Our DNA 

Wk 6 Authentic Living 

Matthew 5:1-16/5:1-12 

Darin Elquist 

Aug 11, 2024 

Message Notes 

Salt-  

Necessary for life in the ancient world. Very valuable too! 

Light- 

Repels darkness, brings hope 

Beatitudes-

Matthew 5:1-9 

• Poor in Spirit- Understanding We Are Spiritually Bankrupt
• Mourn- Because of the destructiveness of sin
• Gentle- “Not being overly impressed by a sense of one’s self-importance.” 
• Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness- To seek the eternal for satisfaction in Jesus
• Mercy- See a need, fill the need
• Pure in Heart- Honest, trustworthy, faithful and loyal
• Peacemaker- Longs for peace

Matthew 5:10-12 

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 

The Beatitudes, the great commission and the greatest commandments give a real clear outline on what Jesus expects from us. 

How to Live an Authentic Life 

1. Take Action

John 13:17 
¹⁷ If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. 

2. Keep It to Yourself

3. Teach Others

Acts 8:30-31 

Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”  

Authentic living is doing our best to follow Jesus  

by being who He made us to be. 

• The Transition Team is in place, responsibilities are almost fully assigned.
• Dan Hall will be leading the transition team
• Transition Team Needs
  • Areas the need to be covered before August 18  If interested, contact Dan Hall
    • Benevolence Assistants (Coordinator is in place)
    • Missions Contact (communication with the mission the church supports in S/E Asia).
• The Board is continually in contact Growing Healthy Churches (GHC) for guidance through the process.
• GHC has helped 1000’s of Churches finding Pastors
• A Search Team is being put together to start the process
  • The typical time to replace a Pastor is 12-18 months. Please wait on the Lord with us!
  • The team will update the church regularly
• Prayer is a critical part of this process! Please pray continually for the board’s guidance in seeking God’s will.

1. Can you recall from memory some of the core values of the church?

2. Read Matthew 5:13-16, what is the significance of salt in ancient times? What is the significance of salt used as a metaphor for our spiritual life?  What does it mean if a follower of Jesus loses their “saltiness”?

3. What are some of the ways our light shines before people? What are some ways that puts that light “under a basket”?

4. Read Matthew 5:1-10. This section of scripture is often referred to as the beatitudes.  What is a beatitude?  What does it mean to be “poor in spirit”?  How can people who are mourning be comforted?  Who are the “sons of God” in verse 9?  Is every person a son/daughter of God?  Why or why not?

5. Read James 2:15-16, what do you think is meant by these verses? Can you be a Christian and not do anything for anyone in need?  Why or why not?

6. How would you define “authentic living”?

7. Read Matthew 22:37-40, how can you love God with all your soul? Why do you think Jesus says this is the greatest commandment (verse 37/38)?  What does it mean in verse 40 that the whole law and the prophets hang on these two commandments?

8. What are some of the ways we can live an authentic life? What are some of the ways we can be inauthentic?

9. Please keep Pastor Darin and his family continually in your prayers. Pray for the leadership teams to seek God continually for his will for the future of the church.