• Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. http://t.co/oSrcCeq7 #
• So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. http://t.co/jwxeMpgm #
• This is a MUST have hymn! Breaks and builds my heart everytime I hear & sing it! http://t.co/kRoztozU #iTunes #
• Sunday's music-prepare your heart with me @summitwoodsbc http://t.co/tA7xR2UC #
• @Mt_Rhino muckfest looks to be planned while I am away in Cali…uh oh! in reply to Mt_Rhino #
• @Mt_Rhino ha! Well…you can bet it's going to take way more than 50 to guarantee my or another elder's participation…you up for that? in reply to Mt_Rhino #
• @ghotihook85 @mt_rhino you need a bigger word than "exceed" – a MUCH bigger word! in reply to ghotihook85 #
• @Mt_Rhino awesome! in reply to Mt_Rhino #
• Watch out neighborhood-I'm hittin' the streets now! @ Mt. Capranica http://t.co/UikZWgJl #
• Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. http://t.co/EFQzB3pC #
• Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. http://t.co/OOM6sWWX #
• I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. http://t.co/rfZcWvMK #
• Lord use me as thou wilt, but, O, promote thy cause…it is thy cause and kingdom I long for, not my own. #VoV #
• http://t.co/heApzJUn #
• Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing; Were not the right man on our side…Christ Jesus, it is He #SWBCSunday #
• Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; The body they may kill; God’s truth abideth still; His kingdom is forever #SWBCSunday #
• My soul finds rest in God alone My rock and my salvation…I'll fix my heart on righteousness I'll look to Him who hears me #SWBCSunday #
• Happy Mother's Day! Honored & humbled to have been raised in and now live in a home w/ gospel-saturated mothers. Mom and Kel-I love you! #
• I'll set my gaze on God alone And trust in Him completely With ev'ry day pour out my soul And He will prove His mercy #SWBCSunday #
• Why was I made to hear Thy voice, & enter while there’s room, When thousands make a wretched choice, & rather starve than come? #SWBCSunday #
• Pity the nations, O our God, Constrain the earth to come; Send Thy victorious Word abroad, And bring the strangers home #SWBCSunday #
• We long to see Thy churches full, That all the chosen race May, with one voice and heart and soul, Sing Thy redeeming grace #SWBCSunday #
• I hear the words of love, I gaze upon the blood, I see the mighty sacrifice, And I have peace with God #SWBCSunday #
• Hallelujah! All I have is Christ Hallelujah! Jesus is my life! #
• My love is oftimes low, My joy still ebbs and flows; But peace with Him remains the same, No change Jehovah knows #SWBCSunday #
• I had no hope that You would own A rebel to Your will And if You had not loved me first I would refuse You still #SWBCSunday #
• Holy God in love became Perfect man to bear my blame On the cross he took my sin By his death I live again #SWBCSunday #
• Lovin us some Strouds for mom's day!!! @ Stroud's Restaurant & Bar http://t.co/6bSena4T #
• What a great time tonight! We love our mom! @ Stroud's Restaurant & Bar http://t.co/47HwAlmw #
• @ghotihook85 @mt_rhino it was good bros. soooo good. Worth the Mother's Day wait. in reply to ghotihook85 #
• @jayhawkman826 I've done baptisms in worse…let me see if I can find a candidate… in reply to jayhawkman826 #
• But I, O LORD, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you. http://t.co/TYXtzvCL #
• I think that's probably enough for one day. Seems too close to the start of the next one… #
• I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations Ps89.1 #
• Embracing the Biblical Tension Between Family and Church Ministry – The Gospel Coalition Blog http://t.co/O6nxyhPm #
• @JayBizzleBizzle stop now. Do not try to figure this one out. It is a maddening quest! in reply to JayBizzleBizzle #
• 1 Cor 13 in Men's Bible Study tonight! #
• Enjoyed studying the Word with eager men. Great time tonight! #
• So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. http://t.co/K6LBPgdD #
• A great article in line with last Sunday's sermon (thanks for pointing it out @DawsonBryant): http://t.co/C2tHeTHC #
• @jayhawkman826 I'm finding that visual a bit disturbing. in reply to jayhawkman826 #
• Off to study 1 Cor 14 with the Friday morning men's crew! We'll try to be intelligible. #
• At the dentist for our kids-you are not praying enough for us yet-intensify now please #
• We made it through! @ Comfort Dental http://t.co/HkipW2ah #
• Creation groans…and so does the one mowing it. #
• Train up a child in the way he should go… @ Mt. Capranica http://t.co/Wwr9tiW1 #
• Let's go Royals!! http://t.co/wPS9UBtm #
• Lovin the K! @ Kauffman Stadium http://t.co/7WEBk9z7 #
• Look who got a Slugger ball! @ Kauffman Stadium http://t.co/ihgBgmYi #
• This Royals fan is done with all the excitement. @ Mt. Capranica http://t.co/LfiNN6xz #

How can we apply the gospel daily?

