BEATITUDES
(Message by Tanny Keng)
0. Introduction
a) The Beatitudes
3Blessed 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.
a) Beatitudes are 8 declarations of blessedness spoken by Jesus. Each beatitude tells us how to be blessed, beginning with "Blessed are ...". "Blessed" means more than happiness.
b) The Greek word translated "blessed" means "spiritual well-being and prosperity." This refers to the deep joy of the soul.
c) There are 4 ways to understand the beatitudes.
i) They are a code of ethics for the disciples and a standard of conduct for all believers.
ii) They contrast kingdom values (what is eternal) with worldly values (waht is temporary).
iii) They contrast the supeficial "faith" of the Pharisees with the real faith Christ wants.
iv) They show how the Old Testament expectations will be fulfilled in the new kingdom.
d) With Jesus' announcement that the kingdom was near, people were naturally asking, "How do I qualify to be in God's kingdom?" Jesus said that God's kingdom is organized differently from the worldly kingdoms. In the kingdom of heaven, wealth and power and authority are unimportant. Kingdom people seek different blessings and benefits, and they have different attitudes.
e) Are you attitudes a carbon copy of the world's selfishness, pride, and lust for power, or do they reflect the humility and self-sacrifice of Jesus, your king?
f) Jesus said to rejoice when we are persecuted. Persecution can be good because
i) it takes our eyes off earthly rewards,
ii) it strips away superficial belief,
iii) it strengthens the faith of those who endure,
iv) our attitude through it, serves as an example to others who follow.
g) We can be comforted to know that God's greatest prophets were persecuted (Elijah, Jeremiah, Daniel). The fact that we are being persecuted proves that we have been faithful; faithless people would be unnoticed. In the future God will reward the faithful by receiving them into his eternal kingdom where there is no more persecution.
2. Prayer focus
a) Pary that we would conform to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ and live accordingly to kingdom values.
The End ...
0. Introductiona) The Beatitudes
3Blessed 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. (Matthew 5:3-12 NIV)
1. What are beatitudes?
1. What are beatitudes?
a) Beatitudes are 8 declarations of blessedness spoken by Jesus. Each beatitude tells us how to be blessed, beginning with "Blessed are ...". "Blessed" means more than happiness.
b) The Greek word translated "blessed" means "spiritual well-being and prosperity." This refers to the deep joy of the soul.
c) There are 4 ways to understand the beatitudes.
i) They are a code of ethics for the disciples and a standard of conduct for all believers.
ii) They contrast kingdom values (what is eternal) with worldly values (waht is temporary).
iii) They contrast the supeficial "faith" of the Pharisees with the real faith Christ wants.
iv) They show how the Old Testament expectations will be fulfilled in the new kingdom.
d) With Jesus' announcement that the kingdom was near, people were naturally asking, "How do I qualify to be in God's kingdom?" Jesus said that God's kingdom is organized differently from the worldly kingdoms. In the kingdom of heaven, wealth and power and authority are unimportant. Kingdom people seek different blessings and benefits, and they have different attitudes.
e) Are you attitudes a carbon copy of the world's selfishness, pride, and lust for power, or do they reflect the humility and self-sacrifice of Jesus, your king?
f) Jesus said to rejoice when we are persecuted. Persecution can be good because
i) it takes our eyes off earthly rewards,
ii) it strips away superficial belief,
iii) it strengthens the faith of those who endure,
iv) our attitude through it, serves as an example to others who follow.
g) We can be comforted to know that God's greatest prophets were persecuted (Elijah, Jeremiah, Daniel). The fact that we are being persecuted proves that we have been faithful; faithless people would be unnoticed. In the future God will reward the faithful by receiving them into his eternal kingdom where there is no more persecution.
2. Prayer focus
a) Pary that we would conform to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ and live accordingly to kingdom values.
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