{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Ironwood Church","title":"The Beginning of a Blessed Life (Matthew 5:1-3) | The Blessed Life","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/f1a3fd09\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":472,"description":"Pastor Luke Simmons begins a new series called “The Blessed Life,” looking at what Jesus says the truly good life is in Matthew 5:1–12, the Beatitudes. In this message, he focuses on the first Beatitude: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” \nLuke explores what “blessed” really means, how being “poor in spirit” is different from just being sad or shy, and why recognizing our spiritual need is the starting point for experiencing God’s kingdom. He contrasts self-righteous confidence with humble dependence on God, using Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18. \nThis short sermon was preached when the church celebrated baptisms, highlighting how each story of life change begins with the realization, “I need mercy.”\n**HOW TO FIND US*** \nSUBSCRIBE TO OUR YouTube CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@IronwoodChurchAZ\nFACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/ironwoodchurchaz/ \nINSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/ironwood.church/\nWEBSITE https://www.ironwoodchurch.org/","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/GXBDgMRY5m7yxi_HlS4goT2oQ2OZEF4Z7EEPKUzxBTY/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzIzMTg1LzE3MDQ5/MjA2NzYtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}