Blessed attitudes: The Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5-7
Matthew 5:1–13 (NIV) 5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them. He said: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecutedbecause of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
"Blessed"
Makarios: happy, blissful, to be enlarged.
Deep Joy of the soul: A vibrant spirit.
The spirit of the age: self-promotion and self-preservation. Self-priority is a vice not a virtue. Proverbs 11:25 (NIV )A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
The Blessed Attitudes. 1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "If we lose our dependence on God, we lose his blessing."
2. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Psalm 51:17 (NIV) My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. "When we lose the sorrow over sin, we lose sight of the joy of our salvation."
3. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Meekness is strength under control.
4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Philippians 3:13–14 (NLT) … I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
5. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. When we sow mercy, we reap it! Colossians 3:12–13 (NLT) 12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Not only forgiveness but blessing those that oppose us. Matthew 5:44–45 (NLT) 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be actingas true children of your Father in heaven…
6. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Purity of heart: morals, motives, and methods.
Hebrews 12:14 (NIV) …Be holy; without holiness, no one will see the Lord.
7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. We are bringing a message of reconciliation with God.
Romans 12:18 (NLT) Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
8. Blessed are those who are persecutedbecause of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.
Matthew 5:13–16 (NIV) 13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
