Matthew 5:1-12, The Way of Blessing

The Way of Blessing, Matthew 5:1-12

You cannot find the word “beatitude” in the Bible.

It comes from the Latin word for blessed.

AWESOME SETTING, vv. 1-2

These attitudes should be in us and we in them if we are to be consecrated to the Lord.

ATTITUDE ABOUT SELF, v. 3

“Blessed” is “an inner satisfaction and sufficiency that does not depend on outward circumstances for happiness.”

The blessed are those who are allowed fellowship with God because they have a right relationship with Him and thus are empowered and motivated to enjoy Him as He originally intended.

ATTITUDE REGARDING SIN, v. 4

But he who mourns over sin, recognizing his need for God and His grace, has deep in his heart a happiness of holy pursuit.

In Luke 16, one man was rich but Godless; the other man, Lazarus, was bankrupt but Godly.

ATTITUDE CONCERNING STRENGTH, v. 5

It is not weakness.

Meekness is that quiet submission to God that results in gentleness toward men.

Psalm 37:11, But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

ATTITUDE ABOUT SEEKING SATISFACTION, v. 6

This verse is talking about desire.

Someone who is hungry and thirsty can think of nothing else.

We are blessed if we long for God as the deer pants for the brooks of water.

Psalm 42:1, 2, (To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.) As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

Let us ever desire Him.

ATTITUDE REGARDING SHOWING MERCY, v. 7

The first four beatitudes focus primarily on a person's attitude toward God.

The second is not giving back to those who wrong us the evil they deserve.

This is a great quality, best demonstrated by Christ before Pilate, before Herod, and on the cross.

ATTITUDE CONCERNING SANCTIFICATION, v. 8

We are to live clean, holy lives; this is happiness to us.

“clean” and “unmixed . . . being “pure in heart” involves being unmixed as well as being clean.

When God cleanses sinners and makes them His children, He does more than merely wash away sin.

He puts within them a new heart that wants to focus wholly on God.

Jeremiah 32:39, And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:

Ezekiel 36: 26, A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

ATTITUDE ABOUT SECURING PEACE, v. 9

Christians should bring peace between people and God and between those who are at odds with each other.

We share the Gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15).

We are shown to be God's children when we work to make peace.

James 3:17; Hebrews 12:14.

As Christians, we should not seek peace at any price; compromise is not peace.

ATTITUDE ABOUT SUFFERING, vv. 10-12.

1 Timothy 3:12, Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Suffering for doing wrong is not included here. Nor may we include it.

The righteous sufferer, like John the Baptist, possesses the kingdom of heaven for his suffering.

J C Ryle--As the soldier follows his general, as the servant follows his master, as the scholar follows his teacher, as the sheep follows its shepherd, just so ought the professing Christian to follow Christ.