1. The State, Character, Behavior & Treatment of The One Whose Life Is Ruled By God The Sermon on the Mount

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3.  The and of the citizens of the kingdom - ( Matthew 5:3-16 )  The CHARACTER and BLESSEDNESS of the citizens of the kingdom - ( Matthew 5:3-16 )  The expected of its citizens - ( Matthew 5:17-7:12 )  The RIGHTEOUSNESS expected of its citizens - ( Matthew 5:17-7:12 )  Our need to respond to the of the King in every respect - ( Matthew 7:13-27 )  Our need to respond to the DEMANDS of the King in every respect - ( Matthew 7:13-27 )

4.  In these first few lessons we are going to be concerned with the Lord’s teaching concerning attitudes which one must cultivate to be one of its “citizens.”  These are things the Christians MUST BE. Every citizen, not a select few.  Each one will build on the one that precedes it. Adding these makes us effective in His kingdom

5. The Character and Blessedness of the Child of God “ Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.” M ATTHEW 5:7-9

6. “Blessed are the merciful,” Mercy is “the moral quality of feeling compassion and especially of showing kindness toward someone in need. This can refer to human kindness and to God’s kindness to humankind.” ( Goodrick, Kohlenberger and Swanson, Greek to English Dictionary ) No action—no mercy The Good Samaritan Luke 10:30-37

7. “Blessed are the merciful,” Mercy is “Pity, good will to relieve those who are in need; active kindness for those in trouble. Feeling of pity seen in active service.” True and tender desire to help others—not to rule and have power over others. Seek to help those in real need—looks for opportunities.

8. “Blessed are the merciful,” “Possessing a forgiving spirit toward those who sin against them.” (Hendricksen) Matthew 18:21-35 Luke 6:35; 23:34 Acts 7:60 James 3:17 No action—no mercy

9. “Blessed are the merciful” “For they Shall obtain Mercy” ✦ Those who realize their spiritual position before a Holy God, who mourn due to their sin, those who accept God’s judgments, and hunger and seek for righteousness will recognize their need for mercy from God – ✦ Romans 5:1; 6:3-6 ✦ Galatians 3:26-27 ✦ Ephesians 1:3-13

10. “Blessed are the merciful” “For they Shall obtain Mercy” ✦ If we are not merciful to others—we will never obtain any mercy from God – ✦ Matthew 6:14,15; 7:2; 18:21-35 ✦ James 2:13 ✦ Ephesians 4:32

11. The Character and Blessedness of the Child of God “ Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.” M ATTHEW 5:7-9

12. “Blessed are the pure in heart”  Purity refers to more than just the removal of sin and impurities of the heart - it includes the idea of singleness of devotion - ( James 4:8; Matthew 6:24 ).  The heart represents much more than emotion, feelings. It also includes the thinking process and particularly the will... The heart is the control center of the mind and will as well as emotion..

13. “Blessed are the pure in heart” The Pharisees were clean on the outside, but inwardly were full of hypocrisy and lawlessness - ( Matthew 23:23–28 ) In Contrast To Purity of Heart

14. “Blessed are the pure in heart” ✦ Pure in heart is not a ritual cleanliness, ( 23:25-28 ), but cleanliness at the center of our being. Heart here stands for the inner man, and since it is from here that evil proceeds, it is here that cleanliness must start. ( Luke 6:45 )

15. “Blessed are the pure in heart” We see God now through the eyes of faith—like Moses who “endured as seeing Him who is invisible.” Hebrews 11:27 3 John 11 “For they shall see God”

16. “Blessed are the pure in heart” We see God now in the sense of being reconciled to Him in Christ. Those who are in the proper relationship are keeping His commandments 1 John 3:6 “For they shall see God”

17. “Blessed are the pure in heart” In the final sense, we will see God in heaven! Psalm 17:15 Revelation 22:4 1 John 3:2 “For they shall see God”

18. The Character and Blessedness of the Child of God “ Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.” M ATTHEW 5:7-9

19. “Blessed are the peacemakers” “The peacemaker here is not the compromiser of disagreements and the settlers of disputes. It is a passage of reconciliation to God and involves the doctrine of peace with God, and the peacemaker is the peace preacher, the disciple who would show the people of the world how to find peace with God.” (Wallace, The Sermon on the Mount and the Civil State, 21) “The peacemaker here is not the compromiser of disagreements and the settlers of disputes. It is a passage of reconciliation to God and involves the doctrine of peace with God, and the peacemaker is the peace preacher, the disciple who would show the people of the world how to find peace with God.” (Wallace, The Sermon on the Mount and the Civil State, 21)

