Power in the Pulpit | Matthew 5:1–12

Introduction: Have you ever found something to be the opposite of the way it seems it should be. For example, it seems like it should be a good idea if your windshield is iced over to throw warm water on it to help melt. That is not the case. If you ever do that, you will shatter your windshield. Chinese Checkers was invented in Germany. Iceland is Green and Greenland is icy. Those are things that just don’t make sense. But it is true. What we are going to look at today is the truth that long term blessings come from not seeking what the world calls blessings. If you would, please stand as we honor the reading of God’s Word.

Matthew 5:1-2.

Verse 1:

We ended chapter 4 seeing all the crows that were following Jesus. It appears he went up on the mountain to get away from the crowds.

The traditional site for the SOTM is above Tabgha near Capernaum on a ridge of hills Northwest of the town with a magnificent view of the Sea of Galilee

Verse 2

He began teaching with this back drop. It’s with this back drop that he gave one of the most crucial teachings of all time.

Explain what SOTM is.

Transition: So now we have kind of looked at the context and the importance of what the sermon on the mount is, but what is the content of the sermon. As we have already talked about, today, we are going to look at the beatitudes.

Matthew 5:3-9.

Verse 3

Striking contrast between outward appearance and inner reality. The kingdom belongs not to those who are rich by world’s standards. It’s not that spiritual or material poverty are blessed, but that we should recognize we are nothing without God.

Verse 4

Spiritual and social concerns

Sin

Evil

oppression

We can be comforted in part now, but will be comforted in whole one day.

Verse 5

Meek are characterized by humble trust rather than arrogant independence. The earth does not belong to those who think they deserve it.

Verse 6

Came from a society where people did not always know where their next meal was coming from. It was true hunger.

Do we yearn for righteousness in that way.

Verse 7

Those that receive mercy are therefore people that give mercy. Those that do not give mercy are incapable of receiving it. They don’t see their own shortcomings.

Verse 8

Purity in heart is not just ritual cleanliness. It’s being pure on the inside and out. It’s integrity.

Verse 9

Peacemaking is active and not passive. Jesus plunged into the midst of human life to bring order out of chaos. Peace does not happen by inaction.

Transition: So we see how we are blessed for being opposite of what the world would call us to be? But what about when we are actively opposed? What does Jesus say about that?

Matthew 5:10-12.

Verse 10

Not everyone will respect you for the choices you make. We must remember despite all that happens because of desire to follow Jesus, we are blessed for obedience, even when it doesn’t feel that way.

People also won’t respect you being jerk.

Verses11-12:

Verse 11:

When they persecute you.

The reality is that followers of Christ will always stand opposed to a world that hates them.

There has never been an age this did not happen in.

Verse 12

They persecuted God’s prophets who were God’s messengers, so they will persecute us now.

You can avoid persecution by avoiding speaking the truth, is that what we want?

Conclusion: What we see in all of this is that the ultimate blessing that God is going to bring to us is salvation. Our ultimate reward when we will receive all the blessings that are promised us is when we are in heaven in Christ. But that will only occur for those that are in Christ Jesus. It is only for those who see that they have nothing without CHrist. For those that hunger to be made righteous through belief in Him. This hope is reserved for all that place their faith in CHrist. Have you done that? Have you placed your faith in Christ?