1. How to be Objects of Blessing
Matthew 5:3-12

2. We like being recipients of God’s blessings…
We are less eager to meet His expectations
The Israelites were promised blessing for obedience…
Our text today indicates a form of blessing...
We refer to this text as the “Beatitudes”
The Beatitudes deal with attitudes...

3. I. We Need the Right Attitude Regarding Ourselves
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3, NKJV)

4. A. We must recognize our personal unworthiness
The poor in spirit are those who recognize their natural unworthiness to stand in God’s presence
There is a need for an attitude of personal unworthiness to enter the Kingdom

5. B. We must anticipate our future inheritance
The first and last beatitudes give the reason for blessedness –”theirs is the kingdom” (3 & 10)
This phrase forms an inclusio or envelope that surrounds the remaining beatitudes
Revelation 3:21 “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” (NKJV)

6. II. We Need the Right Attitude Regarding Our Sin
“Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4, NKJV)

7. A. We must recognize the seriousness of Sin
The word for mourn here is the strongest word for mourning in the Greek language
Those who mourn do so because they sense their spiritual bankruptcy
The promised blessing in this beatitude is future comfort for those who now mourn
“Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5, NKJV)

8. B. We must recognize our place among others
Meekness is the natural and appropriate expression of genuine humility toward others
The meek can anticipate an inheritance
The meek can anticipate inheriting the earth
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6, NKJV)

9. C. We must recognize our need for personal holiness
The reference to righteousness is in the sense of personal fidelity to God and His will
The encouraging promise of Jesus is that such people will eventually receive the answer to their prayers

10. III. We Need the Right Attitude Regarding Our God
“Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.” (Matthew 5:7, NKJV)

11. A. We must recognize our need for mercy
A merciful person has compassion on others because they are sinful
The blessing of the merciful is that they will receive mercy from God
“Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8, NKJV)

12. B. We must recognize our need for inner purity
The pure in heart are those with single-minded devotion to God and thus have inner moral purity
The pure in heart can look forward to seeing God in the person of Messiah when He reigns on the earth
“Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9, NKJV)

13. C. We must recognize our need for making peace
As peacemakers we are to replicate the work of the Prince of Peace (Isa 9:6-7)
As makers of peace we behave as true sons of God
Romans 5:1 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” (NKJV)

14. IV. We Need the Right Attitude Regarding Our World
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10, NKJV)

15. A. We must anticipate the presence of opposition
Persecution is as much a mark of discipleship as peacemaking
Persecution in this life urges anticipation of future blessing

16. Matthew 5:11-12
“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (NKJV)

17. B. We must keep the right perspective through persecution
We should consider it a blessing to suffer for the cause of Christ
We should be positive in our anticipation of future reward
2 Timothy 3:12 “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (NKJV)