Sermon on the Mount 2

Sermon on the Mount Matthew 5:1-4 (See also commentary on Matthew 5:1-2, Matthew 5:3, Matthew 5:4)
The Poor in Spirit			Those Who Mourn
Definitions: Blessed, Poor	How are the poor in spirit blessed?	How Can One Enter the Kingdom of Heaven?	Definition: Mourn	Practice: Mourning
+R = Abbreviation for righteousness -R = Unrighteousness Beatitude: this word for "blessing" is not found in the Bible but is derived from the Latin word beatus or blessed REVIEW CONTEXT of the KING JESUS CHRIST Foretold by Scripture (His Royal lineage in Mt 1:1ff, His royalty acknowledged by Magi = "King of the Jews", Mt 2:2, Matthew's repeated emphasis on Jesus' fulfillment of Messianic prophecy = Mt 1:23, Mt 2:6, 2:15, Mt 2:18, Mt 2:23, Mt 3:3, Mt 4:15-16), heralded and baptized by John the Baptist (Mt 3:2, Isa 40:3, Mt 3:13-17), anointed by the Spirit (Mt 3:16), praised by the Father (Mt 3:17), and tested by the adversary (Mt 4:1-11), the King had come to proclaim the good news of His Kingdom (Mt 4:17-25). However, He disappointed the expectations of many people both then and now. What is the context? What message had John and Jesus preached to the people (Mt 3:2, 4:17)? Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand The Jews were expecting a King but not like this King Whose radical opening declaration was you need to change the way you think. What (in the context of the Sermon on the Mount) did the Jews need to change their thinking about? Jesus' message was... "You need to change the way you think about righteousness, specifically the +R necessary to enter My Kingdom." How did Jesus put this in perspective (Mt 5:20)? He warned them that unless their righteous surpassed (definition) that of the scribes and Pharisees they would not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. How righteous did the people think the Pharisees were? Extremely, even supremely +R - they were the "religious" elite and the most +R of all. Yet Jesus the King declares that +R that assures entrance into His Kingdom must far exceed the +R of the Pharisees. How would they demonstrate that their change in thinking (repentance) was genuine (Mt 3:8)? They needed to bring forth fruit (a changed behavior in keeping with Jesus' teachings) And yet all the Jews knew about was the +R of the Pharisees. What is Biblical +R? God's righteousness is *all* that God is, *all* that He commands, *all* that He demands, *all* that He approves, *all* that He provides (through Christ). Who do the beatitudes apply to? To all believers - for all will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, all will receive comfort, mercy, see God, be persecuted, etc. What is the King's repeated promise which riveted His audience? Blessed = makarios = not how you feel but who you are as a result of divine favor. (note) Note that a number of Bible translations use the word "happy" instead of "blessed" The problem is that *happy* is derived from *hap* which means luck or chance. Hap in turn is from an Old Norse word "happ" which means "good luck"! Thus ultimately "happy" depends on what happens! And that is not the Biblical meaning of "blessed" as used in the context of the Beatitudes. Blessed is not a feeling but the state of being marked by fullness from God, It means being fully satisfied no matter the circumstances. It is one who is spiritually prosperous independent of circumstances or feelings. One can be "makarios" and yet be in miserable circumstances. So when Jesus says "blessed are you" does not mean "untroubled are you" or "healthy are you" or "admired are you" or "financially prosperous are you." It means "between you and God all is well." You are deeply secure, profoundly content, happy in God - even if you are weeping over the pain of a struck body, a perplexed mind, or a heartbreaking relationship. NB: Like a good preacher, Jesus opens with the positives and closes with a call to have a change of thinking based upon what He has taught (Mt 7:13-27) *Now let's look at "Poor" in Mt 5:3 - Is Jesus referring to one who is financially* destitute? What is the immediate context? Jesus refers to poverty of one's spirit so He is not referring to financially poverty. (Note) What does the Greek word for "poor" mean? Poor (ptochos) is from root = crouch > beggar, destitute, helpless (note) Lowliness Poor in spirit is the opposite of Proud in spirit It is to know that you have nothing to offer This word (ptochos) focuses on a state of dependence. Thus "the poor in spirit" are those who have learned to be completely dependent on God for everything! Have you? Most of us are in a some stage of learning this truth, a truth which will not be fully consummated until we pass from this life to glorified state of the next The way Up is Down! How does the first beatitude contrast with the philosophy of the world? Self-praise Self-assertion Self-reliance Self-sufficiency Why are they considered blessed in Mt 5:3? What was the reward promised to the poor in spirit? Theirs is the kingdom of heaven (theirs is the "King" of heaven) (Note) How does an understanding of the Greek tense help one determine when the poor in spirit receive "the Kingdom"?