Matthew 5:1-11

God gave us one life to live for Him on this earth. We must listen carefully to His teachings and not be afraid to stand  up for what He shows us is right.

The Sermon on the Mount was not given as the way of salvation for the lost, but as the way of life for true children of the kingdom. These disciples were probably confused as to the true nature of righteousness and God’s kingdom. In this address, Jesus clarified both the heart of the law and the nature of true religion in God’s kingdom. 

Micah 6:8 
⁸ He has shown you, O man, what is good; 
And what does the Lord require of you 
But to do justly, 
To love mercy, 
And to walk humbly with your God? 

The Beatitudes are comprised of three elements: a pronouncement of blessing, a quality of life, and a reason why the recipient should be considered blessed. The first element is found in the word Blessed, which introduces each beatitude. The second element does not describe different groups of people, but a composite picture of the kind of person who will inherit Christ’s kingdom. The third element looks ahead to some aspect of the coming kingdom.

Matthew 5:1-11

5 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: 

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. 
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.