"Tudes"Part 1

Preliminary:

Thanks for the opportunity to teach God’s Word this year and thanks for coming...

I have been told about and seen pictures of an exhibit somewhere inside the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City. It is just a big chunk of metal fused to a Bible or at least half of it. Its scorched and torn pages are open to Matthew 5, the Sermon on the mount. The story is told that an anonymous firefighter found it in the rubble under the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

It is now on display in the national museum a continual reminder “that the Bible’s message survives throughout time.” Christianity Today Jan/Feb 2021

In these sessions, we have together I want to explore that timeless, and well-known message of Jesus the greatest teacher ever -

Matthew gives us five of his discourses the first of which covers Matthew 5-7 known as The Sermon on the Mount or what some have called “the Constitution of the Kingdom of Heaven.”

John Stott rightly asserts;

The Sermon on the Mount is probably the best-known part of the teaching of Jesus, though arguably it is the least understood, and certainly it is the least obeyed

- John Stott The Message of the Sermon on the Mount (Introduction: What Is This Sermon? (Matthew 5:1, 2))

In properly looking at the Sermon on the Mount we must first get a good grasp on some important details of interpretation.

THE INTERPRETATION

Interpreting the Sermon on the Mount

The Sermon on the Mount has been studied, analyzed, and interpreted in so many different ways, one is prone to agree with Mark Twain when he said,

“The researches of many commentators have already thrown much darkness on this subject, and it is probable that, if they continue, we shall soon know nothing at all about it.” - Mark Twain

The first thing I want to point out is that the focus of this Sermon on the Mount is on the disciples not to believers. Which is the reason I don’t emphasize a theological sequential order to the beatitudes.

Jon Earls a pastor and admin of ClassicHolinessSermons.com wrote a book not too long ago called Sermons on THE Sermon where he writes:

“...the Sermon on the Mount is impossible - unless you have repented of your sins and are in a right relationship with Jesus Christ. The teaching of the Sermon on the Mount will only change us when we are submitted to the reign of the King who preached it… …This sermon is a description of the lifestyle of those who belong to Christ’s Kingdom...” Earls, Jon, Sermons on THE Sermon: Studies on the Sermon on the Mount 2015, Self Published

The Sermon on the Mount is a total impossible ethic for an unbeliever. It is a plan for spiritual formation and/or discipleship not a legalistic checklist of do’s and don’ts which we will discuss later.

One has argued that a proper understanding of the Sermon on the Mount “rides on a track of two conceptual rails.” a track that runs both ways —coming from the past into the Sermon and running through the Sermon to an overall interpretation”

Rails support and guide the wheels of trains or trams -

...the two rails on which the Sermon on the Mount rides are summed up in two Greek words: “markarios” and “teleios” in English they are “blessed” and “perfect” or “mature” or I will probably use terms like “blessed and Spiritual Formation/ Christlikeness”.

By the time Jesus’ ministry began, the teachings of the Pharisees had veered so far from the what God had said. "[they] had wrongly interpreted the law of Moses, so Jesus Christ is now going to PROPERLY interpret the righteous demands of God and show what true righteousness in the sight of God is.”

Notice where Jesus goes to establish this teachings —the Law of Moses

We have to keep in mind that Jesus never contradicts the teaching of the Old Testament. He does however confront and contradicts the wrong interpretations of the Old Testament.

Because of this, Jesus’ teachings seemed to radically different from the Pharisees and Sadducees...

...[the] people were inclined to think Jesus was trying to subvert and twist the teaching of God’s Word.” GBS&C LIFE OF CHRIST NOTES

The Sermon on the Mount has been appreciated, admired, and also abdicated by many people -

Gandhi - who didn’t believe in Jesus as Savior at all - drew inspiration from the teachings of Jesus concerning overcoming evil with good, and a source for his philosophy of non-violence and non-resistance. He writes in his autobiography that the Old Testament bored him to sleep, “But the New Testament produced a different impression, especially the Sermon on the Mount which went straight to my heart.”