** The verb "is" = present tense = which means the Kingdom of heaven is ours now. *When do the "poor in spirit" inherit the Kingdom of Heaven* ...is it just present or is it also future? Both... Remember that anywhere the King is present and reigning as Lord, His Kingdom is also present. Today it is primarily a spiritual Kingdom in the hearts of His loyal subjects but one day future the Kingdom will be manifest by His literal reign on earth from Jerusalem with His loyal subjects reigning with Him! (see Millennium 1, Millennium 2, Millennium 3) Was the SOM given as the way of salvation or as the way of life for true children of the King?** Clearly the latter. The Beatitudes do not show a man how to be saved, but rather describe the ideal characteristics of one who has been saved. In fact as pastor Kent Hughes states "The Beatitudes are not the gospel because they do not explicitly explain Christ's atoning death and resurrection and how one may receive him. But they are preparatory to the gospel. The Beatitudes are preparatory in the sense that they slay us so that we may live. They hold us up against God's standards for the kingdom so that we can see our need and fly to him. They cut through the delusions of formula Christianity and expose the shallowness of evangelicals who can give all the "right" answers but do not know Christ." (Sermon on the Mount)	What is God's response to those who are poor in spirit (in the following verses)? How are they blessed in the following passages? Ps 34:18 (note) He is near the brokenhearted, saves those who are crushed in spirit Ps 51:17 (Context: David's sins of adultery & murder) Broken spirit = sacrifice to God God will not despise (look down upon with contempt) the broken and contrite heart Isa 57:15 He dwells with the contrite & lowly of spirit > revive spirit of the lowly & contrite (bruised with sorrow for sin) Isa 66:1-2 Dwelling place He desires is heart of humble & contrite - one who trembles at His word. (cf Isa 66:5, Pr 28:14, Ps119:161 Ezra 9:4, 10:3) (See discussion) In sum God "BLESSES" the poor in spirit by... Being near them (comfort) Saving them Not despising them Dwelling with them Reviving them! Dwelling in a humble, *lowly* heart that trembles at His Word *What's another way to say "lowly" which parallels the "poor in spirit"?* Humble Luke 18:9-14 Who is the parable directed at? (Another discussion of parable) Those who trusted in self that they were +R (the "Self +R") Viewed others with contempt (looked down upon, scorned others) (cf Mt 7:1-2, 7:3-5) Who were the 2 participants in this parable? Lu 18:10 Pharisee & Tax collector Why chose a tax-gatherer to compare with a Pharisee? Despicable, hated by the Jews even more than they hated the Romans (note) Where and what are they doing? The Temple Praying What did the Pharisee do? (Lu 18:11-12) (cf Mt 6:1, 5) Thankful he was not like others (unjust = unrighteous - talk about hypocrisy!), even this tax collector Boasted in his fasting & paying of tithes (his "religious resume"!) How does the tax-collector contrast? Lu 18:13 Unwilling to lift eyes, beating breast (mourning over his sin) Crying "God be merciful to me a sinner" (Literally "God be propitious [related noun] to me -- the sinner!" J Vernon McGee paraphrases it "O God I'm a poor tax collector. I have no access to that mercy seat yonder in the Holy of holies. Oh, if you could only make a mercy seat for me! I want to come!" Who was justified or declared +R according to Jesus? The despised tax collector! (NB: Justified = declared righteous = "*past tense salvation" - see study on the Three Tenses of Salvation) How did Jesus explain?* He who exalts himself shall be humbled (in this life or the one to come) (see ) He who humbles himself > exalted Humble pictures one made low How does this parallel "poor in spirit" in Mt 5:3? Crouched low in spirit ~ humbled What did the Pharisee need to do? Repent He needed to have a change in thinking - from trusting in himself to understanding that before God in His Temple speaking with Him, he was but a beggar, a pauper in spirit, and that he had nothing to offer God in regard to what would please Him ("+R") The unrepentant and unconverted cannot give the heavenly King the glory He deserves, do not belong to the heavenly King, and are unfit for His heavenly kingdom. Note Charles Wesley's words that speak of the sinner's poverty of spirit... Jesus, Lover of My Soul (note highlighted phrases) Other refuge have I none, hangs my helpless soul on Thee; Leave, ah! leave me not alone, still support and comfort me. All my trust on Thee is stayed, all my help from Thee I bring; Cover my