Nine Attitudes to Live By - The B Attitudes
In the gospel of Matthew chapters five, six and seven we have a sermon of Jesus. This section of scripture has come to be known as: “The Sermon On The Mount.” It’s called the Sermon on the Mount because in chapter five Matthew tells us that when Jesus saw the crowds, He went up to the mountain – sat down – and began to preach – teaching the people the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. What was to follow was amazing. Jesus taught in a way that had never taught before. He taught with authority. He spoke in plain language – yet spoke of deep spiritual truths. Today I want us to examine the first section of “The Sermon On The Mount” known as “The Beatitudes.” Follow along with me as I read:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:3-12 (NKJV)
What we find in The Beatitudes are nine attitudes that faithful followers need to display. Let’s look at these today.
Attitude 1 – We need an attitude of HUMILITY.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:3 (NKJV)
By talking about being “poor in spirit”, Jesus is saying that this is the opposite of self-sufficiency. “Poor in spirit” speaks of those who realize that they are in total helplessness and lost apart from God.
When we think we are OK because we are a “GOOD PERSON” we are depending on our own self righteousness. But self righteousness will not make you happy. Self righteousness will not get you into the Kingdom of Heaven. Apart from God we are totally lost. It is only by God’s grace that we are saved. Any of us! That is a humbling thing. Going to church will not save you. Reading your Bible will not save you. Praying will not save you. Only a relationship with Jesus will save you. Look at what the Bible says in Luke chapter eighteen:
"Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax man. The Pharisee posed and prayed like this: ’Oh, God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, crooks, adulterers, or, heaven forbid, like this tax man. I fast twice a week and tithe on all my income.’ "Meanwhile the tax man, slumped in the shadows, his face in his hands, not daring to look up, said, ’God, give mercy. Forgive me, a sinner.’ " Jesus commented, "This tax man, not the other, went home made right with God. If you walk around with your nose in the air, you’re going to end up flat on your face, but if you’re content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself."
Luke 18:10-14 (MSG)
What is the difference between the two men? One approached God in his self righteousness the other approached God in his humility. One was accepted the other was not. Look at what psalm chapter fifty one says:
“I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love don’t for a moment escape God’s notice.” Psalms 51:17 (MSG)
If we truly want to be blessed we need an attitude of humility.
Attitude 2 – We need an attitude of REPENTANCE.
“Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 (NKJV)
Here Jesus is speaking about those who mourn over their sin. This is a Godly sorrow that produces repentance and leads to salvation. This is true sorrow that affects a person down into their soul. There is deep agony because one knows they have done wrong and deserves punishment.
Do you remember the story of King David? How he sinned? He had an affair with Bathsheba which was wrong in the first place but in order to cover it up he had Bathsheba’s husband killed. Did you know that David felt sorrow, remorse, guilt, and shame for what he had done? He mourned over his sin. In fact Psalm fifty one is a psalm of David and how he felt about his sin. Read along with me:
“(God) you’re the One I’ve violated, and you’ve seen it all, seen the full extent of my evil. You have all the facts before you; whatever you decide about me is fair.” Psalms 51:4 (MSG)
Folks when we have sinned we should feel guilty. We should feel shame. We should mourn over our sin. We should take it to God for the scripture says if we take our sin before Him, we “shall be comforted.”
Look at what first John chapter one and verse nine says:
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 (HCSB)
When we sin – we need an attitude of repentance
Attitude 3 - We need an attitude of TEACHABILITY.
“Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.”
Matthew 5:5 (NKJV)
Now most people seem to think that meek means weak, a spineless person without any backbone at all. But in the original language, “meek” is used in bridling a horse, or taming a wild animal. The word “meek” is a picture of “power under control.” So when we talk about a meek person, we’re talking about one whose life has been brought under the influence of the Holy Spirit, and God is in control of his or her life.
What this Beatitude tells me is that I am to drive my life but allow God to be my navigator. It’s like saying, “Jesus, I’ll drive. You just tell me where to go. If you say turn left - I’ll turn left. If you say turn right - I’ll turn right. If you say turn around - I’ll turn around. I’m turning my destination over to you.”
