Core Values and Core Experiences of Apostolic Ministry;
that which produces blessings Jesus’ Way…©
Apostolic Commentary on Matthews 5:1-16
By: Derrick P. Rodgers

And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then 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 filled. Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain 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 they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:1-12 NKJV)

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp-stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16 NKJV)A couple of points that are clearly revealed within the above scripture:

• This was a foundational teaching of Jesus to his disciples, which would eventually become his apostles.
• In this line of instruction, the “blessed of God” is made clear.
• Jesus reveals to His disciples their identity.

This teaching that Jesus released to His disciples, which would become His Apostles, establishes the basic core foundation of authentic apostolic ministry. This line of instruction to His disciples communicate core values and core experiences of apostolic ministry that leads to blessings. This is foundational instruction that all apostolic ministry should launch from. While speaking to His disciples He points out that the prophets in verse 12 also experienced the same persecution. Apostolic and prophetic ministry is designed to possess these particular values and experiences Jesus teaches here in Matthew chapter 5.

Nonetheless, many have gotten off course and began to embrace the values of greed, selfishness and entitlement that seeds from the prosperity movement. The values and practices of the prosperity movement have perverted what true apostolic blessing really in-compasses. Jesus was very exact in His line of instruction of what it means to be blessed. No where in His teachings do I see Him say “blessed is he that soweth that special seed”, “blessed is he that joins the network and come under my covering”, “blessed is he that builds the biggest church or ministry”, “blessed is he that can accumulate a millionaire and billionaire status” or “blessed is he that obtains a Bentley, jet and a big house”… I know many of the hot and celebrity preachers are propagating such messages and the “false prophetic gurus” are prophesying enabling words of greed and entitlement, however Jesus and the apostles did-not engage, promote or come into alliance with such doctrine.

These values and passions has corrupted the minds of countless numbers of saints to pursue Babylonian “self obsession” principles. It’s no longer about “His name sake” but rather, a highly ambitious, self driven mentality, concealed with applications geared to pander to the emotions and dysfunction of individuals with the intent to take advantage of a situation, with the hopes of obtaining financial rewards and gifts.

I know the prosperity mongers are manifesting a condescending smile, while God is exposing their perverted doctrine. However that condescending smile only provides them with a false and deceptive immunity, while Gods judgement is bearing down on them. The seduction to believe the “accumulation of stuff” only communicates counterfeit authorizations of Godly success. This is a season where the authentic ministry of Jesus Christ is contending for the faith.

As God’s household, you are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. Ephesians 2:20

The foundational ministry of the apostolic and prophetic need to initialize and receive the values and experiences Jesus teaches. These particular values and experiences prepares us to become effective salt in the earth. To substitute these values and experiences for some popular, deceptive and demonic set of values causes us to be thrown out, or dispersed among worldly ideology to be trampled under the feet of men. No honor or respect will come from the world because we have meandered away from functioning in our true identity of being genuine salt.

Instead of functioning in our identity as being salt, far too many are progressively conforming to the patterns of the very world we were sent to flavor, while still making claims of being salt. Be not deceived, the god of this world will betray and trample you to death.

The teaching within Matthew chapter 5 provides us with core values and core experiences of apostolic ministry. A value is something that is held dear, very important to ones heart. Let’s look at the values, experiences, and blessings Jesus speaks of.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, theirs are Kingdom.
POOR IN SPIRIT: (Core Value) is to be humbled and realize we are spiritually bankrupt and in desperate need of God to fulfill our spiritual capacity. A knowing and acceptance that without him we are spiritually deficient. “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule”. (MSG)

Blessed are those that mourn, for they shall be comforted.
MOURN: (Core Experience) The ability to feel and express anguish about a condition or state that opposes the Kingdom and will of the Father that has a direct impact upon the lives of people. Mourning will come in different seasons and forms. i.e. mourning because of the loss of a loved one, mourning because of outright practiced sin in the house of God, idol worship in Gods house. Mourning over spiritual abuse in the house God, financial rape, witchcraft control, the propagation of false doctrine and false ministry patterns. Mourning over outright neglect of the sheep. Mourning over a miss-representation of our God. Mourning over lost souls headed to external destruction (hell).

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
MEEK: (Core Value) a state of humility, a life of humility. A willingness to fully obey God. A complete recognition that Gods ways and thoughts are higher and superior over our thoughts. The ability to act and behave in a way that demonstrates that Gods ways and thoughts are far superior and yielded to within our daily lifestyle. The ability to be content with your God given measure.

Blessed are those that hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS: (Core Value) one that desire to see, behave, and participate in that which is right in the sight of God and the word of God. A craving to be governed and led by the Holy Spirit. A dependency upon Gods righteousness (His ways, His mind) to develop and sustain healthy spiritual nutrition.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
MERCIFUL: (Core Value) to be merciful is to adopt the mind of Christ. To grant and practice kindness, forgiveness, and compassion towards one that has offended you, or wronged you or others. The ability to exercise restraint to punish, or repay for malicious acts when it’s in your power and influence to do so. To perform kind acts of mercy without necessarily expecting something in return from man.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
PURE IN HEART: (Core Value) a heart condition singled to pleasing the Father, which produces actions that pleases the Father. A sound heart, untainted from evil, innocent, internal condition that expresses a sound external manifestation.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.
PEACEMAKERS: (Core Value) are one that puts forth an effort to diffuse a situation that produce unhealthy contention. They have an ability to discern a potential chaotic situation and take away or prevent any opportunity that would seed into and cultivate a non-peaceful environment.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteous sake, for the Kingdom is theirs.
PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUS SAKE: (Core Experience) it is oppressive treatment for conducting that which is right in the eyes of God. To suffer harassment persistently for speaking the truth, demonstrating the righteous will of God, and refusing to compromise righteous convictions. Individuals that live to do, speak and become the righteousness of God will always suffer persecution. Righteous men will suffer persecution and they learn to endure persecution.

Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.
REVILE, PERSECUTE, SAY EVIL AGAINST YOU FALSELY, FOR HIS SAKE: (Core Experience) is to become the target of vulgar language, spoken curses, malicious lies, gossip, sabotage, and defamation of character because one is standing for Jesus which includes His nature, His mind, His doctrine, and very the name “Jesus” itself.

(Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you)

Only ‘spiritual mature Intelligence’ enables one to rejoice and become exceedingly glad to be persecuted for standing for Jesus Name sake. The undeveloped carnal mind will more than often perceive mixed messages when the pressure is applied, which will cause them to respond in a non-rejoicing and glad manner.

HE GIVES THEM THEIR IDENTITY: (Matthew 5:13-16 NKJV)

You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

You are the light of the world:
A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp-stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.