Beatitudes-Christian Living Pt II

Previously

We did introduction

The seeing (crowd)

The going (mountain)

The action (sitting)

The teaching (opened his mouth)

We started into the Beatitudes

The pour in spirit, the brokenhearted

Those who mourn

They who know their brokenness, mourn

That is as far as we got last week, the first two beatitudes.

We will continue today, and let’s see how far we get, one at a time.

Matthew 5:5 NKJV

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

Q: when you think of the word meek what do you think that it means?

Q: what is the promise that is given to them in this verse?

Q: why is there a promise?

Some versions may say “gentle” instead of “meek”

interesting is the English language, not everything gives true understanding when translated from Greek properly.

The Greek word for meek is “praus.” It means the proper balance between anger and indifference, of a powerful personality properly controlled, and of humility.

The meek person was not passive or to be easily pushed around. Meek actually goes on to mean “strength under control.”

Carson says: “. . . To be meek towards others implies freedom from malice and a vengeful spirit.”

Poole says: “The meek, who can be angry, but restrain their wrath in obedience to the will of God, and will not be angry unless thy can be angry and not sin, nor will be easily provoked by others.”

Broken, mournful deal with the inner person, this one is how we deal from the inner to the outward in dealing with others.

To be meek is to show a willingness to submit and work under the proper authority.

Q: Who do you think has the proper authority over you?

To be meek is as mentioned to work under the proper authority, and it means a willingness to disregard one’s own “rights” and privileges.

Someone can tell us we are broken, someone may tell us to be mournful

No one can make us those things, nor can they make you meek. Jesus states some things about the Christian and Christian living in these.

Q: So, what does the meek Christian look like?

They are meek before God (for they know their brokenness and His fullness)

They are meek for they submit in their brokenness to the power and authority of God

They are meek because they are willing to submit to His will and to be conformed by His word

Q: How can we, are we, conformed by God’s word?

OK, next the meek before men, in that they are strong -yet also humble, gentle, patient and longsuffering.

Think of the reward; the meek are willing to control our desire for our rights and privileges because we know, have faith (strong conviction) that God watches out for us, that he will protect our cause. For our cause is God’s cause. The promise is they, the meek, shall inherit the earth.

Q: what do you think “will inherit the earth” means.

It could mean that, but how about, it could mean the world no longer has its control over you and you believe, have faith that in the end God, the one will everlasting authority is looking out and over you. Those others will not win in the long run.

Spurgeon once said “It looks as if they (the meek) would be pushed out of the world but they shall not be, ‘for they shall inherit the earth.’ The wolves devour the sheep, yet there are more sheep in the world than wolves, and the sheep, continue to multiply, and to feed in green pastures.”

OK, we got this far for one, let’s try another.

Mt5:6 “6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

OK, Guzik says this leading to this “through the first three beatitudes we notice that the natural man finds no happiness or blessedness in spiritual poverty, mourning or meekness. These are only a blessing for the spiritual man, those who are new creatures in Jesus.”

The desire of one who broken, has a poverty of spirit, mourns sin, controls self under meekness, well of course they would want righteousness.

Q: what do you think of when you think of hunger and thirst?

This has the indication that someone has a profound hunger that cannot be satisfied by a snack.

this is a serious longing that will never be fully satisfied on this side of heaven. But yet look at some things.

This passion is real, just like hunger and thirst are real

This passion is natural, just like hunger and thirst are natural in a healthy person.

This passion is intense, just like hunger and thirst can be, haven’t you heard “I’m so hungry I am dying.”

This passion is painful, just like real hunger and thirst can cause pain. ever heard of “hunger pains.”

This passion is a driving force, just like hunger and thirst can drive a man

This passion is a sign of health, just like hunger and thirst show health.

There are many earthly things, we even as Christians could be hungry for.

Q: give me something that you think man could be hungry for

Power, authority, prestige, influence, success, comfort, happiness, but how many, really do you think hunger and thirst for righteousness

Spurgeon said:

Alas! says he, it is not enough for me to know that my sin is forgiven. I have a fountain of sin within my heart, and bitter waters continually flow from it. Oh. that my nature changed, so that I, the lover of sin, could be made a lover of that which is good; that I, now full of evil, could become full of holiness (righteousness)!”

Q: what do you think hunger and thirst would look like, or how would it express itself?

A man longs to have a righteous nature, and strives for it

A man wants to be sanctified, to be made more holy

A man who longs to continue in God’s righteousness

A man longs to see righteousness promoted in the world.

He hungers for righteousness, not his political party to get into power.

He hungers for righteousness more than his plan, his agenda to come to the forefront of things. But God’s!

It even that our church would grow, don’t hold this against me, but that it would be righteous and the growth will happen in God’s timing and way.

Q: The word says “they will be filled.” - is there a place you have that when you go you know you will be filled?

Would you not like to be filled to the brim, until you could eat, drink no more, and not gain weight or have it blow your blood sugar out of control? Not just satisfied but more than satisfied. This is the kind of filled Jesus is speaking of.

this is a satisfaction that is now, and a continued seeking it and longing for more.

Pressing on

Blessings to be merciful

Q: What does it mean to be merciful?

Q: What does it mean to receive mercy?

Matthew 5:7 NASB95

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Q: Think about this one for a moment, is there a qualifier, a pre-requisite here?

This is a mercy giver is the one who receives mercy.

The pre-requisite is that you know you are broken, you mourn sin, you are meek (gentle) you hunger and thirst for righteousness, why? Because God Has already shown you mercy

It is mercy to be emptied of your pride and your works to try to be saved. It is by being emptied so we could know the poverty, brokenness we were in. that brought us to mourn.

It is mercy to receive the grace of meekness/gentleness

It is mercy to be made hungry and thirsty for righteousness.

So, there is an expectation of the one who is a recipient of great mercy to be a mercy giver.

A mercy giver is one who will show mercy to those who are weaker and poorer (physically/spiritually)

A mercy giver will always look for those who weep and mourn. For you know what it is to weep and mourn over your own brokenness.

The mercy giver will be one who looks to restore broken relationships with the love of God so freely given you, forgiving you, showing mercy to you, so that you can and will show mercy to others.

The mercy giver will be merciful to the character of others, looking for the best in them whenever possible.

The mercy giver will have compassion for those who are outwardly sinful, with mercy being displayed to help lead them to the true mercy giver, Jesus Christ the righteous One.

The mercy giver is one who has genuine care, concern for the very souls of men, not just some men, all men to bring them to the love and forgiveness, mercy of God.

Do you want another helping of mercy? give it, in full measure, in fact abundantly, overflowing for someone else.

An example think of David, a sinful man, an adulterer, murderer but God showed him mercy for David was a mercy giver to Saul, as well as Nabal the husband to Abigail. And God called David a man after His own heart! Now there is mercy given and mercy received.

Q: Is there an instance in your life when you have been given mercy (beyond salvation)?

Q: Have you been a mercy giver, can you give an example (in general)?

I was thinking of going on, but I don’t think there is adequate time to give to another one,

Let’s review the ones we have looked at so far.

Mt5:3-4 “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.”

Mt5:5-6 “5 “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

Mt5:7 “7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”

Q: Do you think these are impossible to live up to?

These are qualities of Christian, kingdom living. God has given us the instructions, and the power to live these out. If you think you lack wisdom for these, ask God He wont hold back from you when asked in Faith.

Jam1:5 “5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

Jm1:6 “6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.”

(Prayer)