BEATITUDES
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Introductory Statements
Introductory Statements
1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain: and when he had sat down, his disciples came unto him: 2 and he opened his mouth and taught them, saying,
Jesus goes to a mountain and comes to a level place on the mountain (Lk. 6:17), and began to teach the multitude that followed Him
Luke also says that Jesus did much healing prior to His teaching the people on this occasion (Lk. 6:17-19).
The Beatitudes
The Beatitudes
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.
The idea of blessedness
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
The sovereignty of God - i.e., God must rule
The proper view of satisfaction - spiritual versus worldly
The proper view of security - faith in God
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.
The neglected "middle-ground" of the beatitudes
The neglected "middle-ground" of the beatitudes
Each statement of blessedness contains three parts
The statement “blessed” - which is the result or reward
The essential element to achieve (the middle ground)
The specific stated blessing that results from the essential element
Why is the middle ground neglected?
The idea of blessed is appealing
The specific rewards mentioned are inviting
But, it is easy to forget that the emphasis in each beatitude is in the middle part of the statement
This is what Jesus was telling people they must be
The challenge of the beatitudes is that they are presented in paradoxes
A paradox is a seeming contradiction
The contradiction is found in the fact that what Jesus says will result in blessings - goes against worldly thinking and wisdom
Three specific challenges are found in each beatitude
A challenge to our idea of truth…
12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; But the end thereof are the ways of death.
A challenge to the way we think and make decisions about life…
23 O Jehovah, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
A challenge to accept God's way over the ways of the world…
33 But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
The Beatitudes and Faith
The Beatitudes and Faith
The Beginning of Faith
The Beginning of Faith
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.
Three elements of life are noted here:
Spiritual poverty
Mourning
Meekness
Three blessing are noted as well:
Kingdom of heaven
Comfort
Inherit the earth
Notice how the three elements relate to the beginning of faith:
They fit a person for an initial response to God and His word
Spiritual poverty eliminates pride
The ability to mourn makes it possible for a person to respond to his or her true state in life
Meekness produces humility and gentleness and eliminates arrogant resistance to God's will
Notice how worldly attitudes prevent faith:
Pride keeps a man from admitting his needs God
The inability to mourn cause one to ignore the problem of sin and how it effects his relationship with God
And arrogant rebellion (lack of meekness) fights against God
The Progress of Faith
The Progress of Faith
6 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Faith is designed to continually move a person further away from the world and closer to God
Human life is developed, grows, and is sustained by built-in responses of hunger and thirst
If you never eat or drink, or stop eating and drinking - you will die
Faith progresses by hungering and thirsting after righteousness
What is righteousness?
172 Let my tongue sing of thy word; For all thy commandments are righteousness.
7 My little children, let no man lead you astray: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous:
Faith progresses by craving the things of God
Hungering and thirsting after righteousness is the desire that moves a person closer to God as he takes in the things of God
How does this element relate to faith?
Jesus promised that one's hungering and thirsting would be satisfied
Just as big meals satisfy our physical requirements, so will our spiritual requirements be met as well
The Perfection of Faith
The Perfection of Faith
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.
Faith perfected is when man develops the ability to reflect the character and attributes of God in his life
Jesus identifies three elements that summarize the character of God:
Mercy ... if we have mercy, we will receive mercy
Purity ... if we are pure, we will see God
Making peace ... if we are peacemakers, we will be called sons of God
What a difference a person could make in the world if he grants mercy to others, lives purely, and makes peace wherever he goes!
How do these things relate to faith?
Mercy given produces mercy received - this is what all of us need
Purity of life is a life resisting sin - which is God's will for us
Being a peacemaker is the healing, soothing work of God in putting the world back together after Satan's destructive work
The Trial of Faith
The Trial of Faith
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.
Persecution and suffering as a follower of Jesus will test and prove the validity of our faith
The temptation is always to try to revert to the ways of the world
Under pressure - can you maintain the qualities identified in the Beatitudes?
Without persecution and suffering anyone might be able to practice the things Jesus taught
But what happens when it seems as though things will not work out?