defenseless head with the shadow of Thy wing. Thou, O Christ, art all I want, more than all in Thee I find; Raise the fallen, cheer the faint, heal the sick, and lead the blind. Just and holy is Thy Name, I am all unrighteousness; False and full of sin I am; Thou art full of truth and grace. (Play) Don Stewart said, "People who travel beyond self-sufficiency to divine dependency must go through the swamp of personal emptiness." In sum... `Blessed are the poor in spirit' Blessed is the man who has an utter sense of his own abject destitution in the sight of God, the man who feels not simply unsatisfactory, but who can only say, God be merciful to me, a sinner. Blessed is the man who feels this sense of destitution and who has then put his utter and complete trust in Jesus Christ.. Blessed is the man who is conscious of a desperate need and who is utterly certain that in Christ, and in Christ alone, that need can be supplied. "Theirs is the Kingdom of heaven" And theirs is also the King of that Kingdom Whose Name is Jesus, Jehovah saves. In the King Jesus are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. In a true knowledge of Him is everything necessary for life and godliness. In short, in Christ, the King, spiritual beggars are made infinitely in every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, in short, fully satisfied independent of all circumstances (blessed) now and forever! Amen.	How much +R is needed? Mt 5:20 > Mt 5:48 How does one obtain such an impossible standard of perfect +R? First... 1John 5:17 What does -R equate with? Sin Ro 1:18 (cf Mt 3:7) 1Cor 6:9 What reward for -R? (contrast reward of +R) Wrath of God Shall not inherit Kingdom of God vs Kingdom of Heaven for +R Ro 3:10 Ro 3:23 How does man stack up regarding the +R God demands? None are +R No not one All fall short of the glory of God (cf Mt 5:48) (notes Ro 3:10, 3:23) Ro 7:18 What's is man's problem? In my flesh there dwells no good thing (note Ro 7:18) (cf Ro 5:12) What is the basic understanding every man must arrive at? Their need for a God kind of +R (cf poor in spirit) This necessitates a change in thinking (repentance) Mt 9:10-13 (for context see Mk 2:15-17; Lu 5:29-32) How is this illustrated by Jesus in Mt 9:10-13? What's the setting? the audience? the question by the Pharisees? Note "tax gatherers and sinners" = former were despised even more than the Romans. "Sinners" was a word Jews used for Gentiles (see Gal 3:15) Not healthy ("+R") who need doctor but sick ("sinner" cf Mt 1:3-5) I did not come to call the +R but sinners God receives the sinner (sin sick, needy) and refuses the self +R The self righteous, religious Pharisees did not think they were sinners (spiritually sick) so they would never have sought out the Lord (the Great Physician) and confessed their spiritual bankruptcy - the paradox is that the despised tax collectors and vile sinners were willing to acknowledge their spiritual poverty (cf Mt 5:3), and enter into the Kingdom of Heaven through the small gate (Mt 7:13-14) Ro 7:24-25 What did the Pharisee and in fact every "tax collector and sinner" need to do? Recognize our wretched (miserable, distressed) state and cry out "Have mercy on me a sinner". (cf Rev 3:17 see note) (note Ro 7:24-25) The way "up" is first "down"! 1Ti 1:15 What did Paul recognize about himself? (note) He was the foremost of sinners but these are who Jesus came into the world to save (cf Mt 1:21) How does this parallel Mt 5:3? What did Paul continue to recognize even in his later years of ministry? His poverty of spirit, his spiritual bankruptcy - his continual need for and dependency upon Christ's provision Luke 4:17-21 (Note how Jesus walked as a Man in Lu 4:14-16) How did the King address this need in His first recorded teaching in the Synagogue in Nazareth? Spirit of God upon Anointed to preach gospel to the poor (especially those poor in spirit, those who recognized their spiritual poverty and were willing to accept His free gift of eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven) Ro 10:1-4 What was the problem with the religious man (Jew)? Zeal w/o knowledge = seeking to establish their own +R (notes Ro 10:1-4) Why is Christ the answer? He is the end of the Law - in Him the purpose it was designed to accomplish is fulfilled Ro 4:5-8 How did Paul address working for +R? Believes Faith reckoned as +R (notes Ro 4:5-6, 4:7-8) How does this parallel Mt 7:13-14? Change your thinking Enter through the narrow gate of the King, Christ Jesus, the narrow way that leads to life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Don't enter the gate the self +R Pharisees entered, for that broad way leads to destruction for the many who enter by it. What does God provide for those entering the small gate, the narrow way (2Cor 5:21)? God made Him Who knew no sin to be on our behalf that we might become the +R of God in Him, in Christ (cf 1Co 