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This is a sermon on the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5.
Written Excerpts:
Matthew 5:3-12
Introduction:
Last Sunday I spoke to you on the passage found in Matthew 7:24-27, which contains the story of the wise man and the foolish man. When Jesus introduced this analogy, He stated that the reason one house stood and the other one didn’t was due to the quality of the foundation. One built on the rock, the other built on the sand. He further described the differences between the builders by saying the wise man was like the person who both heard and practiced the sayings of Jesus, while the foolish man was like the person who heard Jesus’ sayings, but did not practice them or live according to them.
I mentioned last week that some Bible scholars believe that when Jesus used the phrase, “these sayings of mine,” He was specifically talking about the entire Sermon on the Mount that He was just concluding.
The more I have prayed about God’s direction for today’s message, the more I was convinced we should review “these sayings of Jesus” that He says we should hear and do in order to “build our lives on a foundation that is rock solid.” So, for today and over the next several weeks we are going to be looking at the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) to examine Jesus’ words. We are going to do our best to not only listen to what He said, but we are going to practice what He said, so that we can be wise builders who have a foundation on the rock and can withstand the coming storms in life.
Before I move away from my introductory comments, I wanted to point out a few words that are found in verse 1: “…when He was seated His disciples came to Him.” I want to make sure we understand the significance of this statement. A Disciple of Jesus is one who seeks Him to learn of Him and imitate Him.
Some may argue that a person can be born again and believe in Jesus without demonstrating a passion to learn more about Him and to imitate Him by practicing His teachings. But, a true disciple of Christ will seek Him and learn all he can in order to put His teachings into practice. Let me challenge each one of us in this church to earnestly seek to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Our topic for today is what is very commonly known as: “The Beatitudes.”
The word, “beatitude,” is not a biblical word, but is a word that scholars have used to describe the eight “blessed(s)” that appear in our text. It is believed that the word comes from a similar Latin term that was used to refer to condition of blessedness.
On the other hand, let’s consider the word that does appear in the Bible and is used by Jesus – the word, “blessed.”
“Blessed” – μακάριος makarios; fem. makaria, neut. makarion, adj. form of (n.f.) makar, blessed one. Blessed, possessing the favor of God, that state of being marked by fullness from God…. Makarios differs from the word “happy” in that the person is happy who has good luck (from the root hap meaning luck as a favorable circumstance). To be makarios, blessed, is equivalent to having God’s kingdom within one’s heart. (The Complete Word Study Dictionary)
According to these descriptions, it would appear that being blessed is the opposite of being “cursed.”
In these eight qualities or conditions of blessedness, described in our scripture, it seems that Jesus is purposely and directly contradicting the usual understanding of these terms in the worldly viewpoint. In other words, each condition that Jesus describes as a state of blessedness or favor of God, we would normally think of as a condition of being cursed.
With His descriptions of blessedness, Jesus shows us that we must not only view life differently than the rest of the world does, but we must live life differently as well. Let us now briefly define and describe the conditions of blessedness named by the Lord.
1. Poor in Spirit
This phrase, most scholars believe, is a reference to humility; i.e., sensing one’s utter poverty apart from God’s grace; nothing to boast of in self. The unbeliever often views humility as a weakness and therefore a curse. It is supposed that this trait is the opposite of what one must demonstrate to be successful and get ahead.
However, Jesus says the humble person is blessed rather than cursed. And, he declares that this person, rather than missing out on success will actually be rewarded by attaining the Kingdom of Heaven
Humility is a trait that is heralded in many places throughout the Bible. One of the passages that has stuck with me the most is the verse in James 4:6, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
If you want to build your life on a solid foundation, learn humility and practice it.
2. They that Mourn
“mourn” – to lament or grieve.
(Clarke) “…those who, feeling their spiritual poverty ["poor in spirit"], mourn after God, lamenting the iniquity that separated them from the fountain of blessedness…”
It would appear that Jesus may have had the general meaning in mind as well. That is, those who experience those seasons of sorrow and grief due to the various adversities in life. General opinion would look at grief and sorrow as a curse; a sign of God’s disfavor. But, our Lord says that it is only in our grief that we have the blessing of experiencing the comfort of our God.
“comforted” – From the compound word Jesus used to describe the Holy Spirit (Comforter), i.e. one called alongside to aid.
(Clarke) He will call them to himself, and speak the words of pardon, peace, and life eternal, to their hearts.
