Matthew 5:7-12: “Jesus’ Sermon On The Mount: The Beattitudes Concerning Motivational
Attitudes”
by
1.
INTRO:
1.1.
Last week we talked about how that the Sermon on the Mount was really the
“Manifesto Of The King”, for it contained the principles of Christ’s kingdom and
the principles which should characterize the kindom person in Christ’s kingdom
1.2.
We saw that the principles in the Sermon on the Mount only relate to the
Christian, for only the true believer in Christ can experience them and reap
the blessing
1.3.
We saw that each of these be-attitudes exalt attitudes which are opposite
of what the world values and esteems
1.4.
We saw how that for each be-attitude that the person who exhibited the
characteristic was ‘already’ blessed because of having the characteristic, and
thus the blessings were present possessions which were the result of having the
characteristic
1.5.
We saw how that these principles in the Sermon on the Mount were really
the first principles of the kingdom for
us as Christians
1.6.
We also looked at the first four be-attitudes which deal with what are
all internal attitudes of the heart which are essential for the kingdom person
1.6.1. The poor in spirit are those
who realize that in and of themselves they are unable to be righteous before
God for they spiritually bankrupt
1.6.1.1.They are blessed because
theirs is the kingdom of heaven
1.6.2. Those who mourn are
Christians who mourn because of their own sins, because of those around them
who are lost in their sins, and because of the difficulties and trials they go
through
1.6.2.1.They are blessed because
they receive God’s comfort
1.6.3. Those who are meek are those
who aren’t weak but have strength under control, as they are trusting the Lord
in all of their life and looking to Him to provide and protect them
1.6.3.1.They are blessed for they shall
inherit the eart
1.6.4. Those who hunger and thirst
for righteousness are those who hunger to know God more fully and be
transformed into His righteousness
1.6.4.1.They are blessed because
they shall be filled in their very desire
1.7.
In this next section, we will look at the be-attitudes which primarily do
not involve motivational attitudes which are internal to the Christian, but
involve instead primarily his relationships with others
1.8.
There is one major exception to this, and this is the be-attitude that is
for the “pure of heart”. Rather than
relating to a motivational inner attitude, this be-attitude involves a
character trait or state of being that a person either has or does not have
2.
VS 5:7 - “7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall
receive mercy”” - Jesus pronounces those who are ‘merciful’ to
be ‘blessed’
2.1.
As I mentioned
earlier in this chapter, the people of Jesus’ day despised anyone who was meek
or who showed mercy, for to show mercy was considered an inexcusable weakness,
yet Jesus says that those who are ‘merciful’ are blessed
2.2.
At times when we
read the Old Testament, we might think that God is always terrible and to be
greatly feared for His power and might, and there are stories found there in
which God commanded His people to execute judgment on people without giving
them any mercy, however God delights in showing mercy to people, for to give
mercy is one of His character traits
2.2.1. The man who has received ‘mercy’ from God cannot but
have mercy upon others, for it is the inevitable result of it, thus Paul writes
in 2 Cor. 4:1, “4:1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received
mercy, we do not lose heart”
2.2.2. It is only because of God’s having had compassion upon
us that any of us have been saved, and when we show compassion we are merely
reflecting the character of God. Paul
wrote in Col. 3:12 about how we are to put on a heart of compassion, “12 And
so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of
compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience”
2.3.
It is rightly said
among Christians that the difference between mercy and grace is that “mercy is
not getting what you deserve”, and “grace is getting what you don’t deserve”
2.3.1. We all deserve hell, however Christ in “mercy” paid
our debt of sin and died in our place
2.3.2. In “grace”, God has done much more for us than simply
not execute the justice upon us which we deserve because of our sin, instead He
has called us His very own sons, and made it so that we are even joint-heirs
with His only-begotten Son, plus made it so that we shall also reign with Him
2.4.
Not only did God
reveal His mercy to us when we first became Christians, but for as long as we
live we have the promise that as many times as we need mercy that He will not
turn us away, for the author of Hebrews writes in Heb. 4:16, “16 Let us
therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive
mercy and may find grace to help in time of need”
2.4.1. Remember His throne is not a throne of mercy, but a
throne of grace, for more than merely dispensing mercy, He gives and gives
beyond measure to those who don’t deserve one single good thing
2.4.1.1.He lavishes His grace upon us, Paul wrote, and “grace
upon grace”
2.5.
