Blessed Believers

What did Christ teach?

Last week we discussed who Jesus is according to the first 4 chapters of Matthew. We also touched on the fact that he went teaching in the synagogues and proclaiming the gospel, healing the sick/injured, and casting out demons from those being oppressed by them.

All of this commotion led to crowds following him around and it came to a point in Matthew 5 where Jesus decides to pull the disciples aside and teach them. This is the first recorded sermon of Jesus.

What did he teach them? That’s what we’re going to talk about today.

Keep in mind, we’re only on the 5th chapter in the book of Matthew (of 28) and this is the first lesson we’re given insight into that is not parabolic.

The lesson is pretty straightforward (though deep and difficult to live-out) and it sets the bar on what selflessness is. It is a lesson on blessings, titled The Beatitudes.

Read Matthew 5:1-11

Matthew 5:1–11 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.

Before we go into each one, let’s talk about:

What does it mean to be blessed?

Summary from John MacArthur: A deep inner happiness, that the world cannot offer. Deep inner satisfaction. A deep sense of contentment, that only those who partake in the nature of God (He is blessed), can know this.

The opposite of blessed is woe (cursed).

The Beatitudes lay out the way you must live if you are to know blessedness, to know happiness, and fulfillment.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

The first real instruction Jesus gave.

Realizing your poverty and inability to enter the Kingdom

You bring nothing to the table.

Until you are poor in spirit, you cannot enter the Kingdom.

No amount of morality, confidence, sense of worth can earn you heaven.

Christ is not precious until you see how worthless you are (before God).

Pride prevents people from entering the Kinddom (you can see that through scripture).

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

Time permitting, what does it mean to mourn?

Mourning over our own sin, relates back to the first blessing.

When you recognize your own nature (of sin), and comprehend God’s holiness, it should bring about repentance.

Repentance in turn brings about forgiveness and freedom from sin’s bondage.

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

Time permitting: What does meek mean?

Strength under control

Often demonstrated as the opposite of anger

Patient/longsuffering disposition

Where humility and self-control meet.

Blessed in the world and eternal salvation

Meek is not Weak

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

As Christians, we should have an appetite for righteousness

The worlds food, as you will find over time (if not already) is inadequate.

A new life is required to have this appetite (i.e. unsaved are not starving for righteousness).

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”

Time Permitting: What does it mean to be merciful?

The ability to be merciful goes hand in hand with the above beatitudes. You can’t be one without the other.

When it comes to responding to people/situations, it’s usually a safe bet to do the opposite of what your fallen nature tells you to do (Matt 5:44-45 for context).

Showing mercy signifies meekness

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

What man, on his own accord can have a pure heart?

Much like the first beatitude, this should condemn us because without Christ, we cannot get or create a “pure heart”.

Through our confession of sin and faith in Christ (who is pure), scripture teaches “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Christ received the full punishment for all of our impurities.

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

Despite the presence of conflict, we should always prefer/seek out peace

God desires peace and has provided it’s means through faith in Jesus (i.e. to be reconciled with God is to be at peace)

True peace is reconcilation with God, therefore sharing the gospel is a means to that end.

“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.”

It’s evident that a blessed person, per the beatitudes, does not mean an easy life. This is contrary to many “Christian” teachings/thoughts.

In one breath, Jesus is saying blessed, blessed, blessed, followed by persecution, being reviled, spoken evil against etc. But in all we are blessed.

Jesus is talking about persecution for the cause of Christ, not for sinful behavior or hypocricy.

When you’re hated for seeking God’s righteousness, it shouldn’t be a shock and you should thank God for His blessing.

Never forget that Jesus (fully righteous, pure, God) was persecuted—we can only expect the same when we demonstrate His attributes.