[Reminder: This year Pentecost Sunday is on 23rd May and we published a PowerPoint sermon for this event. If you missed it click here to preview and download the resource.]

Image by: hoyasmeg

Introduction

In part I of this sermon I covered Matthew chapter 5:1-6. Today let me continue from where I stopped.

1. Practice an identity with people in need, (Matthew 5:7)

1. We are commanded to show mercy to others, (Luke 6:36, Colossians 3:12)
2. To show mercy means forgiving the guilt and being compassionate towards the weak, sick and the poor. Jesus’ ministry was an act of compassion.
3. Sometimes we have to feed the person before preaching to the person. Caring for the physical person opens a door to preach the Gospel.
4. Show kindness to those who are already around you (it could be as simple as a heartfelt smile or a kind word). Showing mercy is not situational. It should be a part of our lifestyle (Matthew 25:35-40).

2. Maintain a pure heart, (Matthew 5:8)

1. The meaning of this beatitude is two fold and they are interrelated. First it means inner moral purity as opposed to merely external piety. It also means single mindedness, a heart, free from deceit.
2. It is impossible to have one characteristic without the other. The one who is single minded in commitment to the kingdom and it righteousness will also be inwardly pure. Inward sham, deceit and moral filth cannot coexist with sincere devotion to Christ.
3. Both evil and good (Jeremiah 17:9, Proverbs 4:23) is born in our heart. The condition of your heart decides the condition of your deeds and words will be? (Luke 6:45).
4. How do you maintain a pure heart? Ask the Holy Spirit of God to help you to live a blameless life, do what is right, speak honestly (Psalms 15:2).

3. Promote peace between God and people and among people themselves, (Matthew 5:9)

A. As you already see this is two fold. First promulgation of the Gospel is promoting peace between God and sinful people, ( 2 Corinthians 5:18)

B. Secondly to love everyone including your enemies, (1 Peter 3:9)

4. Take a positive view of persecution, (Matthew 5:10-11)

1. No wonder that you will be persecuted when promoting peace in a world that cherishes hatred and war.
2. The meaning of persecute is a continuous, ruthless chase to hunt down the prey!
3. What to do when you are persecuted?
4. First, we should not worry about how to react to persecution, (Matthew 10:19). Remember how the Holy Spirit helped Peter and John, (Acts 4:8).
5. Secondly, don’t be surprised, but rejoice that you will able to share Christ’s glory one day (1 Peter 4:12-13).

5. Conclusion

Lets consider the blessings allocated for each beatitude?

1. Blessed are those who show mercy (Practice an identity with those in need). When we show mercy we will receive mercy in return (not from people. From God).
2. Blessed are the pure in heart (maintain a pure heart). They will see God. How will they see God? Remember, blessings mentioned here are mostly eschatological. I am not going to give much details, but those who live according to God’s will (and the dead in Christ) will see Jesus face when He comes back to take the church with Him.
3. Blessed are the peace makers (Promote peace between God and people and among people themselves). They will be called sons of God. Most of the time people don’t see Jesus through our preaching alone. But our lifestyle must be in alignment with our preaching. Then people will come to know who God is and that we are His children.
4. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness (take a positive view of persecution). For the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them. A more detailed explanation of this reward is give in Revelation 7:9-17. (If you are preaching from this sermon, please explain the verse below… I am not going to do that here as it will increase this document’s length.)

“…These dressed in long white robes – who are they and where have they come from?” So I said to him, “My lord, you know the answer.” Then he said to me, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb! For this reason they are before the throne of God, and they serve him day and night in his temple, and the one seated on the throne will shelter them. They will never go hungry or be thirsty again, and the sun will not beat down on them, nor any burning heat, because the Lamb in the middle of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes…”

This ends the two part bible sermon series on the beatitudes. I hope that you would have enjoyed this series as much as I have and pray that it would bring new and fresh perspective in your personal walk with Christ.