Sermon on the Mount: Blessed Be 2

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Intro

Things change when God speaks.

Throughout scripture, we read of moments in history where God had a one-on-one conversation with a person.

Where God had holy moments with His chosen people.

In the Gospels we are given the eye-witness accounts of God no longer cherry-picking specific people in history,

but in Matthew chapter 5, God - in Jesus - sits down on a hill side with men and women of all ages - each having their individual story, and their life, and experience.

And God sits with them, to deliver a new message.

That the kingdom of heaven is near to them - and ready for those who will receive it.

Just like at this special moment in history - we look at today and the reality that

God, the God of Heaven, the Author of all Creation, wants to speak into your life.

God wants to speak into your life.

There may be some of us here today that feel God’s presence more like God’s judgment. Maybe many times, we feel more concerned that if God is speaking to us it’s bringing more rebuke and wrath than real change.

Sometimes that’s true.

But the overarching theme as we read the Bible is that God sent His Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that by through Him we might be SAVED.

And this is the paradox that we find ourselves in when trying to relate to who God is.

Yes, He is Holy, He is an All-Consuming Fire, He is Judge and Perfectly Judges the world.

AND yet, He is merciful. He is full of grace. He is compassionate. He is love. And His desire is to save you from His own wrath.

This morning you may feel you don’t know which side of God you’re going to get - feeling like its a flip of a coin in not knowing which side of God you’re going to get.

God of Love, or God of Wrath.

The reality is He is both.

But the amazing wonder is that He gives us the choice to choose our encounter with God.

His desire is for us to know Him - to know His heart, the very heart of God. And He gives us this inclination, this awareness of His intentions as we read

Matthew’s account of God’s very first sermon - here at the Sermon on the Mount.

Jesus preaches here - and we remember that Jesus was fully God and fully Man here - so it’s okay to perceive here that God is speaking when He says:

Matthew 5:3–10 CSB

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

(Pray over the Word)

VERSES 5-7

Last week’s focus: Matthew 5:3-4

Matthew 5:3–4 CSB

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

We talked about how these are considered circumstantial as temporal conditions anticipating a consolation and reward.

And while these verses read as if there is a future consolation and reward, we understand that with Jesus the consolation and blessedness of the future reaches into the present.

Because already, those who are His disciples have received the Kingdom of heaven.

And what a mighty wonder that is - to have hold of the future now…Church this is nothing to take lightly or to toss to the side during the week - we have access to the Throne of Heaven NOW.

So then we read verses 5-7

Matthew 5:5–7 CSB

5 Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

While the previous verses were circumstantial, these verses are dispositions and virtues.

What we’re reading here is God revealing what His core values are and for which there is still a reward.

These circumstantial and dispositional beatitudes are also virtues since they translate into a life of humility and obedience to God and are necessary to participate in God’s reign.

Most of us probably understand the term circumstances here, but I want to reinforce this idea of disposition:

There’s two key definitions of the word disposition

A person’s inherent qualities of mind and character - its a way of being; it’s how they are and who they are…independent of whats going on around them in the world

the way in which something is placed or arranged - the disposition of something is how things are aligned in relation to something else.

So when we consider these blessed-be’s describing someone’s disposition:

We say : Blessed are those who are content with their current position in life and do not see themselves elevated over others; they know they have an inheritance through God’s provision and that inheritance is both future and now.

We say : Blessed are those whose priorities and daily living is aligned with God’s heart and desires for the world around them, and they seek to honor God and do His bidding as part of the Kingdom of heaven near everyone around us.

We say : Blessed are those that care - intentionally and emphatically. Because they will receive the same care that is intentional and emphatic.

Blessed are the Humble, for they will inherit the earth

You see God’s design for the disciples of Christ are to have these dispositions of character, for these reflect the very nature of God.

When Jesus came, He did not come to elevate Himself in the purpose of Lording over others, but to intentionally seek and save the lost.

When Jesus came, He did not come to harness power and fortune, but to be about His Father’s business and bringing the realities of the Kingdom of Heaven near to all those who were sick, hurting, and suffering.

When Jesus came, He did not come to punish people, but He came to open blind eyes, cure vital and reproductive organs, reinstate people in the eyes of others, deliver His word of Hope and Love and Peace.

When you consider the sheer magnitude of God stepping down from His Throne of all power, glory, wealth, knowledge, and infinity - to become Emmanuel, born in flesh, birthed in a barn stable in a small town, wrapped in rags, witnessed by livestock caretakers…Jesus lived the definition of humility.

