Beatitudes (pt. 1)

INTRODUCTION

What are some things that make you happy? (write them on the white board)

The world lives on a never-ending quest for happiness. They seek a happiness that they will never find outside of Christ.

Jesus’ teachings here in the sermon on the mount are shocking. They’re radical. They’re counter-cultural as we’ll see even tonight.

Jesus’ teachings here are meant to produce individuals different than the world around them.

Jesus begins his sermon with a section called the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12). And here, Jesus is less concerned with what we do, but rather concerned with who we are.

Jesus is primarily interested with our character before our conduct.

Essentially, the Beatitudes are the entrance into the conversation about what it means to have a heart (or attitude) like Jesus. Jesus wants to change us from the inside out.

As a bonus, Jesus states that if we live like this — we will live the blessed/happy life.

POOR IN SPIRIT (vs.3)

Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

What do you think it means to be poor in spirit?

I want to give a Biblical illustration of this. Turn to Isaiah 6.

Isaiah 6:1–7 KJV 1900

1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. 2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. 3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: The whole earth is full of his glory. 4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. 6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: 7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.

When confronted with a true picture of God, we realize that we are nothing and have nothing compared to God Almighty. Isaiah exemplifies this for us perfectly.

In each of the Beatitudes, Jesus states a character attribute or conduct and then follow it up with a promise or reward. In our first one the promise/reward for those who are poor in spirit is that they gain the kingdom of heaven.

Here’s the general sense and meaning of this verse — There is no one in the kingdom of heaven that is not poor in spirit.

Remember, the Sermon on the Mount is Jesus’ teachings about kingdom living — those who are citizens of the kingdom of God live like this…

How do we become poor in spirit? Look at God. The more we look at Him, the more hopeless we shall feel in ourselves.

The Beatitudes are not things we must work at to become. The Beatitudes are characteristics of followers of Christ.

This first one especially should characterize God’s people. Why? Because it’s the first step in understanding the Gospel. What would this be?

Understand that before a holy God, we are nothing and have nothing to offer. The holiness of God humbles those who truly seek Him and show them their desperate need for a Savior.

Here’s an application question to think about as we finish this first Beatitude — How do you think about yourself in terms of God, and in the presence of God?

MOURN (vs.4)

Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”

What do you think it means to mourn?

This builds upon the first Beatitude.

A man who truly faces himself, and examines himself and his life, is a man who must of necessity mourn for his sins.

God’s holiness exposes man’s sinfulness. As believers this should horrify us, sadden us, and propel us to mourn.

David exemplifies this for us in Psalm 51. Remember David’s sin with Bathsheba? David was then confronted by Nathan concerning his sin. David, when writing in Psalm 51 leaves us with a picture of mourning.

Psalm 51:17 KJV 1900

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Believers, when confronted with their sin either by God or others, should have a response of mourning.

Let me ask, What is your attitude toward sin?

But mourning shouldn’t only include our sin, but also the sins of others and the broken state of our world.

Look at Romans 8.

Romans 8:22–27 KJV 1900

22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Creation groans, and so do we. For those who mourn over sin, Jesus promises comfort.

What comfort is he thinking of?

I believe Romans 8 shows us this. I believe it’s a two-fold comforting.

God will make all things right.

Christ forgives sin.

This is another aspect of the Gospel. Our sin reveals our need for a Savior.

The man who truly mourns because of his sinful state and condition is a man who is going to repent; he is, indeed, actually repenting already. And the man who truly repents as the result of the work of the Holy Spirit upon him, is a man who is certain to be led to the Lord Jesus Christ. Having seen his utter sinfulness and hopelessness, he looks for a Savior, and he finds Him in Christ. — Martin Llyod-Jones

Let me ask again, What is your attitude toward sin?

MEEK (vs.5)

Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”

What does it mean to be considered meek?

Again, this third Beatitude build upon the previous.

Meekness — a true view of oneself, expressing itself in attitude and conduct with respect to others.

A man who is meek is one who is mild, absent of retaliation, patient, long-suffering, and ready to listen.

It is the man who acts from humility. A man who knows who he truly is and allows that to influence others.

Jesus only ever uses two words to describe his heart — Matthew 11:28-30.

Matthew 11:28–30 KJV 1900

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

A clear view of God produces humility towards others.

This Beatitude is but a quotation from David:

Psalm 37:11 KJV 1900

11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

It’s a foreshadowing Matthew 23:12.

Matthew 23:12 “And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”

The meek (humble) will reign.

If we’re honest, we all battle pride. Think about what the opposite of this Beatitude is — the proud will have a miserable life and they will be forced to submit under the rule of King Jesus.

What subtle ways do you exhibit pride in relation to others?

To combat this, we must go back to the first two Beatitudes. We are nothing, have nothing, and are consumed with sin. What are we entitled to? — death.

HUNGER AND THIRST AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS (vs.6)

Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”

What do you think it means to hunger and thirst after righteousness?

To hunger and thirst after righteousness is nothing but the longing to be holy.

It’s a desire to know God and to live like God.

What’s your greatest, consuming desire? What do you want more than anything?

*illustration about Facebook marketplace — the desire goes away.

Psalm 42:1–2 KJV 1900

1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, So panteth my soul after thee, O God. 2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: When shall I come and appear before God?

Psalm 17:15 KJV 1900

15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

What’s beautiful about this Beatitude is the attached promise… If our greatest desire is to be holy, then that desire will be granted!

Poor in spirit is the emptying of ourselves. To hunger and thirst after righteousness is the filling of ourselves.

What gets in the way of our pursuit of holiness? What are some distractions? (relationships, careers, laziness, doubt, idols, etc.)

MERCIFUL (vs.7)

Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.”

What do you think it means to be merciful?

Mercy means a sense of pity plus a desire to relieve the suffering.

Can anyone think of a story in the Bible that illustrates this? (Good Samaritan, Jesus, man forgiven of his debt — Matthew 18:21-35)

This Beatitude is almost stated backwards. Those who’ve experienced mercy, show mercy to others.

Examine your life: If I am not merciful there is only one explanation; I have never understood the grace and the mercy of God; I am outside Christ; I am yet in my sins and am unforgiven.

What would it look like for you to show mercy to others? (share the Gospel, seek justice, forgive others)

Micah 6:8 “8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; And what doth the Lord require of thee, But to do justly, and to love mercy, And to walk humbly with thy God?”

CONCLUSION

The Beatitudes are simply a description of true followers of Christ. But they are also good reminders for those who have received the gospel.

We must have a proper view of ourselves in relation to our holy God. This will change how we interact with others.

Jesus wants to change our heart before he changes our actions.

How might God be trying to change your heart?

PRAYER PROMPTS

Ask God to create in each of us a hunger to know Him and be like Him.

Pray that we would be reminded of the mercy shown to us through Christ so that we can show it to others.

Ask God to reveal to each of us our sin and that we would respond with repentance.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

Which Beatitude stood out to you the most tonight? Why?

In what ways are you tempted to think you can bring something to God to earn His love? (based on poor in spirit)

How do you typically respond when you become aware of your sin? (based on mourn)

What’s one small step you could take this week to grow in your pursuit of God? (based on hunger and thirst after righteousness)