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).
Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – Matthew I.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.
Condition “those who mourn”
Why morn?
1. When we recognize our sins and unworthiness before God, we are broken and desperately sorry
2. When we see the hurt of others-compassion, weep with those who weep
3. When we see the sin of this world and the plight they are going. As the world cries out for Gods redemption so should we, we see the plight of this world.
Reward “they shall be comforted” comfort-a settled place, solace. It can be a little overwhelming when you know what you know. You have assurance of salvation but people around you don’t.
1. There is a present comfort.
a. A settled peace: a relief, a solace, a consolation within.
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27).
b. An assurance of forgiveness and acceptance by God.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
c. A fullness of joy: a sense of God's presence, care and guidance (John 14:26); a sense of His sovereignty; a sense of His working all things out for good to those who love Him.
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).
2. There is an eternal comfort.
a. A passing from death to life.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
b. A wiping away of all tears.
"He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it" (Isaiah 25:8).
Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – Matthew I.
5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.
Condition “the meek”-humility, meekness is not weakness but is actually strength, it takes true strength not to let pride overwhelm us. The opposite of meekness is pride.
Reward “they shall inherit the earth”-they are comfortable with who they are.
Matthew 5:13-16 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
Salts Duty
1) Add seasoning (flavor)
2) Preservation
(14) You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. (15) Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. (16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
(5:5) Inherit the Earth: there are two points to be stressed in the reward to the meek (cp. Psalm 27:11).
1. The meek inherit the earth now; that is, they presently enjoy and experience the good things of the earth.
a. The meek have found themselves. They are comfortable with themselves. They know who they are; therefore, they are strong and confident, yet tender and humble.
"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1:6).
b. The meek know where they are going; they are teachable. They have nothing to prove. They have purpose, meaning, and significance in life.
"Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing" (2 Tim. 4:8).
"And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever" (2 Tim. 4:18).
c. The meek are assured of victory, conquest, triumph over whatever confronts them. They are controlled; therefore, they control circumstances instead of letting circumstances control them. They are free from stress and tension.
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (1 Cor. 10:13).
d. The meek have peaceful souls. They carry whatever pressure and tension comes their way to Christ, and He relieves it all.
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).
2. The earth is theirs eternally, that is, the new heavens and earth. An inheritance of eternal life and dominion is promised them, for they are joint-heirs with Christ.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:3-4; cp. 2 Peter 3:10-13).
"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away" (Rev. 21:1).
Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – Matthew I.
We are called to have dominion not to be controlled.
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
(Gen 1:27-28)
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.
Not satisfied: Illustration – Abraham in Haran – Genesis 11 Haran means settled. There was a temptation for Abram to get settled here. He had a good life. Yet God had more for him. Too many Christians get settled in a place.
Condition “those who hunger”
Ps 42: 1 As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God.
Righteousness 1. in a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness, the condition acceptable to God
a. the doctrine concerning the way in which man may attain a state approved of God
b. integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting
Reward “they shall be filled”-they shall have a life of abundance and reward. They shall be full. Filled with the spirit.
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (Joh 10:10)
7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.
Condition “the merciful”-compassionate, as Jesus often showed compassion
Reward “they shall obtain mercy”-God will show us compassion when we are compassionate to others.
When we give someone that “cup of cold water”. The bible tells us we will be blessed if we give the needy a cup of cold water in his name.
For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward. (Mark 9:41)
Matthew 6: 14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
Condition “the pure in heart”-clean, unmixed, and unpolluted, whole heart.
Also “right motives”
Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Reward “they shall see God”
Psalms 24:3 ¶ Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
No jealousies. No envious attitudes. As spoken above forgiveness.
Reward: We shall truly see what God looks like. The reward is always greater than the sacrifice.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.
Condition “the peace makers”-bring men together, make peace, solve disputes. Not peacekeepers-do whatever to have peace.
Reward “they shall be called sons of God”-this is how we are recognized.
