The Beatitudes
The Pathway to Discipleship
by
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Jesus makes it clear that our earthly persecution is the position of highest trust given to a disciple. Persecution provides the disciple the largest forum and arena to proclaim the Good News to the unsaved. Jesus even goes so far as to tell us to be prepared for the trials because He will provide both the audience and the message we are to give. We will be put of display before the world of examples of everything useless and foolish. Jesus tells us so that we will not be afraid. Jesus will provide His Word and His Wisdom to confound and confuse the world. Our previous training, our continued seeking, our continued abiding in Christ will make us a willing and able vessel for God the Holy Spirit to use us as a voice for God’s message.
It will be the ultimate expression of our commitment to Christ. It is the final test to show that we have become like our Master. That we are truly a disciple. We will need to respond from a position of controlled strength. Not the outer, physical strength of the world but the inner, spiritual strength, that comes from the intimate relationship with the Risen Lord. Jesus tells us that by our patience we will possess our souls through these trials (Luke 21. 12-19). Our job is to stay firm and endure the battle.
You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ.
2 Timothy 2:3)
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About the Book
The Beatitudes: The Pathway to Discipleship takes a look at the well-known and often studied blessings in Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount, offering ways to see them afresh. Author Michael L. D’Spain weaves together an exploration of the beloved passage from Matthew’s gospel with his experiences in the military and as a father of three sons. The result is a tapestry that shows how Jesus invites individuals to follow him closely so that when others see their lives of discipleship, they see Jesus Himself, their teacher, their rabbi.
Each chapter of The Beatitudes: The Pathway to Discipleship explores one of the Beatitudes through explanations of its details, illustrations from daily life, and comparisons with other passages from the Scriptures that present teachings about God’s blessings. After asking readers a deep question—“Are you ready?”—the book’s final chapter closes with the reassurance of Jesus’s promise of eternal life for His disciples.
When you listen to the words of Jesus and hear His invitation to follow, this study can show the direction to take as you step out along the journey of discipleship. Whether you are a seasoned Christian seeking new depths in your faith or a recently converted believer, the Beatitudes provide the sustenance to fortify you as you come to know the challenges and obstacles that confront you on your journey of faith.
About the Author
Michael L. D’Spain, a licensed minister through Fuller Life Fellowship for more than three decades, spreads the gospel by leading Bible studies and speaking to groups, including gatherings at prayer events. A retired military officer, he and Gail, his wife, have enjoyed more than forty years of marriage. They currently live in Texas. Email: mldspain@gmail.com