What is the Gospel?

Before practically answering that question, let’s quickly remind ourselves of what the gospel actually is.

God

The God who created all things is the standard of all that is right and wrong, and his standard is perfection – his standard is the reflection of his own character (Genesis 1:1; 1 John 1:5; Matthew 5:48; Isaiah 6:1-7).

Mankind

Mankind has violated that standard and continues to rebel against their creator and reject his standard, setting up for ourselves a new standard that tends to reflect the transitory whims of our own marred character. Man’s nature is one that rebels against God, does not seek God, does not desire God, thinks more highly of himself than of his creator, and is under the control of a humanness that follows the call of a God-hating system ruled by a demonically inspired leader, the devil himself. Thus, a perfect God who lovingly created all things for man to enjoy has been offended by the very crown of his creation in that they would rather serve themselves in a way that exalts sin and Satan more than God and his glory (Romans 3:10-18; Ephesians 2:1-3).

Christ

But the love of God and his wisdom have not only matched, but have overcome the depths of man’s depraved nature and choices. God has demonstrated the depths of his love in that he designed a way that would satisfy His perfect standard (the expression of His own character), accomplish justice for the injustice man has done against his holy standard, and apply the only sort of righteousness he will accept. All of that is accomplished through Jesus. Jesus is God who took on human nature and lived a life on earth that fully accomplished everything that God’s righteous nature displays and demands. His life was fully satisfying to God.  Jesus fully identified himself with all of mankind, yet distinguished himself from them by obeying God perfectly. Jesus willingly died, accepting on himself, though innocent, a punishment on behalf of all mankind for their rebellion against God and their exaltation of their sinful selves above him. Jesus was a substitute for mankind – whose life was the only life that would satisfy God’s standard, and who’s death was the only death that could satisfy the just punishment God demanded and humanity deserved.

God then raised Jesus up from the dead, so that the full penalty for humanity’s just punishment in death would be overcome and so new life could be applied by God’s own design and for His own purposes. Because he has chosen to love us, he applies the new resurrected life, the only acceptable life to those who will abandon their lust for satisfaction in themselves or other things, and find all of their satisfaction in Jesus, who He is, and what He has done on the cross and in His resurrection (Romans 5:6-9, 12-21; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 1 Peter 3:18).

Faith

Faith is being absolutely, wholeheartedly, comprehensively satisfied with Jesus in all things.  Jesus becomes our life when we have genuine trust in Him. Responding in faith is both an initial trust and a way of life – the way of life that consistently takes this message we have just rehearsed and lets it flavor every attitude and action (Titus 2:11-14; 3:3-7; Romans 10:9-10).

That is the gospel.

What is the gospel’s relationship to my daily life?

It is all too common to assume that faith is a past action that secures the future. While true, the gospel, grace, and faith are elements that must govern our decisions, motivate our actions, and drive our affections. If faith is not what is motivating our daily lives, something other than faith is driving us. And nothing other than faith in Jesus – satisfaction in Jesus – will please God. Gospel living is just as essential to our eternal life as initial gospel acceptance was to guarantee our eternal life.

How do I apply it daily?

The following are suggestions. The Bible does not prescribe a check-list that guarantees gospel application. Intentionality is the key and these are simply ways to act intentionally in regularly applying the gospel.

