Beatitudes (pt. 2)

This is our third lesson on the Sermon on the Mount where we’re being discipled by Jesus — We’re learning from Jesus what it means to live like Jesus.

INTRODUCTION

What does the final picture of a believer look like? What is the ideal picture of a Christian? — *illustration of Captain America being the ideal specimen of a soldier.

Last week we covered a little over half of the Beatitudes. Remember, the Beatitudes are Jesus’ teachings (or descriptions) of the attitudes of a follower of Christ. Mainly, the Beatitudes point out for us that God’s people should be different.

And we saw how each of the Beatitudes built upon one another. This week, we’re going to see a culmination of the collected Beatitudes. There are three main Beatitudes left for us this evening.

Turn with me to Matthew 5.

PURE IN HEART (vs.8)

Can someone read for us Matthew 5:8?

Matthew 5:8 KJV 1900

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Can you think of another of the Beatitudes that this might correspond with? What do you think it means to be pure in heart?

This Beatitude seems to be the fulfillment of a previous Beatitude. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled.”

What did we say it meant to hunger and thirst after righteousness? — a pursuit of holiness.

Here then we find the fulfillment of that previous Beatitude.

Think — what is your ideal version of yourself? — talk about what I wanted to look like and be when I was a kid.

Now what does Jesus say?

1 Samuel 16:7 KJV 1900

7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

God says to Samuel that the most important part of you is not your hair, ravishingly good looks, talents, or family. The most important part of you is your heart.

What is the heart?

Proverbs 4:23 KJV 1900

23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.

The heart in Scripture is the center of man’s being and personality, the fount out of which everything else comes, the mind, the will, and the total inward man.

Christians are those who do not aim merely at outward correctedness, but at inward holiness. — J.C. Ryle

Christian disciples are characterized by the pursuit to please God.

So then, what does God promise to those who are pure in heart? — they shall see God.

What do you think this means?

Holiness is a prerequisite for entering God’s presence. Remember the tabernacle? Only one could enter into the holiest of holies to atone for the sins of Israel.

The pure in heart will see God and experience intimate fellowship with him. This applies both now and forever.

Listen to what David wrote in Psalm 24.

Psalm 24:3–4 KJV 1900

3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; Who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, Nor sworn deceitfully.

APPLICATION

Is your life mismatched? Does your heart match your outward persona? Do you live a double life?

Remember, those who desire and pursue holiness will be filled with holiness. What does your lack of holiness say about you?

Here’s some encouragements:

Maybe you are sitting here and you sincerely want to do what’s right. You want to pursue holiness. You want to grow close to God. But it’s hard and you struggle with sin.

Live life in the open. Be honest about who you are. (*remember camp?) Don’t hide sin. Seek help and counsel. Don’t pretend you’re ok when you’re not. If you desire to follow Christ, go all in seeking his holiness and righteousness.

Maybe you’re sitting here and you want to look like the world. You desire to be popular, to look like everyone else, to act like everyone else. You don’t want to be different as believers are called to be.

What this Beatitude makes clear for us is this — if that is your attitude, then you will not see God. This is problematic because it’s talking about now (the present) and in the future.

PEACEMAKERS (vs.9)

Can someone read for us Matthew 5:9?

Matthew 5:9 KJV 1900

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

What does peace mean?

Peace (shālôm) — wholeness and harmony rather than strife and discord

What is the difference between being a peacemaker and being a peacekeeper?

The main difference between the two is this: Peacekeepers are content with the status quo. Peacemakers are pursuing peace in every aspect of life.

A peacemaker desires peace, and does all he can to produce peace and maintain it.

Remember Christ is calling believers to be different. How do we look at the world around us and see a lack of peace? (wars, injustice, racial inequity and racism, bitterness, social media fights, gossip)

The peacemaker operates from this fundamental perspective — All men should be at peace. Most importantly, All men should be at peace with God.

God created everything at peace. Sin disrupts peace.

A peacemaker is one who has tasted peace with God through the cross of Christ.

Colossians 1:20 KJV 1900

20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

Peacemakers are those who repeat what God has done.

