The Beatitudes
Matthew 5:1-20
1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. 17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. (NIV)
I. The value of the Beatitudes.
A. Jesus has just called His disciples and they need direction.
B. He introduces them to what Heaven is like.
II. The virtue of the Beatitudes.
A. The Greek word for blessed is “Markarios.”
1. It is used in other literature to describe the “state of the gods.”
2. It carries the idea of well-being in all aspects of one’s life.
B. This blessedness will produce a healthy life.
III. The vitality of the Beatitudes.
A. They focus on one’s relationship with God.
1. Jesus states that we can have life and life more abundantly (John 10:10b).
2. Jesus also states that He is the only way to eternal life (John 14:6).
B. They focus on one’s relationship with others.
1. Amazingly, Jesus claims our eternal destiny is inexorably linked to our relation-ships with others (Matthew 7:1-5 & Matthew 25:31-46).
2. Neither will we find happiness or blessings without good relationships.
C. They focus on one’s relationship with self.
IV. The various Beatitudes (Romans 12:1-2).
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-- this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-- his good, pleasing and perfect will. 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. (NIV)
A. Blessed are the poor in spirit (3).
1. It does not imply low spirit.
a. it does not mean poor self-esteem.
b. It is the opposite of the world’s view of self-praise.
2. It actually means an honest evaluation in three key areas.
a. How I see my weaknesses (II Corinthians 12:6-13).
b. How I see my strengths (II Corinthians 12:6-13).
c. How God’s sees me in light of His will.
II Corinthians 12:6-13
6 Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say. 7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 11 I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the "super-apostles," even though I am nothing. 12 The things that mark an apostle-- signs, wonders and miracles-- were done among you with great perseverance. 13 How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong! (NIV)
A. Blessed are those who mourn (5:4).
1. We should mourn and despise sin.
2. We should deal with it the way God deals with it.
a. We must confess it.
b. We must control it.
B. Blessed are the meek (5:5).
1. Meek is not weak!
2. To be meek literally means power under control.
C. Blessed are the hungry and thirsty (5:6).
1. Seek after something.
2. It is the attempt to meet the most basic of needs.
V. A righteousness beyond religion (20).
A. The Pharisees thought Jesus was trying to destroy the Law or Scriptures.
1. Because of His authority (Mark 1:27 & Luke 4:36).
2. Because of His activities (Matthew12:1-13).
a. The disciples worked (ate grain) on the Sabbath.
b. Jesus healed on the Sabbath.
3. Because of His associations (Matthew 9:10-13).
B. The Pharisees thought they were protecting the Law or Scriptures.
1. They were conserving the Word by keeping it from the people.
2. They were actually preserving the Word.
a. They collected it.
b. They canned it.
c. They put a lid on it so that no one would abuse it.