In the book of
Romans, Paul spends 11 chapters revealing all of the mind of God, who because
of His mercies has revealed salvation to us through Christ, and then in Rom.
12:1-2 he exhorts them because of the mercies of God shown to them to present
their bodies fully and completely to God to be a living sacrifice to Him, “I urge you therefore, brethren, by the
mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable
to God, which is your spiritual
service of worship.2 And do not be
conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that
you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and
perfect”
2.5.1. You see, God’s mercy revealed to us has to motivate
and encourage us to trust God as well as to surrender our lives completely to
His service
2.6.
We Christians can
show mercy to others by forgiving and forgetting the sins that they have
committed against us, just the way that the Lord does with us when He forgives
us of our sins
2.6.1. We need to get rid of all of our mental accounting
books and vow to never bring up a past deed that anyone has committed against
us (including our spouses and family members)
2.7.
The promise that
Jesus makes to those who are continually merciful is that they themselves will
receive mercy
2.7.1. We Christians are “already” blessed because we have
already received the gift of God’s mercy through Christ, and thus it is not
just a future blessing which we will receive for being merciful ourselves, but
a present possession
2.7.2. In contrast with the blessing, James writes in Ja.
2:13, “13 For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy”
2.7.2.1.Remember Jesus also taught us in the Lord’s prayer
that if we will not forgive others, our Father in Heaven will not forgive us of
our sins
3.
VS 5:8 - “8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall
see God” - Jesus pronounces those who are ‘pure in heart’ to be ‘blessed’
3.1.
The character
trait of purity of heart is an internal attitude or motivation that
characterizes the kingdom person
3.2.
In Ps. 24:3-4,
the Psalmist wrote that the one who would be able to come before the Lord is
the one with “clean hands and a pure heart”, “3 Who may ascend into the hill
of the Lord? And who may stand in His
holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and
a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his
soul to falsehood, And has not sworn deceitfully”
3.3.
In Psalms
51:6,10, David prayed to the Lord to have his heart cleansed and purified, “6 Behold,
Thou dost desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part Thou wilt
make me know wisdom. 10 Create in me a
clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me”
3.3.1. In order for a man or woman to have a pure heart, they
must have God create a new heart within them, cleansing their old heart, for
the pure heart does not come by birth since we are born with a sin nature, but
the pure heart is the cleansed heart of the believer, cleansed by the blood of
Jesus
3.3.1.1.For those of us who have partaken of the New Covenant
through the blood of Christ, this cleansing of the heart was foretold by
Ezekiel in Ezek. 36:25-27, “25 “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and
you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all
your idols. 26 “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit
within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a
heart of flesh. 27 “And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk
in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances”
3.3.1.2.Speaking of the Gentiles receiving salvation through
Christ, Peter spoke in Acts 15:9, “9 and He made no distinction between us
and them, cleansing their hearts by faith”
3.4.
In Is. 59:2,
Isaiah writes that sin causes a separation between us and God, and thus until
our sins have been forgiven us through Christ, we cannot have fellowship with
God and thus have a purified heart, “2 But your iniquities have made a
separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from
you, so that He does not hear”
3.5.
The purity
mentioned by Jesus in this verse is “moral purity” which inhabits and controls
the heart, the thoughts, and the actions of God’s Kingdom People who have been
cleansed by the blood of Jesus
3.6.
As I mentioned
earlier in this chapter, what Jesus reveals in this sermon is that true
righteousness before God must be righteousness that is on the inside, not just
the doing of good deeds on our external
3.6.1. In Matt. 18:25-26, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees about
cleaning the outsides of their cups, but being unclean on the inside, “25 “Woe
to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup
and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. 26
“You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that
the outside of it may become clean also”
3.7.
The promise made
to those who have a pure heart is that they “shall see God”
3.7.1. This blessing those who are constantly pure in heart
“already” possess, for the purity of their heart insures that they have insight
into the ways of God and that they also know Him intimately
3.7.2. Sin causes blindness and keeps us from being able to
see and know truth for what it is
3.7.3. The author of the book of Hebrews writes in Heb. 12:14
about the fact that unless people are sanctified and thus living a pure and
dedicated life that they shall not see God, “14 Pursue peace with all men,
and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord”
3.7.3.1.They must also then not be able to spend eternity in
heaven with God
3.7.3.2.If anyone does come to know the Lord it must in all
cases follow that they will have a purified heart
3.7.3.3.The apostle John wrote in 1 John 1:9 about the
assurance that we have that as often as we shall confess our sins He is
faithful to forgive us and to cleanse us from all sin, “If we confess our
sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness”
4.
