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Sunday School Special : Lesson 4

Text: Matthew 5:1-12, 1 Peter 1
19 April 2020

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL 19 April 2020
Matthew 5:1-12;
1 Peter 1

INTRODUCTION:

THE BEATITUDES

1. Important words of Instruction

2. Blessings promised

3. Uplifting teaching

4. Worthy of Memorizing

5. Challenge: Application

THE BEATITUDES IN REAL LIFE

In the Context of the Christians in the first Century
1 Peter 1

1. Comparison of Texts

a) Matthew 5:1-12
b) 1 Peter 1-2

2. Comparison of Content: Matthew’s List of Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12)

a) Blessed are the poor in spirit
Blessing: Theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3)
b) Blessed are those who mourn
Blessing: Comfort (Matthew 5:4)
c) Blessed are the meek
Blessing: Inheritance (Matthew 5:5)
d) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness
Blessing: Filled (Matthew 5:6)
e) Blessed are the merciful
Blessing: Mercy obtained (Matthew 5:7)
f) Blessed are the pure in heart
Blessing: They shall see God (Matthew 5:8)
g) Blessed are the peacemakers
Blessing: Called sons of God (Matthew 5:9)
h) Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake
Blessing: Joy and exceeding gladness (Matthew 5:10)
3. Comparison of Text: List of Blessings in 1 Peter 1-2
a) Blessing of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3)
i) Where God is Father (1 Peter 1:2)
ii) Where we are sprinkled clean by the blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:2)
iii) Where we have the Spirit of God sanctifying us (1 Peter 1:2)
iv) Where we have a living hope (1 Peter 1:3)
b) Blessing of comfort (Matthew 5:4)
i) Mourning part:
Being scattered and losing Joy (1 Peter 1:1, 6)
ii) Comfort
God’s protection; God’s keeping (1 Peter 1:5)
c) Blessing of an inheritance (Matthew 5:5)
i) An inheritance incorruptible and undefiled (1 Peter 1:4)
ii) Reserved in heaven
iii) Far better than earthly blessings
d) Blessing of being Filled (Matthew 5:6)
i) Filled with knowledge about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit
ii) Filled if we are really hungering and thirsting for knowledge
e) Blessing of mercy (Matthew 5:7)
i) Abundant mercy promised (1 Peter 1:3)
ii) Grace and peace associated closely (1 Peter 1:2)
f) Blessing of seeing God (Matthew 5:8)
i) Physical sight
ii) Spiritual sight
The genuineness of your faith… (1 Peter 1:7)
Whom having not seen, you love… (1 Peter 1:8)
g) Blessing of being called sons of God (Matthew 5: 9)
i) As obedient children (1 Peter 1:14)
ii) If you call on God your Father (1 Peter 1:17)
h) Blessing of Joy and exceeding gladness (Matthew 5:10-12)
Amidst suffering
i) You rejoice with joy inexpressible
ii) And full of glory (1 Peter 1:8)

THE BEATITUDES TODAY

1. Content of our faith

a) Knowledge
b) Faith
c) Life

2. Challenges to our faith and life will come
“Grieved by various trials” (1 Peter 1:6)

a) Problems may emerge
b) Persecution may come
c) We must not fear them
d) We may falter and fall
e) We must learn along the way

3. Concreteness of our Faith
“Yet believing” (1 Peter 1:8)

a) Trust in God holds fast
b) Faith when tried by fire would become stronger and purer
c) Faith becomes a very real thing in our daily life

4. Consistency is more than possible
“Praise, honour and glory” (1 Peter 1:7)

a) Cultivation of faith and life
b) Character that is solid can be formed
c) Courage must emerge
d) Commitment to God inspiring

5. The Lord will be with us

a) God the Father (1 Peter 1:2-3)
a) The Lord Jesus (1 Peter 1:2, 3)
c) The Spirit of God (1 Peter 1:2, 11)
b) The Church
Made up of living stones (1 Peter 2:5, 9)