Sermon On the Mount | MATTHEW 5:1-6 | The Beatitudes: Reversal

                                              I.  Greetings:

            Years ago, I bought my first computer and my first complex word processing program:  Word Perfect 4.0.  When I was first learning how to use the software program I became aware of how vast the program was, but I limited myself to learning only those parts that I needed to write a dissertation:  footnotes, and word processing procedures.  I needed to do this because I did not have time to learn other features.  As I upgraded my Word Perfect program to 4.2, 5.1 and even 6.0 I still did not learn how to become completely competent with the rest of the programs such as math, drawing, etc.  I own a vastly more complex program than I presently use.

            For many of us that is how we approach our faith, the Bible and Christ Himself.  We have started with some knowledge of Him and what He says in the Bible, but have never really explored more completely how much richness there is in the Scriptures and in Christ Himself.  I want to begin to scratch the surface a bit and show you some of Jesus' teaching.  I want to explore with you the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount.  Learning all of a computer program is not essential to success in some settings, but learning the Sermon on the Mount is essential to be successful in the Christian life (Matthew 7:24-27).  You could avoid a great crash!

            

II.  Introduction:   Matthew 5:1-2

   A.  General Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount.

            Note:  Matthew 5-7 if often called the Sermon on the Mount.  Some call it the "Call to Discipleship" or the definition of what a true

disciple is.  Turn with me if you will to Matthew 5:1.

>>>> Have someone read Matthew 5:1-2.

            Q Does Jesus hide His highest teachings from the general public?

               An =  Notice Jesus is speaking to the crowds but verse 2 says His disciples were around him before He spoke.  I believe this is typical

of Jesus.  He will let anyone hear, but what He is going to say really is for disciples:  for dedicated followers of Jesus.

            Many cults have special teaching for their inner core, and hide such material from the general population.  However, not so with Jesus. 

There is no hidden agenda.  His teaching is open for all to hear.  Jesus has nothing to hide.

            Note:  The Sermon on the Mount has several characteristics.

            1. For disciples Only:  I believe what He is going to say in the next three chapters is not "good teaching" for the world, but for disciples

only.  This teaching is not for the average person.  As you will see, it is not easy to follow, in fact, impossible to follow without help from the Holy

Spirit.  

            2.  Not Idealism But For This Life:  However, the Sermon on the Mount is not idealism, but practically possible.  

            3.  Understanding Comes Only From Doing It:  William Barclay says it cannot be understood until it is followed.  You truly realize

what it means only when you do it.

            4.  Christ Centered:  Everything centers on Jesus' Person and activity.  Every thing He teaches, He already is.  He is the center of it

all.  He is source and the power behind the whole sermon.  If you do not like the Sermon on the Mount you will not like Jesus either.

            5.  Christ Explains His Own Teaching By His Own Actions:  One of the great adventures in reading the book of Matthew is to realize

that Jesus' teaching is found in 5 blocks in the book of Matthew (5-7, 10, 13, 18, 24-25) and these blocks are surrounded by narrative of Jesus' actions. 

If you cannot understand a statement of Jesus or it seems extreme, see how He acts.  His actions will explain what He means.  Jesus is His Message.

   B.  Introduction to the Beatitudes.

            Q What do we usually call the first few verses of the Sermon on the Mount (5:3-12)?

               An = The Beatitudes!  The Sermon opens with a series of statements that declare what it means to be "blessed":  called by many the

Beatitudes.  This is pattern found in the Old Testament, especially in the Psalms.

            Q What is the pattern or sentence structure that seems to govern these verses?

               An =  It has a fairly regular rhythm to it.  "Blessed are....for....".  The type of person who is "blessed" is described and then why they

are so is given.  Let us look at the first beatitude and see if we can see the pattern.

 

III.  The Beatitudes:  Matthew 5:3-6.

>>>> Have someone read Matthew 5:3.

            Q Who are those who are blessed?

               An = The "Poor in Spirit".  What does this mean?

            Q Does it mean those who are spiritually poor?  Should we stop reading our Bibles, helping the needy, stop praying and stop loving God so

we can be spiritually poor???

               An = No, the phrase has another meaning.  Some believe "poor in spirit" refers to becoming aware of our spiritual poverty.  Realizing

that we are no where spiritually and then and only then can we become blessed and come into "Kingdom of Heaven".  Actually, I believe this idea to be

true.  It found all over Scripture.  In fact, I think that is partly what Matthew 5:6 is saying.  Until we realize how far in need we are we do not really

enter the Kingdom, but I believe this phrase here, in this verse, means something else.

            "Poor in spirit" was a phrase used to describe those who indeed were socially and economically poor because of their loyalty to God's will.

            Turn to Luke 6:20 and lets read that together.

            Note:  Luke uses the word "poor", not "poor in spirit".  In other words, Jesus is saying it is great to be poor, if you have done so because

of your loyalty to Me.  Poverty is not something to be ashamed of but the beginning of the state of blessedness.  "Happy are those who are on the bottom

and social rung on the ladder because of their religious convictions, because they have heaven as their home".

            Q Is this verses out of step with most of what is on TV?