Virginia Stem Owens a professor at Texas A&M wrote an essay in 1987 about the response her students had when she made The Sermon on the Mount required reading for her course. Their responses were interesting.

Many in the class, a class made up of students from middle-class, conservative, Republican families, had some surprising reactions to the reading. Many of them had never heard or read it before, and most of them where unimpressed. [And remember this was back in the 80’s for context I was born in 1981]

One wrote, “I did not like the essay ‘Sermon the Mount.’ It was hard to read and made me feel like I had to be perfect and no one is.”

“The things asked in this sermon are absurd. To look at a woman is adultery? That is the most extreme, stupid, un-human statement that I have ever heard.”

Modern ethics have attempted to take the teachings or at least a selected few teachings of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount and separate them from Jesus Christ.

Gandhi did this and others have tried it as well.

Oswald Chambers warns, “Beware of placing our Lord as Teacher first instead of Saviour. ...We must know Him first as Saviour before His teaching can have any meaning for us...” Oswald Chambers, Studies in the Sermon on the Mount (Hants, UK: Marshall, Morgan & Scott, 1960).

Dallas Willard admonished the church because for the last two centuries it has allowed knowledge and faith to be separated. But the Church or rather the Kingdom of God has the knowledge to provide the good life, or the blessed / flourishing life. not the world.

Lets look here now at the setting...

1.) The Setting - Matthew 5:1-2

Jesus within his first six months of earthly ministry mainly in Judea, cleanses the Temple at Passover, has an interview with Nicodemus, then leaving Judea he stops in Samaria and talks to the woman at the well, and then moves on to begin his Galilean tour lasting about 12-18 months. It was here that he calls the twelve disciples. It was sometime in the early to mid Galilean tour we arrive at Matthew 5

Matthew 5:1–2 KJV 1900

1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

These are the three things, it is commonly said, that mark a good preacher; first, that he take his place; secondly, that he open his mouth and say something; thirdly, that he know when to stop.

Martin Luther, Commentary on the Sermon on the Mount, trans. Charles A. Hay (Philadelphia: Lutheran Publication Society, 1892), 13.

I want us to notice the three M’s in this passage 1. The Multitudes 2. The Mountain 3. The Master

The Multitudes Who were they? Notice the multitude were those following for miracles, but Jesus focuses the message of the Sermon to His disciples, those who were following Him.

The Mountain - NIV translates this “mountainside” It was probably a level spot on the side of a mountain, so they could all see and hear Jesus better. We don’t really know what mountain this was for sure.

Although, There is The Church of the Beatitudes atop a small hill on the north shore of Lake Galilee, preserving the location of an earlier Byzantine-era church that Christian pilgrims believed was the spot Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount.

Some have stood on that exact location and said the acoustics and ambience was a perfect setting for a sermon of this nature.

Mountains were important in the Ministry of Jesus

In the ancient world “mountains were perceived as places where heaven and earth met, where deities lived and issued their decrees, and where cosmic forces did battle.”

The Jewish tradition had its own concept of a “cosmic mountain”

Mount Sinai

The Temple Mount in Jerusalem

Matthew reflects this in the Gospel in fact Matthew gives us seven mountains with Jesus

The Mountain of Temptation - Jesus overcomes evil and proves himself ready to carry out God’s redemptive plan Matthew 4:8

The Mountain of Beatitudes - which we are studying is Jesus defining God’s kingdom and God’s people - it portrays Jesus somewhat as a second Moses

The Mountain of Separation Matthew 14:23 he went to pray in the mountain alone while he sent the discples out in a storm - Have you ever thought about Jesus praying for you in your storm? Don’t worry about telling God how big your storm - tell your storm how Big God is.

Mountani of feeding in the Wilderness - Mattehw 13:29

Mountain of Transfiguration - Matthew 17 the Mount of Transfiguration, heaven and earth collide in a way that recalls Mount Sinai - clouds, proclamations, and even the presence of Moses.

