Life Lessons Series

The Be Attitudes

Theme: To show the true attitude of a Christian

Text: Matthew 5:1-12

Introduction

Mat 5:17-20 "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. (18) For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. (19) Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (20) 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.

Jesus gathers around with his disciples to pour into them about what it means to leave a life that follows Him. It is interesting that he was not trying to change the OT but to fulfill God’s plan.

I like what I heard just this morning about the 10 commandments it is not a list of rules God has given but a showing of God’s love. In God’s love there are boundaries.

A few reasons Jesus gave these to His disciples

1) Had compassion on them and wanted to disciple (teach them)

2) I believe you will see an attitude that is hard to achieve but by God’s grace and mercy we do and get a reward

3) Wanted to give them a better perception of who they are in God’s kingdom

It is very hard to achieve anything when you don’t know who you are.

As one person said, “When I became a Christian the world around me didn’t change but my perception did. I mean the grass looked greener. The world looked different.”

Note: As we journey through what is commonly known as the “Be attitudes” I want you to notice the sacrifices and rewards. The first part is a sacrifice we must make through the help and dependence on the Lord and the second is the reward of the sacrifice. You could also say the Risk and reward. For every sacrifice there is a risk (a cost) or it would not be a sacrifice. Most importantly it is our willingness to surrender to God’s purpose.

This is not a positive motivational message. IOW if we a able to achieve a certain attitude. Then we can receive a certain reward. We work within ourselves to get to a certain place. No. This is about a dependence on God to get us to a place.

Blessed=an internal joy, a contentment, wholeness, It compares to the OT word shalom which means peace. It is more than happiness as an emotion. But it is contentment. As Paul said, “I learned how to be content where I have a lot or little. Abased or abound.”

I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. (Php 4:12) 13 I can do all things through Christ [8] who strengthens me.

Jesus said in John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Condition “poor in spirit” to acknowledge our utter dependence on God,

Poor – needed, destitute, helpless, powerless,

Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned an fall short of the glory of God”

Romans 6:23 “for the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life”

Reward “theirs is the kingdom of heaven”-the kingdom of heaven refers to salvation. Matthew 19 “rich man enter into the kingdom of heaven”.

When we recognize our total dependence in God and turn our life over to him then we shall be saved.

The "poor in spirit" inherit three significant things.

1. The poor in spirit receive forgiveness of sin and God's continued remembrance: the assurance that God will never forget.

"And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more" (Hebrews 10:17).

2. The poor in spirit receive a fellowship with other believers who walk as they walk.

"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42).

3. The poor in spirit receive the gift of life that is forever: the eternal fellowship with both God and the congregation of those who are poor in spirit.

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life" (John 5:24).