The sermon on the mount is the longest and most detailed set of instructions to the disciples of Jesus. Jesus was specific and deliberate in the sermon on the mountain.
If anyone should ask us how we should live or behave as Christians, it is detailed in these three chapters of scripture, Mathew 5-7.
The sermon on the mount is popularly referred to as the “BEATITUDES”.
Over the years I have looked at these as “THE BEAUTIFUL ATTITUDES” or “THE BE ATTITUDES”.
I believe that Jesus’ instruction to His disciples was simple and straight forward. If you want to succeed, be strong in the faith and be fruitful in this life, this should be your attitudes as a believer.
This is what Jesus was saying to us as believers, watch your attitude because your attitude will determine your actions and your actions will determine your blessings.
Jesus ended the sermon on the mount with this statement in Mathew 7:24-26
24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
Jesus was basically saying to His disciples, this is the foundation of your Christian living. If you want to be happy, you must keep these words of mine in your heart and do them.
The Sermon on the Mount outlines the primary attributes of those who choose to call themselves His disciples. Each of these attributes has a blessing attached to it.
Mathew 5:3-10
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 filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus begins every statement in these verses with the word “BLESSED” the same word can be found in Psalm 1:1 “Blessed is the man….”
What does this word “BLESSED” mean? This is a Greek word “MAKARIOS”. It is derived from the word, “LENGTHY or LARGE” and means “FORTUNATE or HAPPY”
Jesus was basically saying “Happy are the ----" and for every attribute displayed by a believer, Jesus indicates the reward attached.
I believe that this year if we want to experience the supernatural, we must return to the sayings of Jesus and obey them.
- Poor in the spirit
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
To be poor in the spirit does not mean a lack of spirituality, it is a state of mind. When a person is poor in the spirit, the person is hungry for more of God. To be poor in the spirit means that no matter how much you have grown or achieved spiritually there is still a yearning for more of God’s spirit in you - Your reward is the Kingdom of heaven
- Those who mourn
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Those who mourn here are not necessarily those who are bereaved but those who experience the sorrow of repentance, they feel sorrow for the wrongs of others towards God. This is a godly sorrow that makes one feel the same way God feels towards sin – There reward is God’s comfort.
- The meek
5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
To be meek is to have power and yet restrain yourself from using it. It is to have strength under control. To be meek is to have self-control but still operate in power. Jesus was an example. He had power and authority but only used it when it was required – Your reward is the inheritance of the earth.
- The hungry
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
A hungry and thirsty person is someone who is desperate for food and water. God expects us to hunger and thirst for Him and His righteousness. God expects us His children to desperately pursue doing the right thing wherever we are not just in the church building – The reward is being filled with righteousness.
- The merciful
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
We all enjoy mercy from God and God expects us to show mercy to others. It is therefore of utmost importance that we show mercy to others so that we can continue to obtain mercy. When you show mercy, you will be a constant recipient of mercy.
- Pure at heart
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
To be pure at heart is to be undiluted, to be free from external influence. To be pure at heart is to give God all of your attention. Our heart is the most delicate part of our body and so needs to be guarded. Our action is mostly determined by the contents of our heart. Proverbs 4:23 asks us to guard our heart with all diligence because of what will come out of it – Our reward will be to see God.
- Peacemakers
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
God expects us as believers to pick the option of peace at all time. God expects us as His children to broker peace in every situation. It is not expected of us to cause division or malice but we are called to be peace makers. Our Lord and Saviour is the prince of peace and we are expected to follow His example. Our reward – We will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Even when you are persecuted for your faith, for your Christianity you still have a reward. Your reward is heaven and all it has to offer.
In 2020 our year of supernatural harvest, this should be our mindset and attitude. That we will pant for more of God, be merciful, be meek, hunger for His righteousness, remain pure in heart and be peace makers.
And His church will begin to see the benefits of His promises in Jesus name.
