From the Mouth of the Master- Part 1- Matthew 5:1-5

Introduction

Today we will begin a new series of messages which will be preached continually each Sunday morning and Sunday evening for the next several weeks.

This sermon series goes hand and hand with our ministry process flow and our intention to make certain that every person who comes through the doors of HPBC is Connected to Christ and to His Church, Grows in Grace and Knowledge enabling them to become Engaged in the Work of Ministry.

We have stated numerous times that our desire is to produce not only believers in Christ but devoted followers (disciples) of Christ. This is only possible if we ourselves are devoted disciples for it takes a disciple to make a disciple.

In light of these facts over the next several weeks we will explore a passage of scripture often referred to as the “Sermon on the Mount.” This passage contains the words of Jesus Christ directed at His disciples.

There are some who have said that this passage is not to be applied to the present life of the believer but to a future kingdom state in the future, however this view is not born of the scriptures.

As we examine the context of this passage what we will find is a time of thorough instruction for those who will be disciples of Jesus Christ.

This conversation begins with a group of short succinct statements that are often referred to as the “Beatitudes” as Jesus speaks to His disciples of blessing reserved for specific attitudes which ought to be present in the lives of any disciple of Christ.

We will cover three of these “Beatitudes” today.

Jesus says to His disciples, Blessed are...

The Poor in Spirit (Vs. 3)

The word “poor” here is a word that was used to describe someone who was destitute, especially someone who was so impoverished as to find it necessary to be dependent upon others for sustenance.

In this passage, the Lord Jesus speaks not of financial poverty but of a poverty of spirit or attitude.

Those who are poor in spirit recognize their own insufficiency and in turn are led to a complete dependency upon God.

Psalm 34:18 KJV 1900

The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; And saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

This humility is not a false humility which proclaims one’s own worthlessness or utter inability but rather a right estimation of oneself and a recognition of the need for God’s divine enablement.

This attitude of humility makes those who exercise it the possessors of the kingdom of heaven. Certainly this is true with regard to salvation as well as living in the present as a citizen of the heavenly kingdom.

Our salvation is dependent upon our realization that we cannot gain heaven by our own merit and then to place our trust in Christ depending upon His merits for salvation.

Those show somehow believe that they shall enter the kingdom of heaven of their own accord will certainly be disappointed, but those whose hope is entirely in Jesus Christ shall find themselves one rejoicing in His presence.

It is also true as we strive to live for Christ in this world. We do not have the strength or power to do so on our own, but we have the promise that He will enable and strengthen us to do that which He requires.

Philippians 4:13 KJV 1900

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Those who learn to rely upon God shall find that they are blessed indeed.

Blessed are...

They That Mourn (Vs. 4)

The mourning which is here spoken of is evidently in response to our own sin and unrighteousness and unfitness for the kingdom of heaven.

This sorrow is a healthy response when we begin to see ourselves as God sees us. Paul speaks of just such a sorrow as he wrote to the carnal church in Corinth.

Far too many believers do not consider the seriousness of sin and of evil. If we are to be blessed and comforted we must once again mourn over our sin.

Romans 7:13 KJV 1900

Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

We live in a generation where sin is not only being practiced by believers, but is in many cases being promoted. This should burden our hearts and cause us to mourn.

Romans 1:32 KJV 1900

Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

May we never arrive at the place in our lives where we accept things which the Bible forbids or make allowances for sin in our own lives.

II Corinthians 7:8-11- godly sorrow which produces repentance.

We may mourn our sin and unrighteousness here and even the suffering and sorrow that sin has produced, but there is coming a day when we shall be comforted.

Notice here that the comfort is a promise which shall be realized at a future time. There is coming a day when we shall no more sorrow for sin but we shall be freed from even the presence of sin as we dwell forever in the presence of God.

If we refuse to mourn for sin now, we shall spend eternity mourning sin in a place of torment and separation from God.

Blessed are...

The Meek (Vs. 5)

A person who is meek does not demand his/her rights, but is willing to submit themselves to God and allow Him to right wrongs and carry out justice.

Numbers 12:1-11- Moses did not fight agains Aaron and Miriam, he did not demand that they respect his authority, he simply trusted himself to God and allowed God to deal justly with them.

This humble submission to God is what ultimately brings the blessings of God upon our lives. When we are willing to surrender our rights and willing to submit to God’s authority, only then will we realize this blessedness of which Jesus speaks.

The statement which Jesus makes seems to be contradictory as He states that the meek shall “inherit the earth.”

Those without God believe that the strongest, the most forceful, the most aggressive and ambitious individuals will surely be the ones who would inherit the earth but Jesus says exactly the opposite.

The meek will ultimately inherit the earth because in submitting to God’s authority and surrendering their rights to Him, they assure themselves a future opportunity to rule and reign with Christ when His kingdom is established.

While many may be attempting by force to gain all that this world has to offer by making demands and imposing their will, the believer must not strive by force but rather he must yield himself to God and trust that He will ultimately bring His will to pass.

One day those who have resisted God and rebelled against His authority and have imposed their own will shall bow before Jesus and declare Him Lord.

Those who in meekness submit to His will and surrender their rights to Him shall in that day rule and reign with Him!

2 Timothy 2:11–12 KJV 1900

It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

Revelation 5:9–10 KJV 1900

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Revelation 22:3–5 KJV 1900

And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

Conclusion

In this beginning section of the Sermon on the Mount, we can already see that the values which Jesus is emphasizing to His disciples are exactly the opposite of the values which are emphasized by the world.

Throughout this powerful sermon, Jesus contrasts the world’s values and ideologies with those of the true disciple.

This entire passage of scripture is meant to transform our attitudes and behavior that we may live as citizens of a heavenly kingdom and no longer as citizens of this world.

We all desire the blessings of God on our lives and yet these can only be ours when we implement Jesus instruction.

Could it be said of us that we are poor in spirit, recognizing our insufficiency and relying upon God’s all sufficient grace?

Do we mourn over sin in our own lives as well as in the lives of others?

Could it be said of us that we are meek, having surrendered our rights and submitted ourselves unto God?

There are wonderful blessings awaiting those disciples who will receive this instruction! Will you be one of them?