Sermon Notes

BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART

HAPPINESS ACCORDING TO JESUS – PART 6

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8 (NIV)

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO SEE GOD?

1. I WILL LITERALLY GOD WITH MY EYES.

They will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. Revelation 22:4 (NLT)

Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. John 14:9b

2. I WILL BE ABLE TO THE WILL OF GOD.

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that

you may know the hope to which he has called you…Ephesians 1:18 (NIV)

3. I WILL BE ABLE TO GOD’S HANDIWORK.

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky.

Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities

—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not

knowing God. Romans 1:20 (NLT)

4. I WILL BE ABLE TO GOD’S WORK IN MY LIFE.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good

of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Romans 8:28 (NLT)

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot

see the Kingdom of God.” John 3:3 (NLT)

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE A PURE HEART?

1. THE HEART IS THE OF MY LIFE.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately

wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? Jeremiah 17:9 (NLT)

2. A PURE HEART IS FROM CONTAMINATION.

What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees.

Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and

the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence!

Matthew 23:25 (NLT)

3. ONLY THE CAN GIVE ME A PURE HEART.

God knows people’s hearts, and he confirmed that he accepts Gentiles by

giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us. He made no distinction

between us and them, for he cleansed their hearts through faith.

Acts 15:8-9 (NLT)

Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences

from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God… Hebrews 9:14 (NLT)

4. MY HEART BECOMES PURE WHEN I MY SINS.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins

and purify us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9 (NIV)

“What’s the condition of my heart today?”

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. –Matthew 5:7 (NIV)

Have mercy in me O God, according to your unfailing love. According to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. -Psalm 51:2 (NIV)

1. WE SHOW MERCY

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. –Colossians 3:13 (NLT)

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. –Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT)

2. WE SHOW MERCY

If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister[f] in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. –1 John 3:17-18 (NLT)

3. WE SHOW MERCY

SHOW IT: In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. –Matthew 5:16 (NLT)

SPEAK IT: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. –Acts 1:8 (NIV)

4. WE SHOW MERCY

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) –Ephesians 2:4-5(NLT)

WHEN I HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS

HAPPINESS ACCORDING TO JESUS – Part 4

Vernon Zook July 5, 2026

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. – Matthew 5:6 (NIV)

1. HUNGER – A STRONG DESIRE OR NEED FOR CAUSED BY A LACK OF NOURISHMENT.

For the LORD is a God of justice; how blessed are all those who long for Him. – Isaiah 30:18 (NASB)

What does spiritual hunger look like?

• A continual longing to know God more.

• A constant desire to grow spiritually.

• A craving for God’s Word.

• Wanting to do things that please God.

For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. – Psalm 107:9 (NLT)

2. THIRST – AN INTENSE DESIRE OR NEED FOR BECAUSE OF DEHYDRATION.

O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. – Psalm 63:1 (NLT)

What does spiritual water symbolize?

• Salvation

• The Holy Spirit

• Spiritual vitality

• Refreshment

May streams of your refreshing flow over us until our dry hearts are drenched again. – Psalm 126:4 (TPT)

3. WE HUNGER AND THIRST FOR .

As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. – Psalm 42:1 (NLT)

To hunger and thirst for righteousness means: I want my thoughts, my words, my relationships, my motives, my private life, my habits, my response to unrighteousness to be righteous.

4. WE WILL BE .

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. – Roman 5:1 (NLT)

It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. – 1 Corinthians 1:30 (NIV)

HOW DO WE DEVELOP A HUNGER AND THIRST FOR GOD?

• your worldly hunger.

For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world

is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. – 1 John 2:16-17 (NLT)

• your spiritual hunger.

• I feed on God’s Word

• Surround myself with God’s people

• Worship together with the church family

Jesus himself satisfies our hunger and our thirst!

Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” – John 6:35 (NLT)

BLESSED ARE THE MEEK

HAPPINESS ACCORDING TO JESUS – Part 3

Vernon Zook June 28, 2026

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. – Matthew 5:5 (NIV)

God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. – Matthew 5:5 (NLT)

For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. – Matthew 23:12 (NIV)

THE MEANING OF HUMILITY & MEEKNESS:

Meekness is Not:

Weak … Timid … Being passive … Push-over … Wimpy!