The meek are sensitive to the divine will of God. The meek are not easily provoked or irritated. They are not proud, self sufficient or stubborn. They are not unmanageable or ill tempered. In fact Jesus Himself was meek:
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart.” Matthew 11:29 (KJV)
Jesus was meek, and look what he did to the money changers in the Temple. He made a whip out of cords, and drove all of the money changers from the temple. He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. He yelled and said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a shopping mall!" Jesus was in complete control of His actions. He thought about what He was going to do. He took the time to make a whip. He was in control of his actions and his anger. Had He been out of control He would not have taken the time to make a whip.
Meekness is supreme self control empowered by the HOLY SPIRIT.
We need to be sensitive to the will of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. We don’t need to cower like a mouse – but roar like a lion – over injustice. We need to keep our heads about us – and use our intellect and our energy for God’s glory – and when God calls us to be bold – we need to be submissive enough – that we don’t hesitate to step up to the plate. We also need an attitude of allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us as we deal with those around us.
Attitude 4 - We need an attitude of RIGHTEOUSNESS.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6 (NKJV)
God is righteous and we need to have the same desires that He has. When something is wicked we need to call it wicked. When something is sinful we need to call it sinful. When something is pure and holy we need to hold on to it. We need to have a burning desire for it. We need to study it and live it. Our driving passion – our driving hunger – needs to be on those things that are pleasing to God. Look at what Moses wrote in Deuteronomy:
“I will proclaim the Lord’s name. Declare the greatness of our God! The Rock — His work is perfect; all His ways are entirely just. A faithful God, without prejudice, He is righteous and true.” Deuteronomy 32:3-4 (HCSB)
God wants us to have a desire so strong for Him that it is almost like starvation hunger. The desire for righteousness should drive our lives.
Attitude 5 - We need an attitude of MERCY.
“Blessed are the merciful, because they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7 (HCSB)
Forgiveness and mercy are what God demonstrates to the undeserving sinner. That undeserving sinner is us. Did you know that the manner in which you forgive people is the manner in which you will be forgiven? Look at what it says in The Lord’s prayer:
“And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.”
Matthew 6:12 (NKJV)
How do you show mercy and forgiveness?
John Wesley visited the governor of the colony of Georgia. The governor mentioned an incident involving a man who had angered him and remarked, “I shall never forgive him!” Wesley responded, “Then I hope sir, that you never sin!”
We need to have an attitude of forgiveness and mercy.
Attitude 6 - We need an attitude of PURITY.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.”
Matthew 5:8 (NKJV)
Now here is a beatitude which demands that we should stop and examine ourselves. The Greek word for “pure” has a number of interesting facets. It was used for dirty clothes that had been washed clean. It was used to describe grain and flour that had been carefully sifted – cleansed of all impurities. It was used when describing milk or wine that had not been mixed with any other liquid. It is not diluted or watered down. It was pure.
So this beatitude could be translated, “Blessed is the man who is genuine in heart, who is authentic, who is not a phony, because such a man will see God.”
Now what does that mean? It means one is pure. It means one is holy. It does not mean that one is perfect – but that we strive to be clean. We take the mask off. We quit being phony. We quit pretending to be the person you’re not. We become honest to God. We become honest to ourselves. We become honest to each other. We strive to be “pure in heart.” That is why Paul can write to Timothy and say:
“Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:22 (HCSB)
This verse is not just for Timothy – it is us too. We need an attitude of holiness in our lives.
Attitude 7 - We need an attitude of PEACEMAKING.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9 (NKJV)
God wants us to be peacemakers, not peace BREAKERS!
He wants us to be a part of the solution, not the PROBLEM.
There are 2 kinds of people in this world: “thermostat” people and “thermometer” people. A thermometer reflects the climate of the room. If the room is cold, it’s cold. If the room is hot, it’s hot.
But a thermostat can change the climate of the room. By its setting a thermostat can change a cold room into one that is warm, or a hot room into one that is cool. And a peace-maker is a thermostat person. A peacemaker can change the climate of the room when he or she walks in. Have you ever seen that happen?
