The beatitudes are eight statements taught
by Jesus on how a Christian can achieve
Christ like virtue. As a Christian we are
called to be “child like” What does that mean
and how do we obtain this quality? (Matthew
18:3) "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and
become as little children, you will by no
means enter the kingdom of heaven." A child
posses a blind faith, a trust in the Lord,
without question. This quality can only be
obtained through the Holy Spirit, the proof of
which is manifested, after becoming reborn
in the Spirit through the saving power of
Jesus’ work completed on the cross. It shows
the world how a reborn Christian acts as
light, a beacon of hope, that can only come
from and through Christ Jesus. The
Beatitudes are a map of life for a Christian, a
series of directives helping us on our journey
to be with God. They also describe the actual
condition of Christians who follow God's will.
Let us examine each one and look at each
one as it applies in our Christian walk.
by Jesus on how a Christian can achieve
Christ like virtue. As a Christian we are
called to be “child like” What does that mean
and how do we obtain this quality? (Matthew
18:3) "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and
become as little children, you will by no
means enter the kingdom of heaven." A child
posses a blind faith, a trust in the Lord,
without question. This quality can only be
obtained through the Holy Spirit, the proof of
which is manifested, after becoming reborn
in the Spirit through the saving power of
Jesus’ work completed on the cross. It shows
the world how a reborn Christian acts as
light, a beacon of hope, that can only come
from and through Christ Jesus. The
Beatitudes are a map of life for a Christian, a
series of directives helping us on our journey
to be with God. They also describe the actual
condition of Christians who follow God's will.
Let us examine each one and look at each
one as it applies in our Christian walk.
"Poor in spirit" means to be humble (see Sermon). Humility is the
realization that all your gifts and blessings come from the grace of God. To
have poverty of spirit means to be completely empty and open to the Word
of God. When we are an empty vessel and devoid of pride (see Sermon), we
are then humbled. Humility brings us into communion with God, allowing
one to live their life according to the will of God instead of living by their
own will.
The opposite of humility, is pride, which brings on misery in life. For pride
brings conceit, covetousness, greediness, vanity, lust, selfishness,
haughtiness, anger, lies, thief’s, and even murder. (Proverbs 16:18)
”Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
realization that all your gifts and blessings come from the grace of God. To
have poverty of spirit means to be completely empty and open to the Word
of God. When we are an empty vessel and devoid of pride (see Sermon), we
are then humbled. Humility brings us into communion with God, allowing
one to live their life according to the will of God instead of living by their
own will.
The opposite of humility, is pride, which brings on misery in life. For pride
brings conceit, covetousness, greediness, vanity, lust, selfishness,
haughtiness, anger, lies, thief’s, and even murder. (Proverbs 16:18)
”Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Why do we grieve as a Christian? Our Spirit grieves because of our sin. It
tells us when we have, “fallen short” of His Glory, or have wronged God
whom has done so much for us. It causes us to humble ourselves and
appreciate all of the gifts and blessings we receive from God. Those who
mourn learn to grow in love and gratitude for Jesus Christ our Savior.
Grieving when you sin is a sure sign your on the right path in your
Christian walk with God.
(Psalm 37:24) "though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds
him with his hand"
(2 Corinthians 1:5) "For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our
lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows."
(Psalm 71:19-21) "Also Your righteousness, O God, is very high, You who
have done great things; O God, who is like You? You, who have shown me
great and severe troubles, Shall revive me again, And bring me up again from
the depths of the earth. You shall increase my greatness, And comfort me on
every side."
tells us when we have, “fallen short” of His Glory, or have wronged God
whom has done so much for us. It causes us to humble ourselves and
appreciate all of the gifts and blessings we receive from God. Those who
mourn learn to grow in love and gratitude for Jesus Christ our Savior.
Grieving when you sin is a sure sign your on the right path in your
Christian walk with God.
(Psalm 37:24) "though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds
him with his hand"
(2 Corinthians 1:5) "For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our
lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows."
(Psalm 71:19-21) "Also Your righteousness, O God, is very high, You who
have done great things; O God, who is like You? You, who have shown me
great and severe troubles, Shall revive me again, And bring me up again from
the depths of the earth. You shall increase my greatness, And comfort me on
every side."
A person who is meek is gentle and
kind, and exhibits grace of the spirit.
Obedience and submission to the will of
God are certainly not popular these
days among men, but are a fruit to
those Christians whom have grown in
grace through the Holy Spirit. A meek
Christian is a sure sign of someone
whom draws their strength from God.
Meekness is not of your own works but
are a gift from God as are all fruits of
the Spirit. (James 3:13) “Who is wise
and understanding among you? Let him
show by good conduct that his works are
done in the meekness of wisdom.”
kind, and exhibits grace of the spirit.
Obedience and submission to the will of
God are certainly not popular these
days among men, but are a fruit to
those Christians whom have grown in
grace through the Holy Spirit. A meek
Christian is a sure sign of someone
whom draws their strength from God.
Meekness is not of your own works but
are a gift from God as are all fruits of
the Spirit. (James 3:13) “Who is wise
and understanding among you? Let him
show by good conduct that his works are
done in the meekness of wisdom.”
What is meant by righteousness? Righteousness means being in complete
accordance with what is just, honorable, and Godly. Righteousness is those
things that are upright, virtuous, noble, morally right, and ethical. More
examples of fruits manifested through and from the Holy Spirit. (Proverbs 11:
19) “As righteousness leads to life, So he who pursues evil pursues it to his
own death.”
accordance with what is just, honorable, and Godly. Righteousness is those
things that are upright, virtuous, noble, morally right, and ethical. More
examples of fruits manifested through and from the Holy Spirit. (Proverbs 11:
19) “As righteousness leads to life, So he who pursues evil pursues it to his
own death.”
Love, compassion, and forgiveness towards others will bring peace in your
relationships. Your Heavenly Father will be merciful with you! Jesus
reminds us that whatever you did to the least of my brethren, you did it
to me.
(Matthew 25:34-40)
" Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed
of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of
the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you
gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you
clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to
Me.'
"Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You
hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You
a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see
You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and
say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the
least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'
relationships. Your Heavenly Father will be merciful with you! Jesus
reminds us that whatever you did to the least of my brethren, you did it
to me.
(Matthew 25:34-40)
" Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed
of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of
the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you
gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you
clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to
Me.'
"Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You
hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You
a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see
You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and
say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the
least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'
To be pure of heart means to be free of all selfish intentions and self
seeking desires. How many times have any of us performed an act
perfectly free of any personal gain? But an act of pure and selfless giving
brings happiness to all. (1 Peter 1:22) “Since you have purified your souls
in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love
one another fervently with a pure heart”
seeking desires. How many times have any of us performed an act
perfectly free of any personal gain? But an act of pure and selfless giving
brings happiness to all. (1 Peter 1:22) “Since you have purified your souls
in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love
one another fervently with a pure heart”
Peacemakers not only live peaceful
lives but also try to bring peace
and friendship to others, and to
preserve peace between God and
man. (Ephesians 5:1) "Therefore
walk in love and be imitators of
God as dear children."
lives but also try to bring peace
and friendship to others, and to
preserve peace between God and
man. (Ephesians 5:1) "Therefore
walk in love and be imitators of
God as dear children."
Jesus said many times that those who follow Him
will be persecuted. "If they persecute me, they will
persecute you (John 15:20-21)." But the Lord
promises his disciples that their reward will be the
Kingdom of Heaven!"
will be persecuted. "If they persecute me, they will
persecute you (John 15:20-21)." But the Lord
promises his disciples that their reward will be the
Kingdom of Heaven!"
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