Matthew 5

• Start from the END of the chapter - Better than the Pharisees:
  • Don’t even be angry at a person, don’t call them an idiot
  • Don’t even look at a woman to lust
  • Don’t divorce unless for unfaithfulness
  • Don’t even make vows, because you don’t have the ability to follow through
  • Don’t resist an evil person
  • Don’t just love your friends, love your enemies
• Middle of the chapter - You are the SALT of the world, you are the LIGHT, you are a CITY ON A HILL

Read aloud:

Matthew 5:2–12 (ESV) — 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

There is a WAY to blessing, a path to blessing 

• The teaching of the apostles (Didach - “DID A KEY”) - WAY OF LIFE
• Jesus taught on the way of life - Broad way and narrow way
• This passage gives us THE WAY OF BLESSING
• They are called the beatitudes - BEATUS in Latin, Makarios in Greek

The first four blessings are dispositions of the heart

• Blessing #1 - Aware of spiritual poverty
  • Jesus echoes this in his story about a man “The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’
  • “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’
  • We have a HUGE bill, and are bankrupt. 
  • If you are here and you feel shame, guilt, distance, your blessed because you are on the first stop to blessing. 
• Blessing #2 - Sorrowful for sin
  • As a parent, I can work all day with a kid who is repentant and sorrowful - moved to blue
  • King David in Psalms 51
  • King David tore his clothes
• Blessing #3 - Humble before God
  • To be humble means to be gentle, lowly. This means that you don’t assume greatness or power, but think soberly about who you are.
    • You didn’t create yourself, you are created! 
    • You are made from the dust of the earth. 
    • You are mortal, here today and gone tomorrow.
    • You are imperfect, changing from day to day. 
    • You are fragile, life could end in a moment.
    • You are powerless to change many things
• Blessing #4 - Pursuing Righteousness
  • This fourth step represents a hunger to BE and DO righteously 
  • The first three are the turning and repenting, this is the “GO AND SIN NO MORE!”
  • These first four points can be seen clearly in the story of the prodigal son..
    • Aware
    • Sorrowful
    • Humble
    • Pursuing righteousness

The second four blessings come from actions

• Blessing #5 - Show mercy to others 
  • Our blessing now come from bearing the fruits of repentance. 
  • We release others and give mercy
    • Mercy is forgiveness - It’s a big deal to Christ, us forgiving others
    • Mercy is patience and longsuffering - Being patient with others
    • Mercy is alms - “Let your alms sweat in your hands”
• Blessing #6 - Pure devotion to God
  • The “un-mixed” in heart
  • Their devotion to the Lord is not divided with a devotion to the world, it is an exclusive passion.
  • Like a marriage, my devotion is to Angie alone! I not interested in other women, I have a devotion to Angie alone. 
• Blessing #7 - Maker of peace
  • Bringing down walls of hostility, separation, hatred, between people. 
  • Building bridges of healing, brokering peace. 
  • Bringing peace into chaos. In the words of Jesus “Peace Be Still”
• Blessing #8 - Persecuted for righteousness sake
  • The early apostles rejoiced when they were persecuted! They were given the privilege of suffering for the Lord. 
  • When you are persecuted, it is a sign that you are BOLD
  • When you are persecuted, it is a sign that you are LIKE JESUS
  • When you are persecuted, it is a sign that you are FAITHFUL
  • When you are persecuted, it is a sign that you are DEAD TO THIS WORLD

What is the blessings attached to each of these?

1. Yours is the Kingdom of Heaven 
2. You will be comforted
3. You will inherit the earth
4. You will be filled with righteousness
5. You will be shown mercy
6. You will see God
7. You will be called children of God
8. Yours is the Kingdom of Heaven