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Matthew 5:1-12; Luke 6:17; 12-24; James 5:1-3; Luke 6:25-49

If our lives are not being transformed every day, what is the point of being a Christian? In Matthew, Jesus taught what is known as the "Sermon the Mount." In Luke, he taught many of the same truths in what is known as the "Sermon the Plain." He begins with "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:30].

"Poor" means "humble." God must have the reign in our hearts and lives.
Luke 6 speaks of the "Sermon on the Plain" when the multitudes came to hear and to be healed. Verse 20 says, "And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God." "Disciples" are disciplined individuals. A disciple seeks to grow in the Lord, to be like him, and to make weighty decisions each day which affect his life now and throughout eternity. While none of us was on that plain, we can sit at Jesus’ feet today. He is the same Master Teacher for us as he was for those disciples. He is in us by way of holy spirit. Again "poor" means humble.

Jesus continues to teach what is known by us as the Beatitudes. "Blessed" means happy. We are blessed when we mourn about our sins. We are blessed when we are persecuted for righteousness sake. God keeps track and is not unrighteous to forget our labor of love.

We are not to trust in riches. We are not to be hardened against sin. If someone insults us, we are to turn the other cheek. We are not to retaliate. We let it go and walk away. It is easy to be kind and loving to those who are kind and loving to us. The challenge is to be loving in the face of ingratitude and hatefulness.

We are to be merciful which means compassionate. We are to have a heart for people, seeing beyond the senses and physical things. We are not to be judgmental of other people. What we give, we will get back.

Jesus was inviting people to walk as he did and showing them how to do so. He is the Master and we strive to be like him. God knows we can never be perfect in all things. Yet we are to do the very best we can with all our hearts.

We have to make a decision to live and walk in fellowship with God as true Christians or not. Our foundation should be the Word of God, not good intentions or dreams.

God loves us and so does His Son. Let us decide to be disciples, follow Jesus Christ’s example and love others as he taught us how.


#268 Being A Disciple -- April 21, 2002 ©2002 / Steven A. Michels 62:36 minutes
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"Being A Disciple" -- Rev. Steve Michels Matthew 5:1-12; Luke 6:17; 12-24; James 5:1-3; Luke 6:25-49 If our lives are not being transformed every day, what is the point of being a Christian? In Matthew, Jesus taught what is known as the "Sermon the Mount." In Luke, he taught many of the same truths in what is known as the "Sermon the Plain." He begins with "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:30]. "Poor" means "humble." God must have the reign in our hearts and lives. Luke 6 speaks of the "Sermon on the Plain" when the multitudes came to hear and to be healed. Verse 20 says, "And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God." "Disciples" are disciplined individuals. A disciple seeks to grow in the Lord, to be like him, and to make weighty decisions each day which affect his life now and throughout eternity. While none of us was on that plain, we can sit at Jesus’ feet today. He is the same Master Teacher for us as he was for those disciples. He is in us by way of holy spirit. Again "poor" means humble. Jesus continues to teach what is known by us as the Beatitudes. "Blessed" means happy. We are blessed when we mourn about our sins. We are blessed when we are persecuted for righteousness sake. God keeps track and is not unrighteous to forget our labor of love. We are not to trust in riches. We are not to be hardened against sin. If someone insults us, we are to turn the other cheek. We are not to retaliate. We let it go and walk away. It is easy to be kind and loving to those who are kind and loving to us. The challenge is to be loving in the face of ingratitude and hatefulness. We are to be merciful which means compassionate. We are to have a heart for people, seeing beyond the senses and physical things. We are not to be judgmental of other people. What we give, we will get back. Jesus was inviting people to walk as he did and showing them how to do so. He is the Master and we strive to be like him. God knows we can never be perfect in all things. Yet we are to do the very best we can with all our hearts. We have to make a decision to live and walk in fellowship with God as true Christians or not. Our foundation should be the Word of God, not good intentions or dreams. God loves us and so does His Son. Let us decide to be disciples, follow Jesus Christ’s example and love others as he taught us how.