20. Blessed are the peacemakers, Those who seek to make peace with God Ephesians 2:13-16 Those who encourage others to make peace with God Ephesians 2:17; 6:15 Those who strive to be at peace with all men through the unity of the Spirit. Romans 12:18-21 Ephesians 4:1-6

21. Blessed are the peacemakers, E PHESIANS 2:14,15 “ For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances...”

22. Blessed are the peacemakers, R OMANS 12:18 “ If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”

23. Blessed are the peacemakers, Not through compromise—but through conformity of the gospel of peace Luke 12:51-53 Acts 5:29 Churches and Christians can be divided because of ungodly attitudes, ungodly behavior, and ungodly doctrine—those guilty of these ungodly deeds demonstrate they are not children of God! John 17:20-21 1 Corinthians 1:10-13

24. “Blessed are the peacemakers” ✦ We are the “ sons of God ” because we reflect the character of our Father. ✦ The phrase “sons of God” includes both men and women, because with sonship comes the rights of inheritance (cf. Galatians 3:26 ). ✦W✦W e are the “ sons of God ” because we reflect the character of our Father. ✦T✦T he phrase “sons of God” includes both men and women, because with sonship comes the rights of inheritance (cf. Galatians 3:26 ). “For they shall be called the sons of God“

25. “For they shall be called the sons of God” R OMANS 5:1 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

26. “For they shall be called the sons of God” J AMES 3:18 “Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. ”

27. The Character and Blessedness of the Child of God “ Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.” M ATTHEW 5:10-11

28. The Character and Blessedness of the Child of God “ Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” M ATTHEW 5:12

29. “Blessed are the persecuted,” This persecution is because of righteous living, not because of our sins or some character defect 1 Peter 3:14; 4:14-15 As we endure persecution we are related in spirit to the prophets who were persecuted before us 2 Chronicles 36:15-16 Matthew 23:29-36 Acts 7:51-60 James 5:10

30. “Blessed are the persecuted” 1 P ETER 3:14 “But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. ”

31. “Blessed are the persecuted” 1 P ETER 4:14 “ If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.”

32. “Blessed are the persecuted,” Those who have the universal favor praise of the worldly and wicked are not living their lives for God 2 Timothy 3:12 The “ key ” is that this persecution must be for “ righteousness sake ”—because one is seeking to live, conform and abide by the standards of Christ—not the standards of the world !

33. “Blessed are the persecuted” 2 T IMOTHY 3:12 “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”

34. “Blessed are the persecuted,” All Suffer Persecution: Were the FATHERS persecuted? Were the PROPHETS persecuted? Were the APOSTLES persecuted? Was JESUS persecuted? If we are putting on these “ character traits ” how can we not expect the same fate?

35. The Character and Blessedness of the Child of God “ Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.” M ATTHEW 5:10,11

36. The Character and Blessedness of the Child of God “ Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” M ATTHEW 5:12

37. 37 “Blessed are the persecuted” ✦ We have cause for rejoicing - we are partakers of every spiritual blessing available in Christ & a reward awaiting us in heaven if we endure – ✦ James 1:12 ✦ Romans 8:17 ✦ We have cause for rejoicing - we are partakers of every spiritual blessing available in Christ & a reward awaiting us in heaven if we endure – ✦ James 1:12 ✦ Romans 8:17 “For theirs is the kingdom of heaven“

38. 38 ✦ The Humble, ✦ Contrite, ✦ Obedient, ✦ Spiritually minded, ✦ Forgiving, ✦ Sincere, holy, ✦ Those who are Promoters of Peace ✦ Those who endure. ✦T✦T he Humble, ✦C✦C ontrite, ✦O✦O bedient, ✦S✦S piritually minded, ✦F✦F orgiving, ✦S✦S incere, holy, ✦T✦T hose who are Promoters of Peace ✦T✦T hose who endure. True Joy and Happiness Can Only Be Experienced By True Joy and Happiness Can Only Be Experienced By

39. 39  True Success is ONLY Achieved By The Godly!  Your Character and Behavior Determines Both Your Happiness &Reward -  Are you living the truly blessed life?  True Success is ONLY Achieved By The Godly!  Your Character and Behavior Determines Both Your Happiness &Reward -  Are you living the truly blessed life?