The Beatitudes Series

Sermon on the Mount

Pt 1

The Beatitudes

Matthew 5:1-12

And seeing the multitudes [v. 23-25], 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.

(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 the sons of God.

(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. [NKJV]

OPENING REMARKS

A. Beginning with this sermon over the next few weeks we are going to look at Matthew Chapters 5-7 and examine them concerning their content - for they contain what is commonly referred to as the Sermon on the Mount.

1. The Sermon on the Mount was a message preached in Galilee by Jesus during His earthly ministry.

NOTE:

If your Bible is a Red-Letter edition - you should not have any trouble finding this passage of Scripture. But also please note that all passages as from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 are just as inspired by God (2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pt 1:19-21) as this portion which is written in red.

John MacArthur

The central thrust of [Christ’s] message to every group and every person, of whatever persuasion or inclination, was that the way of His kingdom is first and above all a matter of the inside - the soul.

That is the central focus of the Sermon on the Mount. True religion in God’s kingdom is not a question of ritual, of philosophy, of location, or of military might ... but of right attitude toward God and toward other people.

The Lord summed it up in the words [-] I say to you, that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven (5:20).

--- Source: [The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: Matthew 1-7, Chicago: Moody Press, 1985, p. 134 (adapted)] ---

B. This sermon can be broken down into several different sections. The first section | aspect is found in 5:1-12 which is known as The Beatitudes.

1. The Sermon on the Mount - Ch. 5 - 7 is often considered synonymous with what is called The Beatitudes 5:1-12. But in actuality - The Beatitudes is just a part of the Lord’s Sermon on the Mount.

C. The Beatitudes is one of the most mention portions of Scriptures by many today.

1. The name Beatitude is derived from Latin and it refers to a state of happiness or bliss.

2. Seldom in history have so few words been spoken with so much meaning. The Beatitudes of our Lord are powerful, holding before the world a ... picture of the true disciple of God. The Beatitudes cover the glorious hope and reward the believer can expect, now and as well as in eternity.

--- Source: [The Preacher’s Outline and Sermon Bible: Matthew 1, Chattanooga: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1991 (2nd ed. - 1996), p. 54] ---

3. The Beatitudes are actually addressed to the disciples - v. 1 - instead of the multitude that had followed Jesus about all of Galilee (4:23-25). Yet the multitude that had gathered around still benefited indirectly from the words of the great Master teacher as He spoke to His disciples.

Can you imagine the joy of sitting there on the slopes of the mountain and listening as Christ’s words rang out over the multitude as He spoke!

NOTE:

Acoustics in the past were different than today. There is so much noise today everywhere that it is near impossible to hear one speak across the room let alone at a great distance. It has been said that when the great evangelist George Whitefield would speak (sometimes up to a crowd of 10,000) that he could be heard up to a mile away. I can’t imagine what that would be like - Cindy and I have trouble just hearing three feet from each other. :-)

4. As this multitude listened indirectly to Christ as He spoke to His disciples - so too, do we often the learn from the Scriptures indirectly. As we read the accounts of Israel in the OT - we indirectly learn by their example (1 Cor 10:6) or even often in the NT - such as those of Macedonia who learned indirectly from Paul through the Thessalonians (1 Thes 1:8).