The real teachings of Jesus, notwithstanding His history and the events in His ministry, begin with the beatitudes in Chapter 6. He was surrounded by followers, healing them and exorcising unclean spirits, and he began to teach, saying the following:
Blessed are the poor, for theirs is the Kingdom of God.
Blessed are you that hunger, for your hunger shall be filled.
Blessed are you that weep, for you shall laugh.
Blessed are the persecuted, for they shall be rewarded in heaven.
But woe unto you that are rich, for you have received your consolation.
Woe unto you that are full, for ye shall hunger.
Woe unto you when all men shall speak well of you!
Bless them that curse you, and pray for those who use you.
If someone slaps you on the cheek, offer also the other.
When someone takes your cloak, let them take your coat as well.
As you would have men do to you, do to them likewise.
If you only do good to those you love, what do you have? Even sinners do that. Love your enemies. Give without hoping to get back. Be merciful.
Judge not, and you won't be judged.
Why look at the speck in your brother's eye, when you can't see the log in your own eye? Clear your own eyes first.
Every tree is known by its fruit.
Jesus says whoever hears his sayings and does them is like a man building his house on a stone foundation. Those who don't do these things are building their house on a foundation of sand, and when the stream runs, the house falls.
Jesus is teaching the way to live. He says 'Blessed are the poor...' because in being poor you can feel the real goodness of God much more acutely than if you are rich. He wants His followers to act only on the good they see and let the bad go. The exception is in the self of the individual: Things that are bad about ourselves, we must change.
In conclusion, if we live this way, concerned only about changing ourselves to be more constructive, then we will keep our footings in the streams and storms of life.