Here is where faith is proven
In times of sickness, disappointment, discouragement, temptation, and persecution - who and what are you going to trust?
There is a lot of difference in the claim and the walk
BEATITUDES EXPOSITION
BEATITUDES EXPOSITION
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
The key to Christians living!
To be “poor in spirit” is to have a deep sense of spiritual destitution and to comprehend one’s nothingness before God.
It is to long for a better spiritual state.
1 Thus saith Jehovah, Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: what manner of house will ye build unto me? and what place shall be my rest? 2 For all these things hath my hand made, and so all these things came to be, saith Jehovah: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and that trembleth at my word.
15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
“Poverty of spirit” is a prerequisite to the acquisition of the other beatitudes.
We must be willing to rely on God.
Those that are poor in spirit will enjoy, be a part of, and remain in the “kingdom of heaven.”
This possibly has reference to being a part of the church and/or heaven itself.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
“They that mourn” are those that have the ability of heart to mourn over their sins and the sins of others - those who have compassion for the lost. This one who can be touched.
9 I now rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye were made sorry unto repentance; for ye were made sorry after a godly sort, that ye might suffer loss by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation, a repentance which bringeth no regret: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
Those that can mourn will “be comforted” by the forgiveness of sins available through Jesus Christ.
Those who sow their tears now, can reap the harvest of joy later
5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
Divine consolation is available to those who can mourn their sins
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
“Meek” comes from praos meaning “gentle, mild, free from malice and desire for revenge.”
The meek are those who are opposed to arrogance and self-seeking ambition.
This is one who knows his place before God.
The meek are those who are controlled and restrained by God.
Meekness is a prerequisite to receiving guidance and instruction from God.
The meek “shall inherit the earth,” i.e., they will enjoy life more fully now – they will enjoy the benefits of God.
We will enjoy temporal blessings more when we are meek than if we are arrogant.
Only true humility enables us to view our existence properly and enjoy life now.
Thus, we inherit the earth spiritually.
6 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
To “hunger and thirst after righteousness” is to have a spiritual appetite for God’s word.
God’s word is righteousness
172 Let my tongue sing of thy word; For all thy commandments are righteousness.
We must intensely desire to acquire righteousness.
15 Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.
13 Till I come, give heed to reading, to exhortation, to teaching.
16 Seek ye out of the book of Jehovah, and read: no one of these shall be missing, none shall want her mate; for my mouth, it hath commanded, and his Spirit, it hath gathered them.
Those that have a spiritual appetite “shall be filled.”
31 Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples; 32 and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
The “merciful” are those who are willing to forgive others, who have sympathy for and want to relieve the suffering of others.
Jesus will discuss this more in this Sermon on the Mount.
Those who show mercy will “obtain mercy.” We must do unto others what we would have them do unto us.
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
The “pure in heart” are those free from evil desires and purposes.
It is a state of mind that despises every vile and evil thing
Only the pure “shall see God,” that is, to enjoy Him, to enjoy His presence, and to see Him face to face.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God.
The “peacemakers” are those who have peace with God and man, and help others to have the same
Peacemakers “shall be called sons [children – ASV] of God.”
This is so because God is the God of peace, Christ is the prince of peace, the gospel is the gospel of peace, and all subjects of the kingdom are peacemakers.
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.
One of the characteristics of a Christian is to be able to endure “persecution.”
There are two types of persecution: physical and mental
Faithful Christians will suffer persecution
12 Yea, and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
20 Remember the word that I said unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also.
22 confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.
We need to rejoice in persecution. The reason:
We are counted worthy
41 They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name.
We shall receive a great reward
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you.
17 For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory;
It will make us stronger
9 And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. 25 Woe unto you, ye that are full now! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you, ye that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. 26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for in the same manner did their fathers to the false prophets.
Here is a pronouncement of woes and warnings on:
The “rich” - love riches to the neglect of spiritual things
The “full” – those who have no desire for spiritual food, full on worldly pleasures
Those who “laugh now” – live only for the here and now
The one that “all men speak well of” – does that which pleases the ungodly
Influences and duties
Influences and duties
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men.