Meekness Is:

Strength – under control … Power – submitted to God … Kindness and gentleness toward others

1. JESUS WAS A EXAMPLE OF TRUE MEEKNESS.

Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart… – Matthew 11:29 (NLT)

• JESUS POSSESSED ALL .

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth… – Matthew 28:18 (NLT)

• YET JESUS CHOSE .

Though he was God…he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave… – Philippians 2:5-8

Jesus showed that true greatness is found in .

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. – Matthew 20:28 (NLT)

2. MOSES WAS A EXAMPLE OF TRUE MEEKNESS.

Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth. – Numbers 12:3 (NIV)

3. The Promise: “They Shall Inherit the Earth.”

But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace. – Psalm 37:11 (NLT)

WHAT DOES THIS PROMISE MEAN?

• The Promise of Present Blessings:

God’s Promises … God’s provision … God’s Peace … God’s Power

• The Promise of Future Blessings:

Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection…they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years. – Revelation 20:6 (NLT)

WHAT DOES A MEEK PERSON LOOK LIKE?

1. A HUMBLE PERSON FOR EVERYTHING.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. – Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

2. A HUMBLE PERSON IS .

He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. – Psalm 25:9 (NLT)

3. A HUMBLE PERSON BEFORE YOURSELF.

…Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. – Philippians 2:3-4 (NLT)

4. A HUMBLE PERSON THE GLORY.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. – James 4:10 (NLT)

LESSONS FROM THE FATHER OF FAITH

FATHER’S DAY – 2026

Vernon Zook June 21, 2026

For Abraham is the father of all who believe. That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.” This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing. Romans 4:16-17 (NLT)

WHAT DOES A GOD-PURSUING FATHER LOOK LIKE?

1. HE EMBRACES HIS ROLE AS THE OF THE FAMILY.

But there is one thing I want you to know: The head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 1 Corinthians 11:3 (NLT)

GOD’S DESIGN FOR SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY:

• – –

How Does Christ Lead the Church?

Sacrificially

Humbly

Lovingly

Protectively

Servantly

• GOD – CHRIST – HUSBAND/FATHER –

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. Ephesians 5:21-23 (NLT)

• GOD – CHRIST – HUSBAND/FATHER – MOTHER/WIFE –

Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth… for this pleases the Lord.” Ephesians 6:1-3 (NLT)

2. HE PUTS GOD EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE FAMILY.

Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything. Colossians 1:18 (NLT)

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

3. HE LEADS HIS FAMILY BY .

•

GOD TOLD ABRAHAM:

• To leave his homeland

It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. Hebrews 11:8 (NLT)

• Willing to offer Isaac as a sacrifice

Sometime later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called. “Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.” “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” …

…At that moment the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Yes,” Abraham replied. “Here I am!” “Don’t lay a hand on the boy!” the angel said. “Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.” Genesis 22:1-2, 11-12 (NLT)

“I have singled him (Abraham) out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just. Then I will do for Abraham all that I have promised.” Genesis 18:19 (NLT)

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN

HAPPINESS ACCORDING TO JESUS–PART 2

God Blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4 (NLT)

WHAT CAUSES US TO MOURN?

1. WE MOURN OVER .

…yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. 2 Corinthians 7:9 (NIV)

2. WE MOURN OVER THE IN THE WORLD.

How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Habakkuk 1:2-3 (NLT)

3. WE MOURN OVER PERSONAL .

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 (NLT)

4. WE MOURN OVER OUR OWN SPIRITUAL .

As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God, I thirst for God, the living God… My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be… Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? …I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God! Psalm 42:1,2,4,11 (NLT)

WHY CAN WE HAVE COMFORT IN OUR MOURNING?

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering… Isaiah 53:3 (NLT)

HOW DOES GOD COMFORT US IN OUR MOURNING?

