Title: The Beatitudes Part III Script: Mt. 5:9ff
Type: Expos/series Where: GNBC 2-2-25
Intro: Pastor Keith Krell states the following: I have always been amused by oxymorons. An oxymoron is a combination of contradictory words that shouldn’t be linked together. Let me offer a few examples: airline food, brotherly love, Hell’s Angels, jumbo shrimp, pretty ugly, rap music (I would add grunge.), sensitive guy, seriously funny, open secret, act naturally, found missing, Microsoft works, military intelligence, and short sermon. Oxymorons are common in everyday speech and in the Scriptures. This is especially true when Jesus is speaking. Initially, we may be perplexed by Jesus’ oxymorons, but rather quickly we will see that His words are life. This series walks through the Sermon on the Mount—the greatest sermon ever preached by the greatest preacher who has ever lived, and today we finish the “Beatitudes”.
Prop: Today we’ll examine the final Beatitudes of Christ in the SOM.
BG: 1. Today, are two final Beatitudes, and one further commentary on the final.
2. Beatitudes – makarios – “oh the blessing of”. Jesus proclaims we are to be abundantly happy if this happens to the believer.
Prop: Follow with me as we finish our series on the Beatitudes.
I. Blessed are the Peacemakers v. 9
A. Why are Peacemakers blessed?
1. Jesus unequivocally states that there is a blessing for being a peacemaker.
a. Jesus is inferring here that Peacemakers are blessed because they are so very unlike anyone else! Why? Because they are children of God they seek peace because they have experienced peace!
b. If someone were to ask for a one-word description of what the gospel brings us when we repent and believe, there is little doubt that most people would answer with the word salvation. Certainly, this is an appropriate reply, for we are saved from the wrath of God when we put our faith in Christ Jesus (1 Thess. 1:9–10). But there is another answer to the question, and that is the word peace. After all, Paul refers to the gospel as the “gospel of peace” (Eph. 6:15), and he also tells us that having been justified by faith alone in Christ alone, we have “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1).
2. Consider the Problems of the World and the ministry Jesus says His followers have.
a. Illust: Throughout time mostly well-intentioned people have joyfully proclaimed one institution after another would forever spare the world the horrors of war… The League of Nations, the United Nation, the European Union, the Congress of African States. Friend, the answer is not political, economic, or sociological. No! The answer is theological! The underlying problem which no man-made institution can address is in fact, the heart of man! Jer. 17:9 says: “"The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” (NLT)
b. In order to have peace we require a mediator — a person or persons who can represent both sides in the dispute and help effect reconciliation. For human beings at enmity with God, there is but one mediator — the God-man Christ Jesus (John 1:1, 14; 1 Tim. 2:5). He is the “mediator of a new covenant” who guarantees an inheritance to those who believe on His name (Heb. 9:11–28). Being fully human, our Savior is able to represent His people and their interests as the perfectly righteous One in whom all who trust in Him are declared righteous. Being fully God, Christ Jesus represents the interests of His Father as the supreme Emissary sent to reveal God’s wrath against the sins of His people on the cross and of God’s great love in giving His Son to die in our place.
B. Christians are to be Peacemakers in society today.
1. What exactly does this mean?
a. The great folly of much of the Mainline Church, as well as a growing number of evangelical churches and not too few a number of campus ministries and parachurch organizations is that this absolutely essential point is missed entirely. You will hear the “justice warriors” railing on a specific political platform. Hear cries against cuts in govt spending on certain welfare programs. Cries against or in defense of certain races or sexes and their perceived political needs. Cries for or against certain legislative actions or executive policies. NO! NO! NO! The tragic folly of much of the Western Church today is that we fail to see the utter contradiction of it all! The man or the woman who hitches his faith to that wagon is a man or woman who has not read his Bible or at least does not know his Bible!
