INTRODUCTION
In Matthew Chapter 5 we find Matthews record of Jesus’ teachings on what is commonly known as, the Beatitudes.
You may be thinking, good golly; so what, big whoop!
What does this portion of Scripture have to do with Christianity in 2012?
Before, we look at each individual Beatitude, it is essential that we take time to set the stage for; Our Attitude towards Jesus’ Beatitudes.
LET’S LOOK AT WHAT OTHERS HAVE CALLED THESE BEATITUDES
Oswald Dykes referred to them as “The Manifesto [a public declaration of intentions, opinions, objectives, or motives] of the King” (Ogilvie, Matt. 5:1-15)
Lloyd Ogilvie Identified them as a “Message on a lifestyle for the ‘new creation’ . . . outlines the kind of life which is expected of the ‘new community.”
C.H. Dodd called them “. . . the absolute ethics [moral principles] of the Kingdom of God.”
David Alexander adds it is “. . . how man ought to live . . . not simply by a set of rules but by an inner revolution of attitude and outlook” (Alexander 1973, 477)
Kenneth Gangel states it is an “ethical teaching which serves as a counterpart to the Old Testament Law. . .” designed to “correct a false Jewish concentration on the material aspects of the kingdom and try to show His followers that the primary focus aims at the hearts of the people” (Gangel 1988, 37).
H.A. Ironside said Jesus was, “setting forth the principles of His kingdom, which should guide the lives of all who profess to be His disciples” . . . and that his it should “characterize its loyal subjects as they wait for the day when the King Himself shall be revealed.” (Ironside 1989, )
J Vernon McGee adds, “The Sermon on the Mount is Law lifted to the ninth degree. Man could not keep the Law in the Old Testament. So how in the world can he keep, in his own strength, the Sermon on the Mount which is elevated to an even higher degree . . . The primary purpose of the Sermon on the Mount is to set before men the law of the kingdom” (McGee 1983, 27-28).
C.H. Spurgeon states, “The seven Beatitudes mark deepening humiliation and growing exaltation” (Spurgeon 1988, 456).
McGee again states, “The Sermon on the Mount opens with the Beatitudes. It is well to note that they are be-attitudes, not do-attitudes. They state what the subjects of the kingdom are—they are the type of person described in the Beatitudes” (McGee [Matthew], 29) (2)
Warren Wiersbe states: “The main theme is true righteousness” not an artificially external (as the Pharisees and Law); but, that which begins “internally, in the heart” Wiersbe [Matthew 5:1-48]).
There are far too numerous ideas to mention here, these are just a few ideas! So let’s summarize. The Beatitudes could be regarded as: a Kingly manifesto; new creation lifestyle; absolute ethical kingdom; inner revolution; Kingdom Law; deepened humbling attitude of growing exaltation; state of being; internalized heart righteousness !
WOW! What a variety of thoughts we have before us here.
WELL, JUST WHO IS JESUS TALKING TOO:
We find in Matthew 5: 1-2 where it says: “. . . his disciples came unto him:
(2) And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying . . .
ARE YOU A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST THIS MORNING? Here Jesus is talking to the Twelve with the multitudes on the outer circles. . . Yes, we can make application today because we are by definition: hearers, learners and adherents to the Word of God. THEREFORE: If you have accepted Christ this morning—you are a disciple of Christ! You are a recipient of the Kingdom of God: Today, Tomorrow and Forever!
G Campbell Morgan adds, “Jesus never gives the law of His Kingdom to any save to those of His Kingdom” (Morgan 1986, 39).
CONTEXT:
Many folks make the mistake of applying these blessed beatitudes to just one long sermon. HOWEVER, it is most, probable, that they were many of Jesus’ Sermons taught repetitively over the duration of His ministry.
Both Matthew and Luke give us a version of the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew's version there are 107 versus. Of these 107 versus 29 are found altogether in Luke 6:20-49; 47 have no parallel in Luke's version and 34 are found scattered all over Luke's gospel in different contexts” (Barclay 1958, 79-80).
I like all of these statements; BUT, the statement by J. Vernon McGee really stands is practically applicable for the disciples of Christ today!
Are we a BE and not a DO in our TUDES this morning?
How impossible it is to be a DO-ER without being a BE-ER!
Do you possess this mind set- the mindset of Christ this morning?
As we look at these beatitudes one thing is obvious:
Jesus was ALL UP to and BEYOND IT’S FULLEST; in each and every one of these Beatitudes!