• GOD PROMISES COMFORT THROUGH HIS .

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. Psalm 23:4 (NLT)

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. John 14:16-17 (NLT)

• GOD PROMISES COMFORT THROUGH HIS .

…the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. Romans 15:4 (NLT)

• GOD PROMISES COMFORT THROUGH HIS .

He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. 2 Corinthians 1:4 (NLT)

• GOD PROMISES COMFORT THROUGH HIS .

And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So comfort each other with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NLT)

He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever. Revelation 21:4 (NLT)

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. Psalm 62:1 (NIV)

STUCK STOPS HERE

Special Guest Speaker (via video)

Craig Groeschel

I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate…I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway… Oh, what a miserable person I am! –Romans 7:15,19,24 (NLT)

REAL CHANGE ISN’T BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.

REAL CHANGE IS SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION.

Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord… –Romans 7:24-25 (NLT)

GOD, ME.

For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 1 Corinthians 15:9-10 (NIV)

YOUR SPIRITUAL “WHY” IS GOD PURPOSE FOR YOU.

YOUR SPIRITUAL “HOW” IS GOD’S POWER THROUGH YOU.

I AM DISCIPLINED, CHRIST IN ME IS STRONGER THAN THE WRONG DESIRE IN ME.

IF YOU CHANGE YOUR BEHAVIOR BUT DON’T CHANGE YOUR HEART, THE BEHAVIOR WILL COME BACK.

YOU’RE TRYING TO MEET A NEED OR RELIEVE A HURT WITH SOMETHING BESIDES GOD‘S GRACE.

(God) said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. –2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)

BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT

THE BEATITUDES – PART 1

JARRETT SHAMP May 31, 2026

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. – Matthew 5:1-3 (NIV)

1. THE ARE BLESSED.

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him. – Matthew 4:18-25

“BLESSED” IN GREEK IS “”.

•

2. ARE THOSE WHO ARE POOR IN SPIRIT.

POOR:

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions… – Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV)

SPIRIT:

3. HAPPY ARE THOSE WHO RECOGNIZE THEY ARE OF THE .

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” – Luke 18:9-14 (NIV)

4. THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN BELONGS TO THOSE WHO ARE .

COME ON!

Rick Beachy May 24, 2026

11We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. 1Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3And God permitting, we will do so. – Hebrews 5:11-6:3 (NIV)

REASONS WE DON’T MOVE ON AND MATURE:

1. WE DON’T HAVE THE .

… it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn.

2. WE DON’T HAVE THE .

… by this time you ought to be teachers …

3. WE DON’T HAVE THE .

Anyone who lives on milk …

4. WE’RE OF WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN.

HOW CAN WE MOVE ON AND MATURE?

1. TO MOVE ON AND MATURE.

Therefore let us leave …

2. TO TRAIN.

… solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves …

3. TO EAT LIKE AN ADULT.

Anyone who lives on milk …

Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. – John 13:17

HOPE FOR TOMORROW

WHY THE RESURRECTION MATTERS – Part 5

And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. 1 Corinthians 15:17 (NLT)

So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today…Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:34, 33 (NLT)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you… 1 Peter 1:3-4 (NIV)

THE LIVING HOPE OF THE RESURRECTION MEANS THAT

1. … I DON’T HAVE TO ON MY OWN.

(Jesus) And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20 (NLT)

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me… Psalm 23:4 (NIV)

…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Ephesians 3:17 (NIV)

2. … I CAN TRUST IN GOD’S .

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Hebrews 10:23 (NLT)

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

3. … I HAVE THE HOPE OF .

He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. Ecclesiastics 3:11 (NLT)

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this…? John 11:25-26 (NLT)

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 (NLT)

4. … I HAVE PEACE IN THESE .

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33 (NLT)

We have run to God for safety. Now his promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us. This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls. Hebrews 6:18-19 (CEV)

And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless…But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. 1 Corinthians 15:17,20 (NLT)

Have I ever openly declared that Jesus is Lord, and do I believe in my heart that God raised him from the dead – am I saved?