2. Although Jesus was not recognized by most as the Son of God & “King of Kings” when He lived on Earth, His commands are still to be taken with that authority.
Never did Jesus show more authority and clarity about “The Kingdom of God” and how His followers should live as citizens of it than in His “Sermon on the Mount.”

3. and radical philosophy in how humans should see and relate to
In 111 verses,
Jesus delivered what has been labeled the "Kingdom Manifesto." Beginning with The Beatitudes,
Jesus introduced a new
and radical philosophy
in how humans should see and relate to
God and one another.

4. a 330-foot hill called the "Hill of Beatitudes."
Jesus delivered the “Sermon on the Mount” along the road that skirts the Sea of Galilee between Tiberius to Metula. The Church of the Loaves and Fish was built in the 4th Century along this coastal road to commemorate the Galilean ministry of Jesus. About two miles from the seaside town of Tabgha is
a 330-foot hill called the "Hill of Beatitudes."

6. “Beatitude” A condition or statement of blessedness.
In The Bible, a Beatitude has 3 parts:
1.) Use of the term “blessed”
2.) Who the term applies to / Conditions
3.) How they are blessed

7. "Blessing is sacred delight… It is good news coming through the back door of your heart It is what you have always dreamed but never expected. It's the too-good-to-be-true coming true. It is having God as your biggest fan, and your best friend. It is sacred because only God can grant it. It is delight because it thrills.”
- Max Lucado

8. Blessed are… For/Because…
The Poor in Spirit
Those who Mourn
Those who Hunger…
The Merciful
The Pure in Heart
The Peacemakers
Persecuted for God
For/Because…
The Kingdom is theirs
They will be Comforted
They will be Filled
They will be shown mercy
They will see God
Be called Children of God
* The Kingdom is theirs
* Great Reward in Heaven

9. as well as to Jesus’ original audience,
Both to us today,
as well as to Jesus’ original audience,
these “Beatitudes” seem completely contradictory to how the world normally works and how people typically “get ahead”
in life.

10. Our Culture says Jesus says
Blessed are….
The Proud
The Pitiless
The Devious
Those who fight
The Prosecutors
Jesus says
Blessed are….
The Poor in Spirit
The Merciful
The Pure in Heart
The Peacemakers
The Persecuted

11. Notice what’s absent from this “blessed list” of thinking & living:
Rituals, Sacrifices, Prestige, Power… which were all valued by the “religious elite” who often resisted Jesus’ teachings.
* Luke 6: 17-26

12. In The Beatitudes, Jesus is teaching us what “coming to God” should involve in our lifestyle. If the state of blessedness gives a person deep intimacy with God, why wouldn’t someone who claimed to be a Christian strive for these “attitudes”?

13. “Poor in Spirit” - To know we are helpless before God and in need of grace and mercy
* Good Example: Zacchaeus (Luke 19: 1-10)
* Bad Example: Pharisees (Luke 18: 9-14)
“Those who Mourn” - Specifically…those who mourn over their sin/spiritual poverty
* Example: David & Bathsheba (Psalm 51)

14. “The Meek” - Gentle, would rather suffer harm than cause any… knowing our own faults well.
* Example: Moses (Numbers 12: 1-3)
“Hunger and Thirst after Righteousness”
- Not a half-hearted search, desiring intimacy
* Example: Paul (Philippians 3: 7-14)

15. “The Merciful” - Having a forgiving spirit, as we have been forgiven, compassionate to pain
* Example: Stephen (Acts 7: 59-60)
“The Pure in Heart” - Honest, pure motives, sincerity in actions/speech, without hypocrisy
* Scripture: Psalm 24: 3-4

16. “The Peacemakers” - Being at peace with all & seeking to bring others into peace with God
* Scriptures: Romans 12: / Eph. 6:15
“Persecuted for Righteousness’ Sake (& Jesus)”
- permitting it to happen out of reverence for
and to better connect with Jesus Christ
* Scriptures: Philippians 1:29 / 2 Timothy 3:12

17. A Blessed Christian will have an intimate relationship with God that’s built by…
1.) An awareness of our “spiritual neediness”
2.) A Repentant & Grieving Heart towards sin
3.) Putting our strength under God’s control
4.) A Motivation to Know & Serve God better
5.) Being compassionate & forgiving to others
6.) Sincere, integrity-filled, daily choices
7.) Bringing healing and God’s grace to others
8.) Persevering through difficulties and
remaining committed to the cause of Christ