The Beatitudes Series

The Great Commission

Part 1 – Sermon on the Mount - Beatitudes

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith – www.PS127.org

WELCOME

INTRODUCTION TO SERMON

† Jesus was called, baptized, filled with and the Holy Spirit

† Chose 12 Apostles from among the Disciples

† Jesus cleanses the Temple at the beginning of His ministry, and at the end.

† Jesus explains the Holy Spirit to Nicodemus

† Jesus explains Salvation to the Samaritan Woman at the well

† The People in Jesus’ hometown try to kill Him

† Today, the Sermon on the Mount – The Beatitudes

SCRIPTURE READING

Matthew 5:1-12

“1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them saying:

3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they will see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called sons of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

PRAYER FOR HOLY SPIRIT AND UNDERSTANDING

INTRODUCTION

Jesus began His ministry in about 26AD.

We know from scripture Jesus was baptized and began His journey on the Passover of that year, which would have been the 15th day of Nisan (24th of March), which was a Sunday.

Scholars estimate that the Sermon on the Mount took place sometime in early 28AD, approximately 1 ½ to 2 years after Jesus was baptized.

Most of Jesus’ ministry of 3 ½ years that is recorded in the scriptures, takes place in 29 – 30 AD.

The Sermon on the Mount is considered to be the standard that Jesus set forth for Christian living.

Verses 1 – 12 are generally referred to as the Beatitudes.

5:1 – Jesus was giving the ‘New Law’, which came with the ‘New Covenant’ in His blood.

This new law was laid out for man, by God in the form of Christ, just as the Old law had been given from a mountain by God to man (Moses).

We see in the scripture that Jesus sat down before He taught, because this was the custom of the time.

The word “disciples” used in verse 1 here is literally translated to “learners”.

Later in this passage we will read that the crowds expressed amazement at Jesus’ teaching, so the scriptures are more than likely referring to a broader scope of “learners” than just the Twelve Apostles.

Remember by this time there were many followers, called disciples, and it was from them that Jesus had chosen the twelve to be apostles.

I. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven

a. Blessed is to receive from an outward circumstance.

b. Blessed in this case is to receive joy from the Holy Spirit.

c. A well-being which comes to those who share salvation in the Kingdom of God.

d. Poor in Spirit is a contrast to the spiritually proud and self-sufficient. When we are self-sufficient, we rely on ourselves instead of God.

e. The Kingdom of Heaven is not earned, but given to those who are humble and not prideful in their spirit. It is a gift. The Kingdom of Heaven becomes our Kingdom and Christ our King when we receive our Salvation.

II. Blessed are those who mourn, for the will be comforted

a. Blessed in this sense is to receive from the Holy Spirit.

b. What do we receive? Comfort.

c. Why do we mourn? For the moral decay outside of the Kingdom of Heaven (and for our personal sin) which we do not realize until we are adopted into the Kingdom of Heaven.

III. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth

a. This term “meek” is taken from Psalm 37:11 – “But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.”

b. When will those who belong to the Kingdom of Heaven inherit the earth? During the thousand-year reign of Christ, where we will enjoy great peace!

c. Meek – is not referring to our attitude toward people as much as our disposition before God. To be humble…