VS 5:9 - “9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be
called sons of God”” - Jesus pronounces those who are ‘peacemakers’
to be ‘blessed’
4.1.
In Rom. 8:6-8,
Paul wrote that those who are not Christians are in fact in a hostile and
adversarial relationship with God, “6 For the mind set on the flesh is
death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward
God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even
able to do so; 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God”
4.1.1. In Eph. 2:1-6, Paul writes that from God’s point of
view non-Christians are by their very nature “children of wrath”, “2:1 And
you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according
to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air,
of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we
too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the
flesh and of the mind, and were by
nature children of wrath, even
as the rest. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with
which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us
alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up
with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus”
4.2.
Those who are
‘peacemakers’ are those who have first come to have ‘peace with God’ through
faith in Jesus Christ, as Paul wrote in Rom. 5:1, “Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with
God through our Lord Jesus Christ”
4.2.1. In Col. 1:19-22, Paul writes that God has made peace
with us through the blood of Christ’s cross, “19 For it was the Father’s
good pleasure for all the fulness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to
reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His
cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. 21 And
although you were formerly alienated and
hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 22 yet He has now reconciled you in
His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and
blameless and beyond reproach”
4.3.
All of us as
Christians are now called to be ‘peacemakers’
4.4.
The New Testament
is full of verses containing mention of “peace”
4.4.1. The gospel message is itself a message of peace
offered from God, and thus the angel Gabriel could announce the birth of Jesus,
saying, “Peace on earth”
4.4.2. In John 14:27, Jesus promises us that He will give us
“His peace” which is not as the world gives, “27 “Peace I leave with you; My
peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your
heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful”
4.4.3. In Phil. 4:6-7, Paul writes about the “peace of God”
which Christians have which “surpasses comprehension”
4.4.4. The salutations in the epistles are for “grace and
peace”, which is a constant reminder of God’s peace which is a grace which He
gives to His people
4.5.
The Bible teaches
that there is “no peace for the wicked” (Is. 48:22)
4.5.1. The nations of the world are controlled by their
selfish lusts and desires, and therefore any peace that occurs is temporary at
best, and most resembles a truce, or even a cold war
4.5.2. True peace in this world can only be achieved where
there is righteousness, for where there is sin in people’s lives, they can only
think and live for themselves
4.5.3. In Christ’s Millenial Kingdom, when the devil is bound
for the 1,000 years, there will be peace on earth, a peace that is enforced by
the presence of the Lamb Himself, however even with Christ present on earth,
when satan is loosed at the end of the Millenial Reign, many of the peoples of
the world come together to make war against the Lord and those who stand for
righteousness
4.5.4. John MacArthur writes about the lack of peace upon the
earth, “In 1968 a major newspaper reported that there had been to that date
14,533 known wars since thirty-six years before Christ. Since 1945 there have been some seventy or so
wars and nearly two hundred internationally significant outbreaks of
violence. Since 1958 nearly one hundred
nations have been involved in some form of armed conflict. Some historians have claimed that the
4.6.
The promise that
is made to those who are peacemakers is that they shall be called “sons of God”
4.6.1. The blessing of being ‘sons of God’ to every single
one who is a peacemaker in God’s eyes is “already” a present possession, for
all who come to Christ for salvation are children of God (John 1:12)
4.6.2. Being a peacemaker makes one like His Father, for it
is His character which is coming out in his life
4.7.
In Heb. 12:14,
the author exhorts us to live in peace with all men, and as much as we can
without compromising our testimony with the people of this world, we ought to
try to live peaceably, for it is hard to touch the hearts of people when you
are not living at peace with them
5.
VS 5:10 - “10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for
the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” - Jesus
pronounces those who are ‘persecuted for the sake of righteousness’ to be
‘blessed’
5.1.
This be-attitude
does not describe a characteristic or trait that a person might have in his
life, but rather the deeds that he performs, something that he is called to
endure as a Christian
5.2.
Of all of the
be-attitudes, perhaps people of the world would have the hardest time
understanding how that a disciple might be blessed because he undergoes
persecution
5.3.
