Hunger Mountain Christian Assembly
Sermon on the Mount - The Beatitudes
Matthew 5:1-12 (NKJV)
1 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:
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
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.
Introduction: While I was fasting and praying this past December, the Holy Spirit laid on my heart the desire to bring you a series of messages on the most important discourse given by Jesus in Scripture. I am talking about “The Sermon On The Mount.” Jesus gives His disciples “Spiritual Principles of the Kingdom.” He pronounces a “New Manifesto” which is a public proclamation of principles, policies, and intentions. Verses 3-12 contain 7 future promises and 2 for the present. They deal with the condition of who we are. Verses 3-6 deal with the inner things and 7-12 deal with that which is outside. Starting with verse 3 we have what has become known as the “Beatitudes.” They are the opening sentences of Jesus in the “Sermon on the Mount” which describe the quality of life of a citizen of the Kingdom of God. The word “Beatitude” comes from the Latin word meaning “happy” or “blessed.” They define the character of a child of the King. All the “Beatitudes” are to be applied and developed in all disciples both now and in the future. Each Beatitude carries with it a strong promise of ultimate good for those who develop the blessed life. And so my message this morning is “The Sermon on the Mount/ The Beatitudes/ The Spiritual Principles of the Kingdom.”
Matthew 5:1-12 the Beatitudes:
1. Vs.1- He went up on a mountain and His disciples came to Him.
2. Vs.2- He opened His mouth and taught them.
Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
1. Blessed: makarios, mak- ar- ee- os, supremely blest; fortunate, well off:- blessed, happy.
2. Dictionary: Bringing happiness, pleasure, or contentment.
3. Poor in Spirit: A condition of who you are. It is a present condition.
4. Acknowledgement of spiritual bankruptness.
5. Acknowledge the fact of personal sin.
6. Promise of present blessing. Present condition of isness (to exist in actuality, have life, or reality: to occupy a specified position) in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 5:4. Blessed are they that mourn (grieve), for they shall be comforted.
1. Weep for the sin of the world, church, and self.
2. It is to repent for those sins.
3. Promise of future blessing (not in this world) of comfort (consolation).
Matthew 5:5 BLESSED ARE THE MEEK (HUMBLE), FOR THEY SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH.
1. GENTLENESS AND SELF- CONTROL.
2. TRUE VIEW OF ONES SELF. HOW GOD SEES ME. CONTENT WITH WHO YOU ARE.
3. THOSE THAT KNOW THE FATHER.
4. NOT WEAK, BUT STRENGTH THAT IS SURRENDERED TO GOD IN A NEW BIRTH EXPERIENCE.
5. FUTURE PROMISE OF INHERITANCE.
Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
1. Two basic passions we can’t do without.
2. Signifies a deep spiritual desire.
3. Righteousness speaks of the character of God.
4. The strong desire to become more Christ like.
5. Future promise of blessing to be satisfied.
Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.
1. The Judicial System of the Kingdom.
2. Forgiveness and compassion.
3. Giving what people don't deserve.
4. Something we can do that is close to God's character.
5. Future promise to receive what we have given.
Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
1. Single mindedness and inner moral purity.
2. Minds that are fixed on God and hearts that are penitent.
3. Strive daily for clean living.
4. Future promise to see God. (to gaze with eyes wide open, as to something remarkable)
Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God.
1. Between God and man and between man and man.
2. Begins in the heart but is worked out outwardly.
3. Exert a calming influence in the storms of life.
4. Future promise to be called sons of God.
Matthew 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake (your commitment to God- you live for God), for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
1. Genuine righteousness (Godly character) offends as does those that are peacemakers.
2. To persecute is to oppress or harass with ill-treatment.
3. Those that are persecuted denote faithfulness under stress.
4. Present condition of isness (to exist in actuality, have life, or reality: to occupy a specified position) in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 11-12 NLT "God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are My followers. 12Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted, too.”
1. It is a present blessing to take grief because we are followers of Christ.
2. We are to live like the prophets- radical lives for Jesus.
CONCLUSION: JESUS TAUGHT HIS DISCIPLES, OF WHICH WE ARE DESCENDANTS TODAY, THE “PRINCIPLES FOR LIVING KINGDOM LIVES.” THIS TEACHING WAS FOR HIS DISCIPLES THEN AND NOT FOR THE CROWDS. IT IS THE SAME FOR US TODAY; IT HASN’T CHANGED AND WILL NOT CHANGE. WE HAVE TO ADOPT OURSELVES TO HIS TEACHING AND TAKE ON HIS CHARACTER. THE ONLY WAY TO DO THIS IS TO LIVE BY THESE PRINCIPLES. IF WE DO, THERE ARE BLESSINGS FOR US NOW AND WHEN WE GET TO HEAVEN. THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT DEFINES THE CHARACTER OF A CHILD OF GOD. IF WE WILL LIVE BY ITS PRINCIPLES WE WILL BE PEOPLE OF INTEGRITY WITH THE SAME CHARACTER AS CHRIST. THIS IS CALLED CHRIST LIKENESS.