1. At the beginning of your day

• Pray through the elements of the gospel again. As a first prayer, remind yourself of who God is. Praise Him for who he is. Rehearse his attributes and characteristics. Find pleasure in the greatness of God. Then take a moment to remind yourself of what you are without the goodness of God in you. Think about the accomplishments of your life and the many blessings (think of them specifically) you seem to have around you. Remind yourself that none of them guarantee you favor with God. Remind yourself that any good you see is an undeserved gift. Remind yourself of ways you have pursued goodness apart from a good God. Remind yourself of how you ran hard after your own personal interests to the exclusion of God. Remind yourself that were it not for God choosing to love you, you would experience his just anger and condemnation. Humble your heart by remembering what God has through Jesus accomplished in you. See every relationship, every blessing, even the opportunity to acceptably pray to God as a gift given to you by God’s grace specifically applied to you. He has done all of this so you would have him – the greatest of all gifts.
• Review your calendar through the lens of the gospel. See every challenge, relationship, and item on your schedule as an opportunity to somehow express the life that God has given you in Christ. The gospel makes you dependent on God.
• Review your relationships as concentric circles of opportunity to express a gospel-driven life. In a conversation with your wife over finances, is the gospel driving your motivation for what you spend your cash? Are you humble in your speech, recognizing who you are because of Christ? In discussing behavior issues with your children, where does the gospel come in? Do they see your motivations for their behavior to be merely a “do-good-for-good’s-sake” mentality? Are you simply frustrated with them? How are you helping them to see their life and behavior in light of what the gospel says about sin, Christ’s work on the cross, and forgiveness through him alone? What about co-workers, classmates, roommates in college, neighbors, and extended family members. Is your joy an obvious overflow from your heart being affected by Christ’s activity in saving you? Are you merely responding to people and the accompanying situations based on personal interest (or dis-interest) without regard to Christ?
• Memorize passages of Scripture that thrust your mind to contemplate the implications of the gospel. I cannot overstate how helpful this is for my own heart. Last summer, with the accountability of a faithful brother, I worked on memorizing the Sermon on the Mount. Every day, in rehearsing the verses, I also had opportunity to meditate on their implications. So many instances in life were immediately applicable to what I was memorizing. I desperately need to rehearse and rehash significant sections of Scripture to keep my heart tender to the work of God in and around me. And watch out for the challenges to such meditation. My one week of vacation last year was a challenge in meditating on the word – and it showed up in unfortunate ways. I am reminded of how much I need the Scriptures pulsating daily in my mindset.

2.  Throughout your day

• Find opportunities to listen to gospel teaching. Podcasting great Bible teachers, or sermons from your local church makes this simple. Do you have any routine activity that would lend itself to maximizing time to listen to solid biblical instruction? Do you exercise? Have a commute to work? Have a quiet lunch hour? Have a routine task that allows you to listen attentively to a message?
• Take opportunities to sing gospel-driven music. My car is my opera house. I entertain many fellow drivers at stoplights while my music is playing, my heart is rejoicing, and my mouth is busting out the lyrics. I keep a playlist on my iPod of songs we sing at our church. Rather than listen to the radio, I find it more edifying to listen to and sing the music we sing as a church family. We are fortunate to have very gospel-driven music selected every week in our congregation. The car may not be your place? My wife keeps her computer on in the kitchen area and gospel-centered music is regularly playing throughout our home while she and the kids are going about the day.
• Consider your normal conversations with people – how were they shaped by the gospel? This is not to suggest that every sentence is somehow rehearsing the points of God’s saving work. But God’s saving work should naturally shape the sorts of conversations you are having with people. Think back through the kind of speech you engaged in with the various people you encountered this week? In what ways did they reflect or did not reflect the reality of redemption in your life?
• Have you conducted your affairs, your business endeavors, your personal choices out of a deep sense of satisfaction in Jesus – or has he somehow been absent. We too often live compartmentalized lives of “spiritual” and “other.” Work is “other.” Church is “spiritual.” What I bought today at the store is “other,” prayer before eating is “spiritual.” On and on go the splitting of life into two unrelated categories. That’s not the biblical approach to living out the gospel. Every avenue of life is one to reflect the priorities of being a new creation in Christ.
• Make decisions that you know would honor Jesus and express faith in Him. So what decision is in front of you that would force you to trust God for the outcome? In making that decision, was your first thought to consult what the Bible reveals regarding the atmosphere of that choice? Was the honor of Christ in the thick of your thinking or on the outskirts?
• Discuss the Scriptures, theological truth with people closest to you – your spouse, your children, your co-workers, etc. Unfortunately, we often say things to those closest to us in ways we would be ashamed of speaking to mere acquaintances. But the gospel should hit us in the heart and our hearts are most open to those who know us most deeply. Do those people hear God’s word, sense a theological framework of thinking, see a biblically driven approach to how you regularly and naturally interact with them? Where is the gospel in the normality of your conversations with those nearest to you? Do you intentionally have times of biblical conversation with close friends and family?