b. You may ask, “What do you mean, Pastor?” How does Jesus respond to this? “It is out o the heart” that evil thoughts, fornication, murder, adultery, jealousy, envy, and malice arise.” As long as men are unregenerate, there will be no peace! Illust: You want to stop sex trafficking? Preach Xst! Economic injustice? Preach Xst! Racial inequality? Preach Xst! Crime and Violence? Preach Christ! Slavery? Preach Christ! Terrorism? Preach Christ! Cleaner environment? Preach Christ Fentanyl and Opioid addiction? Preach Christ! Why? Not that there is no place for addressing injustices in society, but when Churches or Christian organizations make those areas the primary focus we miss the entire reason for why Jesus came, and you and I are simply spitting on a Californian forest fire! Satan wants us to forget the power of the Gospel! Yet , the apostle Paul said: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” (Rom. 1:16)
2. Jesus tells us that this world still needs Peacemakers today.
a. Let me be very clear about something. Jesus is calling for peacemakers, not appeasers! I recently read a book that highlighted the sell-out of many well-known “Big Eva” pastors during the BLM/Covid years. Many were literally bought and sold to produce and support a specific narrative that was being pushed by one political perspective in this country. Shame!
b. Illust: Being a peacemaker involves risk. If you have ever tried to bring reconciliation between two warring parties you know how very easy it is to have both sides end up attacking you. (I have seen this a number of times when trying to save a marriage in counseling.) Illust – Jim Rea, is a friend of mine I have spoken about many times. Irish Methodist pastor in inner city Belfast during the time of “The Troubles”. Jim personally knew about 150 people who were killed during the 30 yrs of that guerrilla/terrorist war. His community had nearly 70% unemployment. Despair amongst youth. No economic investment. Family breakdown. He knew as a Christian had to try to do something. For over 10 years negotiated Unionist Paramilitaries to come to the table with Republican terrorists. Hardly anyone outside of his family knew about it. Why? Individuals from own side would have ostracized and possibly killed him. People hold onto bitterness and offense and where can’t find any they will often manufacture it. 25+ yrs later, Belfast is a completely different city because a few individuals were willing to risk their reputations and possibly even their lives to bring two warring sides to a place of reconciliation.
C. Applic: Unlike Jesus, we cannot be mediators in the sense of redeeming others from sin. What we can do is imitate, however faintly, our Creator’s work of peacemaking by helping to bring about true and godly peace between warring parties who cross our paths. When we do this we demonstrate that we are truly His children.
II. Blessed are those Persecuted for Righteousness Sake. V. 10
A. If you are persecuted for the cause of Christ you are blessed.
1. The bottom line is that Christians are persecuted because we are a certain type of people who believe in a certain type of way.
a. As we look at this Beatitude, we realize that it is different from its predecessors because it is an indirect description and not a direct description. Jesus is saying that this will happen because your choice to live obediently for Christ. We need to realize that this is no strange idea in the NT. Paul tells Timothy: “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted…” (IITim. 3:12).
b. I believe Jesus intentional puts this Beatitude on the heels of the previous ones for a reason. In a sense the Christian is persecuted because he/she is a peacemaker. Also, the promise attached to this Beatitude is the same as the first: “Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” Our Lord starts and ends with the same blessing.
2. Unfortunately, persecution today is an all too common experience for the Church.
a. Illust: More Christians were persecuted in the 20th century than the previous 19 combined! First 24 years of this century outpacing previous. 1905-1918 Turkey committed genocide against 2 million Armenian Christians. 1971-1979 Idi Amin with support of Saudi and Libya killed nearly 500k believers. China – millions! Syria: By 2012 nearly every Christian living in Homs (80,000) had been “cleansed” from their homes. USSR – 70 yrs of Atheistic Communism saw 20 million Christians killed! In 1948 the Christian population in the nation state of Israel was 10%, today it is less than 2% with nearly 50% of those leaving in the past 10 years.
b. The word rendered “persecuted” in 5:10 bears the root idea of “pursue” or “chase.” A good translation is “harass”—“Blessed are the harassed.” The physical persecution of Christians is prevalent all over the world. Yet, social and verbal persecution or harassment can be just as difficult. You may be passed over for a promotion because of your Christian faith. You may lose your job if you refuse to compromise your ethical convictions. You may lose your spouse if you choose to walk with Christ. You may be rejected at school because you don’t party with the rest of your peers. Maybe you experience it in the snide comments of professors mocking or attacking your faith.
