Disciples Keep Climbing
(Matthew 4:23-25; 5:1)
Sermon Notes
Matthew 4: 23-25 (NKJV)
23And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of diseases among the people.
24Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.
25Great multitudes followed Him-from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.
Matthew 5:1 (NKJV)
1And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him.
Scripture is not read in isolation, but in context, for us to understand what came before. The word context itself means woven together. Although there was a great multitude, only the disciples climbed the mountain. Not everyone makes the journey, but for those who do, we will see what it means to climb the mountain.
“I have learned the secret of climbing a great hill…that there are many more hills to climb.” – Nelson Mandela
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What it Means to Climb the Mountain
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Mountains Can Be Obstacles
Mountains can be depressing. Mountains can be challenges that make it difficult to sustain the climb.
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Putting in the Work
“The race is not given to the swift but to those who can endure.” – Dr. Rodney Jackson
Putting in the work means showing up and being present for the journey. Climbing the mountain must become a part of your lifestyle. We must endure and keep climbing the mountain, for God to take us to our destiny.
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God Will Teach us how to Sustain Ourselves on the Mountain
Through the life lessons of endurance, God is showing us how to sustain ourselves through the journey.
Jesus was very intentional about climbing mountains. There are many mountains we must climb and those mountains require us to: to overcome obstacles, put in the work, and sustain ourselves through the journey. Those mountains may be relationships, addiction, financial success, and countless others. No matter the mountain, God will help you climb it.
