Sunday July 19, 2026

Sermon Title: Thriving in God's Kingdom

Scripture: (Matthew 5:1-2)

Series Big Idea: Jesus' most famous sermon reveals the deep and lasting satisfaction of living life His way

Sermon Big Idea: Stop floundering in a culture of comparison and start thriving in the Kingdom of grace

Introduction

Everyone longs for the “good life,” a sense of true fulfillment and flourishing. But what if the world’s answers leave us empty? In this series, we explore how Jesus reveals a deeper, lasting satisfaction found only in living His way, in the Kingdom of God. This is a series in Jesus own words, The Sermon on the Mount. 

He Establishes His Authority as King

Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount by showing He alone is qualified to define the thriving life. Through His royal lineage and His posture as Teacher and King, He invites us to build our lives on His sure authority.

He Defines Life in His Kingdom  

Christ turns worldly ideas upside down, describing real blessing in terms of humility, mercy, and purity of heart. The Beatitudes reveal the inner character of those who truly flourish in God’s Kingdom, not by outward accomplishment but by deep, spiritual transformation.

He Calls Us to Thrive in His Kingdom 

Jesus doesn’t just inform, He invites us to respond by building our lives on His Word. True thriving comes not from half-hearted discipleship, but from living out our faith as “salt and light” in a world desperate for hope.

Conclusion

As we begin our journey through the Sermon on the Mount, we’re challenged to stop floundering in a culture of comparison and start thriving by grace under the rule of King Jesus. Real life, lasting joy, and true satisfaction are found when we follow Him wholeheartedly.

Matthew 5-7 Bibliography

Richards, Lawrence O. The Bible Reader’s Companion. electronic ed. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1991. Print.

Jamieson, Robert, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997. Print.

Blum, Edwin A., and Trevin Wax, eds. CSB Study Bible: Notes. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017. Print.

Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985. Print.

Adult Questions for LESSONmaker. Bellingham, WA: Logos, 2024. Print.

Brown, Francis, Samuel Rolles Driver, and Charles Augustus Briggs. Enhanced Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon 1977: n. pag. Print.

Vaughan, Curtis. Ephesians. Cape Coral, FL: Founders Press, 2002. Print. Founders Study Guide Commentary.

Barry, John D. et al. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016. Print.

Morris, Leon. The Gospel according to Matthew. Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press, 1992. Print. The Pillar New Testament Commentary.

Nolland, John. The Gospel of Matthew: A Commentary on the Greek Text. Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press, 2005. Print. New International Greek Testament Commentary.

Dockery, David S., ed. Holman Concise Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998. Print.

Water, Mark. Key Word Commentary: Thoughts on Every Chapter of the Bible. AMG Publishers, 2003. Print.

Brannan, Rick, and Israel Loken. The Lexham Textual Notes on the Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014. Print. Lexham Bible Reference Series.

MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Bible Handbook. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2003. Print.

MacArthur, John F., Jr. The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006. Print.

Brown, Jeannine K. Matthew. Ed. Mark L. Strauss and John H. Walton. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2015. Print. Teach the Text Commentary Series.

Wilkins, Michael J. Matthew. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2004. Print. The NIV Application Commentary

Weber, Stuart K. Matthew. Vol. 1. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000. Print. Holman New Testament Commentary.

Blomberg, Craig. Matthew. Vol. 22. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992. Print. The New American Commentary.

Barnes, Albert. Notes on the New Testament: Matthew & Mark. Ed. Robert Frew. London: Blackie & Son, 1884–1885. Print.

Turner, David, and Darrell L. Bock. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary, Vol 11: Matthew and Mark. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2005. Print.

France, R. T. Matthew: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 1. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1985. Print. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries.

Radmacher, Earl D., Ronald Barclay Allen, and H. Wayne House. Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary. Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers, 1999. Print.

Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993. Print.

Smith, Jerome H. The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: The Most Complete Listing of Cross References Available Anywhere- Every Verse, Every Theme, Every Important Word. Nashville TN: Thomas Nelson, 1992. Print.

Willmington, H. L. The Outline Bible. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1999. Print.

Souter, Alexander. A Pocket Lexicon to the Greek New Testament 1917: n. pag. Print.

Brooks, Keith. Summarized Bible: Complete Summary of the New Testament. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009. Print.

Hughes, Robert B., and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001. Print. The Tyndale Reference Library.

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