               An = Yes!  Television teaches blessed are the wealthy and foolish are those who do not get ahead socially or economically because of

religious commitments to God because there is no heaven, but only what you have now!

            JESUS REVERSES A GREAT DEAL OF TV VIEWPOINTS, HIS VIEW IS A REVERSAL OF HOW MUCH OF HOW HOLLYWOOD LIVES!

            Q How would this apply to those setting up their career?

            Q Can we lose heaven if we are not willing to be economically and socially poor for the sake of the Gospel?

            Q Do folks miss "blessedness" because they seek money and position?  How do Christians do this?

               An = Sometimes we do not seek to do evil, but we are unwilling to be poor to follow the Gospel.  We do not want to be in Christian

work, or in certain jobs, because they are not good for our career (career = economic and social standing).  Many times we walk away from the will of God

for lives, not because we sin, but because we are not willing to be poor for the sake of the Gospel.  It is blessed to be poor or excluded because of our

loyalty to God.  There is a heaven, and those willing to sacrifice what they have in this life to be loyal to God, will gain heaven.

>>>> Have someone read Matthew 5:4.

            Q Why is this verse so strange, what is odd?

               An = It is so strange that those who suffer are the ones called "blessed":  those who have suffered lose so that they mourn.  Sometimes

we think we are blessed if all goes well for us every time, and if it does not, then God does not love us.  Jesus reverses this!  Blessed are those who

mourn.

            Q What does this have to say to those who are presently in mourning?

               An = It is a promise, "we will be comforted".  In Christ, pain always ends, sorrow always ends, mourning will cease.  Those of you

mourn this morning:  God promises it will end.

>>>> Have someone read Psalms 126:5-6.

            Q What does this have to say to those who are faced with difficulty to come?

               An = If we are His disciples then when we suffer lose then it will only produce blessing in our lives.  Because if we are His, we will be

comforted.  Many of you have suffered a lot difficulty already.  The difficulty did not curse you but blessed you.  Again, TV says we should always be

happy now.  Seek pleasure and happiness now and do not wait.  But God disagrees!!  To be a disciple of Jesus and enter blessedness.  You cannot be a

pleasure seeker and seek the comfort of God.  You cannot be a great athlete and never go through the "mourning" of rigorous training.  You will not be

blessed in athletics that way, nor in the spiritual life.

            Note:  There is another way to take this verse.  Some of you are now in mourning because of realizing how sinful you, blessed are you! 

You will be comforted!

>>>> Have someone read Matthew 5:5.

            Q If we are honest, what is distasteful about the verse?

               An = Again, how strange.  Blessed are the meek, the humble because they will acquire the earth.  I never liked this verse when I was

younger because I did not want to be a wimp.  Besides, it seems blessed are the bullies, the liars, the "self promoters" and they will get ahead.  Jesus

says that blessed are the humble, the meek.

            Note:  I used to think "meekness was weakness".  The older I get, I begin to see that humility is a "power virtue".  It is only the property

of the strong.  It is the strong man who is humble.  Jesus was not weak.  He boldly confronted the corruption of the leaders of His day and paid dearly

(death on a cross) for doing so.  He feared neither men, death or the devil.  But He was not self-seeking, willing to be approached, willing to die for our

good.  Willing to appear weak to accomplish the will of God.  Jesus was meek.

            We are disciples of Jesus Christ.  We do not have to brag, to push others down, but we can be humble because we are His disciples.  We are

sons and daughters of the King, and our humility will open the world up to us.  We do not need to show off, we know who we are, just as He knew who He

was.

            Q Do you know someone in the church who lives out this verse and proves it validity?  Could you share this with us?

>>>> Have someone read Matthew 5:6.

            Q What is the promise given in this verse?

               An = It is one of hope.  We can be filled with righteousness, but we must be hungary for it.  We, as disciples of Jesus Christ, have to

decide what we are truly hungary for.  It is present riches and present comfort then we will be temporarily filled with those things.  Jesus warns that

such a path is dangerous.  

>>>> Have everyone turn back to Luke 6 and read Luke 6:24-25.  

            Note:  It is only truly safe to live by faith in Jesus' teaching.  If there is a heaven to gain then we are most wise to seek what He tells us

to seek.  It is best to sacrifice the now for the later heavenly reward.  This is true only if there is a heaven!  You need to have faith to see

the validity of the Sermon on the Mount.  It only makes sense to believers.

            Note:  It seems like that to follow Jesus is be the quite different from the world's way of thinking.  Blessing comes from strange places. 

The issue of reversal will dominate so much of all we have just read and will read.

            Note: Have you ever wondered about the inequities of the world?  How America has so much and India or parts of Mexico or Pakistan has so

little?  Is God fair?  

            He is!  True blessing is equally available to all, and it is not in how much money or position you have.  Maybe some of the most blessed

people on this planet are those who are socially and economically poor.  "Some of the first shall be last, and some of the last shall be first!"  William

Barclay the "Beatitudes" are not descriptions of what we should be but congratulations on what we are!  

            If you are "poor in spirit", "mourning", "meek" and "spiritually hungary", congratulations!  You move and dwell, whether you presently see it

now, in the fullness and glory of God's blessing.