The Beatitudes - Part 1 Series

I. Introduction

A. A man walks into a shoe store, and tries on a pair of shoes. "How do they feel?" asks the sales clerk. "Well ... they feel a bit tight." replies the man. The assistant promptly bends down and has a look at the shoes and the mans feet. "Try pulling out on the tongue." offers the clerk. "Nath theyth sthill feelth a bith tighth." He says.

1. The outline for this message was taken from “The Preacher’s Outline and Sermon Bible,” from Leadership Ministies Worldwide

B. Seldom in history have so few words been spoken with so much meaning.

1. The Beatitudes of our Lord are powerful, holding before the world a descriptive picture of the true disciple of God.

2. The Beatitudes cover the glorious hope and reward the believer can expect, now as well as in eternity.

a. Lets make our outline as follows

(1) Jesus saw multitudes (v.1-2).

(2) The poor in spirit: shall be given the Kingdom of Heaven (v.3).

(3) Those who mourn: shall be comforted (v.4).

(4) The meek: shall inherit the earth (v.5).

(5) Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness: shall be filled (v.6).

(6) The merciful: shall obtain mercy (v.7).

(7) The pure in heart: shall see God (v.8).

(8) The peacemakers: shall be called the children of God (v.9).

(9) The persecuted: shall be given the Kingdom of Heaven (v.10-12).

(a) Lets turn to Matthew 5:1 & 2

II. Body

A. Compassion: Jesus saw the multitudes.

Matthew 5:1-2 (NKJV)

And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. {2} Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying

1. Notice this important fact, the Sermon on the Mount was given to the disciples not to the multitudes

a. Just why this is stated this way, I don’t know

(1) Seeing the multitudes

(a) Jesus was moved compassion over their desperate plight and need

(b) I know it doesn’t say that here, but in other places it does

(2) But seeing the multitudes Jesus got together with His disciples

(3) He had to begin preparing them for their ministry to the multitudes

b. How long did He have the disciples with Him up on the mountain

(1) It doesn’t say

(2) But it does say when He had come down from the mountain, multitudes followed Him

2. Preaching and teaching are not to be done only in the church, but wherever people are found

a. On mountains

b. By the seashore

c. In homes

d. On the streets

e. Any place and every place where people are

3. Crowds are important, but a small band of disciples is critical to accomplish the great commission

a. Turn to Matthew 28:19 - 20

b. The mission of the Lord is reaching people, but the method of the Lord is to make disciples

Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV)

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, {20} "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

(1) The great commission here says make disciples

(a) It doesn’t say make Christians

(b) It doesn’t say convert the heathen

(c) It says make disciples

c. The mission of the :Lord giving intensive training to a small group so they can help in the ministry to the multitudes

(1) But, going back to Matthew 28:19 it says to make disciples

(2) If we do as the Lord did, we will make a few disciples and train them to do the work of the ministry

(a) The ministry is to make disciples

i) Turn to 2 Timothy 2:2

d. Making disciples was also the method Paul used

2 Timothy 2:2 (NKJV)

And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

4. Christian leaders are to call together small bands of disciples for special training and preparation

a. Turn to Mark 3:13-15

b. Matthew says without any explanation that "His disciples came to Him"

(1) But Mark says that Christ called the disciples together for training and preparation

Mark 3:13-15 (NKJV)

And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. {14} Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, {15} and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons

(2) He appointed twelve that they might be with Him

5. Three things are needed for training and preparation

a. A place