Introduction to the Beatitudes

1. The Beatitudes are recorded in the first part of what is commonly called the “Sermon on the Mount” which is recorded in Matthew chapters 5 – 7 and elsewhere in scripture.

2. The Title “Sermon on the Mount” comes from 5:1 – “He went up into a mountain”.

3. While this is called a Sermon – It was a Teaching Session. In 5:2 we read, “And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, -“

I. Teaching & Preaching Go Together -- see Matt 4:23 and Acts 5:42

(For additional reading on Teaching and Preaching and the Purpose of Teaching and Preaching click on >>> Teaching and Preaching the Scriptures or Purposes for Teaching and Preaching <<< )

A. Jesus Taught With Authority -- see Matt 7:28-29 Cp Eph. 4:11-12

1. He used earthly things such as Animals, Fish, Gates, Roads, Trees and Water, etc., to Illustrate his Teachings.

B. Jesus Was Taught of His Father -- see John 8:25-30

1. We are Taught of the Spirit - see John 14:26 and I John 2:26-27

2. The Grace of God Teaches -- see Titus 2:11-15

C. Apostles were Commanded to Teach (v. 15) -- see Matt 28:19-20

1. Paul commanded Timothy to Teach - see II Tim 2:1

2. Teaching is a vital necessity for a godly life – see Acts 20:20

D. A Disciple (Christian) is a Taught One -- see Acts 11:25-26

1. One Must Therefore be a Student of the Word in order to be a Disciple - see II Tim 2:15

II. Some Biblical Facts About This Discourse = What, When & Why

A. WHAT is the Sermon on the Mount ?

1. Earliest & Longest Discourse to Disciples - Cp John 13-18

2. A Messianic Message From the King – With Authority - ** 7:28

3. A Transitional Message – From: the Old to the New –

From the Letter of the Law to the Spirit of the Law –

From Outward Ceremony to Inward Spirituality.

** Key phrases - “Ye have heard” – 5:21, 5:27, 5:33, 5:38, 5:43

“But I say ” - 5:22, 5:28, 5:32, 5:34, 5:39, 5:44

4. Teaches True Worship and True Christian Character

5. The Beatitudes, as with all the teachings of Christ, apply to every regenerate, converted Child of Grace – With No Exceptions

B. WHEN Did the Discourse Take Place ?

1. After Jesus was Baptized (Anointed) and Began His Ministry

2. After Jesus Was Tempted and Overcame Satan with the Word

3. After Jesus Announced His Messianic Authority - see Luke 4:14-21

4. After Jesus Had Called Out His Disciples - see Matt 4:18-22

5. After Jesus Demonstrating His Messianic Power to heal see Matt 4:23-25 -- Cp Luke 4:14-21

C. WHY was the Discourse Needed ? (My opinion)

1. O.T. Had Ended with a Prophecy that Elijah would come as the Forerunner and Herald of the Messiah -- see Malachi 4:5-6

2. John the Baptist was that Elijah – see Luke 1:13-17

Jesus Confirmed this in Matthew 11:11-14

3. First John and Then Jesus Preached the “Kingdom at Hand” -

see Matt 3:1-2 and 4:17 ** The same Kingdom as Matt 19:23-24

4. The Kingdom of Christ Prophesied Throughout the O.T.

see Isa. 9:6-7 - see Jeremiah 23:5-6 - see Dan. 2:31-33, 43-45

5. The Kingdom of Christ was Confirmed by the Angel Gabriel

before the virgin Birth of the Messiah - see Luke 1:30-33

III. The Four Gospels present the “Same Good News” – But from different perspectives

1. Matthew presents Christ as the King

2. Mark presents Christ as the Servant

3. Luke (a Greek) presents Christ as the Man Jesus

4. John presents Christ as God Incarnate or manifest in the flesh

A. “Kingdom of Heaven” is a common phrase with Matthew (32 verses)

B. “Kingdom of God” is a common phrase with Luke (32 verses)

C. But both phrases are speaking of the SAME Kingdom -- see Matt 19:23-24 - compare Matt 4:12-17 w/ Mark 1:14-15

IV. In our study Text we find ourselves On a Mountain with Christ

A. Jesus Went Up There to Be Heard - see Matt 7:28 cp Luke 7:1

B. Jesus is On Many Mountains in Matthew

1. Mount of Temptation - Matt 4:8

2. On a Mountain for Solemn Prayer - Matt 14:22-23

3. On the Mount of Transfiguration - Matt 17:1-2

4. On a Mount for the Olivet Discourse -- The prophecy against

the Nation of Israel -- Matt 24:3

5. On the Mount of Olives - Matt 26:30

6. On a Mountain when giving the Great Commission to the eleven

apostles – see Matt. 28:16

C. But he is HERE to Teach the Spiritual Laws of His Kingdom

1. When Moses was on Mount Sinai to receive the Law there was Thundering & Lightening and the People Stood “Afar Off”

2. Here The Voice of The Son is heard - see Heb 1:1-3 and the people Draw nigh unto their King.

V. Jesus Sat as a King Should Sit – but not yet on His Throne of Glory.

A. He Sat Daily Teaching - see Matt. 26:55

1. He sat in their houses -- By the Sea, In Boats -- see Matt 13:1-2

B. When he had Purged our Sins – He Sat Down on his throne of Glory to reign over his Kingdom -- see Heb 1:3, and Heb. 1:8-12

Note especially Heb 1:8 – “But unto the Son he (the Father) saith,

“Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.”

1. While He Reigns He Sits - see Heb. 1:13

2. As Our Advocate He Stands - Cp Stephen - see Acts 7:55

C. There are three (3) Positions for US – IN Christ taught in Ephesians

1. Sitting – Eph. 2:4-6; Walking Eph. 5:1-2; Standing Eph. 6:10

2. For US in the Sermon on the Mount WE should be Sitting, Listening, Learning and Obeying.

VI. Matt 5:3-12 = The Beatitudes teach the earthly state or spiritual condition of a perfect Blessedness or Happiness for a Child of God

A. The words Bless, Blessed, Blessing are usually translated from “Euloge” meaning “eulogy” - see Eph 1:3

B. In the Beatitudes the word “Blessed” is from “Makarios” which means FULLY Satisfied, Truly Content, or Happy – but Not happy by Chance/Emotions

C. The Beatitudes are NOT Stages of Regeneration or Being Born of God

1. The Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes - taught to the disciples of Christ - "and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them"

2. Disciples are "learners" of Christ - born of God - who possess the Spirit of God - with the ability to discern spiritual things. -- see John 8:47 and I Cor. 2:14

D. The Beatitudes are NOT stages of Service – to choose one, or disregard another, etc.

E. The Beatitudes Express the True Characteristics of the heart and spirit of a child of God “Seeking First the Kingdom of God”

1. The one who is blessed of God to understand The Beatitudes is one Who is Satisfied Being As Christ and Not the world - see John 17:9-17

Key phrases: “Blessed are the –“ -- “Blessed are they –“ and “Blessed are ye when – “.