February 1st, Sermon & Ministry Resources
"The Blessed Life" (Matthew 5:1-12) -- Understanding the Beatitudes
Lectionary Readings — Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany — February 1st, 2026
Micah 6:1-8; Psalm 15; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; Matthew 5:1-12
Call to Worship (based on Matthew 5:1-12)
Leader: When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up the mountain, and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He began to teach them, saying:
People: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Leader: We come acknowledging our need for God, empty of our own righteousness.
People: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
Leader: We come bringing our sorrows and griefs to the One who heals.
People: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”
Leader: We come in humility, seeking not our own glory but God’s kingdom.
People: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
Leader: We come longing for God’s justice and holiness in our lives and in our world.
People: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.”
Leader: We come to worship the God of compassion and grace.
People: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
Leader: We come to behold His face and know His presence.
People: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Leader: We come as God’s people, ambassadors of His reconciling love.
All: Let us worship the Lord who blesses, transforms, and calls us into His kingdom!
Opening Prayer (based on Psalm 15)
Let us pray:
Gracious and Holy God,
We come before You this morning asking the question posed by the psalmist: “Lord, who may dwell in Your sanctuary? Who may live on Your holy mountain?”
We acknowledge that You are holy, righteous, and pure. Your dwelling place is sacred, and Your presence is the greatest privilege we could ever know. Yet we confess that we fall short of the righteousness You require. We have not always walked blamelessly. Our words have not always been true. We have not always honored our commitments or treated our neighbors with the love and justice they deserve.
But we come not in our own merit, Lord, but clothed in the righteousness of Christ. Through His sacrifice, we have access to Your presence. Through His grace, we may enter Your courts with thanksgiving and Your gates with praise.
As we worship You today, create in us clean hearts. Shape us into people who speak truth from the heart, who do what is right, who honor You in both our words and our deeds. Help us to be a people of integrity—not just when others are watching, but in the quiet moments when only You see.
We ask that Your Spirit would move among us now, preparing our hearts to hear Your Word, to worship You in spirit and in truth, and to leave this place more conformed to the image of Christ.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
[NOTE to Paid subscribers — scroll down for the full manuscript sermon]
Sermon Outline: "THE BLESSED LIFE"
Based on Matthew 5:1-12
INTRODUCTION:
The Sermon on the Mount opens with Jesus’ most counterintuitive teaching
These aren’t tips for happiness but descriptions of kingdom citizens
Jesus redefines what it means to be “blessed” or truly happy
I. THE POSTURE OF THE BLESSED (vv. 3-5)
A. Poor in Spirit (v. 3) - Spiritual bankruptcy recognizing our need for God - Theirs is the kingdom of heaven
B. Those Who Mourn (v. 4) - Godly grief over sin and brokenness - They will be comforted
C. The Meek (v. 5) - Humble submission to God’s will - They will inherit the earth
II. THE PASSION OF THE BLESSED (vv. 6-8)
A. Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness (v. 6) - Deep longing for God’s justice and holiness - They will be filled
B. The Pure in Heart (v. 8) - Single-minded devotion and integrity - They will see God
C. The Merciful (v. 7) - Compassion flowing from received mercy - They will receive mercy
III. THE PRACTICE OF THE BLESSED (vv. 9-12)
A. Peacemakers (v. 9) - Active pursuit of reconciliation - They will be called children of God
B. The Persecuted (vv. 10-12) - Suffering for righteousness and Christ - Theirs is the kingdom; great is their reward
Conclusion:
The Beatitudes reveal the upside-down nature of God’s kingdom
These blessings are both present reality and future promise
We become what we behold: Christ Himself embodies every beatitude
Challenge: Which beatitude is God calling you to live out this week?
Full Manuscript Sermon Below for Paid Subscribers
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Lectionary Link to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.