Sunday Preparation 4/25/21

THIS SUNDAY'S TEXT: Matthew 5:1-12

As you seek the Lord this week in private worship, prepare your hearts and minds for Sunday by prayerfully reading this Sunday's text.

Lord willing, we will begin our study through the Sermon on the Mount. For the next few weeks, we will be focusing on what is known as the Beatitudes (Mt 5:2-12)

Consider (Meditate) on the following:

1. Notice the layout of each beatitude:

   1. Blessed are those/they/the characteristic , for they shall/theirs is blessing received .

2. As you look at the characteristics in each beatitude (poor in spirit, those who mourn, etc)... how can they be misunderstood by the flesh and/or the fallen world? Can you think of examples today?

3. As you look at the blessings received in each beatitude (they shall see God, receive mercy, etc)... Why are these more valuable to the Christian? (Mt 13:44-46)

4. Digging deeper into the first beatitude (blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven), use the following passages to become familiar with the words used in the beatitude:

   1. poor: Luke 14:12-13, Luke 16:20

   2. spirit: Acts 7:59, Luke 8:55, Rom 8:16, 2 Cor 7:1

   3. poor in spirit: Read Jesus parable about the Pharisee and Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14)

DAILY PRIVATE/FAMILY WORSHIP

Seek daily communion with God through scripture reading, prayer, and singing. Click on the resources below.

*Daily Devotional & Bible Reading Plan

*This Week's Hymns Playlist - Spotify

*This Week's Hymns Playlist - YouTube

"I feel it is far better to begin with God—to see his face first, to get my soul near him before it is near another." - Robert Murray M'Cheyne

BE IN PRAYER

Unreached People Group: Tunisian Arabs Click for more info at Joshua Project

Community: Byron

Family: Roberts...

Praying for their children and grandchildren

Mike and Tabitha needing spiritual strength, wisdom in leading their family.

Mike's arm

Conversion: Toby and Jamie

Others

Luke needs wisdom and discernment in upcoming decisions for family.

A family member with breast cancer

Tracy (Lonnie and Faye's granddaughter is traveling to Californa

Giving Thanks

God's kindness and mercy seen in the past week.

Celebrating the faithfulness of God, OBC's four-year of being a church.

UPCOMING

End of the month Fellowship Lunch following this week's worship gathering (4/25/20)