The Beatitudes Introduction The Beatitudes describe theattributes attitudes
The Beatitudes Introduction The Beatitudes describe theattributes, attitudes & character traitsof the citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven They reflect the central theme of the Bible: God wants for Himself a people!
The Beatitudes The First Beatitude “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!” • To recognize one’s dependence on God, and our need of spiritual help • “This self-emptying conviction that ‘before God we are void of everything. ’” – Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, p. 895 • HUMILITY !
The Beatitudes The Second Beatitude “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted!” • Mourn – The strongest word for mourning in all of the Greek New Testament • Sometimes translated as “Wailing” • Mourning for our sins – “Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? ” Romans 7: 24
The Beatitudes The Third Beatitude “Blessed are the gentle [meek], for they shall inherit the earth!” • Meek: – Greek – PRAUS – Gentle; strength under control
The Beatitudes The Fourth Beatitude “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied!” • What Is Righteousness? – All of God’s commands • Psalm 119: 138, 144, 172 – It is revealed in the gospel • Romans 1: 16, 17
The Beatitudes The Fifth Beatitude “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy!” • Where mercy is concerned, man is in the middle: God MAN Mercy OTHERS Mercy = Active Compassion!
The Beatitudes The Sixth Beatitude “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God!” • What is meant by“heart? ” – The MIND of a person • The intellect Matt. 22: 37; Romans 10: 10 • Emotions 2 Samuel 6: 16 • The will 2 Corinthians 9: 7 Pure Heart Evil Heart
The Beatitudes The Sixth Beatitude “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God!” • What is a “pure heart? ” – A heart that thinks about “right” things Philippians 4: 8 – A heart that loves and hates according to righteousness
The Beatitudes The Sixth Beatitude “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God!” • Why is it so important to have a pure heart? – “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. ” Proverbs 4: 23 – “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. ” Matthew 15: 19
The Beatitudes The Sixth Beatitude “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God!” • Why is it so important to have a pure heart? – An evil heart caused the wickedness of those who lived before the flood Genesis 6: 5 – God’s word is filled with warnings against having an “evil heart” • Psalm 19: 14; Isaiah 55: 7; Matthew 5: 28; 2 Cor. 5: 10
The Beatitudes The Sixth Beatitude “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God!” • One’s heart can be cleansed and be made pure! – “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. ” 2 Corinthians 7: 1 – “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. ” James 4: 8
The Beatitudes The Sixth Beatitude “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God!” • One’s heart can be cleansed and be made pure! – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ” 1 John 1: 9
“It is safe to tell thepure in heart that they shall see God, for only the pure in heart want to!” C. S. Lewis
The Beatitudes The Seventh Beatitude “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God!” • God loves peacemakers! – “There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. ” – Proverbs 6: 16 -19
The Beatitudes The Seventh Beatitude “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God!” • God loves peacemakers! – “There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. ” – Proverbs 6: 16 -19
The Beatitudes The Seventh Beatitude “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God!” • There are some areas in which we can do little or nothing: – Among governments 1 Timothy 2: 1 -4 – War between nations – Among other people • Neighbors – Friends • Co-workers
The Beatitudes The Seventh Beatitude “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God!” • Two realms in which Christians. CAN help to make & keep the peace: – In our homes – In the local church where we are members
The Beatitudes The Seventh Beatitude “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God!” • What makes for“peace” in our homes? – Cheerfulness & kindness – Unselfishness – Self-examination • 2 Corinthians 13: 5
The Beatitudes The Seventh Beatitude “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God!” • What makes for“peace” in the local church? – Careful adherence to the N. T. pattern • James 3: 17 – Righteous living by all the members – Humility among all the members • James 3: 17 -18; 1 Peter 5: 5
The Beatitudes The Seventh Beatitude “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God!” • Two extremes to avoid: – Those who are contentious about everything – Those who want peace so badly that they will tolerate all kinds of error to have it • James 3: 17; 2 Kings 9: 22
The Beatitudes The Seventh Beatitude “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God!” • Paul Earnhart – “What is the value of peace bought at the price of principle or of a momentary tranquility that is not grounded on reconciliation with God? ” • Invitation to a Spiritual Revolution, p. 17
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ! Romans 5: 1
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