Bible Study - verse by verse - 12

(These verses include a brief look at the Beatitudes and how to develop each one)


Matthew 4:21, 22 James and his brother, John, along with Peter and Andrew, were the first disciples that Jesus called to work with Him. Jesus' call motivated these men to get up and leave their jobs - immediately. They didn't make excuses about why it wasn't a good time. They left at once and followed. Jesus calls each of us to follow Him. When Jesus asks us to serve Him, we must be like the disciples and do it at once.
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Matthew 4:23 Jesus was teaching, preaching, and healing. These were the three main aspects of His ministry. Teaching shows Jesus' concern for understanding, preaching shows His concern for commitment, and healing shows His concern for wholeness. His miracles of healing authenticated His teaching and preaching, proving that He truly was from God.
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Matthew 5:1 Matthew 5:7 is called the Sermon on the Mount because Jesus gave it on a hillside near Capernaum. Position, authority, and money are not important in His kingdom - what matters is faithful obedience from the heart. The Sermon of the Mount challenged the proud and legalistic religious leaders of the day. It called them back to the messages of the Old Testament prophets who, like Jesus, taught that heartfelt obedience is more important than legalistic observance.
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Key Lessons from the Sermon on the Mount


In His longest recorded sermon, Jesus began by describing the traits He was looking for in His followers. He called those who lived out those traits "blessed" because God had something special in store for them. Each trait (or Beatitude) is an almost direct contradiction of society's typical way of life. In the last beatitude, Jesus even points out that a serious effort to develop these traits is bound to create opposition. The best example of each trait is found in Jesus Himself. Our goal should be to think and become like Him.


Beatitude: Poor in spirit
God's Reward: Kingdom of heaven
How to develop: James 4:7-10


Beatitude: Mourning
God's Reward: Comfort
How to develop: Psalm 51; James 4:7-10


Beatitude: Meekness
God's Reward: Inherit the earth
How to develop: Matthew 11:27-30


Beatitude: Righteousness
God's Reward: Filled (satisfied) 
How to develop: John 16:5-11; Philippians 3:7-11


Beatitude: Mercy
God's Reward: Be shown mercy
How to develop: Ephesians 5:1, 2


Beatitude: Pure in heart
God's Reward: see God
How to develop: 1 John 3:1-3


Beatitude: Peacemaker
God's Reward: be called sons/daughters of God
How to develop: Romans 12:9-21; Hebrews 12:10, 11


Beatitude: Persecuted
God's Reward: inherit the kingdom of heaven
How to develop: 2 Timothy 3:12