3.  As you end your day

• Reflect back on the events of the day. Confess sin where you pursued interests that were not driven by satisfaction in Christ. Before you close your eyes to rest, open your mind in concentrated reflection and prayer about how you loved Christ today.
• Express thanksgiving for every event – and consider what God would have you learn about Him and yourself as a result of what has gone on. Rehearse your schedule and ask yourself how faith (satisfaction in the person of Jesus) fleshed itself out in your activities. Thank God that He provided you with such a satisfaction in your savior today.
• Remind yourself of how needy and dependent you are on God. As you lay down to sleep, you are reminded that God never sleeps. You have to have it. He never needs it. And all I need, he possesses and is willing to give to us because of what Jesus did and how God has chosen to apply it to us.

Read C.J. Mahaney’s book, The Cross-Centered Life. My suggestions here are merely expansions on the themes he so helpfully writes about.

• Leadership Summit-block diagraming (structuring) Col 2 & 3. Significant study @ Summit Woods Baptist Church http://t.co/J7V8ftVt #
• Fruitful study in Colossians with men I deeply value-then a few hours of sermon prep on persecution for tomorrow-more to do later… #
• Oh yeah! http://t.co/PnCbHDHE #
• Songs for Sunday, May 6, 2012 http://t.co/h2mBIoRM #
• A little Saturday evening reading… @ "The Bret Cave" Mt. Capranica http://t.co/DXz49fqT #
• "When morning gilds the sky, my heart awaking cries, 'May Jesus Christ be praised.'" #
• What's not to love about You? Heaven and earth adore You Kings and kingdoms bow down Son of God, You are the One. #SWBCSunday #
• Your glory shines, You teach the sun When to bring a new day Creation sings, God, You reign! #SWBCSunday #
• …in the pain our God draws near To fire a faith worth more than gold And there His faithfulness is told #SWBCSunday #
• I turn to Wisdom not my own For every battle You have known My confidence will rest in You Your love endures Your ways are good #SWBCSunday #
• I have a shelter in the storm When all my sins accuse me Though justice charges me with guilt Your grace will not refuse me #SWBCSunday #
• O Jesus, I will hide in You Who bore my condemnation I find my refuge in Your wounds For there I find salvation #SWBCSunday #
• Let the treasures of the trial Form within me as I go -And at the end of this long passage, Let me leave them at Your throne. #SWBCSunday #
• May this journey bring a blessing May I rise on wings of faith; at the end of my heart's testing, With Your likeness let me wake #SWBCSunday #
• Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven… http://t.co/tojcAZhv #SWBCSunday #
• When I am weary with the costI see the triumph of the cross So in it's shadow I shall run Till He completes the work begun #SWBCSunday #
• I have a shelter in the storm When constant winds would break me in my weakness I have learned Your strength will not forsake me #SWBCSunday #
• @jayhawkman826 ah how I just love your dad! in reply to jayhawkman826 #
• Grateful for this morning's time with God's people-so many good things happened in my own heart. Now for Growth Groups-love these people! #
• @warnerluke36 AND HE FINALLY TWEETS! will be good to see you back. in reply to warnerluke36 #
• What a gorgeous desktop to work from! Thanks Jimmy!! @ "The Bret Cave" Mt. Capranica http://t.co/VARAeTs4 #
• Well-on the bright side-that's more runs than they normally score when trounced: http://t.co/shYpRdzK #
• @darrylshippy hahaha! You have given me pause before going. Perhaps I should wait for video, so I can watch while reading a good book… in reply to darrylshippy #
• @jayhawkman826 @warnerluke36 so what music do you listen to while working out together? Gaither or Lil'Wayne? in reply to jayhawkman826 #
• Family hymn of the month! @ Mt. Capranica http://t.co/UJATxZH5 #
• Commemorating our first Royals game! @ Mt. Capranica http://t.co/Ubht9pgt #
• Emi's fandom is official! @ Mt. Capranica http://t.co/5gFD9bLx #
• Brie is true blue! @ Mt. Capranica http://t.co/L3R8LxDW #
• Kel: "Really, people watch this?" She's wishing it was football or basketball season hahaha! http://t.co/lqUJWcfV #
• @Mt_Rhino @warnerluke36 …and get the boy to tweet something in reply to Mt_Rhino #
• @Mt_Rhino @BBush94 happy b-day Ben-hope it was a great one! in reply to Mt_Rhino #
• @walterprice so you really don't want me to go to Disneyland with you for free? Bummer. in reply to walterprice #
• A&M athletic director Bill Byrne retires http://t.co/1hKkCenZ #
• RT @caddiechaplain: Best Father Daughter Wedding Dance: http://t.co/lYkkaLSo via @youtube will we see this at the Rogers/Schindler wedding? #
• @jayhawkman826 the very chapter I was reading this morning. Highly encouraged by it. in reply to jayhawkman826 #
• @taylorshippy love hearing this! Preach on bro! in reply to taylorshippy #
• @taylorshippy ANY time! in reply to taylorshippy #
• Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. http://t.co/7Kobfq4n #
• My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. http://t.co/ewpI8Y4A #
• @dougrichey @rick_holland Doug, after our time together today, I could kick myself for not having met more together. Great times ahead! in reply to dougrichey #
• The boy loves his BBQ! @ Pork 'n Pit http://t.co/rf6SOT4S #
• Mom's gone to hang out with the ladies! Dad and kids about to p.a.r.t.y!! Haha! #
• "Dad, can you tackle me?" of course I can son! @ Mt. Capranica http://t.co/o5CXPkff #
• Bret's Binet's for Breakfast! @ Mt. Capranica http://t.co/jhQt2Dwo #
• Yard work is a fresh reminder of Gen 3, and makes me pray even a little more for Rev 22. #
• @ghotihook85 @jayhawkman826 ha!! in reply to ghotihook85 #
• The after-effects of yard work remind of the freshness of Gen 1-then 7 days later we're back to Gen 3. #
• @jayhawkman826 praying bro. in reply to jayhawkman826 #
• Brie working the leg kicks on our new toy! A new way to wear out the kids @ Mt. Capranica http://t.co/FU80t9EU #
• @jayhawkman826 great news! Praying the full recovery is just as quick! in reply to jayhawkman826 #

