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Bible StudyMarch 6, 2019KINGDOM LIVINGMATTHEW 5: 1-16Verse 1-2“And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2?Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:”Matthew places Jesus on the mountain to deliver the Sermon. This contrasts with Luke 6:17 where Jesus is said to deliver the Sermon from "a level place." For Matthew, the mountain is a place of divine revelation. It also introduces his concept of Jesus as the new Moses. The comment that Jesus was seated is also important. Sitting was the position for rabbis when they were giving official teaching of the Law. Their seat was called "the seat of Moses." To say that Jesus was seated speaks both of his authority to give genuine interpretation from God and his connection to Moses. Moses received the Law on the mountain by revelation from God. Jesus gave the sermon on the mountain as revelation from God. (Roger Hahn in The Voice, Christian Resource Institute)The Beatitudes (verses 3-12)The word “beatitude” means “blessedness and happy.” The term “blessed are” in each beatitude implies a current state of happiness. Jesus states that happiness and blessings are to those who possess these inward qualities and the announcement of promised future rewards. Jesus’ message is a message of how to be happy and how to be blessed. Moreover, Jesus’ message is a call for repentance; calling for His hearers to forsake ourselves and turn to God. If we do not repent, we cannot be a part of His Kingdom. Beatitude 1 (verse 3)“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”Being poor in spirit is to have an inward attitude of being unworthiness and having nothing to commend ourselves on. We are spiritually poor and powerless with Christ. We are to have a longing for God in our lives and have complete dependency on Him. Here, Jesus is saying, “Blessed are those who humbly recognize their need for God, for they will enter into his kingdom." Beatitude 2 (verse 4)“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”Those who “mourn" and show deep sorrow over their sin and repent from their sins shall be “comforted”; find forgiveness. We see the effects of sin and how it destroys lives and ruins relationships and makes people sad and miserable and this should cause us to mourn. If you don’t grieve over your sin, you are not born again and you are not part of the kingdom.Beatitude 3 (verse 5)“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”The world teaches in terms of power, influence, promote self and be aggressive. Yet here in this text, Jesus says, “blessed are the meek.” Meek means being humble and modest. Jesus is teaching that we are to trust in the Lord rather than trust in our own abilities and powers. We are to submit to God as Lord and we will inherit everything God possesses. Beatitude 4 (verse 6)“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,For they shall be filled.”“Hunger and thirst” speak of a deep need and desire; a passion for God’s righteousness. This is to have a desire to be rid of sin and be “right” in the sight of God. A person who is hungering and thirsting for righteousness is a person who has making efforts and rearranging their life to avoid sin and longing to be holy. If we do, Jesus said that He will satisfy our souls; “be filled.”Beatitude 5 (verse 7)“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Merciful means being forgiving, compassionate, kind and patient. Those demonstrate mercy (kindness, love, compassion, etc.) will receive mercy from the Father. A person who has truly encountered God’s mercy and displays that mercy to others is a living example of God’s mercy. Beatitude 6 (verse 8)“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”Pure in heart refers to living clean lives and seeking holiness. This call is moving us pass rituals and religious traditions, but seeking to be holy from the inside. We are to have a heart that desires to see Jesus exalted and praised. And if we do, Jesus says that we will see God. Beatitude 7 (verse 9)“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” One, this beatitude speaks to the person who literally makes peace; one who actively works to brings peace and reconciliation where there is hostility. This is for the person who seeks to end fighting, quarrels and hostility. However, when we think of hostility, what is usually the root of it? SIN. And who is the ultimate “peacemaker?” God. We have peace with God through His Son Jesus. Reconciliation through Christ brings us into a restored fellowship and peace with God. When we have been reconciled with God through Jesus, we can bring that same message of reconciliation to others. And all who have peace with God are His children.Beatitude 8 (verse 10-12) “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11?Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12?Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”If you are poor in spirit, mourn over your sin, meek and humble, are pursuing righteousness and holiness, is merciful and pure in heart and living as a peacemaker as you have made peace with God, then you will discover opposition and will be persecuted. Just as Jesus faced persecution, so too will His followers. 2 Timothy 3:12 says, “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” However, despite all we as believers will go through, Jesus said we are to be happy and rejoice in it for we will have a great reward in heaven. We are to be different from the worldWe are to turn from our sins and draw closer to GodWe are to have mercy, show love and compassion to others.We are to encourage a peaceful attitude in our homes, jobs, communities and church. We should also expect persecution and opposition because we are believers and followers of Christ.Salt and Light (verses 13-16)“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14?“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15?Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16?Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.Those who live the Beatitudes are the salt of the earth and light of the world.SALT - Christians are to help prevent moral decay in the world; purify the world.LIGHT – Christians are to guide those in the world; shine the light of God to the world. ................
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