Sermon on the Mount: The Beatitudes and the Gospel of the Kingdom Matthew 5:1-12

Galilean Ministry – Summary of Activity Sermon on the Mount Galilean Ministry – Summary of Activity Matthew 4:23-25 Second Year of Ministry (Luke 6:1) Teaching in the Synagogues Preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom Healing All Kinds of Sickness Great Multitudes/Fame Spread Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, beyond the Jordan

Sermon on the Mount Decapolis Galilee Beyond Jordan Judea Jerusalem

Core Values of the Kingdom The Sermon on the Mount Core Values of the Kingdom Reflects the central theme of the Bible of what God wanted for His people. (I Peter 2:9-10) Proper attitudes of the Kingdom citizens.

Core Values of the Kingdom The Sermon on the Mount Core Values of the Kingdom “In all languages there is not a discourse to be found that can compare with it for purity, truth, beauty, and dignity”. Albert Barnes

The Sermon on the Mount Matthew 5-7 The character of kingdom citizens and their relation to the world - 5:1-16. The high standard of righteousness in the kingdom - 5:17-48. True piety: inner devotion - 6:1-18 and separation from the world - 6:19-34. Proper judgments that flow from faith - 7:1-29 (Two choices 24-29)

Whoever hears these sayings of Mine, AND DOES THEM, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock …

Whoever hears these sayings of Mine AND DOES NOT DO THEM, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand …

Galilean Ministry – Summary of Activity Sermon on the Mount Galilean Ministry – Summary of Activity Matthew 4:23-25 Second Year of Ministry (Luke 6:1) Teaching in the Synagogues Preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom Healing All Kinds of Sickness Great Multitudes/Fame Spread Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, beyond the Jordan Taught Repentance (Matt 4:17) Radical change

“Beatitudes” - from the Latin beatus, “blessed,” or to “make happy” The Beatitudes & The Gospel of the Kingdom Matthew 5:1-12 “Beatitudes” - from the Latin beatus, “blessed,” or to “make happy” "Blessed" – from the Greek makarios to be fully satisfied In classical Greek this word described those who possessed consummate bliss.

The Beatitudes & The Gospel of the Kingdom Matthew 5:1-12 The English word happiness contains the root hap which means chance. Human happiness is something which is dependent on the chances and the changes of life, something which life may give and which life may also destroy." (William Barclay, The Gospel Of Matthew, p. 89). Makarios differs from “happy” because happy describes a person who has good luck, a blessed person is one whom God makes fully satisfied, not because of favorable circumstances, but because He indwells the believer through Christ.” (Word Study - Zodhiates)

The Beatitudes Matthew 5:2-10 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 filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain 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. “For theirs is the kingdom of heaven” is an “enclusio”. This shows the true emphasis of the text. The beatitudes teach us how to be citizens in the kingdom of heaven. At first this seems different than other beatitudes. It is not a description of a Christian but what is the result of what has gone on before and because of what a Christian is. Christ is saying "This is what is going to happen as a result of following me". It follows right behind "blessed are the peacemakers.” If we are peacemakers, we will be persecuted by the wicked. This has the same promise as first beatitude, “theirs is the kingdom of heaven” The beatitudes begin and end with this promise. Blessings are attached with all the beatitudes, but this one is emphasized. Membership in the kingdom is most important thing.

These qualities are chosen qualities The Beatitudes & The Gospel of the Kingdom Matthew 5:1-12 All Christians are meant to manifest all of these characteristics. They are not proverbs to be applied individually, they are a composite. They are a seamless garment. These qualities are chosen qualities

“Blessed are the poor in spirit” (vs 3) The Beatitudes & The Gospel of the Kingdom Matthew 5:1-12 “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (vs 3) Greek word for “poor” (Ptochos) means one who has nothing and is completely empty, abject poverty

“Blessed are the poor in spirit” (vs 3) The Beatitudes & The Gospel of the Kingdom Matthew 5:1-12 “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (vs 3) What it is not… The Pharisee in Lk. 18:10-12 The scribes in Lk 20:46; Mk 2:16-17 The Laodicean church in Rev. 3:17 Economically poor Weak or cowardly (Cowardly spies “We are not able to go up against the people” Num. 13:31) False humility Self - reliant, confident, centered, or sufficient. Boast in their birth, family, nationality, education, physical looks, race, wealth, or their culture. Phil 3:4-8

