This morning we will be looking at Matthew 5:1-12. If you do not have a Bible you can look inside your bulletin and the Scriptures are printed on the back of the insert.
(ME) (INTRODUCTION)
This morning we will begin a series of sermons focusing on the teaching of Christ found in the gospel of Matthew 5-7. We are calling this series, RED because we will be looking at 3 chapters that contain a lot of red letters (if you have a red letter edition of the Bible). Matthew 5-7 contains the first of 5 sets of sermons by Christ (commonly called discourses).
Matthew 5-7 is commonly referred to as the Sermon on the Mount (in Luke it is called the Sermon on the Plain, cf. Luke 6). In this sermon Jesus teaches on a variety of topics relevant to those who heard it the first time and ultimately to us as well. He opens His sermon with a litany of “Blessed are the…” statements. We call Matthew 5:1-12 “The Beatitudes.” This section of Scripture will lay the foundation for the rest of Christ’s teaching.
Let’s read these together this morning. So that we are all on the same page let’s get out the bulletin insert and read verse 3-12 in responsive reading – EXPLAIN (I will read Blessed are the…you will read the lines beginning with ‘for…’)
(WE)
We live in a world where great emphasis is placed on being happy – or at least ways to try and be happy.
According to a June 2013 article in the Huffington Post on 1 in 3 Americans would describe themselves as very happy. The article is reflecting on a recent Harris Poll that happens annually to gauge America’s “happiness index.” The poll shows that American are unhappy because they are stressed about (1) the economy and (2) the future.
The study does show, however, that fewer Americans are seeing “wealth” as a core value for happiness. Instead, this is being replaced with the idea of a “more fulfilling life” which does not necessarily equate with having large sums of money.
Another study reported on by the Huffington Post describes that a large portion of Americans see “well-being” as a core value to happiness. The article goes on to tell us that “well-being” is about being healthy (physically and emotionally). Basically, the report is showing that Americans believe that health = happiness. (Which could mean that health problems = unhappiness). In the end, a persons well being was determined by their access to tools for better health, lower crime rates, intellectual opportunities and more).
(TRANSITION) But what does God consider to be the core values of being happy (or what the Scriptures often refer to as BLESSED).
(GOD)
The Scriptures we read together are often referred to as “The Beatitudes.”
Question: What is beatitude?
Answer: Simply put ”beatitude” is a pronouncement of blessing. So, when Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” what is he doing? He is telling the “poor” person that even in their condition they possess the kingdom of God.
Question: This idea brings up another question. What does “Blessed” mean?
Answer: I am afraid there is no short answer to this question but I will do my best to summarize.
The book of Matthew was written sometime between 60-65 A.D. The book was written primarily to a Jewish audience. However, that Jewish audience was living under the rule of a Roman government. Roman and Greek culture and philosophy had heavily influenced how people went about their everyday life.
To the Greek mind “blessed” carried the idea of good fortune. Mostly they only used the word to speak of the gods because they were not subject to he ups and downs of a human existence. Nevertheless, they would, at times, call people blessed who seemed to have really good luck (because the gods must be giving them favor). It was used of those who had a good wife, good kids, and wealth, honor and fame.
Beatitude: Blessed is the rich man, for he has a good wife, kids, honor and fame.
The Jewish (OT) way of thinking about what it means to be “blessed” was similar to the Greeks/Romans because it was about “doing right” and “being rewarded” or “divine favor for doing the right things.”
The Psalms contain a lot of beatitudes. Blessed is the man…
• Who has God as Lord (Ps 144:15)
• Who fears God (Ps 112:1-3)
• Who trusts in God (Ps 84:12)
• Who dwells or take refuge in God (Ps 2:12; 84:4)
• Who prudently obeys God (Ps 119:1-2)
The Psalms also show what the reward is for having this kind of attitude toward God:
• A full quiver of sons as heirs (Ps 127:3-5)
• A full life and a good wife (Ps 128:1-4)
• Prosperity & honor (Ps 1:1-2)
• Lives under the protection of God (Ps 41:2)
The problem seems to arise from this is not God’s desire and ability to bless people but that people began to measure other peoples walk with God by the external things.
If you had no sons - you were not blessed. If you had a short life – you were not blessed. If you had a bad wife – you were not blessed. If you were poor – you were not blessed. If you were without honor – you were not blessed. If you were experienced any difficulties in life – you were not blessed. (Apparently they had forgotten to read the book of Job).
Now let’s fast forward to the ministry of Jesus who is teaching people who are influenced by both the Greek and Jewish idea of blessing and He turns it ALL UPSIDE DOWN.
Culture said: Blessed are the wealthy and famous
Jesus said: Blessed are the poor
Culture said: Blessed are those with joy!
Jesus said: Blessed are those who mourn.
Culture said: Blessed are those who are in charge!
