Today, Pastor Bobby began the Kingdom Life series to cover the Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5: 1-13

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
The Beatitudes
And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

v 3 and 10 are the only two Beattitudes to promise the kingdom of heaven in present tense. The poor in spirit and those persecuted for righteousness receive the kingdom of heaven. All other Beatitudes (v 4-9) are promises fulfilled in the future.

One reason persecution is highlighted at the end is because living out the other Beatitudes (v3-9) will result in persecution.