Matthew 5:1-12

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them. He said: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

• “Beatitude” means BLESSING.

• 107 verses, the longest recorded sermon of Jesus.

• Jesus taught while he was seated.

• The sermon was given to HIS FOLLOWERS.

Purpose: to explain to us and CHALLENGE us about what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus, motivated by the heart rather than the law.

A) GENERAL THOUGHTS

1. These are 8 CHARACTER TRAITS that identify true followers of Jesus.

2. These traits open the door to INNER HAPPINESS

3. Attached to each character train is a PROMISE

B. THE BEATITUDES

1. THE POOR IN SPIRIT (5:3)

"Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Luke 17:20-21

2. THOSE WHO MOURN (5:4

)“Blessed are those who morn for they shall be comforted.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

3. THE MEEK (5:5)

“Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.”Philippians 2:3

4. WHO HUNGER & THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS (5:6)

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled.”

2 Corinthians 5:21

5. THE MERCIFUL (5:7)

“Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.”

6. THE PURE IN HEART (5:8)

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

Acts 15:8,9; 1 John 3:2

7. THE PEACEMAKERS (5:9)

“Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God.”

8. THOSE PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS (5:10)

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake for theirs in the kingdom of heaven.”

2 Corinthians 4:16,17