Jesus said: Blessed are the meek.
Culture said: Blessed are those who have the favor of men!
Jesus said: Blessed are you when people hate you.
This does not mean that wealthy, famous, joyful people in charge are not blessed of God. What Jesus is telling us as He begins His teaching on the Kingdom of Heaven (God) is this:
People are blessed because of ME (Jesus)! Now remember, Matthew is writing primarily to Jews who would view “blessed” as something that comes because of what a person DOES. In the Greek and OT thinking only “good people” are blessed or have divine favor.
• Jesus says people are blessed because of His presence. Even the hungry, poor, and hated. Why? Because Christ’s incarnation into this world inaugurated the kingdom of God. And with the kingdom of God comes the ability for all people to respond to Christ in faith.
• Jesus says that His disciples are blessed because they are able to see and hear what the prophets and the righteous longed to see, that is, THE MESSIAH.
• According to Jesus’ way of thinking happiness is not about the “happenings” or “circumstances” of life. Instead, happiness (blessedness) comes through our faith in Christ (not our health or wealth or joy or fame or honor)
• Again, these things are not bad they are just not a measure of ones position in the kingdom of God – faith in Christ is the only measure!
• Because the measure is faith in Christ we can, in times of distress or sickness or financial problems, remain confident in the one UNCHANGEABLE THING in this world – Jesus Christ – the same yesterday, today and forever.
The Beatitudes are not necessarily about a code of ethics that we are commanded as Christians to achieve. Is it good to be meek? Sure. Is it good to be a peacemaker? Sure. But this is not the full depth of what Jesus is saying. We cannot be good or a peacemaker without the life of Christ in us. Through Christ we can be blessed when we are rich or poor; loved or hated by men; joyful or sad – in whatever state we find ourselves we can be content with the knowledge that Christ is for us.
(YOU)
Just for a moment try to imagine you are Matthew and you are hearing this teaching for the first time. You are a Jew….
1. Who worked in a dead end job
2. Who was an outcast because of your job (hated).
3. Who may have felt he was NOT BLESSED because no one liked you, you were not famous but infamous and your job required you to mingle with Gentiles (hated)
Then you hear about Jesus and one day he shows up at your workplace. He calls you to follow after him and you do. You get up from your office desk and walk away from it all…
1. Then it dawns on you. Now I am more of an outcast than I have ever been.
2. Then you realize there is nothing for you to go back to; now you are rejected by Jews and Romans. At least the other disciples could go back to fishing! What would you go back too?
3. Now you have the real potential to be both poor and hungry!
Then one day you climb to the top of a mountain with Jesus and a horde of other people. Jesus sits down, opens his mouth and begins teaching. You hear the words…
Blessed are the…[And you think to yourself, “I have never been a blessed man. My life has been a long series of wrong choices and troubles.”]
…poor in spirit…[What did Jesus just say?]
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. [What?!]
Then it dawns on you. The blessed man is one who follows after Christ – the Son of God – the Messiah. Years of pain, anguish and heartache fall off as you recognize…
1. Happiness (blessedness) is not contingent on anything other than my relationship with Christ - who is Lord of the Kingdom of Heaven.
2. You finally understand that trouble and blessing come to all men but these circumstances will not compare to the deliverance and bliss of the coming kingdom of God.
It must have been an earth shattering and liberating moment for Matthew! Now he knew he was accepted. Now Matthew had renewed purpose – God would use his record keeping skills to write a book that would be read for eons – a book that would cause others to come to faith in the same Christ he loved.
(TRANSITION)
[Christian] What are the things we are counting on for happiness that have began taking the place of Christ in your life?
[Unbeliever] What are you pursuing after in an effort to find happiness? Have you found happiness?
(US)
Have we fooled ourselves into believing that something of this earth – of this world – will be able to completely satisfy the hunger in our hearts for happiness?
Have we attempted to find happiness in sexual relationships or career or family activities or civic causes? These things are good and of God but they are never meant to be the thing the PRONOUNCES BLESSING ON OUR LIFE!
Do you often wake up with the feeling of loneliness and despair that you are chasing after a dream that can never come true? Or have you reached the pinnacle of success only to discover that without Christ there was only emptiness?
I want to pronounce blessing on you this morning:
Blessed are those who recognize their need for Christ, for they will be saved.
Blessed are those who realize there is more to life than stuff, for they will be saved
Blessed are those who call on the Name of the Lord, for they will be saved.
Pray with me this morning.
Father God, I need your help. I recognize that I am trying to find happiness and fulfillment in all the wrong places in life. I have been chasing after other gods that I thought would give me the contentment I long for in this life. Jesus forgive me. Jesus cleanse me. Jesus I ask you to be the Lord of my life. Holy Spirit come into me right now and help me to trust Christ and to receive His blessing. Amen.
