” that sees the world differently on behalf of Jesus. A person poor in spirit is one whose humility characterizes the heart of discipleship, who depend completely on God and His mercy. Totally missing is the notion of arrogantly relying on self alone. Jesus' own example of humility--from the King of Heaven to the One who stooped to heal, to comfort, to wash the feet of followers.

Note that the first and the last beatitude offer blessings tied to the kingdom of heaven, a bracketing that surrounds us in kingdom life. As the old hymn declares, "Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!"