TEXT:  Matt. 5:1-12

INTRODUCTION:

A.      INDISCUSSING THE BEATITUDES, ONE PART OFTEN NEGLECTED IS THE REWARDS OR BLESSINGS THEMSELVES.

          1.       There are 8 blessings pronounced on 8 character traits.

          2.       Both blessings and traits are composites.

B.      SERMON’S THEME (5:20).

          1.       Traits contrast with the character of Jewish leaders.

          2.       Blessings they held as exclusively theirs.

          3.       Most are paradoxes.

C.      OUR DESIRE IS NOT TO BE EXHAUSTIVE.

          1.       Some we have already discussed.

          2.       Some are self-explanatory.

D.      WE WILL CONCENTRATE ON THE MORE DIFFICULT.

I.      THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN (vs. 3, 10).

A.      CONCEPTS OF THE KINGDOM.

          1.       Jewish concept was fleshly, vague, divided.

                   a.       Disposition toward Jesus (John 6:15;  Matt. 21:1-11;  1 Cor. 1:22).

                   b.       The disciples (Matt. 18:1;  20:21).

                   c.       After the resurrection (Acts 1:6).

          2.       The distinction between the kingdom and heaven not made.  There is a connection.

                   a.       Those going to heaven will be those in his kingdom.

                   b.       In places, the eternal reward is referred to as the kingdom

                             (Eph. 5:5;  1 Cor. 6:9-10;  2 Pet. 1:10-11).

                   c.       People in the church promised an inheritance or entrance into the kingdom

                             (Matt. 5:12).

B.      KINGDOM PROPHECIES:

          1.       Dan. 2:44-45.  A kingdom – in the days of those kings.

          2.       2 Sam. 7:12-13.  Descendent of David – rule forever.

          3.       Isa. 2:1-4;  9:6-7;  11:1-10;  Zech. 6:12-13.  Expectations high!

          4.       Mal. 3:1.  The messenger.

C.      THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM.

          1.       The preaching of John (Matt. 11:7-14;  3:1-3).

          2.       The preaching of Jesus (Matt. 4:17, 23;  Mark 1:14-15).

                   a.       His disciples (Matt. 10:5-7).

                   b.       The 70 (Luke 10:11).

          3.       What should this lead the Jews to expect?

D.      JESUS TEACHES ON THE KINGDOM.

          1.       It’s nature.

                   a.       John 18:36.  Not of this world.  “What does this mean?”

                   b.       Luke 17:20-21.  No war or revolution, no physical boundaries.

                   c.       Matt. 20:20-21,  26-28.  Backwards hierarchy.

          2.       It’s coming

                   a.       Mark 9:1.  Some who stand by, never taste of death, come with Power.

                   b.       Acts 1:4-8.  From Jerusalem, promise of the Father, Holy Spirit.

No specific date, BUT …

Receive power, Holy Spirit, my witnesses

Acts 2:1-4, 32

E.      POST PENTECOST.

          1.       Christ’s rule.

                   a.       Application of David’s prophecy (Acts 2:29-31).

                   b.       Beginning of Christ’s rule (Acts 2:32-36).

                   c.       Chronology of Rule (1 Cor. 15:20-26).

          2.       Col. 1:13.  Out of darkness into what?

          3.       Rev. 1:9.  Partakers with John.

F.      FULFILLMENT OF PROPHECY – THE CHURCH!

II.     THEY SHALL BE COMFORTED (vs. 4).

A.      NOT MADE TO ALL.  SOME MOURN WITH NO HOPE (1 Thess. 4:13).

B.      MADE TO THOSE WHO MOURN OVER TRIALS AND SUFFERINGS

          AS THEY ATTEMPT TO FOLLOW JESUS (1 Pet. 1:6-9).

C.      MADE TO THOSE IN CHRIST WHO MOURN OVER LIFE’S BURDENS

                             (1 Thess. 4:13-18;  Luke 12:15;  Psa. 55:22;  Phil. 4;6-7).

D.      MADE TO THOSE WHO FEEL SIN’S BURDEN (Matt. 11:28-30;  2 Cor. 7:10).

2 Cor. 1:3-5

III.    THEY SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH (vs. 5).

A.      A PARADOX – THE MEEK DON’T RULE, THEY SUBMIT.

B.      CHRISTIANS REIGN THROUGH JESUS.

          1.       Raised and made to sit (Eph. 2:5-7).

          2.       The church is special – glorified by God.

                   a.       Eph. 5:25-27 – Phil. 2:15 – 1 Pet. 2:9.

                   b.       James 1:17-18.

                   c.       2 Cor. 6:16-18.

C.      THROUGH JESUS WE CONQUER (2 Cor. 2:14;  Rom. 8:31-39).

          1.       We are strong in the Lord (Eph. 6:10;  Phil. 4:13).

          2.       We have a job (2 Cor. 10:3-6).

D.      THROUGH JESUS WE HAVE FULFILLMENT – I AM SOMEBODY (1 John 3:1).

IV.   THEY SHALL BE FILLED (vs. 6).

A.      GOD’S WORD IS A FEAST (1 Pet. 2:1-2).

          1.       Milk and Meat (Heb. 5:12-14).

          2.       Complete, well-balanced (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

B.      UNDER CHRIST’S RULE RIGHTEOUSNESS REIGNS.

          1.       Jesus’ rule is based on what is right (Heb. 1:8-9).

          2.       Citizens are characterized by righteousness and obedience (Heb. 8:8-12;  2 Tim. 2:19).

C.      RIGHTEOUSNESS LINKED TO CLEANSING.

          1.       Washed in the blood (1 John 1:6-7).

          2.       Never too dirty (1 Cor. 6:9-11).

V.    THEY SHALL OBTAIN MERCY (vs. 7).

A.      MERCY IS THE CORNERSTONE OF OUR FAITH.

          1.       Pitiful feelings.

          2.       Active

B.      SEEN IN ACTS OF KINDNESS IN GENERAL.

C.      SEEN IN FORGIVENESS.

D.      IF WE WANT IT, WE MUST GIVE IT (Matt. 18:21-35).

E.      TO BE LIKE GOD (Matt. 6:12-15).

VI.   THEY SHALL SEE GOD (vs. 8).

A.      TO BE TAKEN LITERALLY (1 John 3:1-2;  Rev. 22:1-5).

B.      REFERS, ALSO, TO AN UNDERSTANDING OF HIS CHARACTER.

          1.       God declared by Jesus (John 1:18).

          2.       We are to imitate him (1 Cor. 11:1;  Eph. 5:1-2).

          3.       Purifying is preparatory (1 John 3:3).

VII.  THEY SHALL BE CALLED SONS OF GOD (vs. 9).

A.      AGAIN, WE MUST BE GOD-LIKE (Eph. 5:1).

B.      THIS INVOLVES PARTAKING IN HIS NATURE (2 Pet. 1:4).

C.      CONSIDER GOD’S WORK IN RECONCILIATION.

          1.       Man and nature (Rom. 8:19-25).

          2.       Man and man (1 John 4:20-21;  Eph. 2:13-15).

          3.       Man and God (Eph. 2:16).

Romans 8:16

VIII. GREAT IS THEIR REWARD IN HEAVEN (vs. 12).

A.      PERSECUTION IS PROMISED (2 Tim. 3:12).

B.      IT IS WORTHWHILE (1 Cor. 15:58;  2 Tim. 4:6-8;  2 Cor. 4:16-18).

C.      OUR REWARD IS IN HEAVEN (2 Cor. 5:1;  Heb. 11:9-10).