Carefully Think

• Read through the following passages and list everything you find that Scripture emphasizes as a woman’s and/or a mother’s priorities:   Titus 2:1-5, 1 Timothy 5:14; 1 Peter 3:1-6; Ephesians 5:18-24; Proverbs 31:10-31; 1 Timothy 2:8-15
• For every item you listed as a priority, list what you find to be modern challenges to these priorities.

Prayerfully Meditate

• How should a husband see these priorities and serve his wife in helping her achieve them?
• How could a single man use these priorities when praying about who to date/court/marry?
• How could a single woman without children use these priorities to serve other women, pray about her own situation, challenge her own heart’s desires?
• If your mother was not driven by these priorities, how could they assist you now in thinking biblically about motherhood? How could they help you in praying for and helping other mothers around you within the church?
• For those who are mothers, which one appears most critical for you to apply now?
• For those whose children are grown, how could you use these priorities in helping younger mothers or women before marriage and children?

Intentionally Act

• Were any sinful tendencies revealed to you about your involvement in your home that you need to confess to God?
• For mothers, list out the actions that would be most appropriate for you to take in bringing your life in line with Scripture. Use this list for prayer. Use it in conversation with a godly older mother for input on how to apply them. Begin taking steps not to implement this list in your life.
• For those who are not mothers (both women and men), how could these priorities affect you in your situation in life for prayer and behavior? What do you need to change about your expectations? What do you need to change in terms of embracing God’s providence as good in your present situation?
• Pray for our service on Sunday to be used of God to encourage where most appropriate, convict where necessary, and unify families.
• Pray for those leading the service, that they will be used in a most edifying way: Dawson Bryant, music; Brett Harris, elders’ prayer and Scripture reading; Bret Capranica, teaching.

Sunday’s Songs

A Mighty Fortress Is Our GodPsalm 62How Sweet and Aweful Is the PlaceAll I Have Is ChristThe Gospel Song

Lyrics

Morning Gathering – May 13, 2012

This past Sunday, I completed a series of sermons on the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12. Each passing week’s message was used by God in some of the most providentially challenging ways in my life. My heart has been exposed and, I pray, helped in so many ways.

I titled the series, “Values for Ultimate Satisfaction.” These are characteristics that people who are genuinely a part of Christ’s kingdom value and display as a result of the work of the gospel in our hearts.

You can listen to the series HERE.

Below is a summary of how I defined each value (beatitude) and then steps, by God’s grace, you can cultivate each one. Essentially, cultivating these values is simply applying the gospel to your heart:

Be Broken – 5:1-3

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

What is this value? Poor in spirit is a radical dependence upon God from a thorough understanding of yourself before a holy God.

How can you cultivate it?

• Meditate continually on the gospel, its message, cost, and application to you personally.
• Meditate consistently in God’s Word.
• Fellowship consistently with God’s people.
• Pray continually.
• Confess sin consistently and thoroughly.
• Avoid those things that cultivate circumstantial happiness and immerse yourself in the sorts of things that cultivate a concentration on  your spiritual position in Christ.
• Evaluate what tends to make you a satisfied person.

