SERMON ON THE MOUNT #2

Connection Between The Beatitudes And Faith

(Matthew 5:3-12)

INTRODUCTION

A. The Sermon on the Mount is actually a series of challenges
to man’s concept of God, himself and others.

1. It challenges the idea of personal character

2. It challenges the concept of man’s purpose

3. It challenges the concept of obedience to God

4. It challenges the concept of righteousness

5. It challenges the concept of communication with God

6. It challenges the concept of piety and dedication

7. It challenges the concept of life values

8. It challenges the concept of trust in God

B. Jesus started by talking about blessedness through what we
know as the Beatitudes

1. Matthew 5:3-12

2. This morning we will look at an overview of the
beatitudes

DISCUSSION

A. THE IDEA OF BLESSEDNESS

1. “Blessed” comes from makarios

a. The basic idea is “happy” but means much more

b. Greeks used it to describe the “state of the gods”

c. It carries the idea of health and well-being in all aspects
of life

2. This blessedness is based on three things

a. The sovereignty of God – i.e. God must rule

b. The proper view of satisfaction – spiritual versus worldly

c. ©   The proper view of security – faith in God

3. When Jesus said, “Blessed is …” He was giving essential
elements that go together to produce an overall healthy life
in which a person receives all that makes life pleasant,
enjoyable, rewarding and fulfilling.

B. THE NEGLECTED “MIDDLE-GROUND” OF
THE BEATITUDES

1. Each statement of blessedness contains three parts

a. The statement “blessed” – which is the result or reward

b. The essential element to achieve (the middle ground)

c. The specific stated blessing that results from the
essential element

2. Why is the middle ground neglected?

a. The idea of blessed is appealing

b. The specific rewards mentioned are inviting

c. It is easy to forget that the emphasis in each beatitude is
in the middle part of the statement

d. This is what Jesus was telling people to be

3. The challenge of the beatitudes is that they are
presented in paradoxes

a. A paradox is a seeming contradiction

b. The contradiction is found in the fact that what Jesus
says will result in blessings goes against worldly
thinking and wisdom

4. Three specific challenges are found in each beatitude

a. A challenge to our idea of truth

b. A challenge to the way we think and make decisions
about life

c. A challenge to accept God’s way over the ways of the
world

C. THE BEATITUDES AND FAITH

1. The Beginning of Faith  …  Matthew 5:3-5

a. Three elements of life are noted here:

1) Spiritual poverty

2) Mourning

3) Meekness

b. Three blessing are noted as well:

1) Kingdom of heaven

2) Comfort

3) Inherit the earth

c. Notice how the three elements relate to the beginning
of faith:

1) They fit a person for an initial response to God and
His word

a) Spiritual poverty eliminates pride

b) The ability to mourn makes it possible for a person
to  respond to his or her true state in life

c) Meekness produces humility and gentleness and
eliminates arrogant resistance to God’s will

2) Notice how worldly attitudes prevent faith:

a) Pride keeps a man from admitting his needs God

b) The inability to mourn cause one to ignore the
problem of sin and how it effects his relationship
with God

c) And arrogant rebellion fights against God

2. The Progress of Faith  …   Matthew 5:6

a. Faith is designed to continually move a person
further away from the world and closer to God

1) Human life is developed, grows and is sustained by
built-in responses of hunger and thirst

2) If you never eat of drink, or stop eating and drinking –
you will die

b. Faith progresses by hungering and thirsting after
righteousness

1) Faith progresses by craving the things of God

2) Hungering and thirsting after righteousness is the
desire that moves a person closer to God as he takes in
the things of God

c. How does this element relate to faith?

1) Jesus promised that one’s hungering and thirsting
would be satisfied

2) Just as big meals satisfy our physical requirements, so
will our spiritual requirements be met as well

3. The Perfection of Faith  …  Matthew 5:7-9

a. Faith perfected is when man develops the ability to
reflect the character and attributes of God in his life

b. Jesus identifies three elements that summarize the
character of God:

1) Mercy … if we have mercy we will receive mercy

2) Purity … if we are pure we will see God

3) Making peace … if we are peace makers we will be
called sons of God

c. What a difference a person could make in the world if he
grants mercy to others, lives purely, and makes peace
where ever he goes!

d. How do things relate to faith?

1) Mercy given produces mercy received – this is what
all of us need

2) Purity of life is a life resisting sin – which is God’s
will for us

3) Being a peacemaker is the healing. soothing work of
God in putting the world back together after Satan’s
destructive work

4. The Trial of Faith   …  Matthew 5:10-12

a. Persecution and suffering as a follower of Jesus will
test and prove the validity of our faith

1) The temptation is always to try to revert to the ways of
the world

2) Under pressure – can you maintain the qualities
identified in the Beatitudes?

b. Without persecution and suffering anyone might be
able to practice the things Jesus taught

c. But what happens when it seems as though things
will not work out?

1) Here is where faith is proven

2) In times like these ask yourself – who and what are
you going to trust?

3) There is a lot of difference in the claim and the walk

CONCLUSION

A. God wants us to experience a deep happiness in life –
But it must be on His terms and not ours

B. The very first words of this sermon are not simple, sweet
nourishment – Jesus challenges the kind of person you are

1. What kind of person are you?

2. Do the qualities of your life demonstrate your faith in
God?

3. Are you willing to risk violating the wisdom of the world
to be happy?