“Blessed are the poor in spirit” (vs 3) The Beatitudes & The Gospel of the Kingdom Matthew 5:1-12 “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (vs 3) What it is … Isa.66:2 “ but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My Word” Isa. 57:15 "For thus says the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, I dwell on a high and holy place, And also with the contrite and lowly (poor, humble) of spirit”

“Blessed are the poor in spirit” (vs 3) The Beatitudes & The Gospel of the Kingdom Matthew 5:1-12 “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (vs 3) What it is … Isaiah 6:3-5 Luke 5:8 Luke 18:13-14 Luke 15:21

How to increase this quality of being “poor in spirit” The Beatitudes & The Gospel of the Kingdom Matthew 5:1-12 How to increase this quality of being “poor in spirit” By looking at God, His Son and His word. See ourselves as God sees us. Have a realistic view of ourselves. Contemplate standing before Him. We come empty, hopeless, naked and vile (Eph. 2:12; Rev 3:17) Pray Consistently and actively attend Bible classes and worship services

“Blessed are the poor in spirit” (vs 3) The Beatitudes & The Gospel of the Kingdom Matthew 5:1-12 “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (vs 3) This is the first, because it is the key to all the beatitudes that follow. There is no entry into the Kingdom of heaven apart from it. There is no one in the Kingdom of heaven who is not poor in spirit It is the fundamental characteristic of the Christian and of the citizen of the Kingdom of heaven and all the other characteristics are in a sense the result of this one.

“Blessed are those who mourn” (vs 4) The Beatitudes & The Gospel of the Kingdom Matthew 5:1-12 “Blessed are those who mourn” (vs 4) “Mourn” – (Gr. Pentheo) is the strongest word for mourning in all of the Greek New Testament. Sometimes translated as wailing.

“Blessed are those who mourn” (vs 4) The Beatitudes & The Gospel of the Kingdom Matthew 5:1-12 “Blessed are those who mourn” (vs 4) What it is not…. Financial loss Sickness or death of loved ones Loneliness or rejection Not like King Ahab who wept because Naboth would not sell to him his family heritage. (cf. 1 Kings 21:4) Not like Judas who wept after selling his Lord for 30 pieces of silver (cf. Matt. 27:3-5)

“Blessed are those who mourn” (vs 4) The Beatitudes & The Gospel of the Kingdom Matthew 5:1-12 “Blessed are those who mourn” (vs 4) What it is…. Luke 7:36-38 Romans 7:23-24 Psalm 51

Psalm 51 3 For I know my transgressions, And my sin is ever before me. 4 Against You, You only, I have sinned  And done what is evil in Your sight    9 Hide Your face from my sins   11 Do not cast me away from Your presence      

“Blessed are those who mourn” (vs 4) The Beatitudes & The Gospel of the Kingdom Matthew 5:1-12 “Blessed are those who mourn” (vs 4) What it is…. Luke 7:36-38 Romans 7:23-24 Psalm 51 2 Corinthians 7:9-10

“Blessed are those who mourn” (vs 4) The Beatitudes & The Gospel of the Kingdom Matthew 5:1-12 “Blessed are those who mourn” (vs 4) 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 “Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.” (Judas - Matt. 27:3-5 vs. Peter - Luke 22:60)

Psalm 51 1 Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your loving kindness;  According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.   2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity   And cleanse me from my sin. 7 Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;  Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.    8 Make me to hear joy and gladness, Let the bones which You have broken rejoice.    10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,   And renew a steadfast spirit within me.   11 Do not cast me away from Your presence     And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.   12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation  And sustain me with a willing spirit.   14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation;     

“Blessed are those who mourn” (vs 4) The Beatitudes & The Gospel of the Kingdom Matthew 5:1-12 “Blessed are those who mourn” (vs 4) In what way will the mournful of Matthew 5:4 be comforted? Isaiah 61:1-3 Who fulfilled the prophecy? Lk 4:14-21 II Cor. 1:5: For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. Rom 7:24-25: Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

“Blessed are those who mourn” (vs 4) The Beatitudes & The Gospel of the Kingdom Matthew 5:1-12 “Blessed are those who mourn” (vs 4) Psalm 51 Purification Joy Strength Purpose

Psalm 51 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation  And sustain me with a willing spirit.   13Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,   And sinners will be converted to You.   14 Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation;     Then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness.   15 O Lord, open my lips,   That my mouth may declare Your praise.