We Christians
must face the fact that we have been called to suffer for Christ
5.3.1. Peter wrote in
1 Peter 2:21, that we have been called to suffering by God, “21 For you have been called
for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example
for you to follow in His steps”
5.3.2. In 1 Peter 4:1-2, Peter wrote that the Christian is to
arm himself for “the purpose of suffering”, since Christ also suffered in the
flesh, “1 Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm
yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh
has ceased from sin,2 so as to live
the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the
will of God”
5.3.3. In 1 Peter 4:19, Peter wrote that if we Christians
have to suffer according to the will of God, we must entrust our souls to a
faithful Creator in doing what is right in our lives (He has deemed whatever we
must go through to be necessary for us), “19 Therefore, let those also who
suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator
in doing what is right”
5.4.
In 1 Peter 4:12,
Peter encourages us not to be surprized when we undergo persecution for His Name’s
sake, for that is part of our calling as Christians, “12 Beloved, do not be
surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing,
as though some strange thing were happening to you”
5.5.
In 1 Peter
3:17;4:15, Peter reveals that not all suffering that Christians go through is
proper, and thus is really suffering for the “sake of righteousness”, “17 For
it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right
rather than for doing what is wrong...15 By no means let any of you suffer as a
murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler”
5.5.1. Sometimes we Christians bring persecution upon
ourselves by our own laziness, stupidity, and wrong things that we do
5.5.2. If we Christians are persecuted we ought make sure
that we are persecuted because of the fact that we are living such a righteous
life that the conviction that it brings to others has caused us to endure this
suffering
5.5.2.1.Peter wrote in 1 Peter 2:19 that this type of
suffering and persecution finds favor before God, “19 For this finds favor, if for the sake of
conscience toward God a man bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly”
5.5.2.2.This is really what suffering “for the sake of
righteousness” means
5.6.
There is a real
blessing that comes to the Christian when he is persecuted for his faith
5.6.1. Our purified faith that occurs as a result of our
persecutions will result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of
Christ, 1 Peter 1:7, “7 that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though
tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the
revelation of Jesus Christ”
5.6.2. If someone will harm us because we are a Christian and
walking righteously, we will be blessed, 1 Peter 3:14, “14 But even if you
should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not
fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled”
5.6.3. If we are reviled for the name of Christ, we are
blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon us, 1 Peter 4:14, “14
If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit
of glory and of God rests upon you”
5.6.3.1.Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit will come upon us
and give us the grace to bear it and the words to say in that day of our
persecution
5.6.4. No one can really harm us (God will work all things to
good- Rom. 8:28), 1 Peter 3:13, “13 And
who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?”
5.6.5. God promises that after we have suffered for awhile
that He will perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish us, 1 Peter 5:10, “10 And
after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called
you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you”
5.7.
In 1 Peter 4:13,
Peter exhorts us that to the degree that we share the sufferings of Christ, we
must keep on rejoicing so that also at the revelation of His glory, we may
rejoice with exultation, “13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings
of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you
may rejoice with exultation”
5.8.
I have always
been impressed with the way that the apostles were willing to endure their
suffering, for as in Acts 5:41, after the authorities had flogged the apostles
and then let them go, they rejoiced that they were found worthy to suffer for
the Name of Jesus
5.8.1. We should look to the saints of old to be our examples
of how to act when we are called upon by the Lord to have to endure persecution
5.9.
in 1 Peter
2:21-24, Peter encourages us to follow Jesus’ example when we have to undergo
persecution, “21 For you have been
called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an
example for you to follow in His steps,22
who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth;23 and
while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered
no threats, but kept entrusting Himself
to Him who judges righteously;24 and
He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and
live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed”
5.10. The promise that is given to those who are continually
allowing themselves to be persecuted for righteousness sake if God should will
it to be so for them is the same as that which was for the first be-attitude,
“theirs is the kingdom of heaven”
6.
VS 5:11-12 - 11 “Blessed
are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of
evil against you falsely, on account of Me. 12 “Rejoice, and be glad, for your
reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before
you” - Jesus pronounces those who have insults cast at them, evil rumors spread
about them, and who are persecuted for Jesus’ sake to be ‘blessed’
6.1.
We Christians
sometimes find that the people of this rebellious world do all kinds of evil
against us, including lying about us, and trying to destroy our reputation, and
all this just because of our righteous life which convicts them of their sins
6.2.
Jesus says that
they who experience these things are in good company, for the prophets before
them experienced the same things
6.3.
