The Blessed Life

Sermon Series: Kingdom Living – The Sermon on the Mount

Week 1 – The Blessed Life

Text: Matthew 5:1–12 Title: “Upside-Down Blessings”

Historical Background

Sermon on the Mount is Matthew’s summary of a portion of Jesus’s teachings. Jesus communicated the original instructions to his disciples on a mountain:( Matthew 5:1), and by the end many other people have come to listen:(7:28). We do not know how much or for how long Jesus taught on this occasion, but Matthew includes the essentials for the purpose of his Gospel account: Luke includes similar examples of Jesus’ teachings (Luke 6:20-49), from which we can infer that Jesus taught many of his lessons on various occasions. Matthew wrote his account of the gospel in the late AD50s or early 60s. The Sermon on the Mount preserves the vision for true flourishing that Jesus calls his people to cultivate, even amid persecution.

Introduction

A morning of worship, a lifetime of grace.

Have you ever noticed how different God’s definition of happiness is from the world’s? The world says: “Blessed are the rich, the powerful, the popular, the successful.” But when Jesus opens His most famous sermon, the Sermon on the Mount, He begins with a shocking reversal: “Blessed are the poor in spirit… those who mourn… the meek… the persecuted.”

It’s as if Jesus takes the ladder of success the world has built and flips it upside down. He shows us that in the Kingdom of God, true blessing doesn’t come from what you achieve or possess, but from who you are in Christ.

Explanation (Textual Walkthrough)

Matthew tells us Jesus “went up on a mountain” (5:1). This echoes Moses on Sinai, but instead of delivering the Law carved in stone, Jesus speaks the Law of His Kingdom, written on hearts.

The Beatitudes (vv. 3–12) are not “entrance requirements” into the Kingdom—they are descriptions of the character of those who belong to Christ.

Poor in Spirit (v. 3): Not material poverty, but spiritual humility—recognizing our need for God.

Those Who Mourn (v. 4): Mourning sin and brokenness leads to God’s comfort.

The Meek (v. 5): Strength under control; inheriting the earth through gentleness, not domination.

Hunger & Thirst for Righteousness (v. 6): A holy appetite for God’s will.

The Merciful (v. 7): Showing forgiveness because we’ve received it.

Pure in Heart (v. 8): Undivided devotion to God, leading to seeing Him clearly.

Peacemakers (v. 9): Not peacekeepers, but active makers of peace in a broken world.

The Persecuted (vv. 10–12): Those who suffer for righteousness share in the prophets’ reward.

Argumentation (Why This Matters)

The Beatitudes are shocking because they don’t describe “winners” by worldly standards. They describe people who seem weak, overlooked, or even defeated. And yet Jesus says they are the truly blessed ones because God Himself is their reward.

The world says power; Jesus says humility.

The world says laughter; Jesus says tears.

The world says self-promotion; Jesus says self-denial.

The world says safety; Jesus says suffering for His name is glory.

The Beatitudes aren’t a list of “to-dos.” They’re a portrait of who we become when Christ reigns in us.

Application (How We Live This Out)

Cultivate Kingdom Attitudes: Ask God to help you embrace humility, mercy, and purity.

Find Comfort in Mourning: Don’t hide your grief or sin—bring it to Jesus. He promises comfort.

Live Counter-Culturally: When pressured to climb the ladder of success, remember Jesus flips the ladder upside down.

Stand Strong in Persecution: If following Jesus costs you something—friends, approval, opportunities—remember you are in good company with the prophets and with Christ Himself.

Illustration

Years ago, I heard about a professional athlete who, after winning a championship, said, “I thought this would fill me, but I still feel empty.” That’s the world’s definition of blessing—wealth, fame, and power.

But then I visited a nursing home where an elderly woman with failing health whispered through a smile: “I have Jesus, and that’s enough.” Who was truly blessed? Not the one holding the trophy, but the one clinging to Christ.

Transition to Conclusion

The Beatitudes are not a map to the American Dream. They are a doorway to the Kingdom of God.

Conclusion

Jesus shows us that blessing isn’t found in chasing happiness—it’s found in Him. The Sermon on the Mount begins by reminding us: the people who look the most unlikely to be blessed are, in fact, the most blessed of all.

So, ask yourself today: Am I chasing the world’s definition of blessing, or Christ’s?

“Blessed are you,” Jesus says—not when life is easy, but when your life is surrendered to Him.

Closing Prayer

“Father, thank You for redefining what it means to be blessed. Help us to hunger and thirst for righteousness, to be merciful and pure in heart, and to stand firm even in persecution. May we live as Kingdom people in a world desperate for light. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”