Be Like God In Your Attitudes (Part 1)

Dave asked his friend how he stay so positive every morning.

he said, “Simple. I wake up, smile at the ceiling, and whisper:

‘Let’s see what nonsense we’re pretending doesn’t bother us today.’”

Then I drink coffee until my optimism kicks in… or until I’ve faked it well enough to pass for a functional adult.

Because nothing says "good attitude" like aggressive cheerfulness and mild denial.

You will find that a lot of people approach life this way, but this isn’t the Biblical model. Today we will be looking at the beatitudes.

Historical/Cultural Context -

This Gospel is written by Matthew, also known as Levi who was a former tax collector. It was most likely written between AD 50-60. Matthew left everything behind to follow Jesus. Matthew wrote primarily to Jewish believers—people who knew the Old Testament well. Matthew had one goal: to prove that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah, the King of Kings, and the fulfillment of God’s promises. Connecting the Old Testament prophecies to the life of Christ, proving that every word God spoke was coming true in Jesus. The key themes of the Gospel include Jesus as King, The Kingdom of Heaven, Fulfillment of Prophecy and discipleship.

Biblical Text -

Matthew 5:1–12 NKJV

And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: “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 filled. Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain 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 they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

-[Prayer]-

Life Principle - The Beatitudes Are More Than Just A Set Of Attitudes, They’re A Way Of Life.

Life Point- The Poor In Spirit

Exegetical -

Matthew 5:1–3 NKJV

And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Homiletical -

The beatitudes are a passage that is preached on a lot and for some reason it is never unified. The way we will approach this is quite similar as to others but with a focus on unification.

For example, think of an apple. What makes up an apple?

It’s skin, It’s inner goodness and the core.

These nine statement are not describing nine different people but one individual. It is what makes up a Godly person.

It reminds me of the fruit of the Spirit. There is not many fruits but one fruit with many different facets.

Galatians 5:22–26 NKJV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

This is the same kind of thing. One person is supposed to have these different facets to their being and personality.

Depending on what is going on in your life you may show one of these beatitudes more than the others but they should all be there.

Well how do we get these attitudes?

By spending time with God in prayer and studying the Bible. You will naturally start displaying these.

Now, our scripture says that he went to a mountain. By our standards that mountain was more of a gently sloping hill. It says that he called the disciples to him to teach. This would have been the multitudes that is mentioned there and He sat down.

During this time to preach, which is means to declare one would stand. If you were going to say something important, something that should really be remembered you would teach and the sign to all that you were teaching is that you would sit down.

The word blessed here actually means happy because you are enjoying favorable circumstances. So you could say, “happy is the one who is poor in spirit.”

That to our modern ears just doesn’t seem right, does it? It seems at odds with what we are used to seeing. But that is what it means so let’s dive into what it means to be poor in spirit.

Being poor in spirit does NOT mean to be down and depressed. it actually pertains to humility having the right attitude toward our God and who holds the things of God in high reverence.

Proverbs 16:19 NKJV

Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Isaiah 66:2 NKJV

For all those things My hand has made, And all those things exist,” Says the Lord. “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word.

When you come to the Word of God, do you come as one who is poor in spirit holding the things of God in high reverence? If you do then you will be happy in the Lord. Not as the world defines happiness but as God bestows His happiness, His contentment on your life.

What does He mean by theirs is the Kingdom of heaven?

James 4:6 NKJV

But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

Grace is unmerited favor. God’s favor comes with humility and you can’t have true humility if you don’t spend time practicing the presence of God. Spending time in prayer, repentance, and His Word.

Those who approach God in humility look forward to the kingdom of heaven. They look forward to God being with them forever. Those that are poor in spirit love spending time with Jesus.

Illustration -

This concept is found throughout church history in the lives of many saints and humble servants of God who recognized their spiritual poverty. St. Francis of Assisi, who renounced worldly riches and embraced a life of poverty and humility, is a prime example. His simple prayer, 'Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,' reflects a heart that understands its need for God, true richness does not lie in possessions but in the depth of our spirit's dependence on God.