They will be recognized as the sons of God. The world knows how we are to live.
DEEPER STUDY #2
(4:5-6) Adoption: the word "adoption" (huiothesia PWS: 57) means to place as a son. The picture of adoption is a beautiful picture of what God does for the Christian. In the ancient world the family was based on a Roman law called "patria potestas," the father's power. The law gave the father absolute authority over his children so long as the father lived. He could work, enslave, sell, and if he wished, he could pronounce the death penalty. Regardless of the child's adult age, the father held all power over personal and property rights.
Therefore, adoption was a serious matter. Yet, it was a common practice to ensure that a family would not become extinct by having no male children. And when a child was adopted, three legal steps were taken.
1. The adopted son was adopted permanently. He could not be adopted today and disinherited tomorrow. He became a son of the father—forever. He was eternally secure as a son.
2. The adopted son immediately had all the rights of a legitimate son in the new family.
3. The adopted son completely lost all rights in his old family. The adopted son was looked upon as a new person—so new that old debts and obligations connected with his former family were cancelled out and abolished as if they never existed.
The Bible says several things about the believer's adoption as a son of God.
1. The believer's adoption establishes a new relationship with God—forever. He is eternally secure as a child of God. But the new relationship is established only when a person comes to Christ through faith (Galatians 3:26; Galatians 4:4-5).
2. The believer's adoption establishes a new relationship with God as father. The believer has all the rights and privileges of a genuine son of God (Romans 8:16-17; 1 John 3:1-2).
3. The believer's adoption establishes a new dynamic experience with God as father, a moment by moment access into His very presence (Romans 8:14, 16; Galatians 4:6).
4. The believer's adoption gives him a very special relationship with other children of God—a family relationship that binds him with others in an unparalleled spiritual union (see note—•Ephes. 2:11-18; note—•Ephes. 2:19-22; note—•Ephes. 3:6; note—•Ephes. 4:4-6; and note—•Ephes. 4:17-19. Cp. Acts 2:42. See outline—• Matthew 12:46-50 and notes—• Matthew 12:46-50.)
5. The believer's adoption makes him a new person. The believer has been taken out from under the authority and power of the world and its sin. The believer is placed as a son into the family and authority of God. The old life with all of its debts and obligations are cancelled and wiped out (2 Cor. 5:17; Galatians 3:23-27; 2 Peter 1:4. See Deeper Study #1—Ephes. 4:22; Deeper Study #3—Ephes. 4:24.)
6. The believer's adoption is to be fully realized in the future at the return of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:19; Ephes. 1:14; 1 Thes. 4:14-17; 1 John 3:2).
7. The believer's adoption and its joy will be shared by all creation on a cosmic scale (Romans 8:21). There is to be a new heavens and earth (2 Peter 3:12-14; Rev. 21:1-7).
Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians.
Identity in Christ
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: (John 1:12)
having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
(Ephesians 1:5)
For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. (Colosians 2:9-10)
knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. (Romans 6:6)
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5)
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
(1Peter 2:9-10)
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake 12 "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Condition “persecution”
3 kinds
1. being reviled: verbally abused, insulted, scolded, mocked
2. persecuted: hurt, ostracized, attacked, tortured, martyred, and treated hostile
3. have all manner of evil spoken against: slander, cursed and lied about.
When?
1. When we stand up for righteousness
2. When we serve Christ.
"But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. (Luke 6:27-28)
Reward “theirs is the kingdom of heaven”
There is a final reward. It is as we mentioned earlier our reward is in God’s eternal kingdom. When we know who we are and where we are going.
Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, (Joh 13:3)
Condition “when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake”
Reward “your reward is in heaven”
Persecution
James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds,
Conclusion
It is all about our attitude.
Non-Christian. Surrender to God’s love.
Christian – surrender to God’s plan. True peace is in following God’s plan. True healing comes in following God’s plan.
