Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
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Openness
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Conscientiousness
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Extraversion
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Introduction
All Christians are to be like this.
All are to manifest all of these characteristics.
None of these characteristics are what we would call our natural tendency.
Jesus sets down to teach His disciples.
Sitting down was the traditional posture for rabbis in those days.
This sermon would be delivered on a mountaintop, though we don’t know which mountain in the area specifically.
We know that what Jesus is about to say is important because of the pre-statement, “he opened his mouth.”
This seems like a small thing to point out, but it is a phrase that was common in ancient literature to preview the gravity of what is about to be said.
The only other time it is used in the Bible is by John in the book of Revelation when he shares with his readers the beginning of blasphemies that will emanate from the anti-christ.
What is so important about the Sermon on the Mount that Matthew has framed it so carefully?
He highlights the lofty setting.
He sets up the gravity of the statements.
What is Jesus’ purpose with this message?
It will become more clear as we make our way through his message, but there are some things we know right off the bat.
He is focused on declaring the good news of the kingdom.
Matthew 4:23.
This clues us in to his motivation.
He is also addressing a specific group of people.
Verse 1 tells us that “his disciples came unto him.”
Multitudes have been introduced to Jesus in the prior chapter, and many have begun to follow Him.
So, we can approach this sermon as a message about the kingdom for the disciples of Jesus.
This was something that they were not familiar with to this point.
In fact, what Jesus is about to tell them, is totally opposite, of the religious leaders that they were familiar with.
It required teaching.
And that’s exactly what Jesus does.
Beatitudes - Part 1
The first 4 beatitudes are primarily focused on our relationship with our inner selves and with God.
The final 3/4 are focused on the resulting relationships with others.
The latter half depend upon the first half.
These are not a pick and choose buffet.
These are all important in the life of a disciple of Jesus.
With words such as poor, mourn, and hunger, it is odd to see each beatitude starting with the word blessed.
What do you think of when you see the word blessed?
Some commentators say that blessed is synonymous with happy.
Happy are the poor in spirit.
Happy are they that mourn.
This is an insufficient understanding of what Jesus means by the word blessed.
Instead we might equate this word as being close to the word congratulations!
Jesus is recognizing that the condition of each of the beatitudes is a condition that is worthy of recommendation or congratulations.
This doesn’t seem to fit at first, but when we look at each blessing, we begin to see why Jesus would recommend these character traits in the lives of His disciples.
He begins with the statement, “blessed are the poor in spirit.”
Though other passages deals with the poor in earthly possessions, Jesus clearly distinguishes this as “poor in spirit.”
Poor in spirit is a reference to a lack of self-sufficiency.
It isn’t a false humility.
Nor is it a debilitating cowardice.
Instead it is a realization of one’s absolute need for God.
It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that this poverty of spirit is directly connected to ones realization of their need for salvation through Jesus.
This is especially true when we take into account the promise that Jesus makes that the poor in spirit will inherit the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus no doubt intends for His disciples to grow in their rejection of self and reliance on Him.
The state of being poor in spirit was uncommon among the religious of that time.
One may immediately think of the pharisees and their faith in their rituals.
You may also think of the Sadducees and the arrogance that stemmed from their, supposed, greater knowledge.
Neither group represented the proper attitude of a true disciple.
For that required poverty of spirit.
An understanding that I can’t do it myself.
I need God to do it.
These are the people that will inherit the kingdom.
Think about this, to inherit the kingdom, you must first become poor.
Next, Jesus promises comfort for those that mourn.
It is important that we do not forget that these are not stand alone statements.
These are not statements for different individuals to apply to their unique or current demeanor.
These are statements that are meant to describe the wholistic demeanor of the citizen of the kingdom of heaven.
The beatitudes are meant to be a package deal.
Why would a person that is poor in spirit also have cause to mourn?
Could it be that this imperfect person at times finds himself not so poor in spirit as he should be?
Could it be that, though he/she knows that Jesus is to be their king, they might at times try to dethrone the king and take control of their own lives?
The mourning that Jesus speaks of, is not the grief of loss; it is the grief of sin.
Grief over a loss is what the Bible would consider natural grief.
There is also inordinate grief, which is a grief that refuses to be consoled.
Then, there is a gracious grief or godly sorrow.
This third type of grief is what Jesus is referring to.
It stems from a realization of our own failing.
Does the presence of sin in your life have an effect on you at all?
Do you mourn your sin or are you numb to your sin?
If you are numb to it, then it is doubtful that you have/will repent of it.
But, for those that mourn their sin, Jesus offers a promise.
What is it?
They will be comforted!
When I hear comfort I immediately want to add the word - food.
Comfort food warms you when you are cold.
It fills you when you are empty.
The smell and the taste trigger happy thoughts and memories that make you feel better.
Comfort in mourning infuses joy into a moment of sadness.
It fills you in places where you had been empty.
It warms the spirit.
It reminds you of truths that you had forgotten.
When a lost person gets to the point of mourning over their sin, there is comfort in the forgiveness and mercy of God.
When the believer mourns their sin, there is comfort in the reminder that we have been washed, our sins are cleansed by the blood of Jesus.
What a joy!
Think about this, though, before you can be comforted, you must first mourn.
Thirdly, Jesus says “blessed are the meek.”
Meekness is weakness.
In a world that champions “speak your truth,” “you do you,” “express yourself,” and other seize the day mantras, is it any wonder that meekness is belittled.
We are told to insist on our right.
We watch people receive glory and honor for conquering and taking all that they can from life.
These mindsets may enable someone to experience corporate, athletic, financial, and social successes.
But, they are incapable of producing one ounce of spiritual success in a person’s life.
Meekness is the product of the first two beatitudes existing in a person’s life.
I must see myself as incapable of acting as my own deity and savior.
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