The Altitude of Attitude

Introduction: This section of Scripture is also called The Sermon on the Mount.

Look with me at Matthew 5:1,

He went up on the mountain,

Now, turn to Matthew 8:1,

When He came down from the mountain,

These three chapters have been called, The World’s Most Famous Sermon.

We will be looking at what is called, the beatitudes. When I hear the word, beatitudeI like to do a play on the word itself. I hear, Be-Attitude. Another way that I can say this is, Let This Be Your Attitude! What we have here is the attitudes of every believer. And because Jesus was on a mountain when he taught His disciples, I have entitled this message: The Altitude of Attitudes.

Many Bible teachers agree that these words describe a kingdom citizen, someone who is a part of God’s family. So then, these verses are not telling you how to become a child of God as much as they are describing a child of God. They are telling those of us who know Jesus Christ how to conduct our lives, or what should be our attitudes.

Let’s delve into our text for today.‌

I. Jesus went up The Mountain – 5:1‌

And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him

And seeing the multitudes

Remember last week as we brought Matthew 4 to a close that Jesus’ fame spread and that great multitudes followed Him (Matthew 4:25).

· He went up on a mountain

This is very much like what Moses did when He went and received the Ten Commandments from God. Here Jesus goes up a mountain, and here He is going to share the characteristics of a kingdom citizen.

· He was seated

I read something interesting about these words. I discovered that preachers stand when they preach, but that explainers, or teachers would sit. The idea is that a teacher would draw close to his students. This is what we find Jesus doing here. This is an intimate action on Jesus’ part.

· His disciples came to Him

Disciples must come to Jesus! If we want to learn at the feet of Christ, we must seek Him.

I believe that it is important that we notice that Jesus addresses this sermon to His disciples. In verse 1 I want you to circle the words, “His disciples” and then draw a line to “and taught them” in verse 2.

II. Jesus taught His disciple – 5:2-12

2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

Disciples must be ready and willing to be taught. Are you an eager student? Do you desire to know the truths found in God’s Word? Do you want to learn from Jesus?

Knowing what Jesus taught and applying what Jesus taught will lead you to a better life. Hearing and responding to the teaching of Jesus Christ changes lives.

What are the Marks of Kingdom Citizens?

1. Humility – 5:3

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The word “blessed” can also be translated happy, or fortunate. The word is found nine times in these verses.

To be poor in spirit means that you are aware of your dependence upon the person of Jesus Christ. Paul said

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13).

Jesus taught in John 15:5,

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

To be poor in spirit is the opposite of being haughty in spirit, or prideful. This verse is telling us that kingdom citizens walk in humility before God.

John Chrysostom wrote, “Humility is the mother, root, nurse, foundation, and center of all other virtues.”

J.C. Ryle penned, “Humility is the very first letter in the alphabet of Christianity.”

I like these words in a Christian hymn that read,

I need thee Oh I need thee,

Every hour I need thee.

‌ Every follower of Jesus ought to have been humbled by the grace of God. It is through brokenness that we come to salvation.

Nothing to the cross I bring, simply to the cross I cling.

I ask you; do you have an attitude of humility?

‌2. Mournful – 9:4

4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.

Do you mourn your sin? When you sin against a holy God does it bother you? Have you shed any tears because of your sin?

· David sinned against God (adultery with Bathsheba) and mourned over his sin, and later found the comfort of God – Psalm 51.

· The prodigal son sinned (lived a life of debauchery) mourned over his sin and returned home and found comfort from his father – Luke 15:11-32.

This beatitude tells us that God comforts those who mourn their brokenness. When we sin against a holy God, are quick to mourn? It is when we mourn over the times that we sin that we find God’s comfort so real.

Oh, beloved, keep short accounts with God, and the waves of His comfort will crash over you.

I ask you; do you have an attitude of mourning?

3. Meekness – 9:5

5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.

Some people don’t like the word meek. They say that the word speaks of weakness. The truth is the word speaks of strength under control. It’s not the ones who push themselves ahead in life that will inherit the earth, no, it’s those who are meek in the sight of God.

This word can also be translated, as gentle.

· Moses was considered meek - Numbers 12:3

Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.

· Jesus was considered meek - Matthew 11:29

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

To be meek today would mean that we are among good company.

I ask you; do you have an attitude of being meek?

4. Righteousness – 9:6

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

Do you and I have a hunger and a thirst for righteousness? Not just personal righteousness (upright living), but a desire to see righteousness prevail in our society? Do we truly believe the phrase in our pledge of allegiance: Justice for all? Will we choose to live godly lives so that God’s righteousness will permeate the very places where our feet trod?

Keith N. Smith writes, “The Greek word “righteousness” means “the quality, state, or practice of judicial responsibility with focus on fairness.” It can be translated “justice,” “equitableness,” or even “fairness” (definitions from BDAG). Simply, righteousness is making the world right.” (Logos Bible Software).