Be Sad – 5:4

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

What is this value? Biblical mourning is a continual, internal sorrow over those things that grieve God.

How can you cultivate it?

• Be aware of what hinders a sensitivity to sinfulness.
• Elevate your meditation on the character of God.
• Deepen your consideration of the cost of the cross.
• Intentionally rehearse and acknowledge specific person sin.
• Read the newspaper with a gospel consciousness.
• Pray constantly for the lost.
• Meditate on the horrors of hell and the glories of heaven.
• Weep for those who weep.
• Continually pray for and anticipate the Lord’s return.
• Don’t expect perfect comfort until eternity.

Be Gentle – 5:5

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

What is this value? Biblical gentleness is a kind-hearted self-control motivated by God’s goodness expressed to you and others through the gospel.

How can you cultivate it?

• See life within the sphere of God’s good sovereignty.
• Get rid of personal defensiveness.
• Develop a default response of forgiveness.
• Kill thoughts that savor bitterness.
• Develop a heart that readily submits to Scripture.
• Study the Gospel’s description of Jesus.

Be Hungry – 5:6

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

What is this value? Biblical hunger for righteousness is a fundamental, all consuming, comprehensive, constant starvation for holiness in the totality of your life – a craving for God in the details of life.

How can you cultivate it?

• Starve the sinful flesh to ignite the soul’s longing for holiness.
• Increase habits that increase aspirations for God.
  • Grow your prayerful meditation on the Scripture
  • Deepen your reading of biblically rich books
  • Listen to and sing music that not only expresses, but expands your understanding and enjoyment of God being all satisfying.
  • Increase your time spent with spiritually hungry people.
  • Learn to live independently of being satisfied by external things.
  • Consider your current passions.

Be Holy – 5:7

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

What is this value? A pure heart is an internal loyalty to God that displays itself through external holiness.

How can you cultivate it? 

• Guard and take time for personal reflection and meditation.
• Meditate on the Sermon on the Mount.
• Consider and challenge what you love and why you love it.
• Examine your actions, they will mirror your heart.
• Scrutinize your loyalties to Christ.

Be Merciful – 5:8

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

What is this value? Mercy is a Christ-motivated, kind-hearted, patient, practical generosity that seeks to lavishly relieve someone’s miseries.

How can you cultivate it?

• Consistently cultivate the first four beatitudes within your own heart.
• Assist others in understanding and apply the Bible to their hearts.
• Plan to be most merciful to the most difficult people.
• Attack every area of impatience in your heart, from your voice, and in your behavior.

Be Peacemakers – 5:9

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

What is this value? A peacemaker is one who pursues gospel reconciliation with God and others.

How can you cultivate it?

• Study the specifics in God’s peacemaking with you.
• Hunt down and kill expressions of personal pride.
• Eliminate excuses for relational discord.
• Target obvious relationships that need God’s peace.

Be Persecuted – 5:10-12

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you, and persecute you, and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

What is this value? Eagerly and joyfully embracing oppression for a clearly Christ-motivated lifestyle.

How can you cultivate it?

• Confront any tendency for moderating your personal pursuit of holiness.
• Meditate more regularly on the ultimate reign of Christ.
• Consider the good purposes of persecution:
  • Persecution severs affection for the world above affection for God.
  • Persecution makes the saints more soberly focused on what is most important.
  • Persecution helps us to be less trivial, lazy, temporal, and more serious, active, and eternal.
  • Persecution will realign what brings you the most joy in life.
  • Persecution will purify your present holiness.
  • Persecution strengthens your bold resolve and loyalty to Christ.
  • Read about and pray for those being persecuted now (and pray for those who are doing the persecuting).

