Connection Between the Beatitudes and Faith

INTRODUCTION

The Sermon on the Mount is actually a series of challenges to man's concept of God, himself and others.

It challenges the idea of personal character

It challenges the concept of man's purpose

It challenges the concept of obedience to God

It challenges the concept of righteousness

It challenges the concept of communication with God

It challenges the concept of piety and dedication

It challenges the concept of life values

It challenges the concept of trust in God

Jesus started by talking about blessedness through what we know as the Beatitudes

Matthew 5:3–12 ASV

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you.

This morning we will look at an overview of the Beatitudes..

DISCUSSION

THE IDEA OF BLESSEDNESS

"Blessed" comes from makarios

The basic idea is "happy" but means much more

Greeks used it to describe the "state of the gods"

It carries the idea of health and well-being in all aspects of life

This blessedness is based on three things

a. The sovereignty of God - i.e. God must rule

b. The proper view of satisfaction - spiritual versus worldly

c. The proper view of security - faith in God

3. When Jesus said, "Blessed is ..." He was giving essential elements that go together to produce an overall healthy life in which a person receives all that makes life pleasant, enjoyable, rewarding and fulfilling.

B. THE NEGLECTED "MIDDLE-GROUND" OF THE BEATITUDES

1. Each statement of blessedness contains three parts

a. The statement “blessed” - which is the result or reward

b. The essential element to achieve (the middle ground)

c. The specific stated blessing that results from the essential element

2. Why is the middle ground neglected?

a. The idea of blessed is appealing

b. The specific rewards mentioned are inviting

c. It is easy to forget that the emphasis in each beatitude is in the middle part of the statement

d. This is what Jesus was telling people to be

3. The challenge of the beatitudes is that they are presented in paradoxes

a. A paradox is a seeming contradiction

b. The contradiction is found in the fact that what Jesus says will result in blessings goes against worldly thinking and wisdom

4. Three specific challenges are found in each beatitude

a. A challenge to our idea of truth

b. A challenge to the way we think and make decisions about life

c. A challenge to accept God's way over the ways of the world

C. THE BEATITUDES AND FAITH

1. The Beginning of Faith… Matthew 5:3-5

a. Three elements of life are noted here:

1) Spiritual poverty

2) Mourning

3) Meekness

b. Three blessing are noted as well:

1) Kingdom of heaven

2) Comfort

3) Inherit the earth

c. Notice how the three elements relate to the beginning of faith:

1) They fit a person for an initial response to God and His word

a) Spiritual poverty eliminates pride

b) The ability to mourn makes it possible for a person to respond to his or her true state in life

c) Meekness produces humility and gentleness and eliminates arrogant resistance to God's will

2) Notice how worldly attitudes prevent faith:

a) Pride keeps a man from admitting his needs God

b) The inability to mourn cause one to ignore the problem of sin and how it effects his relationship with God

c) And arrogant rebellion fights against God

2. The Progress of Faith… Matthew 5:6

a. Faith is designed to continually move a person further away from the world and closer to God

1) Human life is developed, grows and is sustained by built-in responses of hunger and thirst

2) If you never eat or drink, or stop eating and drinking - you will die

b. Faith progresses by hungering and thirsting after righteousness

1) Faith progresses by craving the things of God

2) Hungering and thirsting after righteousness is the desire that moves a person closer to God as he takes in the things of God

c. How does this element relate to faith?

1) Jesus promised that one's hungering and thirsting would be satisfied

2) Just as big meals satisfy our physical requirements, so will our spiritual requirements be met as well

3. The Perfection of Faith… Matthew 5:7-9

a. Faith perfected is when man develops the ability to reflect the character and attributes of God in his life

b. Jesus identifies three elements that summarize the character of God:

1) Mercy ... if we have mercy we will receive mercy

2) Purity ... if we are pure we will see God

3) Making peace ... if we are peace makers we will be called sons of God

c. What a difference a person could make in the world if he grants mercy to others, lives purely, and makes peace where ever he goes!

d. How do things relate to faith?

1) Mercy given produces mercy received - this is what all of us need

2) Purity of life is a life resisting sin - which is God's will for us

3) Being a peacemaker is the healing, soothing work of God in putting the world back together after Satan's destructive work

4. The Trial of Faith… Matthew 5:10-12

a. Persecution and suffering as a follower of Jesus will test and prove the validity of our faith

1) The temptation is always to try to revert to the ways of the world

2) Under pressure - can you maintain the qualities identified in the Beatitudes?

b. Without persecution and suffering anyone might be able to practice the things Jesus taught

c. But what happens when it seems as though things will not work out?

1) Here is where faith is proven

2) In times like these ask yourself - who and what are you going to trust?

3) There is a lot of difference in the claim and the walk

CONCLUSION

A. God wants us to experience a deep happiness in life - But it must be on His terms and not ours

B. The very first words of this sermon are not simple, sweet nourishment - Jesus challenges the kind of person you are

1. What kind of person are you?

2. Do the qualities of your life demonstrate your faith in God?

3. Are you willing to risk violating the wisdom of the world to be happy?