God’s people are to live righteous lives in the pursuit of righteousness for all people. A godly justice for all mankind! And we as believers know that only a relationship with Jesus Christ can bring about this type of righteousness.

Only the disciples of Christ hunger and thirst for righteousness. This is not a characteristic of those in the world. To hunger and thirst for righteousness is a sign that you are in fact a follower of Jesus Christ. That you are His disciple.

I ask you; do you have an attitude that hungers and thirsts for righteousness?

5. Merciful – 9:7

7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.

We show mercy because we have been the benefactors of God’s mercy. We extend mercy because when we were, yet sinners God extended mercy to each one of us.

Thomas Brooks wrote, “The more godly any man is, the more merciful that man will be.”‌

You might be thinking, “They don’t deserve mercy”, and you are right, but neither did we. People around you may not deserve mercy, but you still extend it – it’s God-like!

You needed mercy! I needed mercy! Why is it so hard for us to extend mercy?

Some of God’s people have been given the Spiritual gift of mercy (Romans 12:8). They are quick to extend mercy because the Spirit of God has empowered them to do so. But hear this, just because you may not have the Spiritual gift of mercy does not mean that you are not called to show mercy to others.

The bottom line is that if we extend the mercy of God to others, we will receive the mercy of God ourselves.

I ask you; do you have the attitude of mercy? ‌

6. Pure in heart – 9:8

8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.

We read in 1 John 3:3,

​ And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

The word “pure” means, Clean, Cleanness, Cleanse, Cleansing, Pure, Pureness, Purity[1]

Notice Jesus speaks of where this pureness is to be found. In the heart. We are to be pure of heart. Why? Because it is from the heart that all the issues of life flow from. Here is what Jesus taught elsewhere,

Matthew 15:18–19 - 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. 19For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.

Do you see why it's important to maintain a pure heart? Everything about life flows from the heart. ‌

I ask you; do you have the attitude of someone pure of heart?

‌7. Peacemakers – 9:9

9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.

I have peace with God according to Romans 5:1,

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

I also have the peace of God according to Philippians 4:6-7,

​ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

‌I am to be a peacemaker in this world with those who are at war with God. I am to lead them into a relationship with the God who created them. God doesn’t want to be a war with them.

One of the character marks of Christians is that they are ambassadors of peace. Do you know anyone at war with God? Are you trying to bring them to the Prince of Peace - Jesus Christ? We are called to be peacemakers – NOT side-takers!

I would also like to say that many of us need to GROW UP in 2023 and spend far more time being peacemakers instead of control freaks. God’s people must stop being at odds with other believers. Peacemakers must be QUICK to forgive. Peacemakers don’t write people off! Peacemakers don’t run off to other churches when they have issues with people within their own church. No, they seek to be peacemakers!

I ask you; do you possess the attitude of a peacemaker?

8. Persecuted for righteousness – 9:10

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, 11 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.

God’s people are not free from persecution. As a matter of fact, all you must do is live out the beatitudes listed here in verses 2-8 and you will face persecution from the world.

In 2 Timothy 3:12, we read, ‌

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

How might we face persecution? Let me share four ways:

1. Words‌ – they will speak evil of you.

2. Abuse‌ – they will seek to do you harm.

3. False accusations‌ – they will make up lies about you.

4. Violence – they will stoop to hurting you.

Jesus taught that when facing persecution to…

Rejoice and be exceedingly glad -

What? We are to rejoice and be exceedingly glad when people are persecuting us. Yes! These are the words of Jesus Christ.

Please understand, we are not the first to be persecuted, and we will not be the last. John the Baptist was persecuted (Matthew 4:12). Jesus was persecuted. His disciples were persecuted. And all who choose to live as kingdom citizens will face persecution. These beatitudes rub the world the wrong way, and like a cat they will eventually bite.

Finally, Jesus made a promise to his disciples. He said,

For great is your reward in heaven –

Listen again to Jesus’ words,

“Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Paul taught that the suffering of this present world is not worthy to be compared to what we will experience in glory (in heaven – Romans 8:18).

Please hear this – every saint that has ever been persecuted never faced his persecution alone. Jesus Christ has promised that He would never leave us, nor forsake us.

I ask you; do you have an attitude of facing persecution with confidence? With Jesus on our side who can be against us?

Conclusion: I want to close by sharing with you five steps for walking the pathway of happiness.

‌1. Be teachable – learn from Jesus. His disciples came to Him.

‌2. Live as a Kingdom citizen – let there be evidence. These beatitudes are to be on public display.

‌3. Walk through each of these beatitudes and ask yourself if they are displayed in your life. And if not, what will you do about it?

4. If you lack any of these beatitudes, pick one or two and begin to work on them starting today.

5. If you find yourself persecuted don’t respond in kind. Respond as a kingdom citizen.

[1]Strong, J. (2020). καθαρός. In Strong’s Talking Greek and Hebrew Dictionary. WORDsearch.