B. Do you and I know what it is to be persecuted for Righteousness sake?
1. Jesus comforts His followers encouraging them to realize they will be persecuted but that there will be a reward.
a. To become like Christ is to become like light. Light exposes darkness. Therefore darkness always hates the light. We are not to be offensive, arrogant, unwise, or given to draw undo attention to ourselves. Yet, if we imitate Christ we will experience persecution. The more you practice your faith in Christ, the more you become like Christ. Which means the more you are identifying with Christ and the world identifies you with Christ. Jesus told us that: “If the world hates you, you know that the world hated me before it hated you.”
b. Illust: The Beatitudes begin with Godward attitudes—spiritual poverty, mourning, meekness, and hunger—and progress to manward concerns—mercifulness, purity, and peacemaking—before concluding in Matthew 5:10 with the inevitable reality of persecution and insults. But this unpleasant inevitability carries with it a promise of a share in the divine life, for this is what true “blessedness” is: communion with the “blessed” God (1 Tim. 1:11; 6:15; Titus 2:13).
2. The righteous are persecuted because they are different.
a. the righteous are persecuted because they are different. That is why the Pharisees and Scribes hated our Lord. It was not because He was good. Everyone likes the good in folks. Rather, they hated Him because he was different. There was something inherent in our Lord that condemned them. At the end of the day, they felt that in comparison to Christ, they felt very dirty and messy.
b. Illust: “Christ’s blessing here helps us in several ways. First, it is ours. When we are persecuted for righteousness’ sake and wonder if it is worth it, we can remain resolute that the kingdom of heaven is ours. Second, it is a source of joy because in it we are identified with our Lord (Matt. 10:25; Acts 5:41). Third, it is a signpost guiding us along the path of Jesus. The way of the cross is not an elective in the school of Christ (Matt. 10:24–25). There is no other path to life except the cruciform way. Fourth, it invites us to take inventory when we aren’t experiencing persecution. All who live a godly life will be persecuted (2 Tim. 2:12).” (Glodo, Ligionier, 3-2017)
C. Applic: Persecution testifies to our union with Christ. In Philippians 3:8–11, Paul relates how the persecutor became the persecuted and that even though he lost all that he once held dear, he gained Christ and the righteousness that comes through faith (v. 9).
III. Blessed are those Who Rejoice in Tribulation. Vv.11-12
A. Jesus tells us that we are blessed in suffering Tribulation for our Lord’s sake.
1. This is the blessing that absolutely no one wants! Right? I think that vv.11-12 are to be more of an extension of the previous Beatitude than a new and final one. In some ways I think that our Lord is amplifying the character of the Christian here just a bit more. What Jesus is outlining here is the Christian’s response to the persecution he/she is experiencing.
2. There are 3 principles Christ is showing us in that believers are different from the world.
a. 1st: The Christian is supposed to be UNLIKE everybody else who is not a Christian. Jesus warned His disciples that the effect of His ministry would be division right down to fathers and sons as well as mothers and daughters. Often your brothers and sister in Christ are closer than your own flesh and blood.
b. 2nd: The Christian life is controlled and dominated by Jesus Christ. The Christian is persecuted for Christ’s sake. He or she is persecuted because, he is different. Christ was different and He was persecuted because He was different from others and that difference condemned them. Illust: I had a very strange thing happen at my 20th HS Reunion. Sitting at a table catching up with some of old friends. One woman was there I only casually knew in HS. However, one of her friends were there and so she sat with several of us. She was sitting drinking (It was a HS reunion!). My friend Bob and wife Sandra and Sandra’s sister Susan were all sitting with myself and a few others. Bob and I both got saved at end of HS/early college. We were talking about how good the Lord had been to us. After about 45 minutes Bob asked me about pastoring. The woman sitting next to me sipping on her drink went pale! She got up a few minutes later and walked out of the reunion. Surprised. More surprised when another friend came over and said: “Did you see X leave?” “Yes. Why?” “She said she felt convicted of sin of drinking in front of a pastor and wanted to leave.” Now no one said a word about alcohol or her drinking. We were seen as being different. PTL! All too often today the Church thinks needs to be like sinners. No!
c. 3rd: The Christian is to be controlled by thought of heaven and the world to come. What did our Lord say: “Rejoice and be glad for great is your reward in Heaven.” (v.12) Where? On earth?