Mountain of Olivet Discourse Matthew 24:3

The Mountain of Commissioning Matthew 28:16

Of important note, Matthew’s use of mountains instead of focusing on one particular mountain, suggests that a person, not a fixed geographical point - holds the key to understanding how the heavenly realm will break into the earthly realm. The real significance isn't where, but who. (Adapted and quoted from David B. Schreiner, “Backdrops: The Collision of Heaven and Earth: Why Mountains Matter in the Gospel of Matthew,” Bible Study Magazine (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press; Faithlife, 2020), 25–51.

The Minister - Jesus ascends a mountain or mountainside similar to another great teacher and leader 1600-2000 of years before, Moses.

This minister does some amazing teaching over the next couple of chapters lets look at his teachings.

2.) The Teaching - Kingdom Living

While I won’t necessarily use it as an outline I thought it so good - too good not to share - Dr. Timothy Keller a well known preacher and teacher summarized The Sermon on the Mount into 10 brief statements. I think they are clear and concise statements of what Jesus is teaching about

Our relationship to the world around us

Our relationship with individuals

Sexual integrity

Speech integrity

How to respond to hostility

Our attitude and response to the poor

Your prayer life

Your attitude toward your money

Your attitude toward circumstances

Your Attitude toward people who are wrong

Jesus teaches them for three chapters (Matthew 5-7) but we can only cover a portion today.

A brief overview of this teaching:

A Disciples Character - Matthew 5:3-12

A Disciples Influence - Matthew 5:13-16

Kingdom Righteousness (Jesus the Law & Prophets) - Matthew 5:17-48

Kingdom Reality vs Pharisaical Hypocrisy - Matthew 6:1-34

Wisdom and Folly Personified Matthew 7

Today we are covering Matthew 5:3-16 covering the Disciples Character and Influence in a lesson I have titled “‘Tudes” from the root word of the terms Beatitudes and Similitudes. Which is how I will divide this section.

Now lets look at these two categories

The Beatitudes Matthew 5:3-12 = The Disciples Character - the blessed life (We will deal with this topic today)

The Similitudes Matthew 5:13-16 = The Disciples Influence - The Christlike Life (This will be the topic tomorrow)

The Sermon on the Mount is quite unlike the Ten Commandments in the sense of its being absolutely unworkable unless Jesus Christ can remake us.

Oswald Chambers, Studies in the Sermon on the Mount (Hants, UK: Marshall, Morgan & Scott, 1960).

Changed people live in a changed way - The Sermon on the Mount is counter cultural implicit and explicit (look at Mounce’s Podcast & Stott’s book)

The Beatitudes have been called “a sort of title-page to the teachings of Jesus.”

The Wesleyan Bible Commentary, Volume 4: Matthew–Acts (a. Their Rights (5:1–12))

The Structure:

Some scholars have divided the beatitudes into two sets of four.

It is interesting as both sets contain thirty-six words each in the Greek version. (Now if you have an English translation KJV, NKJV, NIV etc, it won’t add up). (Summarized from: W. D. Davies and Dale C. Allison Jr., A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel according to Saint Matthew, vol. 1, International Critical Commentary (London; New York: T&T Clark International, 2004), 429.)

E. Stanley Jones calls the sermon a Working Philosophy for Life

John Wesley makes the assertion that the Beatitudes are

“the sum of all true religion is laid down in eight particulars, which are explained, and guarded against the false glosses of man, in the following parts of the fifth chapter” John Wesley, The Works of John Wesley, Third Edition., vol. 5 (London: Wesleyan Methodist Book Room, 1872), 251.

Beatitudes are a Jewish literary form which runs like this: “It will go well with the one who… for that one shall receive...” (Craig S. Keener, Matthew)

Someone has made up a modern-day beatitude to say, “Blessed are those who have cell phones, for they shall be called.”

Each beatitude is associated with an Old Testament promise to those who will participate in the future Kingdom. By this means, Jesus informed His listeners as to what Kingdom He was discussing.

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 late great Dallas Willard a puritan philosopher and professor in an exercise with his students on one occasion had them write their own beatitudes.

He said the qualification for the beatitudes is this: “They’re not blessed because they’re in the condition they’re in. They’re blessed because the Kingdom is available to them.” I like that.