Purchase A Brief Account of the Life and Labors of George Muller

• And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord… http://t.co/LGDKxCoK #
• "And when I see Him face to face What glory that will be To look upon my Savior's scars And know they were for me" #
• "Gladly would I leave behind me All the pleasure I have known To pursue surpassing treasures At the throne of God the Son" #
• The Spiritual Discipline of Sleep http://t.co/8ptmtkMt #
• Seven Ways To Pray for Your Prayer Life http://t.co/vS6QndA2 #
• @No_Not_One wow! If you really loved your pastor…. in reply to No_Not_One #
• Preparing for Sunday! Can't Wait! http://t.co/mrebsxsv #
• So pumped about potential ministry training opportunities after a mting w/ @Rick_Holland and Expositor's Seminary-I've dreamed of this stuff #
• "Dad, let's play pillow fight!" how can I say no? #
• I love it when my 2 1/2 year old sits down beside me & starts singing our family hymn of the month to me…"O God our help in ages past…" #
• All the earth rejoice Your Creator reigns As the only awesome God The Alpha and the Omega Who was, is, and is to come #SWBCSunday #
• Gunmen attack Christian worshippers in Nigeria's Kano http://t.co/85CelpEl #
• Kenya official: Grenade kills 1 in church attack http://t.co/34HLhQDu #
• Rejoice, the Lord is King! Your Lord and King adore; Rejoice give thanks and sing, and triumph evermore #SWBCSunday #
• Our cold and ruthless enemy, his pleasure is our harm Rise up, O Lord, and he will flee before our sovereign God #SWBCSunday #
• Holy God in love became Perfect man to bear my blame On the cross he took my sin By his death I live again #SWBCSunday #
• How deep the Father’s love for us, How vast beyond all measure; That He should give His only Son To make a wretch His treasure #SWBCSunday #
• I will not boast in anything, No gifts, no power, no wisdom; But I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection #SWBCSunday #
• Why should I gain From His reward? I cannot give an answer. But this I know with all my heart: His wounds have paid my ransom #SWBCSunday #
• Was it for sins that I had done He groaned upon the tree? Amazing pity, grace unknown And love beyond degree #SWBCSunday #
• My God, why would You shed Your blood So pure and undefiled To make a sinful one like me Your chosen, precious child? #SWBCSunday #
• Thus might I hide my blushing face While His dear cross appears Dissolve my heart in thankfulness And melt my eyes to tears #SWBCSunday #
• @walterprice @albertmohler @belliff @michaelcatt @dougmetzger @cliffhowery @whoisbarrabas @pastorstephen thanks Walter-grateful for you. in reply to walterprice #
• Heading out for our final evening service until the fall-finishing 1 Timothy tonight. Then a service review with faithful brothers. #
• So encouraged with people's love for God's Word and it's practical use in their hearts. Loved the service review with precious brothers. #
• Interesting read – seminary must and will change: http://t.co/xGvYcjCM #
• @jayhawkman826 Oh goodness. Does she know you tweeted this? in reply to jayhawkman826 #
• @jayhawkman826 I can be bribed… in reply to jayhawkman826 #
• @jayhawkman826 done! in reply to jayhawkman826 #
• @jayhawkman826 it gets more pricey as time goes on in reply to jayhawkman826 #
• @jayhawkman826 I just threw up looking at it. No, no jealousy at all: http://t.co/PluUxfKq in reply to jayhawkman826 #
• @taylorshippy see, you're getting the hang of this Twitter thing. You may even be able to draw @darrylshippy out of hiding in reply to taylorshippy #
• Kel is sooooo sad that she "accidentally" ran over the kid's "pet" lizard who was living in our garage. Sad day. http://t.co/gWOznkIf #
• We love hanging out at the park! http://t.co/vBgknFCb #
• Beautiful evening; gorgeous fam: http://t.co/8kQWcrkv #
• @jayhawkfan2014 the kids and dad would LOVE it. An unnamed other would not let it near the place. in reply to jayhawkfan2014 #
• @ToddA1968 did you notice that missing leg? in reply to ToddA1968 #
• @Mt_Rhino Deer Valley. Very close to our home. Awesome spot! in reply to Mt_Rhino #
• for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. http://t.co/GABC2B5Q #
• Wow! A must read! Is the Megachurch the New Liberalism? http://t.co/9GbfzPdP #
• I think it's time for this day to come to an end now; got my money's worth out of it. #
• Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name's sake! Ps79.9 #
• Listening to this while studying Matt 5:10-12; we're singing Sunday. So worth meditating on together! http://t.co/ZWxmx8UP #iTunes #
• Spending quality time with some very valued friends: http://t.co/cyrp7zqb #
• @jayhawkman826 it's good to have a big variety of friends in reply to jayhawkman826 #
• Rejoice and be glad! Matt 5:12 – when? http://t.co/eidDC3pX #Kindle #
• @jayhawkman826 Yeah! in reply to jayhawkman826 #
• 3 very excited and now official Royals fans! http://t.co/MNBqbxqA #
• @Brian_Milam yeah and this was "Our Time" for the Royals… #
• @Brian_Milam no-never have been an Angels fan. The Texan inside me won't allow it-go Rangers! But my kids have fallen in love with KC. in reply to Brian_Milam #
• @Brian_Milam wait a minute Brian-aren't you from KC? Calling me a traitor? in reply to Brian_Milam #
• Time to tackle 1 Cor 11 in the men's study tonight-one tough text. #
• @LeviGunz my man! Don't ever compromise! in reply to LeviGunz #
• Really enjoyed studying God's word with our men tonight. Our fellowship in the word was so encouraging to be a part of! #
• @Mt_Rhino @levigunz @jayhawkfan2014 now THIS is huge! We should celebrate somehow. in reply to Mt_Rhino #
• But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit… http://t.co/cGiHSFtd #
• But let your hand be on the man of your right hand, the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself! http://t.co/u3my4TIx #
• About to meet with a most precious brother elder to talk ministry and shepherding-can't wait! #
• @jayhawkman826 @ghotihook85 @mt_rhino OK, I'm officially getting the ball Rollin-@jayhawkman826-I want a detailed proposal by tomorrow. in reply to jayhawkman826 #
• @jayhawkman826 Excellent! You do mean discuss the written proposal you are turning in by tomorrow. Just because school is out …. Great! in reply to jayhawkman826 #
• @ghotihook85 @jayhawkman826 @mt_rhino remind BJ he was supposed to put together a weekly SWBC men's golf outing for us in reply to ghotihook85 #
• 1 Cor 12 with the Fri Bros. Here. We. Go! #
• Swedish pancakes this morn (Kel's request-my first time making). Wow-excellent. Would show a picture but they were eaten too quickly! #
• @ghotihook85 we leave the meatballs with to the Italians… in reply to ghotihook85 #
• Here for our first graduation ceremony!! http://t.co/ooLVnJmU #
• Busting out "This is the Day!" http://t.co/jOkAfbRa #
• The grad and her teacher! http://t.co/BS9jBcgc #
• Indeed! http://t.co/0y5pDMLb #
• Graduation bliss! @ Orange Leaf http://t.co/lSkqJBIy #

