The Beatitudes
#9. Be Salt and Light
July 9, 2017 • John Carrano
Have you ever added value to something? Maybe you stepped into a situation and because of you, something amazing happen. Jesus calls us to be the salt and light of the earth, but what does it actually mean to be salt and light? In this week's message Lead Pastor John Carrano closes our series with teaching from Matthew 5:13-16 on how to be salt and light. . . . Reflection Questions - How is God asking you to be salt? Have you begun to lose your saltiness? - How is Christ inviting you to let your light shine? - How is your heart? Are there any masks you need to remove? Challenge - Daily work to keep your heart surrendered and aligned with the Father! - Intentionally look for ways to be salt and light! Scripture - Matthew 5:13-16
#8. Those who are Persecuted
July 2, 2017 • John Carrano
We often talk about the fact that Jesus said “come follow me” but all too often, we omit the part where He said to take up our cross in the process. When persecution comes, we retract, hide, and stop living the way Christ has invited us to live. But we cannot let this deter us, nor make us lose sight of what we are doing and why. In this week's message Lead Pastor John Carrano continues our series with teaching from Matthew 5:10 on those who are persecuted. . . . Reflection Questions - Are you facing persecution because of righteousness? - How is God asking you to respond? Challenge - Pray for those who are living in persecution! Intentionally spend time in prayer for the persecuted church around the world. - Pray for your own situations. Pray for those who persecute you and ask God for wisdom on how to respond. Scripture - Matthew 5:10 - Matthew 16:24-26 - 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 - John 15:18 - Matthew 5:44 - Mark 13:13
#7. Pure in Heart
June 18, 2017 • Nick Seders
The state of ones heart is something God constantly refers to in scripture, but why is God so concerned with our hearts? It's because all that we do, indeed all that we are, is a consequence of the state of our hearts. In this week's message Nick Seders continues our series with teaching from Matthew 5:8 on the pure in heart. . . . Reflection Questions - Is your heart pure, and do your actions prove it? - Do you try to live in purity and righteousness apart from Christ? - Have you been guarding the new heart that God gave you? Challenge 'Let this pure heart, the very Spirit of God that has been placed within you, be the source of your every thought and action.' Scripture - Matthew 5:8 - Matthew 15:19 - Proverbs 4:23 - Ezekiel 35:25-26 - 2 Corinthians 5:17 - Titus 3:3-7
#6. The Peacemakers
June 11, 2017 • John Carrano
In Matthew 5:9 Jesus says 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.' Nobody really likes peacemaker. By making peace, ironically, it makes people upset but peacemaking is rooted in the grace that we have received from God and it’s a true indication of sonship and right relationship with God. Peacemakers continually fight for peace and unity in the Kingdom, but it's up to you to seek peace in every situation! In this week's message Lead Pastor John Carrano continues our series with teaching from Matthew 5:9 on the peacemakers. . . . Reflection Questions - Is there an area of your heart or soul that lacks peace? Surrender it now! - Is there a situation you need to make right? - How is God inviting you to be a peacemaker? Challenge 'Intentionally look for ways to be a peacemaker! Bring peace with you!' Scripture - Matthew 5:1-2 - Matthew 5:9 - Colossians 3:15 - Hebrews 12:14 - James 3:18 - Proverbs 12:20 - Romans 12:18 - Psalm 34:14 - Galatians 5:22 - 1 Peter 3:11 - Philippians 4:7 - Psalm 29:11 - Romans 14:19 - Romans 12:18
#5. The Merciful
June 4, 2017 • John Carrano
Have you ever been in a situation where you've needed to be shown mercy? Humanity likes to do acts of mercy, but often it becomes about oneself. 'I helped someone in need, I showed them mercy', but Jesus calls us to be different. Because we have been shown such an act of mercy the natural outflow is that we need to be a merciful people. In this week’s message Lead Pastor John Carrano continues our series with teaching from Matthew 5:7 on the merciful. . . . Reflection Questions - Is there an area of your life where you have been withholding mercy? How is Father asking you to make it right? - Who do you need to bring to the feet of Jesus? - Where is God inviting you to be merciful? Challenge 'Intentionally look for ways this week to both: be merciful & show mercy!' Scripture - Matthew 5:1-2 - Matthew 5:7 - Matthew 18:21-22 - Ephesians 2:4-5
#4. Hunger and Thirst
May 21, 2017 • John Carrano
Have you ever had an intense craving? Usually when we think of cravings we associate it with food, but Jesus challenges us to hunger and thirst for righteousness because whatever we hunger and thirst for is exactly what we will be filled with. In this week's message Lead Pastor John Carrano continues our series with teaching from Matthew 5:6 on being hungry and thirsty for righteousness. . . . Reflection Questions - What do you hunger and thirst for? - What areas of your life do you need to surrender to Christ? - Where is Father inviting you to step out in faith? Challenge 'Surrender your heart to Christ, and begin to hunger and thirst for the things of God. Step out in faith and obedience to allow Him to use you to love on the world around you! Be looking for specific opportunities to be salt and light!' Scripture - Matthew 5:1-2 - Matthew 5:6 - 2 Chronicles 16:9
#3. The Meek
May 14, 2017 • John Carrano
When you think of qualities you'd like to have, how many of us think of being meek? When you think of meekness maybe you think of; weakness, mindlessness or a deficiency in courage. But meekness is not weakness, it is strength surrendered to the Father! In this week’s message Lead Pastor John Carrano continues our series with teaching from Matthew 5:5 on the meek. . . . Reflection Questions - What in your life have you said you were surrendering, but are still trying to control? - Where do you need to remain patient and allow the master to continue working? - How is Father asking you to step out in meekness? Challenge 'Be meek! Intentionally look for ways this week to surrender your rights and allow your life to find meaning and purpose in the hands of the master!' Scripture - Matthew 4:23-25 - Matthew 5:1-2 - Matthew 5:5 - Numbers 12:3 - Matthew 11:28-29 - Romans 12:3
#2. Those who Mourn
May 7, 2017 • Susan Kennedy
The pursuit of happiness is said to be the universal pursuit, but is lasting happiness even attainable? In Matthew 5:4 Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” But can the unhappy truly become happy? In this week's message Susan Kennedy continues our series with teaching Matthew 5:4 on those who mourn. . . . Reflection Questions - Have I been depending on happiness from the people around me, from my career or from outside activities instead of on God? - Am I a true disciple? Am I willing to follow Christ in all areas of my life? - Do I have unchecked sin in my life? A wrong that I’ve been ignoring? Scripture - Matthew 5:1-2 - Matthew 5:3 - Matthew 5:4
#1. Poor in Spirit
April 30, 2017 • John Carrano
In this week's message Lead Pastor John Carrano kicks off our new series 'The Beatitudes: Matthew 5' with teaching from Matthew 4:23-5:3 on what it means to be poor in spirit. . . . Reflection Questions - What in your life do you need to surrender to the Father? - Where have you been trying to operate in your own strength? - Where in your life have you been insistent on remaining on the throne? Challenge 'Be poor in spirit! Intentionally look for ways this week to live with a humbled and surrendered posture, relying on the Father!' Scripture - Matthew 4:23-25 - Matthew 5:1-2 - Matthew 5:3 - Isaiah 66:2 - John 3:30 - James 4:6