Sermon on the Mount:

The BeatitudesMatthew 5:3-12

The BeatitudesHeart-level criteria for entering God’s kingdomA relationship with God = being surrendered to

God

The BeatitudesMatthew 5:3-12, ““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. 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.”

The Beatitudes“10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for

righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 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.”

The BeatitudesNot meant to stand aloneConnect to each otherBuild off the one before it

The BeatitudesEach has 2 parts

“Blessed are . . .”“For they are/theirs is . . .”

“They,” “theirs”—emphatic in the Greek“They and only they are . . .”“Theirs alone is . . .”

No spiritual blessing w/o the spiritual character

The BeatitudesSome talk about our relationship with GodSome talk about our relationship with peopleAll speak in a way that forces us to think

The Beatitudes“Beatitudes” = happy, or blessed“Blessed” = happyTo be blessed by God is to be approved of by

God

The BeatitudesMatthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for

theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.”“Poor in spirit” ≠ low self-esteem“Poor in spirit” = to cower like a spiritual beggarPoverty in spirit brings riches in eternity

The BeatitudesMatthew 5:4, “Blessed are those who mourn, for

they shall be comforted.”To “mourn” ≠ grim or cheerlessTo “mourn” = brokenness over our sin“Immediately comforted and will continue to be

so”

The BeatitudesMatthew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek, for they

shall inherit the earth.”“Meek” ≠ weakness“Meek” = strength under control“Inherit the earth” = ruling & reigning with

Christ

The BeatitudesMatthew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger

and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.”

“Hunger” & “thirst” ≠ physical hunger & thirst“Hunger” & “thirst” = hungering & thirsting for

God“Filled” = the more we want Him, the more He

gives

The BeatitudesMatthew 5:7, “Blessed are the merciful, for they

shall receive mercy.”“Mercy” ≠ feel someone’s pain“Mercy” = feel someone’s pain & act to relieve itMercy toward others brings mercy from God

The BeatitudesMatthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for

they shall see God.”“Pure in heart” ≠ perfection“Pure in heart” = single-hearted devotion to GodThe reward is to know God more deeply than

before

The BeatitudesMatthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for

they shall be called sons of God.”“Peacemaker” ≠ easygoing“Peacemaker” = pursue wellness with God &

manTo be at peace with God means to be a child of

God

The BeatitudesMatthew 5:10, “Blessed are those who are

persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.”

“Persecuted” ≠ “Blessed are the persecuted” period

“Persecuted” = “Blessed are the harassed for Christ”

The BeatitudesMatthew 5:11, “Blessed are you when men

revile at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.”

Taking insults, lies, torments, and death for Christ

The BeatitudesMatthew 5:12, “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad,

for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

If we suffer for Him, we prove we really do know Him

The BeatitudesCharacteristics of ones in the kingdomHearts like the King because the King has their

hearts