“The Beatitudes of Jesus” Part 1 (Review)

I. The Sermon on the Mount Matthew 5:1-12 A. Is a revelation of Jesus Christ’s deity 1. By the location of the sermon (a mountain top 2. By His words (“Ye have heard it said…but I say to you”) Is for Disciples (born again Christians) of Jesus Christ. Is difficult to keep for believers, but impossible for unbelievers.

The Beatitudes Are Called “The Keys to Happiness & Joy” They ought to represent the character of each Christian with lifestyle evidence. They can be divided into two categories: The 1st Four-”Preparation of our Character Toward God.” The 2nd Four-”Presentation of our Character Toward Others.”

A Review of the First Four The poor in spirit—those who recognize their own spiritual inadequacy. 2. They that mourn—Those that grieve over 1)their own sin 2)The wickedness and suffering of the world 3) their own losses. 3. The Meek---Those that are “gentle”. 4. Those that hunger and thirst after righteousness (a focused, passionate yearning for what is right; a strong, singular desire for what pleases God.

Remember when Jesus gave these instructional beatitudes they were given to be evident in the life of every Christian and the first four represent the preparation of our character toward God.

Questions to Ask Yourself Am I poor in spirit—recognizing my absolute need of Christ? Do I mourn---truly sorry for my sin and thankful for God’s salvation? Am I meek---understanding who I am in sight of God and how to properly treat others? Do I hunger and thirst for righteousness—just can’t get enough of God?

“The Beatitudes of Jesus” Part 2 Matthew 5:1-12

The 1st Four Beatitudes: Deal primarily with our relationship with God. The focus is primarily on the person’s need. The 2nd Four Beatitudes: Deal primarily with our relationship with others. The focus is on the person’s responsibility.

5. “Blessed are the Merciful: For They Shall Obtain Mercy.” Mercy is a sense of pity plus a desire to relieve the suffering. Mercy = pity + action.

Parable of the Good Samaritan Luke 10:25-37 Just then an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. He asked, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 Jesus answered him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” 27He answered, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind. And you must love your neighbor as yourself.” 28 Jesus told him, “You have answered correctly. Do this, and you will live.”

Luke 10:25-37 But the man wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 After careful consideration, Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell into the hands of bandits. They stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 By chance, a priest was traveling along that road. When he saw the man, he went by on the other side. 32 Similarly, a Levite came to that place. When he saw the man, he also went by on the other side. 33 But as he was traveling along, a Samaritan came across the man. When the Samaritan saw him, he was moved with compassion.

Luke 10:25-37 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take good care of him. If you spend more than that, I’ll repay you when I come back.’ 36 “Of these three men, who do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the bandits?” 37 He said, “The one who showed mercy to him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do what he did.”

6. “Blessed Are the Pure in Heart: For They Shall See God.” This beatitude shifts our attention from charity to purity. What is meant by the heart? Jesus said what comes out of a man is what makes him ‘unclean.’ What kind of internal purity does Jesus have in mind?

What Kind of Internal Purity Does Jesus Have in Mind? A pure heart is a heart without defilement or contamination. The word “pure” literally means clean, free of “dirt.” To those who are pure in heart, Jesus promised that they will see God.

7. Blessed are the Peacemakers: For They Shall Be Called the Sons of God. Blessed are the peacemakers, deals with the Christian’s social responsibility. What does it mean to be a peacemaker? A Peacemaker is someone who is prepared to pursue peace and pay the high price if necessary. Psalm says, “Seek peace and pursue it.”

There Are Three Realms of Peace First in the home. Peace must begin at home! You home life will set the stage for peace or arguments at work, social activities, church, or school.

There Are Three Realms of Peace Secondly, in the community. Paul writes in Romans 12:18, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with all men.” Thirdly, in the society at large. Society does not always agree with the morals and values of the church and Christians. Yet, we are called and expected by God to uphold them.

8. “Blessed are Those Who are Persecuted for Righteousness Sake: For Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” Notice, persecution follows peace. Jesus does not want his disciples to have the impression that the Christian life is a rose garden. Christ said, “If you’re going to rule with Me, you must also suffer with Me.”

1 Peter 4:12-19 12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened unto you: 13 but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exceeding joy. 14 If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are ye ; because the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God resteth upon you. 15 For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a meddler in other men’s matters: 16 but if a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name.

1 Peter 4:12-19 17 For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator.

Scripture says blessed are those who are persecuted for they will receive the kingdom of heaven. In fact, we are to rejoice when we are persecuted because we know that great is our reward—CITIZENSHIP IN HEAVEN!

Being a Christian involves set criteria and guidelines. It involves a solid, deep relationship with Christ and a character and actions as described in the beatitudes. If your life is not measured to that then God needs to do some restructuring!