SOTM-Beatitudes

David Taylor

SOTM-Beatitudes • Sermon • Submitted 6 years ago

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Intro to SOTM

Matthew 5:1–12 ESV

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And 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 satisfied. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive 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 others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Known as “Beatitudes” - probably best known of Gospel passages - intro to SOTM.

Beatitudes - from Latin word for “blessed”.

Greek NT has 2 words for “blessed” - one adjective, other a verb. “Euloge-oh” - I bless - act graciously towards someone, or praise someone.

Word in Beatitudes is adjective - “makarios” - fortunate, happy. Amplified “to be envied”.

How are we fortunate when poor? In mourning? Persecuted? Reviled?

These things happening to us don’t MAKE us blessed. We already ARE blessed! Why? Because Jesus wasn’t speaking to general population, but His disciples. No doubt the crowd listened too, but these words were spoken to believers. How can person who doesn’t believe in Jesus be persecuted because he DOES believe?

What kind of believers? Varying stages of maturity, understanding - some just starting, some enquiring, some so full of confidence in God that … but what He spoke was to ALL believers.

The New American Commentary: Matthew 2. Paradigmatic Preaching: The Sermon on the Mount (5:1–7:29)

The Beatitudes form an appropriate introduction to Jesus’ sermon as they remind his disciples that God blesses them before he makes demands on them (the body of the sermon). The same sequence appeared at Sinai. God redeemed his people from Egypt and reminded them of his blessings before giving them his law.

So Beatitudes say what position we’re in - we ARE blessed, right now <— in Kingdom of heaven. Can’t get better than that.

NB - Luke says “kingdom of God”. Not a different kingdom with different values, just different perspective of writer.

Interesting - “Blessed are poor in spirit - theirs IS - right now - the kingdom. Blessed are those who have been persecuted - theirs IS kingdom”. First and last blessing statements say “Kingdom IS ours”. In between, blessing comes later - although often some comes in part now.

How does that work?

Matthew 5:9 ESV

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

Attempt to bring peace in a fight may ==> being killed. So who’d call you “son of God”?

Matthew 5:5 ESV

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

MAtt 5:

We’re meek, gentle, humble - hopefully! - how much of earth have we inherited? Definitely future blessing!

So we have God’s blessing - in best position in eternity as members of God’s kingdom - What is best way to show it? By how we live. How then DO we live? How SHOULD we live?