Matthew 5:1–12 “#blessed “

Passage: Matthew 5:1-12

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

The Beatitudes
2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons[a] of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Intro: Does your definition of a blessed person match God’s definition of a blessed person?

Outro:
Blessed living means letting go of what’s temporary and looking to what’s eternal. Blessed living means not desiring a spotlight in this life. Existing in humility. Mourning over sin. Desiring righteousness which is available in Jesus and will only come fully when Jesus makes it so. These words spoken to the disciples on a hilltop years ago are now spoken to you. The world is still telling you to seek fame, self-satisfaction, personal glory. The voice of God cancels out all others and tells us with authority how to live.

Our hearts seek our own interests. Jesus tames the wayward heart and gives it a correct function, a heavenly function. A function that stretches into eternity.