Willard continues...Now, if you have trouble with going to people who are considered unblessable and pronouncing their blessing in the Kingdom, then you haven't gotten the message of the Kingdom yet. Because the message of the Kingdom is precisely that all of those that human beings regard as unblessable are not unblessable, if they enter into the Kingdom

https://youtu.be/RxkaVGVhkuA?list=PLEEFE7764C0CDD74B

Scripture For Today: Matthew 5:3-12 / Luke 6:20-26

I encourage you to read Luke 6:20-26 and note the differences between them. Some even suggest they are two different sermons, others the same. Due to time we will have to leave that for another conversation.

I will read each beatitude as we come to it.

Notice the very first word out of Jesus mouth in this sermon, “Blessed” [makarios “mah-kah-dios]

Lets look a little closer at this word “blessed’

Word Study: Blessed -

We talked earlier about the tracks. We are encountering the first of these rails that our train of thought must ride on. “Blessed”

We need a brief word study of the term “blessed”

“Blessed” or “μακάριος” [makarios “mah-kah-dios] - occurs fifty times in the New Testament - thirteen of which are in Matthew.

Many including John Wesley have defined the word “blessed” as “happy” or “fortunate”

While I think I know what they are saying - I just am not comfortable with that word.

There are a couple of problems with the defining blessed as happy

First, it is too simplistic

Second, Happy is derived from the English word “hap” or happenstance and is connected with luck or chance. The beatitudes are not things that produce or bring this kind of happiness.

I will be honest I haven’t found a term that fully satisfies my desire to comunicate and describe the concept of “blessed”

The two closest, but they even fall extremely short are

Max Lucado in his book The Applause of Heaven defines it as “sacred delight” he explains “It is sacred because only God can grant it. It is a delight because it thrills. Since it is sacred, it can’t be stolen. And since it is delightful, it can’t be predicted.” (p.11)

Bill Mounce a pastor, teacher, and profound Greek Scholar defines it in his two year series on The Sermon on the Mount podcast as “approved by God”

Both of these terms fall short because they each only emphasize one respective aspect of blessed.

As best I can tell, the word “blessed” is an affirmation that conveys two things

1. Joy (hence the word happy used so much)

2. Divine approval.

So now that we have a little more clearer idea of what “blessed” means

Lets look at these beatitudes briefly, due to time restraint we will only highlight them.

1 - Poor in Spirit Matthew 5:3 - Poverty

Matthew 5:3 KJV 1900

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Poor in Spirit = Poverty of spirit

The Good and Beautiful Life: Putting on the Character of Christ Poor in Spirit

Dallas Willard translates “poor in spirit”* as “spiritual zeroes,” meaning the kind of people who humans typically think have no place before God.

So the opening beatitude might read something like this: “Blessed are you who are feeling marginalized from God, who have nothing going for you spiritually—for you too are invited to the kingdom.”

Humanity in its pride tries so hard to work or earn their salvation:

If I pray the right words or a certain way

If I do enough good things God will add them up and save me

We try to fill our righteousness bank with whatever we feel will earn us salvation.

being poor in spirit is in agreement with Augustus Toplady’s hymn

In my hand no price I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling.

Empty Hands -  Martha Snell Nicholson

One by one He took them from me,

All the things I valued most;

Until I was empty-handed,

Every glittering toy was lost.

And I walked earth’s highways, grieving,

In my rags and poverty,

Till I heard His voice inviting,

“Lift your empty hands to me.”

So I held my hands toward Heaven

And He filled them with a store

Of His own transcendent riches

And at last I comprehend,

With my stupid mind and dull, That God could not pour His riches Into hands already full.

The promised blessings: “Theirs is the kigdom of heaven” - what does that mean?

James 2:5 KJV 1900

Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

It could mean several things - It could be referring to the future awaiting those who are in Christ. They used to sing, “I’ve got a mansion just over the hilltop” why because here theydidn’t have anything but “you ought to see what’s coming by and by”

It could mean that God blsses people in many different ways - sometimes money, or clothes, or gas that seems to stretch on for miles and miles beyond it’s normal limits

It could mean that -

but I think it is refering to both here and now and the future - we don’t have anything to boast of ourselves - but my all of heaven is mine. I’ve got the Lord and that’s enough.

