Topic: The Beatitudes
Scripture: Matthew 5:3-12
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 children 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.
Prayer
Introduction:
The Beatitudes found in the Gospel of Matthew are a set of teachings delivered by Jesus Christ during the Sermon on the Mount. The Beatitudes offer a profound vision (blueprint) of life within God’s kingdom, outlining the character and blessings of those who follow Jesus. Not just a list of virtues, but a clear description of the heart attitudes and actions that characterize those whom God truly blesses. Derived from the Latin word “beatus,” meaning blessed or happy, these blessings were intended for present life and extend into eternity, signifying a more profound, spiritual happiness that transcends earthly circumstances.
This marked the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus revealed eight mysterious promises accompanying kingdom living. The disciples were excited by Jesus’ explanation of the beatitudes, claiming that the blessings were already theirs.
The Eight Beatitudes and their meanings:
I. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
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- Emphasizes humility, recognizing our complete dependence on God in both spiritual and material aspects. It is about acknowledging our spiritual poverty before God.
- There must be emptiness before there can be fullness, so poverty of the spirit preceded riches and grace in the kingdom of God.
- Be satisfied with what you have. Share the good things we have with others, because that is what God desires us to do.
II. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
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- This is for those who grieve over sin and suffering, who will be comforted.
- Comfort those who are suffering. Help others feel better about themselves after a loss.
- Repenting is important. The freedom that is found in the forgiveness of sin, along with the joy of eternal salvation, will comfort those who repent.
III. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
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- For the gentle and humble will inherit the earth.
- Humility is a true sense of who you are. Get the ego out of the way.
- Strength under control-
IV. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
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- Those who live righteously will be satisfied. They have a passion to live God’s way.
- Do what is fair for everyone.
- What would Jesus Do?
V. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
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- Remember the phrase “We reap what we sow.”
- Those who demonstrate compassion and mercy to others will receive mercy. Likewise, those who have received great mercy will show great mercy.
- Forgiveness is important. We forgive those who are unkind to us.
- Seek opportunities to show kindness to others.
VI. Blessed are the clean in heart, for they will see God.
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- The pure in heart are those cleansed from within. Being pure in heart is not about exhibiting outward righteousness that others can see, but rather having the inward holiness that only God can see.
- We do what is right just because we know it is the right thing to do.
VII. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
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- They are called the children of God because they work for peace. Peacemakers are those who actively work to reconcile relationships, both with God and others.
- Peacemakers embody God’s desire for harmony and unity and are recognized as his children.
- We should control our behavior so that others can see Jesus within us.
- Hebrews 12:14 states, “Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord”. This verse emphasizes the importance of both peace and holiness in the Christian life. It highlights that while striving for peace with all people is essential, it is equally crucial to pursue a life of holiness, as without it, one cannot truly experience God’s presence.
VIII. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
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- Those who live a life that reflects God’s values may face opposition and suffering. However, those who endure persecution for their faith are promised a special place in God’s kingdom.
- Question: Are you willing to stand up for God’s laws even if we are teased, mistreated or insulted?
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Beatitudes are the “blueprint” for kingdom living. If we start living by these eight promises, we will be able to live as children of God’s kingdom. True happiness and blessedness come from a life of faith and righteousness. They are often characterized by qualities seen as weak or by experiencing hardships. Jesus teaches that those who are spiritually poor, mournful, meek, hungry for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and persecuted for righteousness’ sake are blessed and will inherit the kingdom of heaven.
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