Blessings of the Beatitudes

02/08/2026

Scripture:

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...

Prayer

Recap

2 part series now extending to 3 part. This morning and bible study.

Last week - Talked about Jesus message not what the people at the time were expecting.

Poor, tired, weary, and they were being told they were blessed. The message would not have aligned with what they were feeling.

For us today, when we read the beatitudes there is tension between what Jesus is defining as happiness and the definition of happiness that has been marketed to us.

Jesus’ message is counterculture.

This week we are going to focus on the first 4 of the beatitudes and finish the rest next week.

So to explore the beatitudes individually...we should recognize that Jesus is telling us...

Opening Line- Happiness comes when we practice the beatitudes, practicing the beatitudes requires us, at each step, to give something away.

As we walk through Jesus’ message, I want you to take it personally.

Put yourself on the mountain...and the crowds are gone.

Imagine Jesus is speaking only to you.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are the poor in spirit

To be poor in Spirit means to recognize that we come before God empty.

With a radical dependence on God’s grace...Radical is important as it demonstrates the desperation...I am nothing without you.

This recognition presents ourselves before God with humility

Dependence comes when we let go of the wheel and let God lead.

Someone asked how do I even begin this?

Vulnerability - saying you love someone.

Humility and dependence.

GIVE UP - Pride & Ego

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

Blessed are those who mourn

Mourning in this case does not refer to worldly losses such as relationships, finances, careers...

Refers to the deep grief experienced over what we have done that created separation from God.

First - recognizing our spiritual poverty and now Jesus is saying blessed are those who mourn over it.

Those that it pains them to their core to be separated.

The Spirit comforts those who are honest and acknowledge the separation AND turn back to God.

The separation is not a one time thing...lighthouse and boat in the ocean.

PRODIGAL SON

In turning back there is humility...and through Jesus acceptance with open arms.

Grief and Consolation.

GIVE UP - Pride and Ego

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

Blessed are the meek

What does meek mean?

In Greek the word means mildness, gentleness of spirit, humility.

It is disciplined strength characterized by gentleness.

Meekness is not weakness, cowardice, timid, indecisive.

The key distinction emerges in how meekness functions: it means having the right or power to do something but refraining for the benefit of someone else

For they shall inherit the Earth

Meekness models the humility of Jesus...He had the power but chose to submit to a death on the cross as a sacrifice for all.

Mahatma Gandi - Lawyer, leader in the Indian National Congress, and political ethicist who employed nonviolent resistance to lead the successful campaign for India's independence from Britain. He fought for easing poverty, expanding women's rights, building religious and ethnic harmony.

He was a highly respected individual who had power, but chose to give it away for the good of the people. To support the marginalized and live by what is just and righteous.

Jesus is blessing those who recognize that true power and influence flows from alignment with God’s will AND NOT FROM motives of self-gain or advancement.

Gentleness

GIVE UP - Self for the sake of others

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

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness

When we hunger and thirst there is a need that is not being met. A basic need that must be met in order to survive.

The need is for righteousness...

Righteousness refers to the complete orientation of life towards God and His will.

When we have that orientation it is visible to others like a shining light.

Jesus is emphasizing the importance that being in right relationship with God is a basic need that must be met.

Orientation

GIVE UP - Worldly desires

SUMMARY

This is as far as we should go this week...

The beatitudes are an invitation to engage in ways that are blessed and lead to happiness. They are not free however...they come with a cost.

Read through them.

Struggle with them.

Think about what is it that I can do to engage better with them everyday.

Sometimes engaging with them means focusing on the giving up part...what do I need to do less of to find the happiness Jesus is inviting us to.

Pray about it...if you want to talk please reach out.

I invite you at this point to read the beatitudes on the back of the bulletin, and hold them close in your heart as if Jesus is speaking directly to you. MAKE IT PERSONAL EXAMPLE.

As we read them let us sit in silence.

END PART ONE

Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the merciful

Being merciful is to LOVE and LIVE forgiveness and compassion to those in need.

This is a counter-culture one. We live in a world that celebrates self-help and prioritizing our own comfort BUT the very nature of mercy is outward.

Wording - Mercy vs. Merciful

A foundation for being merciful can be born from the understanding that we have been given mercy from a God who forgives...from a God whose first step towards us is compassion.

From a God who no matter what we have done is willing to run towards us when we return.

Forgiveness and Compassion

GIVE UP - Holding on to anger and resentment, pain.

Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.

Blessed are the pure in heart

Our hearts encompass our thoughts, desires, sense of purpose, our will, our character.

To be pure in heart means having the ability to see God through perceiving God’s work in our lives and maintaining a relationship that allows you to be guided by His Spirit.

To be pure in heart involves having a singleness of heart toward God—a pure heart has no hypocrisy, no deceit, no hidden motives, and is marked by transparency and an uncompromising desire to please God in all things.

Righteousness is ORIENTATION - Pure in heart is the ability and willingness to be led by the Spirit.

Spirit Led

GIVE UP - The things that get in our way...worldly expectations.

Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.

Blessed are the peacemakers

Explain difference between peacemakers and peacekeepers

Peacekeeping - conflict avoidance, trying to quiet things down.

Peacemaking - involves risk and also discernment, in bringing about God’s desired outcome.

Peacemaking means actively working to establish right relationships.

For they shall be called sons of God.

Peacemakers are barrier breakers who tear down walls that divide and actively intervene on behalf of those who are poor, misused, or powerless.

Jesus intervened on behalf of the marginalized. When we are peacemakers for those around us, in our families, in society we are following Jesus and as He says, we shall be called sons of God.

Leading with Love

GIVE UP - Safety

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake

Righteousness refers to the complete orientation of life towards God and His will.

Being persecuted for it, means suffering due to actively pursuing God.

That can take many forms...it does not necessarily mean public martyrdom, but can be the quiet daily suffering endured in private.

The decisions we make regarding where to spend out time, money, resources, energy, etc. IF THEY ALIGN WITH GOD’S WILL THEIR IS A COST...A SACRIFICE BEING MADE.

Sacrifice

GIVE UP - that which sacrifice

SUMMARY

The beatitudes are an invitation to engage in ways that are blessed and lead to happiness. They are not free however...they come with a cost.

Read through the back of the bulletin.

Struggle with them.

Pray about it...if you want to talk please reach out.

Following Jesus isn’t easy...