2 - They That Mourn - Matthew 5:4 - Mourning

Matthew 5:4 KJV 1900

4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

While there is coming a day when God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes, we also see some of this comfort here.

There is a fascinating and somewhat troubling verse found in Ecclesiastes that fits with this beatitude. It says:

Ecclesiastes 7:3 KJV 1900

3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.

History is wet with the tears of those suffering under the curse and wretchedness of sin.

I can only imagine the inconsolable Adam and Eve as they buried the first deceased body - their own son. The sobs and anguish would have been real and tangible.

Jeremiah was known as the weeping prophet - weeping over the sins of the people.

Paul recognizing that the law could not save him - no doubt wept as he cried, “Oh wretched man that I am.

Jesus himself sat overlooking the beloved city. Zion - Jerusalem and wept. “Oh how oft I would have gathered you but you would not.”

Tears are a part of humanity - but for the Child of God - tears are productive-

Psalm 126:5–6 KJV 1900

5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

I’m thankful the beatitude isn’t just about mourning and sadness - but it promises comfort- restoration - renewal - joy in place of sadness.

Comfort and help here -

Jesus told the disciples later that he would have to go away to send another comforter indicating that he was also a comforter. I like that word “Comforter” it means someone who comes along beside you.

Comforting also brings clarity -

Ira Stanphill put it this way:

He washed my eyes with tears

That I might see.

One day all our tears will come to an end or so it seems - when God the Father takes His huge hankie and bends down and wipes away all tears from our eyes.

No wonder Jesus could say

Matthew 5:4 KJV 1900

4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

3 - The Meek - Matthew 5:5 - Lowliness

Matthew 5:5 KJV 1900

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Meek - A person characterized by being humble, gentle, and mild. - Bible Sense Lexicon

meekness, “…is the very opposite of all that is self-centered, and therefore is a quality of strength.”

Don Fleming in the AMG Concise Bible Dictionary says that

According to the Puritan pastor Thomas Watson, Meekness toward other people consists of three things: the bearing of injuries, the forgiving of injuries, and the returning of good for evil.

Thomas Watson, The Beatitudes (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1971)

While the armies of the wolrd are bombing it out with each other - God says the meek - those who are patient - they’re going to inherit the earth.

4 - Hunger & Thirst - Matthew 5:6 - Passion

Matthew 5:6 KJV 1900

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

I think this is talking about desiring and having a passion for God.

Matthew talks about hungering and thirsting after “righteousness”

“hunger and thirst” refer to “the fundamental human need for sustenance than ‘hunger’ alone can.”

This is an intense longing after righteousness and the Kingdom of Heaven.

One has said, “The foundational requirement for all godly living is to ‘hunger and thirst for righteousness.’”

We have examples of this type of hungering and thirsting for God in various passages in the Bible

Moses Exodus 33:13,18

Exodus 33:13 KJV 1900

13 Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.

And later in this passage it seems he is overcome with hunger and thirst and desire for God -

Exodus 33:18 KJV 1900

18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.

The Psalmist

Psalm 42:2 KJV 1900

2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: When shall I come and appear before God?

Later the Psalmist cries out for God

Psalm 63:1 KJV 1900

1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: My soul thirsteth for thee, My flesh longeth for thee In a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

Paul the great missionary had a burning desire for God

Philippians 3:10 KJV 1900

10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

In reality our Spiritual formation, Discipleship, our very spiritual life depends on our hunger and thirst after Righteousness .

notice this is an imparted righteousness not an achieved righteousness.

We should also notice that the tense of hungering and thirsting is in the present tense - indicating a continuous hungering and thirsting.

It is when we become like Laodicea and feel increased with good and riches that we are really in danger.

