Jesus teaches disciples precepts and principles of the God-honoring life He exemplified while in the world. The Lord shows Believers how to love God and neighbor, practice humility, live a sacrificial life, serve others, prioritize faith, and persevere through adversity. Christ prepares His representatives to enter the world and spread the Good News empowered by His Spirit, who lives in them. They learn to preach God’s Kingdom comes while emulating what Jesus embodied; trust in the Holy Spirit’s power to make more disciples while enduring humiliation, persecution, even death. The Lord teaches radical selflessness, spiritual wealth over material accumulation, forgiveness, and quiet service to His Chosen ambassadors.

 

Practical Application

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“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. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you’” Mark 5:1-12 ESV.

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Love and Compassion: Jesus emphasized selfless love for neighbors and enemies alike. Practical application involves prioritizing the needs of others and acting with consistent kindness (Matt 22:39; Luke 6:27-35; John 13:12-14).

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Forgiveness: Central to his healing ministry and ethical instructions is the message of forgiveness. Followers are taught to forgive others as a means of achieving inner peace and restoring relationships (Matt 9:2–8; Mark 2:5–12; Luke 5:20–26).

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Integrity and Obedience: Living with honesty and relying on divine grace to obey spiritual commands are key to honoring Jesus' mission (John 4:24; 5:4-5; 13:34; 14:15, 8).

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Service and Stewardship: Teachings often call for using unique talents, time, and resources to serve others and build a community of faith (Matt 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27).

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"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" Matthew 28:19-20 ESV.  

 

Jesus Commands Disciples to:

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Repent

"From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'" Matthew 4:17  ESV.

Follow Me

"And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men'" Matthew 4:19 ESV. 

Rejoice

"Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you" Matthew 5:12 ESV.

Let Your Light Shine

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" Matthew 5:16 ESV. 

Honor God’s Law

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven" Matthew 5:17-19 ESV. 

Be Reconciled

"Leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison" Matthew 5:24-25 ESV. 

Do Not Lust

"But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell" Matthew 5:28-30 ESV. 

Keep Your Word

"Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil" Matthew 5:37 ESV. 

Go the Second Mile

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you" Matthew 5:38-42 ESV. 

Love Your Enemies

"But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" Matthew 5:44 ESV. 

Be Perfect

"You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect" Matthew 5:48 ESV. 

Give to the Needy

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. ‘Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you’” Matthew 6:1-4 ESV.

Pray

“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this:

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
   on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
   as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
   but deliver us from evil.

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” Matthew 6:5-15 ESV.

Fast

“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” Matthew 6:16-18 ESV.

Seek God’s Kingdom

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" Matthew 6:33 ESV.  

Judge Not

"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you" Matthew 7:1-2 ESV. 

Do Not Throw Pearls to Pigs

"Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you" Matthew 7:6 ESV. 

Ask, Seek, Knock

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened" Matthew 7:7-8 ESV. 

Do Unto Others

"So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets" Matthew 7:12 ESV.  

Choose the Narrow Way

"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few" Matthew 7:13-14 ESV. 

Beware of False Prophets

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves" Matthew 7:15 ESV. 

Pray for Laborers

"Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest" Matthew 9:38 ESV. 

Be Wise as Serpents

"Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves" Matthew 10:16 ESV.  

Fear Not

"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell" Matthew 10:28 ESV. 

Hear God’s Voice

"He who has ears to hear, let him hear" Matthew 11:15 ESV.

Take My Yoke

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" Matthew 11:29 ESV.

Honor Your Parents

"For God commanded, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die'" Matthew 15:4 ESV.

Beware of Leaven

"Jesus said to them, 'Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees'" Matthew 16:6 ESV. 

Deny Yourself

"Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me'" Matthew 16:24 ESV. 

Do Not Despise Little Ones

"See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven" Matthew 18:10 ESV.

Go to Offenders

"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother" Matthew 18:15 ESV. 

Beware of Covetousness

"And he said to them, 'Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions'" Luke 12:15 ESV. 

Forgive Offenders

"Then Peter came up and said to him, 'Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times'" Matthew 18:21-22 ESV. 

Honor Marriage

"So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate" Matthew 19:6 ESV. 

Be a Servant

"It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave" Matthew 20:26-27 ESV. 

Be a House of Prayer

"He said to them, 'It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers'" Matthew 21:13 ESV. 

Ask in Faith

"And Jesus answered them, 'Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith'" Matthew 21:21-22 ESV. 

Bring in the Poor

"He said also to the man who had invited him, 'When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just'" Luke 14:12-14 ESV. 

Render to Caesar

"Show me the coin for the tax.' And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, 'Whose likeness and inscription is this?' They said, 'Caesar's.' Then he said to them, 'Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's'" Matthew 22:19-21 ESV. 

Love the Lord

"And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind'" Matthew 22:37 ESV. 

Love Your Neighbor

"And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself" Matthew 22:39 ESV. 

Await My Return

"Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect" Matthew 24:42-44 ESV. 

Celebrate the Lord’s Supper

"Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, 'Take, eat; this is my body.' And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, 'Drink of it, all of you'" Matthew 26:26-27 ESV.

Watch and Pray

"Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" Matthew 26:41 ESV. 

Feed My Sheep

"When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?' He said to him, 'Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.' He said to him, 'Feed my lambs.' He said to him a second time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' He said to him, 'Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.' He said to him, 'Tend my sheep'" John 21:15-16 ESV.  

Baptize My Disciples

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" Matthew 28:19 ESV. 

Obey My Commands

"Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" Matthew 28:20 ESV. 

Receive God’s Power

"And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high" Luke 24:49 ESV. 

Make Disciples

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" Matthew 28:19-20 ESV.