Introduction

This sermon is an introduction to the series on the Beatitudes, which are found in the Sermon on the Mount in the book of Matthew. The Beatitudes are nine attitudes that Christians should strive to have in their lives. Let's take a closer look at each of these attitudes.

Attitude 1: Humility

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3)

Jesus teaches that we should recognize our need for God and not rely on our own self-sufficiency. We should humbly acknowledge that we are lost without God's grace and salvation.

Attitude 2: Repentance

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." (Matthew 5:4)

Jesus encourages us to mourn over our sins and have a godly sorrow that leads to repentance. We should feel genuine remorse for our wrongdoings and seek forgiveness from God.

Attitude 3: Teachability

"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." (Matthew 5:5)

Being meek means having power under control and being sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. We should be willing to learn from God and allow Him to guide our lives.

Attitude 4: Righteousness

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." (Matthew 5:6)

We should have a strong desire for righteousness and strive to live according to God's standards. This means recognizing what is right and wrong and pursuing a life that pleases God.

Attitude 5: Mercy

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (Matthew 5:7)

We should show mercy and forgiveness to others, just as God has shown mercy to us. Our willingness to forgive others will determine how we are forgiven by God.

Attitude 6: Purity

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." (Matthew 5:8)

We should strive to have pure hearts and live holy lives. This means being genuine and authentic, not pretending to be someone we're not. We should seek to be pleasing to God in all that we do.

Attitude 7: Peacemaking

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." (Matthew 5:9)

God wants us to be peacemakers and strive to bring peace to our relationships and communities. We should seek to resolve conflicts and promote harmony, reflecting the character of God.

Attitude 8: Endurance

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:10)

Jesus acknowledges that following Him may lead to persecution and hardships. However, we should remain faithful and endure, knowing that our reward is in heaven.

Attitude 9: Faithfulness

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:11-12)

We should remain faithful to God even in the face of opposition and persecution. Our faithfulness will be rewarded in heaven, just as the prophets before us were rewarded for their faithfulness.

Conclusion

In conclusion, these nine attitudes provide a guide for Christian living. We should strive to be humble, repentant, teachable, righteous, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, enduring, and faithful. By adopting these attitudes, we can experience the blessings of God and live a life that is pleasing to Him.

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