Life Point - The Mourners

Exegetical -

Matthew 5:4 NKJV

Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.

Homiletical -

This verse is often used in a funeral situation, and that is fine, however the context in the Greek is one who grieves because of wickedness and oppression. One who grieves over the state of those around them or over the wickedness and oppression that is being done to them.

Many times when things hit us, we ask a question. “Why me God?”

When the proper question is “Why not me God?”

If Jesus went through some stuff then who are we to think that we shouldn’t?

Look when you are having a Job experience it is up to you to bless the name of the Lord. Is it easy? Absolutely Not! Do we do it perfectly? Absolutely Not.

But we take comfort in the fact that wickedness will be done away with in the future.

Revelation 21:4 NKJV

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Psalm 34:18 NKJV

The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.

Isaiah 41:10 NKJV

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

There are many verses like these throughout scripture. It is important to remember that when wickedness and oppression touches you or others you can take that mourning, that brokenness to a loving God who will supernaturally comfort you throughout your life.

Illustration -

Look at Job, he lost everything he held dear—his children, his wealth, and his health. His deep mourning was filled with sorrow and questions for God. Yet, in the depths of his despair, he ultimately experienced God's profound comfort and restoration. Through our mourning, we can find comfort in God’s presence and promises, those who grieve are indeed blessed.

Life Point - The Meek

Exegetical -

Matthew 5:5 NKJV

Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.

Homiletical -

Let me get this out of the way. Meekness is NOT weakness.

It carries the imagery of a powerful horse that has been broken and ready to ride.

Meekness is power under control.

It is someone who has tremendous power and authority yet displays kindness and gentleness.

Think of that horse for a minute. Horses are powerful animals, yet they can be gentle and lowly.

It says a person like that in their person and attitudes will inherit the earth.

Now when will that happen?

When Jesus returns and we are transformed to be like Him. That is when we will rule and reign with Him

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 NKJV

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Illustration -

Moses, who led a rebellious nation as 'the most humble man on the face of the earth, which is according to Numbers 12:3. He possessed great power as a leader but wielded it with humility. His meekness did not equate to weakness; rather, it was a testament to his reliance on God. Ultimately, God rewarded Moses' faithfulness by allowing him to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land which is a testament that the meek will inherit the earth.

Life Point - The Righteous Seeking

Exegetical -

Matthew 5:6 NKJV

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

Homiletical -

Have you ever been so hungry or thirsty you thought you would eat your face off?

I don’t think I have ever been that way, but I know there are people who have.

This is the type of hungering and thirsting that the scriptures speak to here.

What does someone look like when they are hungering and thirsting for doing what is right. Because that is what this verse is talking about. It is talking about people who see things as definitely right and definitely wrong. When the Bible speaks about something being right, these people are weird enough to actually believe it!

These kind of people when they hunger and thirst for God’s rightness want to see His will be done on earth now. Today, not tomorrow and they will, in love, point out when someone is in sin and won’t tolerate it.

Guess what? We are all supposed to be that way.

James 5:19–20 NKJV

Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

I have found when we get serious with God, we get serious about His righteousness and seeing righteousness in ourselves and in other Christians.

Why?

Because we want to grow in Christ and we want others to grow in Christ also.

If you were to do a self-examination would you say that you are growing in Christ and hungering and thirsting for His righteousness? If not then you need to take stock of your Christian walk with God.

Illustration -

In Psalm 42:1, David writes “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God." This should mirror our deep longing for righteousness. Just as a deer desperately seeks water amidst dryness, our souls should yearn for righteousness. God promises that if we seek Him with such passion, we will find that fulfillment that quenches our thirst like living water, restoring us.

Life Principle– The Beatitudes Are More Than Just A Set Of Attitudes, They’r A Way Of Life.

Call to Action – altar call….