The GOAT Week 1 DG

 

“The Sermon on the Mount”

 

Things to know before Jesus’ message to the crowd:

• Sermons used to be for the religious elite in the synagogue, however, the religious elite are not being addressed in the Sermon on the Mount. He is addressing the common person.
• It’s not meant to be an aspiration to be all categories that Jesus mentions. It’s more about “if you find yourself” in the midst of one of these conditions, then God is closer to you than you think.

 

(vv 3&4) Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (“Poor” can be inadequacy, hardship, poverty, etc. Most of the crowd lived in a state of poverty and they could identify with that.)

 

How were these words of Jesus a comfort to the people who were in mourning or “poor” in spirit?

 

***For Leaders – It was easy to feel in the first century that if I am feeling inadequate, going through hardship & poverty that God has distanced himself from me. Jesus is telling them that is not true and they are truly blessed for God is closer than they think. Jesus is leaning into Isa 61:1-2. “…too comfort all who mourn…” Jesus is saying he is the messianic fulfillment of this text and he is the one who can unlock comfort in your life.

 

(v 5) Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth. (“Meekness” can be a state of powerlessness or inability to forward one’s own cause.)

 

How were the words of Jesus a comfort to those who felt they had no control over their lives?

 

***For Leaders – Jesus was speaking to an “occupied” people who were heavily taxed by Rome. Religious leaders were not always compassionate to the occupied people that they were leading. Power was usually about possession and position and the common person had neither. Jesus was telling them in his kingdom you end up receiving everything. You get the whole earth! This was in stark contrast to the current earthly kingdom that gives them nothing.

 

(v 6) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

 

Speaking in terms of Pastor Josh’s example of seeing his daughter get hit by a car. His response came from a deep hunger from within to pray a faith-filled prayer for his daughter in that moment. Have you had a moment in your life when your response was a faith-filled prayer when you faced a tremendous physical need? Share with the group.

 

(vv 7-9) Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

 

How do we sound like the first century Jews sometimes in our approach to God?

 

***For Leaders – There was a religious elite back then and these verse put the people on equal footing with them. While they common people may not have shared the same responsibilities as the religious leaders, they were able to bring traits that Jesus explained is honoring to God and are hallmarks of His kingdom. Mercy, being pure in heart and a peacemaker were just a few. Jesus was saying that these are attributes that you could bring to the kingdom…and it’s enough.