Isaiah 44:3 (KJV 1900)

3 For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, And floods upon the dry ground:...

Mary in what is called the Magnificat prays no doubt taking from Psalm 107:9

Luke 1:53 KJV 1900

53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; And the rich he hath sent empty away.

Tony Evans put it this way:

...Far too many of God’s children are malnourished—not because they don’t eat, but because they eat the wrong things. Donuts taste good, but they have no nutritional value. You can’t have a donut-level spiritual diet and then wonder why you don’t experience God’s blessings.

The Tony Evans Bible Commentary (III. The Sermon on the Mount (5:1–7:29))

But we do have to ask What is righteousness? -

Jesus, in His ministry talks about two types of righteousness, which he is contrasting in the sermon on the mount and especially in the next session we will see this

Kingdom Righteousness - what Jesus is teaching and what those who are blessed are hungering and thirsting after - the blessed and perfect (the two tracks)

Righteousness of the Pharisees - This is a legalistic righteousness - they do the right things but only because it’s on the list, or they’re afraid of being found out or being caught.

The righteousness of the Pharisees says - Don’t steal because it is bad

Kingdom righteousness says - I wouldn’t steal even if I had the opportunity

5 - Merciful - Matthew 5:7

Matthew 5:7 KJV 1900

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

“Mercy is an essential quality of God (Ex 34:6, 7; Dt 4:31; Ps 62:12, etc);

It is His delight (Mic 7:18,20; Ps 52:8)

He is “the Father of mercies” (2 Cor. 1:3)

“Rich in mercy” (Eph. 2:4)

Full of pity, and merciful (Jas 5:11)

Mercy is associated with forgiveness (Ex. 34:7; Nu 14:18; 1 Tim 1:13,16);

W. L. Walker, “Mercy, Merciful,” ed. James Orr et al., The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia (Chicago: The Howard-Severance Company, 1915), 2035.

6 - Pure in Heart - Matthew 5:8

Matthew 5:8 KJV 1900

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

“The pure in heart” = people of integrity

One has defined integrity as: “The state of being complete, unified.”

John Maxwell explains “When I have integrity, my words and my deeds match up. I am who I am, no matter where I am or who I am with.”

He goes on to explain: “A person with integrity does not have divided loyalties (that’s duplicity), nor is he or she merely pretending (that’s hypocrisy). People with integrity are “whole” people.”

John Maxwell, Developing the Leader Within You p. 35-36, Thomas Nelson, 1993

To See God is: TO BE ADMITTED TO HIS PRESENCE

First, to see God means to be admitted to his presence. After the plague of darkness on Egypt, Pharaoh exploded to Moses with these words:

“Get away from me; take heed to yourself; never see my face again; for in the day you see my face you shall die.” Moses said, “As you say! I will not see your face again.” (Exodus 10:28–29)

When a king says, “You will never see my face again,” he means, “I will never grant you admission again into my presence.”

In the same way, we call the doctor today and say, “Can I see Dr. Lundgren today?” We don’t mean, can I see him from a distance. Or, can I see a picture of him? We mean, can I have an appointment to be with him?

So the first thing seeing God means is being admitted to his presence.

John Piper - https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/blessed-are-the-pure-in-heart#to-be-admitted-to-his-presence

Someone said, “The only one who can wake a king at 3 am for a drink of water is their child” that’s the kind of access the pure in heart have.

Mankind has no choice:

A. Which sex he/she is

B. When he/she is born

C. Where [they’re] born

D. How tall he/she is

E. To whom [they’re] born...

...BUT he can CHOOSE to be pure in heart.

Notes from: Edgar A. Bryan, Matthew: Titles, Notes and Questions,2006 , Salem, OH, Allegheny Publications

7 - Peacemakers - Matthew 5:9

Matthew 5:9 KJV 1900

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

A “peacemaker” is not simply someone who tries to stop the feuding between nations and people (v. 9). It is a believer that has experienced the peace of God and who brings that peace to his fellow human beings. Spiros Zodhiates, ed., The Complete Word Study New Testament, (Chattanooga, TN: AMG, 1991), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "Chapter 5".