Here are a number of suggestions for those who will be attending Summit Woods Baptist Church this Sunday on how you can be prepared for the study of God’s word.

Carefully Think

• Read Matthew 5:1-12 – focus on 5:10-12.
• What is persecution? What is Jesus not referring to when bringing up persecution?
• Why is persecution listed last in the list of the beatitudes?
• Even though 5:11-12 contain the word “blessed,” and refers to persecution, these verses are quite different than the rest of the beatitudes. List all the differences in form and style between 5:11-12 and the rest of the beatitudes. Why these differences?
• What are the different forms of persecution one can face (v 11)?
• What should be our response to persecution and why (v 12)?
• What biblical examples of persecution can you think of?
• What is the result of persecution (v 10)? Note the similarity with the result in the first beatitude. What is the difference between this one and the others?

Prayerfully Meditate

• For what about your devotion to Jesus and His definition of righteousness have you most recently been persecuted?
• How often do you seem to face persecution for your faith? Why? Why not?
• Do you think Christians should expect regular persecution? Why or why not?
• Is there anything you intentionally hold back in your relationships with friends, at work, at home, etc., because you seek to avoid inevitable persecution? If so, why? If not, how has it provided opportunity to help people understand or be helped by the gospel?
• What challenges you most about finding joy in persecution? Why? What would help you to change?

Intentionally Act

• In thinking through this passage, what areas of your life seem most obvious and in need of change?
• What sins do you need to confess that come to mind from thinking and meditating on this passage?
• How could you use this passage this week to encourage someone who is experiencing persecution?
• How are you praying for those who are persecuted? How could this passage assist you in praying for them?
• Pray for this Sunday’s service, that God will be honored, the saints equipped, and those without Christ convicted of their need.
• Pray for those leading the service – that they will be used effectively to edify the body: Dawson Bryant, music; Brett Harris, Scripture Reading and prayer; Bret Capranica, teaching.
• Meditate on the lyrics of the songs we will be singing. Download those you do not have so you can listen to them and prepare yourself to sing with the church. How do these songs encourage the truths in Matthew 5:10-12?

Sunday’s Songs

Sing, Sing, Sing

God You Reign

When Trials Come

I Have A Shelter

Jesus, Draw Me Ever Nearer

Lyrics

Morning Gathering – May 6, 2012

Music referenced in the video that you can purchase online:

• The Gathering – Sovereign Grace Music
• From Age to Age – Sovereign Grace Music
• Resolved Music – Hymns Vol 1 – Enfield
• Resolved Music – Hymns Vol 2 - Enfield