Jesus encourages
those who are persecuted for His sake to ‘rejoice and be glad’ since they will
have such a great martyr’s crown and reward awaiting them in heaven for
faithfully going through these types of things on earth
6.4.
God will always
give to us the grace that we need to endure whatever it is that we have to
endure. We do not presently have dying
grace, but on the day that we are called to die God will give it to us, etc.
6.4.1. During the fourth persecution of the church under a
Roman Emperor, in this case Marcus Aurelius, 162-180AD, Polycarp the bishop of
Smyrna was martyred, and Foxe includes the following story concerning his
martyrdom, “Polycarp, who was a student of the Apostle John and the overseer
of the church in Smyrna, heard that soldiers were looking for him and tried to
escape but was discovered by a child.
After feeding the guards who captured him, he asked for an hour in
prayer, which they gave him. He prayed
with such fervency, that his guards said that they were sorry that they were
the ones who captured him. Nevertheless,
he was taken before the governor and condemned to be burned in the market
place. After his sentence was given, the
governor said to him, “Reproach Christ and I will release you”. Polycarp answered, “Eighty-six years I have
served him, and he never once wronged me.
How then shall I blasphme my King who has saved me?” In the marked place, he was tied to the stake
rather than nailed, as was the usual custom, because he assured them he would
stand immovable in the flames and not fight them. As the dry sticks placed around him were lit,
the flames rose up and circled his body without touching him. The executioner was then ordered to pierce
him with a sword. When he did, a great
quantity of blood gushed out and put out the fire. Although his Christian friends asked to be
given his body as it was so they could bury him, the enemies of the Gospel
insisted that it be burned in the fire, which was done”.
6.4.2. During the fifth persecution by a Roman Emperor
against the church, Lucius Septimus Severus, 193-211AD, a woman named Perpetua
was martyred, and Foxe includes in his book the following story about her, “Perpetua,
a young married woman who was still nursing a child; Felicitas, who was then pregnant, and
Revocatus of Carthage, a slave who was being taught the principles of
Christianity. Other prisoners who
suffered at the same time were Saturninus, Secundulus, and Satur. These latter were made to run between two
rows of men who severely lashed them as they passed. After an appearance before the proconsul
Minutius in which she was offered freedom if she sacrificed to the idols,
Perpetua had her still-nursing baby taken from her and was thrown into
prison. Describing her faith and life in
prison, she told her father, “The dungeon is to me a palace”. Later she and the other prisoners appeared
before Hilarianus, the judge. He, also,
offered to set her free if she would sacrifice.
Her father was there with her baby and begged her to do so. She replied, “I will not sacrifice”. “Are you a Christian?” asked Hilarianus. “I am a Christian”, Perpetua replied. All of the Christians with her stood fast for
Christ, and they were ordered to be killed by wild beasts for the enjoyment of
the crowd on the next pagan holiday. The
men were to be torn by lions and leopards and the women set upon by bulls. On the day of the execution, Perpetua and
Felicitas were first stripped naked and hung in nets, but were removed and
clothed when the crowd objected. Upon
returning to the arena, Perpetua was tossed about by a mad bull and was stunned
but not seriously hurt; Felicitas,
however, was badly gored. Perpetua
hurried to her side and held her while they waited for the bull to charge them
again, but he refused to do so, and they were dragged from the arena, much to
the crowd’s disappointment. After a
short time, they were brought back to be killed by gladiators. Felicitas was killed quickly, but the young
inexperienced gladiator assigned to kill Perpetua trembled violently and could
only stab her weakly several times.
Seeing how he trembled, Perpetua held his sword blade and guided it to a
vital area in her body”.
6.5.
It was said
during the horrible persecution of the early church by the Roman emperors that
the blood of the martyrs was the seed of the church, for far from impeding the
progress of Christianity across the world, it hastened it greatly, for as a
result of each one who was martyred for their faith many more came to faith in
Him for salvation
6.5.1. John MacArthur includes the following story of a
modern martyr, “As a sequel to his book Peace
Child, Don Richardson has written Lords
of the Earth (Glendale, Calif:
Regal, 1977). He tells the story
of Stan Dale, another missionary to Irain Jaya,
6.5.2. The worst thing that can happen to us as Christians is
not to be martyred for our faith, for that will be a blessed thing that will be
so momentary in time, accompanied by a tremendous outpouring of grace and
strengthening through the Holy Spirit, and then followed by a joyous entrance
into Christ’s presence to forever savor the martyr’s rewards