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JESUS’ FORMULA FOR HAPPINESS The Attitude of the Beatitudes Matthew 5:1-12. “BLESSED” Happy Fortunate To congratulate. “Blessed are the poor in spirit” vs 3. The spiritually bankrupt who come before God in destitution.
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JESUS’ FORMULA FOR HAPPINESS The Attitude of the Beatitudes Matthew 5:1-12
“BLESSED” Happy FortunateTo congratulate
“Blessed are the poor in spirit” vs 3 The spiritually bankrupt who come before God in destitution “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Psalms 51:17
“Blessed are they that mourn” vs 4 The consciousness of sins with a godly sorrow - 2 Cor 7:10 “For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight…” Psalms 51:3-4
“Blessed are they that mourn” vs 4 “…then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn…” Zechariah 12:10 (NKJV)
“Blessed are the meek” vs 5 Meekness in the presence of God “I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.” Lk. 15:18-19
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness” vs 6 Craving for the righteousness of God that I cannot merit on my own “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Eph 2:8-9
“Blessed are the merciful..” vs 7 Recognizing my need for God’s mercy, I will be merciful to others “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.” Eph 4:32 (NKJV)
“Blessed are the pure in heart” vs 8 The “utterly sincere” who serves God without hypocrisy “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23
“Blessed are the peacemakers” vs 9 “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake” vs 10-12 “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12
WHAT’S YOUR ATTITUDE? “And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others.” Luke 18:9-13
WHAT’S YOUR ATTITUDE? TOWARDS GOD Do we come before God and serve him with humility of heart, mourning over our sins, hungering and craving for His righteousness, in purity of heart?
WHAT’S YOUR ATTITUDE? TOWARDS OTHERS Do we show humilty and meekness and pure motives with a forgiving spirit seeking to live peaceable with all men?
MAN WOULD SAY: “Blessed are the wealthy…” “Blessed are those who are free to pursue pleasure…” “Blessed are the intellectual…” “Blessed are the talented…” “Blessed are the physically beautiful…” “Blessed are the socially accepted.”
BUT JESUS SAYS: “BLESSED ARE…” “the poor in spirit” “they that mourn” “the meek” “they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness” “the merciful..” “the pure in heart” “the peacemakers...” “they which are persecuted”
THE REWARDS: “theirs is the kingdom of heaven” “they shall be comforted” “they shall inherit the earth” “they shall be filled” “they shall obtain mercy” “they shall see God” “they shall be called sons of God” “for great is your reward in heaven”