No! In HEAVEN! What does the author of Hebrews say of Abraham in 11:10? “For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”
B. Living for Christ will culminate in persecution.
1. Interestingly, this is the only Beatitude with a command: REJOICE!
a. It seems the exact opposite of how we should treat persecution or anything that causes us pain or discomfort. Why did Jesus tell us to rejoice? Why rejoice? Because God is worthy of our worship. Why rejoice? Because a servant is not greater than his/her master, and they persecuted Jesus so we should expect the same. Why rejoice? Because God counts us worthy to endure for HIS great name.
b. We are to rejoice even when we are insulted. Illust: You can’t live in America today and call yourself a disciple of Jesus Christ without enduring a barrage of insults from every angle. TV, Radio, social media, News both TV and print, and movies all portray Christians as simple minded, intolerant, spiteful bigots that want to force their narrow. backwards and restrictive morality upon the entire world. And that’s the mild stuff. If you are a pastor in the media you are usually also a pervert. There’s a whole industry out there that lives to dig up dirt on people- all for the chance to bring down someone’s reputation.
2. Expect persecution if you are going to live for Christ.
a. “all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me.” – Lies! People lying about you because of your faith in Christ. Anyone experienced that at work this week? Home? Friends? There is a spiritual reality we have to accept to understand why things happen to us, especially after we make a commitment to follow after Jesus, you suddenly pop up on the devils radar screen. So the devil sends persecution your way. The reason for it is because of the devil sees the thing he hates more than anything else- The righteousness of Jesus shining through a person who has yielded to HIM. Jesus shows the reason that those who follow Him are hated by the world in the verses following the ones we read- (Next section: You are the salt and light of the world.)
b. Verses 11 and 12 repeat, amplify, and personalize the persecution beatitude by a shift from third-person (“they”) to second-person (“you”) address.53 In 5:11 Jesus declares, “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.” There are two key qualifications in 5:11: “falsely” and “because of Me.” The word “falsely” is important. In other words, you haven’t been persecuted until people tell lies about you. If they say that you are a nasty person and you are, you haven’t been persecuted; you have just been accurately evaluated. You are persecuted when the lies start, and when the lies are connected with your faith in Christ.
C. Applic: Ralph and Amy and Carol and I have always enjoyed watching “The Amazing Race”. Love watching teams of people race around the world. Along the way they have significant challenges they have to face and overcome or else fail. There are roadblock and u-turns and challenges that wear physically and emotionally on the teams. Over the several weeks that the race runs teams are weeded out until the final round when only three teams are left to compete against each other. Very exhausting…weeks of travel, physical exhaustion, hardship, separation, from family, horrible sleep and eating. However, in the end, the winners get $1 million! When the 1st place team steps on the mat for the last time, they are happy. They rejoice! Because they have just realized “Great is their Reward!” Read v. 12 GREAT is your Reward in Heaven! Won’t be Phil to greet you. Will be Jesus Christ!
Conclusion: General McArthur said "A truce just says you don't shoot for awhile. Peace comes when the truth is known, the issue is settled, and the parties embrace each other." Peacemakers don't just try to stop conflict. They're doing something far more meaningful, something healing and restoring. They try to bring about reconciliation and relationship, even if it means going through the conflict. The cross was the greatest act of violence and conflict possible. In fact, much of Jesus ministry involved conflict and confrontation. He wasn't afraid of it because he was committed in love to working through that if need be to bring reconciliation. Peacemakers don't try to stop conflict, they work for reconciliation.