8 - Persecuted - Matthew 5:10-12 (from peacemaker to persecuted)

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.

In just the last year*, there have been:

Over 340 million Christians living in places where they experience high levels of persecution and discrimination

4,761 Christians killed for their faith

4,488 churches and other Christian buildings attacked

4,277 believers detained without trial, arrested, sentenced or imprisoned

* 2021 World Watch List reporting period

They’re in good company...

“For so persecuted the prophets before you”

Please don’t look at The Beatitudes as a legalistic list - Notice none of them were worded as an imperative or a command -

They are descriptions of what the Kingdom Dwellers Characters should be -

Now we look at the next section of “Tudes” at what we as Kingdom Dwellers are Like

The Similitudes - Matthew 5:13-16

Matthew 5:13–16 KJV 1900

13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

There are two similitudes - things Christians or Christ followers, Kingdom Dwellers are like. 1.) Salt 2.) Light

1. Salt of the earth Matthew 5:13

Matthew 5:13 KJV 1900

13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Salt is a wonder. Salt is composed of two poisonous substances. How is it possible that salt, which is necessary to life, is composed of sodium and chlorine, either of which if taken individually, would kill you?

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations (7275 Two Wonders of Salt and Water)

Salt is used for a variety of purposes.

Salt has to do with distinctiveness and identity

We have a Unique Identity to Recognize (Matthew 6:16)

Ye are - this is a statement of identification - not something to attain or obtain. If you are in the Kingdom - you are identified as Salt & Light

Sometimes we get more out of what Jesus does not say than what he does - and Jesus does not say “be the salt” but rather He declares, “You are the salt” its a similitude a metaphor you are to be like salt.

We have a Useful Potency to Retain

Salt is amazingly useful over 2,000 uses have been found for it.

This is implying that our saltiness, or flavor, or potency does not originate with us but is sourced from somewhere or in our case “Someone” else.

While some salt is said to lose its flavor or saltiness by being exposed to air and sunlight, salt is far more easily contaminated by impurities -

This usefulness is also seen in that salt doesn’t do any good by itself. Nor does it exist for itself. Bruner notes, “salt a centimeter from food is useless.”

So the value in salt is seen only when it is contact with something and gives of itself. Salt in the shaker doesn’t do any good.

Those who are Kingdom of Heaven dwellers are “salt of the earth” he doesn’t say “gold of the earth” Not something of beauty and to be looked at and admired on the shelf in nice pretty collectible salt and pepper shakers - but rather to be used by God and shaken into the world, rubbed into the community where you live and work

2. Light of the World Matthew 5:14-16

Matthew 5:14–16 KJV 1900

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

We can only be the Light because Jesus is the Light of the World 1 John 1:5

A candle shines as brightly with twenty people using it as it does with two users. Edgar A. Bryan

A light is on display in the dark - and we are living in a dark world - you are on display.

In Hebrews 10:33 the writer says, “ye were made GAZINGSTOCKS”

The light illumines your good works and allows Jesus to be seen and the Father Glorified not the person doing the works. If we are still getting the glory we aren’t letting our light shine.

Matthew 5:16 KJV 1900

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Oswald Chambers reminds us:

Light cannot be soiled; you may try to grasp a beam of light with the sootiest hand, but you leave no mark on the light. A sunbeam may shine into the filthiest hovel in the slums of a city, but it cannot be soiled. A merely moral man, or an innocent man, may be soiled in spite of his integrity, but the man who is made pure by the Holy Ghost cannot be soiled, he is as light.

Studies in the Sermon on the Mount ((b) Conspicuous Setting (Matthew 5:14-16))

I trust that you are able to take advantage of the blessings, and promises that Jesus gave in this section of the Sermon on the Mount. If the Holy Spirit has shown you areas that you could improve - take that as comforting and encouraging - He is forming and working in you

If you feel you have arrived - that should jolt you awake and startle you to make sure your relationship to Jesus Christ is still intact

If The Holy Spirit has been speaking to you today that you haven’t even begun this journey - that you still need to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven I would be glad to pray or talk with you today.