A mark of those who are at peace with God is the indwelling of the Holy spirit.

Galatians 5:22–23 KJV 1900

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Here’s the beautiful part of this verse — Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God. Why do you think Jesus attaches this promise to peacemakers?

Peacemakers pursue the mission of God. Others will identify them as belonging to God.

*illustration about looking like my dad. Find a picture of my dad when he was young.

God’s children are ambassadors of peace.

APPLICATION

What does being a peacemaker look like?

One of the main ways that we are architects of peace is through evangelism. We should seek to bring all men to Christ. Our desire should be to see all men at peace with God.

Examine your interpersonal relationships. What do they look like?

Do you harbor bitterness and are unwilling to forgive? Are you divisive and argumentative with others? What about cliques who are unwilling to accept others? Do you gossip and drive wedges between others?

These are signs that you are not a peacemaker.

But you may not partake in these activities, but rather allow them to continue. You, then, would be a peacekeeper. This attitude is passive towards those who are divisive. They are complicit in the crimes because they are not actively creating or seeking peace.

But maybe you are here and you are not at peace with God. You are an enemy of God because of your sin. *Gospel application.

PERSECUTED (vs.10-12)

Can someone read for us Matthew 5:10-12?

Matthew 5:10–12 KJV 1900

10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall 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 which were before you.

Can you identify some words in these verses that seem to be opposite of how you’d react if you were persecuted? (blessed, rejoice, glad, reward)

These three verses are the conclusion to the Beatitudes.

Disciples of Christ belong to Christ’s Kingdom. Jesus established this at the very beginning of the Beatitudes. “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.”

*soccer illustration — you will stick out.

The previous Beatitudes identify an individual who is not welcome in this world.

Discipleship means allegiance to the suffering Christ… and it is therefore not at all surprising that Christians should be called upon to suffer. In fact, it is a joy and token of his grace.

— Bonhoeffer

And guess what Jesus says… that is something to be rejoiced over.

Specifically, what is the believer being persecuted for?

Persecution is the reaction of the world to righteous living.

Being righteous, practicing righteousness, really means being like the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore they are really blessed who are persecuted for being like him. — MLJ

Persecution, therefore, identifies us with Christ.

Persecution identifies us with saints gone before us.

Acts 7:52 KJV 1900

52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

We rejoice because we’re counted worthy to suffer with Christ, because the world identifies us with Christ, and because we gain eternal rewards in heaven.

How might the believer be persecuted?

As being citizens of Christ’s Kingdom, comfort in this life is not our aim. We aim to please the King.

APPLICATION

The Gospel of Jesus Christ creates a clear-cut division and distinction between the Christian and the true non-Christian.

This final application leaves us with a warning and an encouragement.

Warning: Your righteous living should be countercultural. It should garner the attention of the world around you. There should be a distinction in your living that separates you from the world around you. You should be prepared for persecution. Is the way your living being noticed by those around you?

Encouragement: Persecution produces joy in the believer. Be reminded about what persecution says about the believer. You are like Christ! Rejoice!

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Is there a difference between how people perceive you outwardly and what’s going on in your heart? What steps can you take to align your inner life with your outward appearance?

Are you more of a peacemaker or a peacekeeper in your relationships? What would it look like this week for you to actively pursue peace with someone?

In what ways do you feel pressure to fit in with the world? How can remembering that “the pure in heart will see God” help shape your choices?

Can you think of a time you were treated differently (or left out) because of your faith? How did you respond, and what could it look like to “rejoice” in that moment instead of feeling ashamed or discouraged?

PRAYER PROMPTS

Pray that God would reveal the hidden areas of our hearts and that our desire for holiness would grow beyond outward appearance.

Ask God to give us the courage to be true peacemakers — not just avoiding conflict, but actively reflecting His peace and seeking reconciliation.

Pray that when we face rejection or criticism for their faith, we stand firm in Christ, remembering that He, too, was rejected and that suffering for Him brings joy and reward.

Ask God to shape the identity of our youth group through His Word and Spirit — that they we would find our worth as children of God rather than seeking approval from the world.