Beatitudes

By Jack Howard

Beatitudes

 I. INTRO

A. Each beatitude sets forth a gospel principle, a preview of the Kingdom and it is impossible to ignore Pentecost as the time foretold in these precepts

II. THE BEATITUDES

A. “THE POOR IN SPIRIT”

1. The word “poor” is usually descriptive of what a man has or does not have but the expression “poor in spirit” refers to what a man is

2. It carries the idea of dependence on something other than one’s self-Jer. 10:23

3. The one who is poor in spirit depends upon God-Isa. 57:15

4. Isa. 35:8-10

a. The fools of the passage are not simpletons but are descriptive but are descriptive of men who realize the need of guidance

5. Refers to the humble hearted who depend upon God for guidance & direction and accepting the conditions of the gospel they will be guided into the Kingdom-Acts 2

B. “BLESSED ARE THEY THAT MOURN”

1. This is not a consolatory text

2. It does not refer to grief and bereavement over the loss of loved ones 

3. The theme of the passage does not admit to this application

4. The mourning and comfort of the passage no doubt has connection with the announcement of John concerning the mission of Christ in reference to sin-Jn. 1:29

5. It refers to the mourning of the spirit over sin-Isa. 61:1-2; Lk. 4:18; Mt. 11:28

6. “comforted”-remission of sins

C. “BLESSED ARE THE MEEK”

1. WHO ARE THE MEEK?

a. The root meaning is equilibrium-the full and complete possession of all the faculties of one’ being, an inner mastery

b. Num. 12:3

c. The hearers of Jesus were soon to become citizens in a New kingdom in which they would be surrounded by the hostilities of all opposing elements, the oppositions of paganism, the oppression of the Roman Empire, and the persecution of the Jews

d. They would overcome all these hostilities, rather than be subdued by them and thus fill the earth with the teaching of Christ

e. Hab. 2:14

f. I Cor. 6:2-not as rulers, but through teaching and exemplifying the principles of the kingdom of GODE

g. It is in this same sense the “meek shall inherit the earth”

C. “BLESSED ARE THEY WHICH DO HUNGER AND THIRST”

1. Righteousness is the state of Justification due to forgiveness Rm. 1:16-17; Rm. 10:3; MT. 5:20

a. The scribes, the Pharisees, the Jews had their own system of Righteosnesss but it was not the righteousness of the gospel

b. The system of forgiveness which JESUS CHRIST brings to sinners through the gospel is the righteousness that exceeds in kind the righteousness of the Jews

c. The Lord’s use of the word exceed refers to character and kind 

d. This beatitude refers to the desire for the justification that the gospel of CHRIST offers to unpardoned

2. Shall be filled-Receive the full measure of the promise

D. “BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL”

1. THE gospel of Christ is a system of mercy and as recipients of it we shall not withhold from or deny to others that which we claim for ourselves 

2. This is a missionary beatitude 

3. We are saved to save others

E. “BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART”

1. Does not refer to freedom from impurity, lust or vice

2. The word “pure” is not used in a moral sense

3. It means an enlightened heart-Eph. 1:18

4. It is an enlightened, understanding heart, a knowing heart, a heart that knows, understands and comprehends the truth

5. “Sees God”-enter into relationship with God in His kingdom-Jn. 3:3-5

F. “BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS”

1. Who is the peacemaker? What is the peace?

a. Not the compromiser-

2. This is a passage on reconciliation to God and includes the doctrine of peace with God and the peacemaker is the peace preacher and teacher-Rm. 10:15; Eph. 2:14-17

3. It is the peace Peter preached to the children of Israel-Acts 2 and to the gentiles in Acts 10

4. It is the peace that comes through justification by faith-Rm. 5:1

5. It is the peace or reconciliation by the blood of the cross-Col. 1:20

G. “BLESSED ARE THEY WHICH ARE PERSECUTED FOR”

1. It is a forecast of the church after Pentecost-Heb. 10:32-3

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