His rags to riches story isn’t what we’d consider the epitome of great living - He was born in rags, the riches gained were True Riches - known as people.

The point is that the humble are given the fullness of the earth… It’s the resources, it’s the access, the influence - for a PLATFORM of grace for the gospel. James 4:6

James 4:6 CSB

6 But he gives greater grace. Therefore he says: God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness

The follower of Christ must have a disposition of hungering and thirsting for righteousness.

What is righteousness? It is the opposite of sin - which is called unrighteousness.

Righteousness is an act, a behavioral activity done that is good, as defined by the goodness and character of God.

Having a disposition of righteousness is literally living a life looking out for the benefit of others as the intent of the kingdom of heaven.

It’s a reflection of the character and nature of God - healing the sick, feeding the poor, being generous, consoling the broken-hearted, interceding through prayer, rejoicing with those rejoicing, and mourning with those who mourn.

This idea of hungering and thirsting for righteousness - is craving…craving the kingdom of heaven near to others. Craving the gospel message be shared with others. Craving others to know Jesus. Craving to share your testimony of what God has done in your life.

Isaiah 55 calls into question why would spend our lives or anything we value on anything but what is from God - anything revolving around God, His nature, His character, His heart for the world around us demands everything we are and have to be for Him and His purpose.

And here’s His promise: those who hunger and thirst for His heart and desires in this world (to literally crave what He wants to do)…”for they will be filled”.

Five little words…so much depth…so revealing God’s faithfulness.

You’ll be filled - as in completely satisfied. Get about the Father’s business. Get out there with the Gospel message. Tell the world what God’s done for you. Be in God’s house as often as you can. Be around His people as often as you can. Love and serve your neighbor as often as you can. Reflect Christ in the world around you as often as you can. You will find satisfaction in LIFE. - from the One who gives life and life more abundantly.

You’ll be filled - as in you’ll have all the resources you’ll need to do every act of righteousness. You’ll be equipped for every moment. You’ll have the right words in the moment.

Luke 12:11–12 CSB

11 Whenever they bring you before synagogues and rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how you should defend yourselves or what you should say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what must be said.”

You’ll have the grace for the moment. You’ll have the mercy for the moment. You’ll have the power for the moment. You’ll have the authority for the moment. You’ll have the keys necessary for the moment.

Hebrews 13:20–21 CSB

20 Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus—the great Shepherd of the sheep—through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 equip you with everything good to do his will, working in us what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

You’ll be filled.

You’ll know God’s faithfulness.

From the beginning, to the end, this Word is strung with the inter-weavings of God’s faithfulness. 47 times, each on separate occasions and circumstances, we see the disposition of the nature of God: God is faithful.

And the beauty and wonder of God’s faithfulness is that Phil 1:6

Philippians 1:6 CSB

6 I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy

Another disposition, another reflection of the character and nature of God.

An amazing account of God’s holiness and mercy is found in Matthew 17:14-18

Matthew 17:14–18 CSB

14 When they reached the crowd, a man approached and knelt down before him. 15 “Lord,” he said, “have mercy on my son, because he has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire and often into the water. 16 I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn’t heal him.” 17 Jesus replied, “You unbelieving and perverse generation, how long will I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him here to me.” 18 Then Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and from that moment the boy was healed.

God cares intentionally and emphatically…we should carry this same disposition.

In this passage we see the heart and holiness of God - which is that:

He was unyielding in what His followers are supposed to do.

He was unyielding in keeping mankind accountable.

He was unyielding in mercy for those who need Him: “Bring him here to me”.

Blessed are those that care - intentionally and emphatically. Because they will receive the same care that is intentional and emphatic.

Closing

There’s nothing we want more than to hear the Lord of heaven speak: Bring him to me. Bring her to me. Bring Ryan to me.

From the Old Testament to the New Testament, God’s character and core values have been unwavering.

Micah 6:8 CSB

8 Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.

His desire for us to have a certain disposition about us - aligned with the Father, and carrying the character and nature of Jesus.

Humility - is a core value for God

Seeking the will of God for people, and doing the will of God in this world - is a core value for God

Living mercifully - is a core value for God.

And yet the reward is a future reward that reaches all the way to now:

You’ll inherit the earth You’ll be filled with satisfaction You’ll receive mercy