When Jesus’ disciples
came to Him on the mountain, He gave them the primary qualities they would need
to follow Him. We might call them “Keys to the Kingdom” as we consider the
greatest sermon ever preached. The first key is attitude. One’s sense of
spiritual poverty, hunger, purity, meekness, peace, and persecution unlocks the
door into the Kingdom of God.
Click on the "Matthew"
label for other posts in this series.
Sources include various commentaries, study Bibles, Bible dictionaries, etc.
Mt 5:1 When Jesus saw the
crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples
came to Him.
The crowds … His
disciples. Are they the same?
Did all ascend the
mountain and come to Him? Perhaps not!
Before the sermon ever
began, some were already His disciples.
Committed. Eager.
Determined. Just like you!
That’s the key to the
keys.
5:3-12 Blessed are:
the Beatitudes
1. The Poor in Spirit
Inwardly bankrupt,
overdrawn, drained, and spent.
Without the means to
buy God’s favor.
Aware of failure to
achieve God’s perfect standard.
On spiritual welfare,
solely dependent on God.
Dissatisfied with the
things of this world.
Dissatisfied with how
little of God they have.
More eager for God’s
riches than for __________.
Example: Mary’s
Magnificat. Luke 1:46-55.
Because: theirs is
the Kingdom of Heaven.
2. Those Who Mourn
Because they are first
poor in spirit …
Sorrowing over their
poverty and sin. 2 Cor 7:10
Sorrowing and grieving
over the lost. Rom 9:1-2
Shedding tears over
false teaching. Phil 3:18
Distraught over
others’ attacks. Ps 56, esp. 11
Crying over others’
disobedience. Ps 119:136
Example: Peter’s
bitter tears. Matt 26:75
Because: they shall
be comforted.
3. The Meek
πραΰς
praüs – tame, saddled,
disciplined, self-controlled, gentle, humble, considerate, courteous.
Calm, quiet,
agreeable, reverent, in control.
Under God’s control,
will, and direction.
Not weak, timid,
afraid, or cowardly.
Not opposite to
strong, but opposite to aggressive, arrogant, forceful, mean, rude,
self-centered.
Example: Jesus. Matt
11:28-30; 21:1-11
They shall inherit the
earth. Ps 37:8-11, esp. 11
4. Those Who Hunger
and Thirst for Righteousness
Craving to be
right with God and do right for God.
As a starving, dying
man longs for food.
Ps 19:10; 119:103
Sweeter also than honey …
Ps 34:8-10; 42:1-2
Taste and see … As the deer …
Ps 63:1 I seek … my
soul thirsts …
1 Pet 2:1-3 As newborn
babes for milk …
Luke 1:51-54 He has
filled the hungry …
Example: Jesus. Matt
4:1-4
Because: They shall
be satisfied.
5. The Merciful
Compassionate to
people in need, misery, distress.
Aiming to relieve,
soothe, help, and heal.
Distinguishing sheep
from goats. Matt 25:31-46
Matt 9:27-31 Two blind
men
Matt 15:22 A Canaanite
woman
Matt 17:15 A possessed
son’s father
Matt 20:29-34 Two
blind men
Luke 17:11-19 Ten
lepers
Example: the Good
Samaritan. Luke 10:25-37
Because: They shall
receive mercy.
6. The Pure in Heart
Sincere, genuine,
real. Undivided, unmixed.
Without pretense or
hypocrisy.
“Purge me, wash me,
create in me …” Ps 51:7-12
So, having these
promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and
spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Cor 7:1
Because: They shall
see God.
7. The Peacemakers
Healing division,
friction and alienation. Bridging.
Communicating,
counseling, confronting.
A 4G Commitment to
Biblical Conflict Resolution
http://peacemaker.net/
Glorify God – Rom
12:17-21
Get the Log Out – Matt
7:1-5
Gently Restore – Matt
18:15-20
Go and Be Reconciled –
Matt 5:23-24
Example: Jesus via the
cross. Eph 2:14-22
Because: They shall
be called sons of God.
Five Promises of
Forgiveness
Matt 6:12; 1 Cor 13:5;
Eph 4:32
I will not dwell on
this incident.
I will not harbor
resentment toward you.
I will not retaliate
against you.
I will pray for God to
bless you.
I will seek the
closest reconciliation possible.
8. The Persecuted
From 3rd person
“those” to 2nd person “you.”
Hated, insulted,
scorned, ostracized. Luke 6:22-23
Not our
attitude or character, but others’ reaction.
Even a peacemaker
cannot succeed with all.
Example: Stephen. Acts
6-7
If possible … Pursue …
Rom 12:18; Heb 12:14
Because: Theirs is
the Kingdom of God. Your (note shift to 2nd person) reward in heaven is great.
So they persecuted the prophets.
The Flip Side
Luke 6:24 “But woe to you who
are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full. 25 Woe to
you who are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh
now, for you shall mourn and weep. 26 Woe to you when all men speak
well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same
way.”
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