Holiness Principle - Seromon on the Mount

Beatitudes

We are going to embark on study of ‘holiness’ taken from the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5:3-12

This message was forwarded to me, It's a little blunt, but take it for what it's worth:

You've heard the Beatitudes?  Well, below are some of Satan's Bad-Attitudes: Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend an hour once a week with their fellow Christians. They are my best workers. Blessed are those Christians who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked. I can use them. Blessed are those easily annoyed.  With a bit of luck, they may stop going to church. They are my missionaries. Blessed are the troublemakers. They shall be called my children. Blessed are the complainers. I'm all ears to them. Blessed are they who are bored with the preacher's mannerisms and mistakes, for they get nothing out of the sermon. Blessed is the church member who expects to be invited to his own church, for he is a part of the problem instead of the solution. Blessed are they who gossip, for they shall cause strife and divisions, which please me. Blessed are they who are easily offended, for they will soon get angry and quit. Blessed are they who do not give their offering to carry on Gods work, for they are my helpers. Blessed is he who professes to love God, but hates his brother and sister, for he shall be with me forever. Blessed are you when you read this and think it applies to other people and not yourself. I've got you.

  Lucifer

I remember years ago when an elderly brother told me, "Sometimes when I'm not sure what God would have me to do, I think of what the devil would have me to do - and then I run in the opposite direction!"  Thankfully, we do not have to guess as to what God would have us to do when it comes to our attitudes and actions toward others.  Let us hear the real Beatitudes, that come from the very lips of our Lord:

Matthew 5:3–12

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

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

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

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

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

It is my prayer that we live holy lives pleasing to God. Hebrews 12:14 “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”

Additionally, it is my prayer that you find true sustaining joy in your heart regardless of circumstance. Or, you rediscover that joy if it is gone.

Holiness is reflected in the Beatitudes. The Beatitudes biblically reveal the righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ.

When we look at the message of the Beatitudes, it is evident that if a disciple wants to please the Lord, he must embrace these values in life.

The Sermon on the Mount has not only a spiritual component, but also a psychological component as well.

I want to emphasize the psychological and emotional needs, as well as, the spiritual needs that are implied in the Beatitudes.

Addressing those needs is crucial for us as Christ’s disciples So we can experience psychological and spiritual health.

It is imperative for living a life of joy, peace, righteousness, holiness, and purpose.

It seems the church has relegated the Beatitudes to just being wise sayings.

The Beatitudes must be taken seriously, not just as wise sayings, but as doctrinal teachings the can impact the destiny of the soul.

Sermon on the Mount has authority and begins with the words:

Begins with Matthew 5:1–2 “Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:”

Ends with Matthew 7:28–29 “And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.”

It is evident that what Jesus taught in the Beatitudes was the basis for all He repeatedly taught His disciples as seen in the gospels. The Beatitudes represent a masterpiece of His moral and spiritual teaching; they summarize the essence of the character of Jesus Himself.

Recognizing the true value of the Beatitudes can be best summarized by two characteristic:

Righteousness: The establishment of a right relationship - primarily between God and people, secondarily between people themselves. Righteousness is the fulfillment of just expectations in any relationship, whether with God or other people.

Holiness: The primary word for holiness means “to cut” or “to separate.” Fundamentally, holiness is a cutting off or separation from what is unclean and a consecration to what is pure.

Righteousness and Holiness must be part of who you are, who we are.

Only a humble and patient follower of Christ can assimilate the principals of the Beatitudes:

Ephesians 4:1–3 “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Sp irit in the bond of peace.”

James 4:5–10 “Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”

The Sermon on the Mount emphasizes attitudes, which are so essential to pleasing God.

Attitudes determine how people act toward one another and our Lord.

Thus, the Beatitudes reveal attitudes that are mandatory in living a life of holiness. Hebrews 12:14 “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”

CLOSING: What has your attitude been toward God? Or your fellow brother or sister in Christ? Or your fellow man?

Has true joy, satisfaction and peace permeated all of your thoughts, circumstances and plans?

Are you ready to enjoy the full measure of joy in Jesus Christ in this new year?

which surpasses all understanding , ‘