2. The Basis For Real Happiness
Lessons From
the Beatitudes
Number Six

3. An Introduction To The Beatitudes
This series of eight poetic statements begins the single longest recorded sermon of the Savior (Matthew 5:3-10)
The term “Beatitude” is a derivative of the Latin word used for “Blessed” which is translated as “Happy” or “Fortunate” (cf. 1 Corinthians 7:40)
That is, being “Happier” is what the gospel is about, though in ways different than the way the world sees

4. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God”
Matthew 5:8
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God”
An understanding of “The Heart” is critical, not only to this beatitude, but to the entire gospel message
Remember the Jewish leaders & their own “heart issues”
Defining “Purity” is essential
Realizing “The Result” is hopeful
Making “Applications” is always a must

5. Focus on the HEART
Anytime we want to discuss the gospel message, the HEART has to be understood
- consider Proverbs 4:23
- Note the Pharisees who downplayed “the heart” (Matthew 23:27)
A focus on the heart is in direct conflict with a focus on the things that many (then/now) highlight as important:
- Wealth
- Earthly Intelligence
- Familial “Pedigree”
Note that MANY sitting on the mountain would have found this NEW & “Refreshing”

6. The Heart Is Central To Who The Saint Is & Will Be
Focus on the HEART
To understand why The Heart is so important, consider the following three components related to it:
1 – The Heart Is All About INTENTION (cf Rom. 8:27)
2 – The Heart Is All About FOCUS (Matthew 6:21)
3 – The Heart Is All About ACTION (Proverbs 27:19)
The Heart Is Central To Who The Saint Is & Will Be

7. Defining & Identifying Purity
Reminder: Beatitudes 1 & 2 are ESSENTIAL to the successful realization of Beatitude 6
# 1… Poor In Spirit (I am nothing without God)
# 2… Mourn (My sin is SERIOUS)
CONCLUSION  I NEED purity because of my condition
Identifying Purity is helped by understanding Impurity
Impurity ~ Hypocrisy
Remember: 1st Century Audience

8. Defining & Identifying Purity
Defining Purity can be done by noting three keys:
Key # 1: Purity is that which is WITHOUT disguise
- the absence of foreign ingredients or “ulterior motives”
- cf James 1:27
Key # 2: Purity involves a SINGULAR MOTIVATION
- see 2 Corinthians 5:9
Key # 3: Purity: to master the GREAT COMMANDMENT
- Mark 12:29-30 … Hebrews 12:14

9. Purity’s Result: Seeing God
For they shall see God…
Consider two ways in which this happens
1st – Purity allows us to “see God” in a temporal sense
With the family
With the word
With the church
Isn’t Providence Seeing God Too?
Note – All Three Exist Without Purity
But the beauty of their importance comes into focus only when we see where God fits in

10. Purity’s Result: Seeing God
For they shall see God…
2nd – Purity allows us to “see God” in an eternal sense
1st John 3:2
John makes this promise to believers
Note That These First Century Christians were NOT Perfect…
The same is true of us!!

11. Purity & Me – Take Aways
1 - Seeing God is not an “impossible” thing to do nor does it require us to be “special” by worldly standards 2 – Being pure will not happen without beatitudes 1-5! 3 – God is THE Purifier (not me!) 4 – I am responsible, however, for my part in being purified (see James 4:8) 5 – “Knowing” is important. Caring is more Important! (remember – THE HEART!)

12. The Basis For Real Happiness
Lessons From
the Beatitudes