BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO ARE PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS' SAKE

The sermon series on the Beatitudes concludes with these verses from Matthew 5:10-12:
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Other passages referred to in the sermon include I Peter 4:12-16 and John 15:20.

An audio file of the sermon is available for listening or download at
http://www.mediafire.com/?d5mx0co0xyc

Sept. 09, 2007--BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS

This sermon is based on the 7th Beatitude: "Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called children (sons) of God."

Supplementary readings include references to how Jesus himself is our peace (Ephesians 2:11-18) and Jesus' prescription for making peace with another in the church (Matthew 18:15-17).

An audio file of the message is available for listening or download at:
http://www.mediafire.com/?dggdbtdcnld

Sept. 2, 2007--BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART

This sermon explores what Jesus meant when he said: "Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God." Supplementary texts include Psalm 24 and James 4:4-10.

You may listen to the sermon or download it by clicking on
http://www.mediafire.com/?7lnkj0mtlog

August 26, 2007--BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL

This message focuses on the Beatitude "Blessed are the merciful; for they shall receive mercy." Supplementary readings are from Jesus' parable of the Unmerciful Servant in Matthew 18:21-35 and from James 2:13--"Mercy triumphs over judgment."

You may listen to the sermon or download it by clicking on http://www.mediafire.com/?1icg1sdbwn1

August 19, 2007--BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness; for they shall be filled." (Matthew 5:6)

This sermon focuses on the fourth Beatitude and explores what it means to hunger and thirst for righteousness. Isaiah 55:1-7 is the main text.



An audio file of the entire message is available for download or listening online at http://www.mediafire.com/?7zl2yq2cytd

BLESSED ARE THE MEEK

"Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth."

Who are the meek, according to Jesus? What does it mean to inherit the earth? Using Psalm 37:1-11 and Matthew 11:28-30 as Scripture references, this sermon looks at the third Beatitude.

An audio file of the sermon is available for listening or download at http://www.mediafire.com/?6dtstvyjt01

July 22, 2007--BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT

Today we begin a new sermon series on BEING THE BLESSED...based on the Beatitudes of Jesus from Matthew 5:3-12.

This sermon focuses on what it means to be POOR IN SPIRIT, using the story Jesus told of the two men who went to pray one day from Luke 18:9-14 as a reference.

You may listen to the sermon online or download it by clicking on
http://www.mediafire.com/?dvkx2fcq2ux