SERMON ON THE MOUNT

 

Matthew Chapters 5 - 7

Note to user:

There is power in the Word below.  Pray for a spirit of wisdom & understanding in the knowledge of Him so that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened as you seek the ways of His Kingdom.

Please consider the following:

How important is our seeking behavior?  Have you considered that you are seeking something every waking moment of everyday?  Our world and culture is constantly seeking our energy and our attention.  There is a spiritual war happening that is testing our resolve and focus.  Do you understand the importance and the weight of your decision to be Christ centered and to proclaim to be a citizen of the Kingdom of God?

As I have grown and walked the Christian life, I’ve learned that spiritual terms such as war and soldier actually paint a real picture of our walk as Christians. We are being attacked on every front and the enemy is taking advantage of every vulnerable moment we have to try and make us stumble and fall.

We have a choice to make.  Are we truly serious about having a heart for His Kingdom and bearing fruit?  What are you doing to reduce the vulnerable moments in your life?  What tools are you using to condition your senses, so that like a highly performing soldier, you are living with a laser like focus on what truly matters in your daily life?

Do you expect to just get up and use the muscles of your body everyday in physical labor without the proper conditioning of those muscles?  As you read on to gain a deeper understanding of the tools Jesus has given us from the Sermon on the Mount, please consider the following questions:

• What does your spiritual conditioning currently look like?
• What is the fruit of that conditioning?
• Are you willing to let the Holy Spirit do a new work in you?
• Are you willing to let the Lord reveal new tools for a deeper conditioning?

 

Tools of the Beatitudes

Use these tools when the “lone ranger” mentality is trying to overtake your life.  While seeking involves effort on our part, it doesn’t mean we are to do “all” the work it takes to live as Kingdom people.  Our Lord calls us and is faithful to complete the work.  As you read the Beatitudes, keep in mind the heart of these words point to a deep repentance that leads to real change in your life.  This is about reconciliation to God your Father and about genuine humility of character that leads to receiving instruction, knowing His ways, simply following and being devoted to Him.  He will set us upon upon paths of loving-kindness and truth as we keep our eyes continually toward Him.  Use these tools to join hands with Him in recognizing His grace and workmanship in orchestrating your life to bear fruit for His purposes.

Matthew 5:3

You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope.  With less of you there is more of God and His rule.

NASB:   Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:4

You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you.  Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

NASB:  Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

 Matthew 5:5

Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

Matthew 5:6

You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God.  He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.

NASB:  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Matthew 5:7

You’re blessed when you care.  At the moment of expressing care for others, you will find yourselves cared for.

NASB:  Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Matthew 5:8

You’re blessed when you get your inside world, your mind and your heart, put right.  Then you can see God in the outside world.

NASB:  Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Matthew 5:9

You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight.  That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.

NASB:  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Matthew 5:10

You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution.  The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s Kingdom.

NASB:  Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:11

Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

NASB:  Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Prayer of the Beatitudes

Father, in the trials of this life, I have learned that the greater my grip is on the climbing rope, the more often I seem to fail in my attempts to “keep it all together.”  I pray according to Matthew 5:3 and rejoice in the strength I have when I’m at the end of my rope.  I choose to loosen my grip and reduce my focus on my own abilities and instead I will walk the narrow path that You have prepared.  I accept the blessing of Your embrace according to Matthew 5:4.  I confess that a strong grip on my own abilities has enjoyed too much participation in my life and has become a false source of strength resulting in a weakened foundation.  May Your embrace and forgiveness lead to a radical renewal and transformation in how I live.  I would rather have a loose grip and be at the end of my rope because it is in that moment that I have a laser like focus upon Your saving grace.  It is in that moment that I fully realize the grace You have given me and that by your strength I may exercise self control that leads to gentleness and humility.

 

Thank you Lord, that I will inherit the earth according to Matthew 5:5 and it is by Your strength that I will remain connected to You.  Matthew 5:6 gives me hope because I know all too well what it feels like to toss You aside and follow the lusts of my flesh and everything this world has to offer.  My appetite for righteousness grows daily as I desire to please You.  As my Lord and my friend, I direct my seeking to be fully captivated by Your presence so that I may be clear on Your direction in every instance and stay fully connected, spirit and soul.

 

Teach me to care for the interest of others as Matthew 5:7 directs.  I seek to have a full and clear understanding in that I may never miss a moment to minister and show the mercy of Your grace to those that live in the miserable condition of the world’s culture.  May the call of Matthew 5:8 be a heart cry for my life.  May the thoughts of my mind and the desires of my heart be according to Your purposes.  May my thoughts and desires be pure before You in every instance, moment and circumstance.  I seek to be a living example in accordance with Matthew 5:9 in that I may show others how to live in love.  May the fruit of my life lead to a strengthening of Your church and to an overflow harvest of lives for Your kingdom.

 

I rejoice for the truth in Matthew 5:10.  I am truly blessed to be persecuted solely because of my commitment and pureness of heart in dedicating my life for your purposes.  If persecution drives me to a more intense focus in living for Your Kingdom then I welcome it with open arms.  My eyes are lifted toward You.  My life is open and transparent before You.  May my seeking be directed toward You with the purpose of shining the glorious light of Your Kingdom in every frame of my life.  I am so very thankful for the tools You have given me to grow in my life and to rest in Your abilities. ---AMEN---