MATTHEW 5:1-12
Thought 2. Preaching and teaching are not to be done only in the church, but wherever people are found—
on mountains, by the seashore, in homes, on the streets—any place and every place.

Thought 3. Crowds are important, but a small band of disciples is critical to accomplish the great commission. The
mission of the Lord is reaching people, but the method of the Lord is to make disciples. It is giving intensive training
to a small group so they can help in the ministry to the multitudes. Making disciples was also the method of Paul
(see notes—Mt.28:19-20).

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have com-
manded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Mt.28:19-20).
“Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named
Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was
a Greek....Him would Paul have to go forth with him” (Acts 16:1, 3).
“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit
thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Tim.2:2).

Thought 4. Christian leaders are to call together small bands of disciples for special training and prepara-
tion. Matthew says without any explanation that “His disciples came to Him” (v.1), but Mark and Luke say
that Christ called the disciples together for training and preparation (Mk.3:13; Lk.6:13).

Thought 5. Three things are needed for training and preparation: a place, a time, and a message. The words “He
went up...and when He was set” seem to be saying that Jesus had deliberately chosen this place and time for this
training. All had been planned; Jesus was personally prepared. (What a lesson too often neglected.)

DEEPER STUDY # 1
(5:3) Blessed (makarios): spiritual joy and satisfaction that lasts regardless of conditions; that carries one through pain, sor-
row, loss, and grief.

Thought 1. “To be blessed” is what men seek. The problem is that they seek it in the things of this earth: position,
money, fame, power, and sensual pleasure.

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and
where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where
neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for
where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Mt.6:19-21).
“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch
not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be
my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (2 Cor.6:17-18).
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world,
the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the
lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world”
(1 Jn.2:15-16).

Thought 2. Man seeks to be blessed only in this world. This says several things about his nature.
1) Man is carnal and corruptible, and he is sinful and dying.

“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after
the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually
minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject
to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please
God” (Ro.8:5-8).
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Ro.3:23).
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our
Lord” (Ro.6:23).
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb.9:27).

2) Man is deceived and blinded to his real need, that of a renewed spirit.

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born
again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (Jn.3:3).
“And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which af-
ter God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Eph.4:23-24).
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God,
which liveth and abideth for ever” (1 Pt.1:23).

3) Man is ignorant of the Kingdom of Heaven (see DEEPER STUDY # 3, Kingdom of Heaven—Mt.19:23-24).
⇒ He is misguided and deceived about it. ⇒ He is hardened to it.
⇒ He is unbelieving about it. ⇒ He is neglectful of it.
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