Nothing matters more in the life of your church than making disciples—not just members of the crowd. Invite your congregation to Jesus.
By J. Josh Smith
When Jesus went up to a mountain to deliver his longest recorded sermon, the Sermon on the Mount, the audience consisted of two distinct groups of people: the crowd and the disciples.
Matthew 5:1-2 says, “Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them…” (CSB). There is a large crowd of people and a small group of disciples. And although the large crowd is present and listening, Jesus seems to be speaking to the smaller crowd. He was preaching to His disciples.
The “crowd” was a group of people who liked Jesus.
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