If you want to build your life on a solid foundation, you must start with a genuine sorrow over the sin that has separated you from God. Accept the comfort that He offers through forgiveness and the canceling of your record. Then, as you walk life’s road through the valleys of sorrow, allow Him to call you to Himself for comfort, peace and strength, rather than slipping into the ditch of self-pity and bitterness.
3. The Meek
Those who possess a quiet, gentle spirit. (Clarke)
Someone described meekness as an inward strength to be mild, quiet and gentle. (Unknown) It is somewhat related to the trait of humility. It is commonly assumed that when someone demonstrates meekness it is because he cannot help himself, i.e. he is weak. However, the Lord was truly meek, yet He had all the resources of His Heavenly Father at His command.
A phrase that has been repeated often is this, “If you think being ‘meek’ is ‘weak,’ then try being meek for a week." It seems to me that this word is describing the person that has the fortitude and strength to quietly trust God to resolve unpleasant situations rather than rising up and demanding his or her rights and better treatment.
Again, if we simply view this as another example of people who seem be cursed, but are actually blessed, then the least we can say is that the meek person will receive the exact reward that non-believers would expect to be given to the one who is demanding, forceful and aggressive.
4. Hungering and Thirsting for Righteousness
These words describe a craving or appetite for something. Our bodies let us know when they are hungry or thirsty for physical nourishment. There is nothing that can satisfy that need until we are fed. Those who spiritually crave the qualities of God-likeness, will be filled by the Spirit.
If you want to be strong enough to stand the violent storms of life, then you must let God develop in you a hunger and thirst for His righteousness, His character, and His presence.
5. The Merciful
Those who are compassionate and benevolent in thought and actions. (Complete Word Study Dictionary)
This quality is exactly opposite of being judgmental and condemning. Jesus said those who judge will be judged. Here He is describing the opposite condition. Those who have the disposition to demonstrate mercy will themselves receive mercy.
Showing mercy or having the character trait of mercy in one’s heart does not mean we have to be gullible or condone evil. It simply means that we remember the God has extended mercy to us after we sinned against Him, and we extend that same attitude toward those who have sinned against us.
Possessing a heart of mercy will help you lay a solid foundation in your life.
6. The Pure in Heart
The word for “pure” here means clean, unsoiled, or unalloyed. It is specifically applied to the sphere of the heart which is the seat of the will and the affections. This is a person that has no “dirt” or competing affections to dilute or contaminate his/her love for God.
(Clarke) There is a stark contrast from the Pharisees who Jesus condemned for keeping the “outside of the cup and platter clean and spotless” but inwardly they were full of corruption.
They shall see God – (Clarke) This is a Hebraism, which signifies, possess God, enjoy his felicity: as seeing a thing, was used among the Hebrews for possessing it.
These people are especially blessed because they desire God and are satisfied with nothing else but God. All competing passions and devotions have been purified and cleansed. Having a pure heart is possible in this life. We don’t have to wait until we get to heaven to experience the purity of purpose and affection that God has for His children.
7. The Peacemakers
Some people are easily identified by their inclinations to start a fight! It doesn’t seem to matter where they are or who they are with, they always seem to find a way to start or escalate an argument or conflict. In stark contrast to these people, Jesus is saying God’s blessing rests on those who strive to mediate and settle disputes rather than instigate them.
People who instigate peace will be called children of God. Why? Because they are imitating their Heavenly Father.
8. The Persecuted
Finally, Jesus says those who are persecuted, reviled, and maligned are blessed – they are in a state of receiving God’s blessing.
For the worldly person, persecution surely represented God’s curse rather than blessing. The Pharisees and religious leaders who loved the praise of men, would surely think that persecution indicated they were cursed.
Jesus says those who endure the hateful, despising treatment of the world for the cause of Christ, will inherit a Kingdom that is not of this world. They will enjoy the rewards of another world that nothing in this world can compare to.
Anyone who wants to lay a solid foundation, must determine to keep on trusting Christ, and obeying Christ in spite of fierce opposition, knowing that we are not living for the benefits and blessings of this world, but we are living for the rewards of another world.
Conclusion:
These states of blessedness that Jesus describes here are qualities that we must not only learn about, but we must live by them and practice them.
But… as you have already figured out, they cannot be lived out successfully simply by our decision to do so. If we are going to have these qualities as a part of our daily lives, it will require a direct action of God’s Spirit in our hearts and in our lives. We can’t do it alone and in our own strength. Yet, we must submit to the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and in our lives. We must let Him have His way.
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