We should be striving to be Christ-like.
Dr. Richard C. Halverson says, that "the way of the Kingdom of God is antithetical [opposed] to the way of our contemporary culture."
God says, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, [Christlike]" but we say blessed are the achievers. (3)
God says, "Blessed are those who mourn, [Christlike]" but we say blessed are the self-fulfilled. (4)
Jesus says, "Blessed are the meek, [Christlike]" but we say blessed are the powerful. (5)
Jesus says, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, [Christlike]" but we say blessed are the unrestrained. (6)
Jesus says, "Blessed are the merciful, [Christlike]" but we say blessed are the manipulators. (7)
Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart, [Christlike]" but we say blessed are the uninhibited. (8)
7) Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, [Christlike]" but we say blessed are the strong. (9)
Jesus said, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteous-ness' sake, [Christlike]" but we say blessed are the expedient. (10)
Jesus said we are blessed when persecuted for His sake [Christlike], but we say blessed are the aggressors. (11)
IN SUMMARY: Jesus challenges the very selfishness that determines so much of our social behavior. (Barclay 1958, 79-80). (12)
HONESTLY FOLKS, I think today’s Christian interpretation of Christianity 101 is way off the mark. I know that mine is. It is a state of being, not of achieving. This is how Paul could say in Philippians 4:11that he is content no matter what state he found himself in. THIS IS THE GREAT SECRET THAT WE NEED TO DISCOVER TODAY!
IF YOU WANT TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN YOUR WALK WITH GOD … LISTEN TO THIS PIECE OF ADVICE FROM DAVID ALEXANDER:
Contrary to general opinion, it is not the go-getters, the tough ones, those who bend the rules, who are the real successes. The truly happy ones are those who recognize the spiritual poverty (verse 3) of self-reliance and learn to depend wholly on God” (Alexander 478).
So over the next few months we will be seeking a better understanding of the Beatitudes of Jesus Christ and making applications of them into our daily lives.
So let’s re-cap our text once again!
Mat 5:1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
Mat 5:2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
Mat 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Mat 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Mat 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Mat 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Mat 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
CONCLUDING STATEMENTS
“The sermon on the mount is not a set of rules and regulations- It is a picture of the life we will live when the Holy Spirit is having his unhindered way with us. The Sermon on the Mount is a statement of the life we will live when the Holy Spirit is getting His way with us” (Chambers 2008, 251).
“In the training of art students, the master does not merely tell them what is wrong in a design; he puts the right design beside the wrong and lets them judge for themselves, and that is exactly what Jesus Christ did in the Sermon on the Mount” (Chambers 2008, 251).
“May we learn from the Master Artist to “offer ourselves to God like a clean, smooth canvas and not worry ourselves about what God may choose to paint on it, but at each moment, feel only the stroke of His brush” (Caussade).
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Alexander David & Patricia Alexander (ed.). Eerdmans’ Handbook to the Bible. Herts, England: Lions Publishing, 1973.
Barclay, William. The Gospel of Matthew; Volume 1, Chapter 1 to 10. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1958. 79. 80.
Caussade, Jean Pierre de. Christianity / Catholicism Jean Pierre de Caussade. http://www.onelittleangel.com/wisdom/quotes/saint.asp?mc=308. Accessed March 15, 2012.
Chambers, Oswald. The Quotable Oswald Chambers. Edited by David McCasland. Grand Rapids: Discovery House, 2008.
Gangel, Kenneth O., Matthew 1-14: 12 Studies on the King and the Kingdom. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1988.
Ironside, H.A. The Prophet Note on Matthew. Neptune: Loizeaux Brothers, 1989.
McGee, J. Vernon, “Matthew,” Thru the Bible, 5 vols. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983.
Morgan, G. Campbell. The Gospel According to Matthew. Tappan: Revell, 1986.
Ogilvie, Lloyd J. (ed). The Preachers Commentary: Matthew 5:1-12: The Disciples’ Joy: The Beatitudes. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982-1992. e-Sword, Version 10.0.5.
---------- The Preachers Commentary: Matthew 5:1-12: The Message of the King: Scripture Outline. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982-1992. e-Sword, Version 10.0.5.
Spurgeon, Charles H. Spurgeon’s Expository Encyclopedia, Volume 1, The Beatitudes. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1988.
Wiersbe, Warren. Wiersbe Bible Commentary: New Testament, n.d. e-Sword, Version 10.0.5.
