Blessed are the pure in heart,for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8 ESV Leviticus is a difficult book to both read and understand. In fact, we can rightly give it the title of “Bible Reading Plan Killer.” But the key to properly viewing Leviticus comes from seeing it as the centerpiece of the whole Pentateuch. …
Blessed are the merciful,for they shall receive mercy. Matthew 5:7 ESV As we have noted in the previous weeks, the Beatitudes are a mindlessly thrown together list of virtues; rather, they are carefully structured descriptions of the Christian character. These are not gifts that the Spirit gives to some Christians and not others. These are …
Why do we call this Good Friday? We can ask the same question of why when we consider the opening sentence of Bruce Shelley’s book on church history: “Christianity is the only major religion to have as its central event the humiliation of its God.” Surely, the crucifixion of God's only begotten Son was darkest …
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,for they shall be satisfied. Matthew 5:6 ESV Martin Lloyd-Jones' opening paragraph to his sermon on this Beatitude is worth citing here: The Christian's concern is to view life in this world in the light of the gospel; and, according to the gospel, the trouble with mankind …
Blessed are the meek,for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5 ESV Few figures in history are as interesting to read about as Julius Caesar. Consider one story that is given to us by Plutarch. At twenty-five, Caesar was traveling to Bithynia, but during that voyage, he was captured by pirates. Seeing by his clothing …
Blessed are those who mourn,for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4 ESV As I walked through the wilderness of this world, I lighted on a certain place, where was a Den, and I laid me down in that place to sleep: And as I slept, I dreamed a Dream. I dreamed, and behold I saw …
As of today, I am three weeks into studying the Beatitudes. But that wasn't the plan. I have a short-list of potential sermon series perpetually floating around my head, but in either June or July, I take some time to make a tentative sermon schedule for the following year. Throughout the years, I've had many …
Blessed are the poor in spiritfor theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 ESV Paradoxically, King David's most notorious sins give us a glimpse at just what makes him a great man of God. You probably know the story. After years on the run from Saul, David's kingdom is finally established. But in his …
Seeing the crowds,he went up on the mountain,and when he sat down,his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouthand taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:1-3 ESV The French mathematician Blaise Pascal once wrote: All men seek happiness. This is without exception. Whatever …
B. C. Newton 
