1. What is in your heart?
(Matthew 5:1-12 NKJV) “And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. {2} Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: {3} “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. {4} Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. {5} Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.

2. What is in your heart?
{6} Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. {7} Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. {8} Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. {9} Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. {10} Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

3. What is in your heart?
{11} “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. {12} “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

4. What is in your heart?
When one has these conditions of heart he will be "blessed" or happy!

5. What is in your heart?
When one has these conditions of heart he will be "blessed" or happy!
"True happiness is a continual state of mind, in contrast with the superficial happiness of the world which is enjoyment without joy and pleasure without peace." - Joe Corley

6. What is in your heart?
When one has these conditions of heart he will be "blessed" or happy!
"True happiness is a continual state of mind, in contrast with the superficial happiness of the world which is enjoyment without joy and pleasure without peace." - Joe Corley
You will never find this peace from the advice the world gives! (Jn 14:27; :31-33)

7. What is in your heart?
(John 14:27 NKJV) “”Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

8. What is in your heart?
(John 16:31-33 NKJV) “Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? {32} “Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.

9. What is in your heart?
{33} “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

10. What is in your heart?
Are you able to make the hard decisions in the Christian life?

11. What is in your heart?
Are you able to make the hard decisions in the Christian life?
Too often many choose the path of silence rather than be willing to step up and be counted out of a fear of consequences.

12. What is in your heart?
Remember the fruit of that kind of spirit! (Jn 12:42-43; Rev 21:8)

13. What is in your heart?
(John 12:42-43 NKJV) “Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; {43} for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”

14. What is in your heart?
(Revelation 21:8 NKJV) “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

15. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
What is meekness? (Mt 5:5)

16. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
(Matthew 5:5 NKJV) “Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.”

17. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
The word used here "parus is seen in that it lies between excessive anger (Gr. origates) and exessive angerlessness (Gr. aorgisia). It is true composure, i.e., the ability to be angry at the right times and never angry at the wrong time. Rightly so, the Greeks used praus (meek) for a tamed beast (a horse once wild, but now obedient to bit and saddle).

18. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
It is strength under control ‑ submissiveness.

19. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
"There is logical order to the beatitudes up to this point: awareness of dependence upon God ("poor in spirit") leads to a true view of what sin is in all its ugliness ("they that mourn"). This leads to submissiveness to God ("blessed are the meek"). "Meekness" is therefore that disposition in man that makes him esteem himself as small before God and men, taking a low estimate of himself.”

20. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
"We like to think blessed are the strong, the shrewd, those who stand up for their rights, those who refuse to be taken advantage of, those who always look out for slights, those who strike it rich and make it a success. We have a tendency to put high value on self-assertion.

21. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
The natural standpoint is that a strong person is one who not only does what he wills but also bends others to do his will. The Biblical concept of meekness, however, is different. Meekness in the Greek is used to describe an animal which has been trained by its master.

22. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
Wild and unruly animals are worthless but when trained they become meek, that is teachable and quiet. If we remember this background of the term we will see that meekness is strength under the control of God and that gentleness is true power.”

23. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
Wild and unruly animals are worthless but when trained they become meek, that is teachable and quiet. If we remember this background of the term we will see that meekness is strength under the control of God and that gentleness is true power.“
Moses is a great example of meekness. (Num 12:3)

24. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
(Numbers 12:3 KJV) “(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)”

25. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
How do you respond to men who complain and murmur? (Prov 16:32)

26. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
(Proverbs 16:32 NKJV) “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.”

27. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
A great test of meekness is your response to unfair and unreasonable people. Do you really trust God? (Rom 12:21)

28. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
(Romans 12:21 NKJV) “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

29. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
Consider the fruits of meekness.

30. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
Consider the fruits of meekness.
Related to humility (1 Pet. 5:6‑7).

31. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
(1 Peter 5:6-7 NKJV) “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, {7} casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

32. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
One of the meekest men in history was John the Baptist. He was such a powerful figure that Josephus, the great Jewish historian, reports many years later when John's name was mentioned people still trembled at the thought of him. Jesus' eulogy of John was that he was "greater than any man born of woman."

33. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
Yet when he saw the Christ, instead of giving a speech about his own great accomplishments, he sent his disciples to Jesus telling them, "He must increase but I must decrease." When asked who he was, he simply said, "I am nobody. I am to be heard, not to be seen. I am just a voice."

34. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
Did you ever notice that David never describes his victory of Goliath in all of the psalms? We live in a time of superlatives -- the greatest evangelist, the greatest preacher, the greatest theologian, the greatest actor -- we desire dignity, position. We want some title and to be addressed properly.

35. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
No wonder Christ cannot be seen. Paul called himself "the least of all the apostles." Where is our pride? Where is our meekness?

36. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
No wonder Christ cannot be seen. Paul called himself "the least of all the apostles." Where is our pride? Where is our meekness?
An ornament in God's sight (1 Pet. 3:4).

37. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
(1 Peter 3:4 NKJV) “rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.”

38. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
Makes one safe in the day of anger (Zeph 2:3).

39. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
(Zephaniah 2:3 NKJV) “Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth, Who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden In the day of the Lord’s anger.”

40. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
It is soothing to all (1 Thess. 2:7).

41. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
(1 Thessalonians 2:7 NKJV) “But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.”

42. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
"Meekness means to submit to God's will in a mild and gentle spirit, even in circumstances of great difficulty." - Joe Corley

43. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
"Meekness means to submit to God's will in a mild and gentle spirit, even in circumstances of great difficulty." - Joe Corley
Submit even when adversity comes. (Job 1:21)

44. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
(Job 1:21 NKJV) “And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.”

45. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
Submit even when we must make great sacrifice to serve God as did Abraham!

46. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
Submit even when we must make great sacrifice to serve God as did Abraham!
Submit when we are chastened of the Lord. (Heb 12:5-10)

47. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
(Hebrews 12:5-10 NKJV) “And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; {6} For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”

48. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
{7} If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? {8} But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. {9} Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?

49. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
{10} For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.”

50. The sign of true Christian Character --- Meekness
How do you react when it is hard to do right?

51. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness (Mt 5:6)
The words here express strong craving: Gr. peinontes (peinao), "to be hungry, suffer hunger, to be famished, to crave after" (Liddell‑Scott).

52. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness (Mt 5:6)
The words here express strong craving: Gr. peinontes (peinao), "to be hungry, suffer hunger, to be famished, to crave after" (Liddell‑Scott).
The same is true for "thirst," Gr. dipsontes (dipsao), "to thirst after, to desire strongly" (Thayer).

53. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness (Mt 5:6)
We do not know what this kind of hunger and thirst is like! This is the same word to describe Jesus' 40 day fast in the wilderness. (Mt 4:2)

54. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness (Mt 5:6)
(Matthew 4:2 NKJV) “And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.”

55. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness (Mt 5:6)
Here it describes a hunger that does not come naturally but rather one that is learned. God wants it to become overpowering in our lives.

56. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness (Mt 5:6)
Hunger and thirst is a sign of life! What if one ceases being hungry?

57. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness (Mt 5:6)
Hunger and thirst is a sign of life! What if one ceases being hungry?
Fruits of this craving in our lives.

58. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness (Mt 5:6)
Hunger and thirst is a sign of life! What if one ceases being hungry?
Fruits of this craving in our lives.
We want to know more about God and draw as close as we can to Him. (Psa 63:1; Psa 84:1-5)

59. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness (Mt 5:6)
(Psalms 63:1 NKJV) “O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water.”

60. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness (Mt 5:6)
(Psalms 84:1-5 NKJV) “How lovely is Your tabernacle, O LORD of hosts! {2} My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the LORD; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. {3} Even the sparrow has found a home, And the swallow a nest for herself, Where she may lay her young; Even Your altars, O LORD of hosts, My King and my God.

61. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness (Mt 5:6)
{4} Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising You. Selah {5} Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.”

62. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness (Mt 5:6)
Hunger and thirst is a sign of life! What if one ceases being hungry?
Fruits of this craving in our lives.
We want to know more about God and draw as close as we can to Him. (Psa 63:1; Psa 84:1-5)
When we know God, we will hunger and thirst! (1 Pt 2:1-3)

63. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness (Mt 5:6)
(1 Peter 2:1-3 NKJV) “Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, {2} as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, {3} if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”

64. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness (Mt 5:6)
Hunger and thirst is a sign of life! What if one ceases being hungry?
Fruits of this craving in our lives.
We want to know more about God and draw as close as we can to Him. (Psa 63:1; Psa 84:1-5)
When we know God, we will hunger and thirst! (1 Pt 2:1-3)
These will not run from Bible study and isolate themselves from God's people. (Mal 3:16-17)

65. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness (Mt 5:6)
(Malachi 3:16-17 NKJV) “Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name. {17} “They shall be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts, “On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them As a man spares his own son who serves him.””

66. The Blessings of these Beatitudes

67. The Blessings of these Beatitudes
The meek shall inherit the earth. (Mt 5:5)

68. The Blessings of these Beatitudes
The meek shall inherit the earth. (Mt 5:5)
This is in addition to the new heavens and earth. (Rev 21:1)

69. The Blessings of these Beatitudes
The meek shall inherit the earth. (Mt 5:5)
This is in addition to the new heavens and earth. (Rev 21:1)
We as Christian enjoy the true riches of this life! Do you realize what you have? (1 Cor 3:21-23)

70. The Blessings of these Beatitudes
(1 Corinthians 3:21-23 NKJV) “Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: {22} whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come; all are yours. {23} And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.”

71. The Blessings of these Beatitudes
Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled.

72. The Blessings of these Beatitudes
Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled.
"These words are very strong and graphic, originally applied to the feeding and fattening of animals in a stall.”

73. The Blessings of these Beatitudes
Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled.
"These words are very strong and graphic, originally applied to the feeding and fattening of animals in a stall.“
What do we feed upon? (Isa 55:2)

74. The Blessings of these Beatitudes
(Isaiah 55:2 NKJV) “Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance.”

75. The Blessings of these Beatitudes
Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled.
"These words are very strong and graphic, originally applied to the feeding and fattening of animals in a stall.“
What do we feed upon? (Isa 55:2)
This is not the false righteousness of the Pharisees! (Mt 5:20; Mt 23:28; Lk 18:9)

76. The Blessings of these Beatitudes
(Matthew 5:20 NKJV) “For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”

77. The Blessings of these Beatitudes
(Matthew 23:28 NKJV) “Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”

78. The Blessings of these Beatitudes
(Luke 18:9 NKJV) “Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:”

79. The Blessings of these Beatitudes
Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled.

80. The Blessings of these Beatitudes
Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled.
We must cease the struggle of putting ourselves forward before we can ever find God's righteousness!

81. The Blessings of these Beatitudes
Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled.
We must cease the struggle of putting ourselves forward before we can ever find God's righteousness!
What are those who find this righteousness like? (Mt 6:33)