The Beatitudes II

Introduction

Remind them of last week (Jesus was becoming popular. Needed to focus on his mission: Drawing people to him).

He went up on the mountain to get away with those who truly cared about following him.

Over the next 2 chapters we are going to see Jesus laying the foundation of following him before these people.

He is talking to you and to me.

We began last week in chapter 5 with “The Beatitudes” today we will continue.

One reason we chose to take on this series of the sermon on the mount is because we see the need for discipleship within the church. This sermon is just that. Discipleship. Jesus is telling them, this is how my disciples, my followers, my students will look and the actions they will take.

I love how Jesus begins this teaching, addressing the character of Christ follower.” If you are going to follow me, if you are going to be blessed by God. If you are going to belong to this kingdom this is the character you will possess.” He didn’t begin with the “do’s and don’ts” Sometimes we would rather have that wouldn’t we? But no, Jesus begins with character.

Matthew 5:7-12

When we read these last “beatitudes” I want you to note those who are blessed. Circle them, jot them down etc. And note Christian character.

Be merciful, be pure in heart, be peacemakers, be willing to be persecuted for righteousness.

Let’s examine the first:

Blessed are the merciful

Mercy is a central Biblical theme is it not? Mercy is simply withholding a punishment that someone deserves. God is rich in mercy. He withholds the punishment that we deserve and even better he then gives us that in which we do not deserve.

When I think about the mercy of God I am reminded of countless Biblical lives in which God poured out his mercy on.

The audience that Jesus was addressing would have not understood this mercy. They viewed the religious leaders as the opposite. You walk the line or punishment will be granted. Jesus says not so with you.

We know what mercy is therefore we are to be a people that shows mercy toward the guilty. We are to show mercy to those who we deem unworthy of it, that is the definition of mercy.

Why can you be “blessed” when you show mercy? Because mercy will be shown to you.

Let me explain a little into what Jesus is saying here. Not that God’s mercy is transactional. You show this much mercy you will receive this much mercy. But rather if you show mercy towards others. If that is your heart’s attitude then you can receive mercy. Your heart has to have have the attitude of showing mercy in order to receive it. The religious leaders, their hearts attitude couldn’t receive this mercy. Not because they didn’t pour it out but because they did not see their own need for it. Their heart was not in a place to receive the mercy that is offered by God.

Blessed are the pure in heart

The audience that Jesus is addressing is mainly Jewish. For all of their lives they have been concerned with purity. They must be purified to enter the temple, they must only partake in food that is pure. They must only wear clothes that are pure. They must keep their physical bodies pure. Observing the laws of purity bypassed the most important piece that is to be pure. Your heart

To be pure in heart you must be single minded focus on the Lord. Purity is blameless. Without imperfections. Spotless.

Listen to David’s cry to be restored to a pure heart after he fallen into deep sin with Bathsheba. Psalms 51:10

You see David knew something that you and I do as well to be true. The human heart is evil BUT reliance on God can create in us a new heart. Purification can be restored.

Kris is going to preach next week on Salt and Light. Salt loses its saltiness whenever it loses its purity. I want you to examine your life right now. Where is your heart impure. What desires do you have that are creating an impure heart? What habits do you have that are causing your heart to be impure?

Why is it a blessing? Why search? Why strive for this? So that you may see God! Those who strive for purity. Will see the obtain the unthinkable. Though no human can see God’s face those who pursue purity will see his face and his name will be written on their heads.

Blessed are the peacemakers

N.C Congressman- Congressmen are two different people in closed meetings and open to the media meetings.

Our culture thrives off of feeling enraged. People long for it. People are entertained by it. Jesus says church not with you. You are peacemakers and before you can be a peacemaker you need to be a peace seeker. Do you seek peace in moments of tension? Do you seek peace when you get home and the house is a wreck? Do you seek peace by what you choose to watch on the television?

Peacemaking involves 5 things. If you’re taking notes jot these down

Makes prompt apologies

Takes action of resolution

Refuses to seek revenge

Humbly serves

Loves enemies

Why are the peacemakers blessed? Jesus says that you will be called sons of God. In Genesis peace between man and God was broken. Sin caused there to be a wedge between the two. Jesus came as we are reminded in Isaiah 9:6 that Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Jesus came not just to restore peace of a nation but rather peace between creator and creation. To tear the veil so that man and God could once again have peace.

We are called his son’s when we are peacemakers why? Because he is peace.

Lastly Jesus says Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness

I can imagine that the people who followed Jesus up this mountain where in fear of their lives because of the commitment that they were making by following this new king. They had become accustomed to the oppressive hand of the religious leaders.

Jesus encourages this group. You are going to be blessed and why are you going to be blessed? Because the kingdom of heaven is yours. This present tense statement. Jesus says you have hope. You can only obtain this persecution because of the citizenship that you have in heaven.

Jesus ends his character teaching by saying you will be persecuted, you will be insulted. Remember the prophets in the Old Testament, you are likely going to be treated similarly.

As you and I can imagine, this had them fearful but Jesus’s reasoning for blessedness belongs to you and I today just as much as it did them you can’t go down there and face persecution unless you are a citizen of heaven and once you are a citizen of heaven you can’t help but go down there and stand for this gospel that will lead to your persecution.

Conclusion

I want to encourage you church. None of these characteristics can be achieved without soul reliance on Jesus Christ. To obtain these characteristics on one’s own is a sheer impossibility.

But I have good news for you today. Jesus’s spirit will assist you in the pursuit of Christian Character and his blood will cover you when you fail.