Have you ever been in a room where everybody is negative and complaining? Everything is going wrong. Then a thermostat person enters the room and soon says something that causes people to say, “We never thought of it like that.” – the whole climate changes.
God wants peacemakers in His church. God wants peacemakers in the workplace. God wants peacemakers out in the world, people who never dwell on the negative, but concentrate on the positive and see the good things God is doing in His church and in the world.
Jesus had the ability to change things. Even storms at sea. In Matthew there is a story of a storm. The storm was so strong that the disciples thought they were going to die. But do you remember what Jesus did. It’s found in your notes:
“He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea. And there was a great calm.” Matthew 8:26 (HCSB)
You see Jesus was a peacemaker. He changes things. He has called us to be peacemakers too.
Attitude 8 - We need an attitude of ENDURANCE.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10 (NKJV)
Folks I have lived long enough in this world to know that whatever you do - you will be criticized. Even if you do nothing – you will be criticized and persecuted. I don’t know about you – but I would rather be criticized for doing the right thing then for doing the wrong thing. I would rather be called a fool for following God – then to be called a wise man for following the devil.
Franklin Graham tells the following story:
Sámi Dagher had been a maitre’d at the world famous Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut before Lebanon’s terrible civil war. Just before the war broke out he left the hotel to plant a small church in one of the poorest areas of the city. When he approached the hotel manager to inform him that he was resigning, the following dialog occurred:
"God has called me to preach," Sámi told the manager. "I’m leaving the hotel."
"Leaving? You’re a fool! You’re crazy! A man in your position making good money, and you quit?"
"I leave for something more important than money. I’m going to preach the name of Jesus Christ."
"You’re going to give up this good position to preach for some god? You must be crazy. No! I’ll tell you the right thing to do. You stay here and make money, Sámi. I need you."
"No, I can’t stay any longer. I’ve prayed and this is what I must do."
Then the hotel manager grew angry and shouted, "I curse you! One day, Sámi Dagher, you will come to the threshold of my door, and you will beg for a crust of bread, and I won’t give it to you. I will let you starve! Do you hear my words? Not a crust!"
Quite sometime later, during some of the heaviest fighting since World War II, Sámi heard a knock at his door. It was late at night, so Sámi told his wife and children to stay in bed. He answered the door himself. When he opened the door, the hotel manager stood before him.
"I couldn’t sleep," the man said. "I wanted to see how you are doing and talk."
Sámi made coffee and they discussed the old days they enjoyed at the Phoenicia. Sámi sensed the man had come for another reason, but the man wouldn’t say. Finally Sámi said, "My friend, it is late. Why have you come to me?"
"Oh, nothing, Sámi. I just wanted to talk of old times."
The man walked to the door and opened it. As he stood in the doorway with his head hung low, he turned to Sámi and said, "I have no food. I have not eaten for two days. Do you have anything you could spare?"
He is no fool who follows God – even if he is criticized.
Attitude 9 - We need an attitude of FAITHFULNESS.
"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12 (NKJV)
When the going gets tough – the tough keep going.
Committed people stay COMMITTED.
Faithful people stay FAITHFUL.
Jesus is going to judge us by our faithfulness. In Matthew chapter twenty five Jesus tells a parable of a group of three servants who were given a certain amount of money. The master went off on a journey but when he returned there was a day of accountability. Two of the servants were faithful and this is what the master said to them:
’Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ Matthew 25:23 (NKJV)
Do you know what the master called the third servant who was not faithful? He was called, “wicked and lazy.” Do you know why?
Your faithfulness shows your CHARACTER.
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with a lot. Whoever is dishonest with very little is dishonest with a lot.” Luke 16:10 (GW)
Folks I am glad that Jesus was faithful to the Father aren’t you? Did you know that the Garden of Gethsemane was about Jesus’ faithfulness? It was! “Will I follow the will of the Father or will I try to have my own way? Father, take this task from me. If there is any other way Father – if there is an alternate route – I ask that it be taken. Take this cup of crucifixion – take this cup of suffering – take this cup of pain – BUT not my will, but Yours be done.” Jesus was found faithful. How about you? Are you committed to Christ? Are you faithful?
(Sermon starter ideas from: Michael King, Melvin Neland)
