Dennis R. Wiles

First Baptist Arlington

January 26, 2025

2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ

1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (Gospel Guide: Matthew)

WINTER 2025: Happiness Is . . .

The Beatitudes

January 5 – March 4, 2025

Flourishing in Purity

Matthew 5:1-2, 8

Theme for 2025: Flourishing Together: Rooted in Christ

Six Domains of Human Flourishing

Happiness and Life Satisfaction
Mental and Physical Health
Meaning and Purpose
Character and Virtue
Close Social Relationships
Material and Financial Stability

The Great Commission

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the end of the age.

-Matthew 28:19-29

Matthew’s Gospel contains 5 major “sermons” or “discourses” delivered by Jesus. Jesus inaugurated the Kingdom of God on earth. These sermons give definition and description of life in this new Kingdom.

Matthew 5-7: Citizens of the New Kingdom

Matthew 10: Missionaries of the New Kingdom

Matthew 13: Parables for the New Kingdom

Matthew 18: Community Life in the New Kingdom

Matthew 24-25: Eschatological Hope in the New Kingdom

The Sermon on the Mount is the declaration from Jesus about how followers of Jesus are to live now that the Kingdom of God has been established on earth.

“Blessed” is one English translation of the Greek word, makarios. The word can mean: blessed, fortunate, happy, and favored by God.

The heart is the “center of the human self” (Dallas Willard)

Pure Heart

Cleansed Heart

Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.

-Psalm 24:3-4

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence . . . You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of bones of the dead and everything unclean.

-Matthew 23:25, 27

Changed Heart

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

-Psalm 51:10

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified . . .

-Romans 10:10

Committed Heart

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

-Proverbs 3:5

The pure in heart will see God in eternity!

The pure in heart will see God in the everyday!