We are the “salt of the earth.”
Salt is a preservative and adds taste to food.
When salt has lost is “savour” [flavor – NKJ] it is good for nothing and is to be discarded
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house.
God’s people are compared to “light.”
We are to light up the world of darkness and bring people to the marvelous light of the Gospel
9 But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Light that is hid is of no use
16 Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
The is the reason we are to let our light shine – that God be glorified.
But God cannot be glorified if our work is not seen.
A description of agape love (Mt. 5:43-48)
A description of agape love (Mt. 5:43-48)
43 Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy:
The Old Testament did teach love for neighbor:
18 Thou shalt not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people; but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am Jehovah.
But God did not tell the Israelites to hate their enemies.
This was an addition or interpretation of the Jews.
They were not allowed to make peace with the Canaanites (Ex. 34:11-16; Deut. 23:6)
They were to exterminate these idol worshipers, just as Saul was commanded to utterly destroy the Amalekites (1 Sam. 15).
The Old Testament taught an abhorrence of the character and practices of the heathen (Deut. 7:1f, 16, 23-26; 12:27, 32; Josh. 23:12f; Ps. 139:21f).
The Law did not teach hatred for an enemy.
The Jews sought justification for their hatred from the fact they were told to destroy certain heathen nations or cities, but they were acting as executioners for God.
What they did was in obedience to God’s command, not as an act of personal vengeance. God did not tell them to hate their enemies
44 but I say unto you, Love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you;
Notice that the Lord did not command that we like our enemies.
Liking someone is natural or automatic, and depends on physical appearance, temperament, age, and many other things.
It is often easier to like someone than to love him.
Affinity develops naturally but love must be cultivated.
One cannot be commanded to like another, but he can be commanded to love another.
Affinity is an emotion; love is a principle of action.
For love (agape) to be present it must be active, expressed.
"This is the love of God that we keep his commandments" (1 Jn. 5:3).
Love for God is a willingness and desire to serve him which will not and cannot be satisfied; and the only way it can be overtly expressed is by obedience to God’s will.
Faith works by love (Gal. 5:6).
Both love and faith are expressed by action (doing what he wills for us to do).
Similarly, love for another (even an enemy) is an active principle: it seeks to do good, not evil, to its object.
It is expressed by appropriate words, attitudes, and deeds.
It is therefore much more than mere sentiment or emotion.
An emotion is a natural feeling which cannot be commanded.
Your superior would be giving you an impossible command if he said, "You will do this dirty job and like it!"
You could do the job, but he could not logically expect you to like it.
45 that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust.
When a father sees his son do something that greatly pleases him, he proclaims, “That’s my son!”
In like manner when we love our enemies that Lord says, “These are my children.”
Jesus does not make any distinction with His material blessings, and neither should we when it comes to doing good.
God loves regardless of our attitude toward Him, and so should it be with us.
46 For if ye love them that love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the Gentiles the same?
The second reason for loving all others is that we may be unlike the publicans and sinners.
By having love for our fellow man, we become like our heavenly Father and unlike our sinful neighbors.
The publicans were the Jewish tax collectors for Imperial Rome which had conquered Palestine. It was bad enough that the taxes went to Pagan Rome, but when it was collected by a fellow Jew, and extortion was used, it became terribly detestable.
The publicans were commonly considered by the Jews to be the lowest of the low. They rebuked Jesus for having contact with them (Mt. 9:9-13).
What reward have those whose love goes no further than to love those who love them?
This would be only a reciprocal love and would be from its very nature selfish; but to extend love to those who do not love us makes us Godlike.
God loves all regardless of their attitude toward him; however, there is a special sense in which he loves those who adjust their lives to his will.
We are to do good to all men, but especially to those of the household of faith (Gal. 6:10).
48 Ye therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
God is perfect; therefore, God is our model.
Anything short of what God is, is short of what we ought to be.
Thus, we will always have room for improvement
“Perfect” comes from teleios, and means complete or lacking in nothing