1:30, Phil 3:9) Ro 8:1-4 Now, who fulfills the demands of the Law? Those who walk (live not perfectly but as a habit of their life = present tense) according to the Spirit (cf Eph , not according to the flesh (notes Ro 8:1-3, 8:4) Ryrie commenting on Ro 8:4 writes that..."The contrast here is between an unregenerate life dominated by the flesh (sinful nature within) and one controlled by the Holy Spirit." It follows that the "blessed" child of God will be marked by a continual awareness of our spiritual poverty (flesh) and of our absolute dependence upon God's Spirit. (cf Gal 5:16-17, 25, Ro 8:12-14, Ro 6:12-13, 13:12-14, 2Cor 7:1, Col 3:5-10, 1Pe 1:14, 2:11, 1Jo 2:15-17) “We say that we depend on the Holy Spirit but actually we are so wired up with our own devices that if the fire does not fall from heaven, we can turn on a switch and produce false fire of our own.” (Vance Havner) I like the story of the young Scottish minister who walked proudly into the pulpit to preach his first sermon. He had a brilliant mind and a good education and was confident of himself as he faced his first congregation. But the longer he preached, the more conscious everyone was that “the Lord was not in the wind.” He finished his message quickly and came down from the pulpit with his head bowed, his pride now gone. Afterward, one of the members said to him, “If you had gone into the pulpit the way you came down, you might have come down from the pulpit the way you went up.” How should he have gone up? (cf "poor in spirit" Mt 5:3) Blessed are the spiritual paupers, the spiritually empty, the spiritually bankrupt who cringe in a corner and cry out to God for mercy. They are the happy ones. Why? Because they are the only ones who tap the real resource for happiness. They are the only ones who ever know God. Theirs is the kingdom—then and there, here and now. Hallelujah!	Who receives the blessing in Mt 5:4 Those who mourn Note that the verb *mourn* is in the present tense which speaks of a habitual attitude of mourning or mourning as one's lifestyle. Jesus' declaration is another paradox (as is true of all of the Beatitudes). (G K Chesterton defined a *paradox* as a "truth standing on its head calling for attention"). Here's the divine paradox... "Happy are the sad" Thus as with the first Beatitude, this one also is not a natural trait of men but refers to a spiritual truth a natural man cannot understood and deems to be utter foolishness! (1Cor 2:12-14) Note that Jesus does not say "Blessed are those that 'moan'!" Nor does Jesus say... "Blessed are grim, cheerless Christians." What is the blessing? Shall be comforted Note that in Greek the future tense is often used to mean certainty of the action. In this case this tense does not restrict comfort only to the future heavenly kingdom but promises real comfort to the one who mourns, here and now. *What is the definition of the Greek verb mourn* (pentheo)?** Pentheo means to grieve, to lament, to show sorrow. It was the strongest of several Greek words that expressed grief or sorrow. It carries the idea of deep inner agony, which may or may not be expressed by outward weeping, wailing, or lament. *What are "those who mourn" to mourn over? Does Jesus refer to* mourning in general? In the context Jesus is referring to one mourning over sin (personal, in the church, in a country) Jesus does not mean..."Blessed are those who are mourning over the difficulties of life." What relationship do the first two beatitudes have or are they merely random statements by our Lord? When one sees his or her spiritual poverty and helplessness, this state leads in turn to a condition of mourning as we become aware of our sin (and certainly the Spirit is active in both opening our eyes to our spiritual poverty and of convicting us of sin) Luke 7:36-50 What was the setting? Jesus was invited to dine with a Pharisee (probably not a friendly invitation) *Who "crashed" the party?* A woman, a sinner What did she do and why? Wept, wet and wiped His feet with her hair Kissed His feet Anointed His feet with perfume She was mourning and weeping over her sins which were many Picture the scene of this religious Pharisee reclining as was the custom across from Jesus, watching this woman he knew to have a bad reputation. What was Pharisee's reaction? If Jesus was a prophet he should have known she was a sinner What did Jesus teach? The greater the debt forgiven the greater the love - Like the woman and totally unlike the Pharisee who did not think himself a sinner! How did Jesus "comfort" the woman? Forgiveness Salvation by faith Peace (definition) She was poor in spirit and mourned over her sin. She was blessed for she gained the Kingdom of Heaven and experienced comfort Isaiah 61:1-3 What did Isaiah prophecy concerning the King's Second coming regarding mourning? When the King returns, He will... Comfort all who mourn Grant those who mourn in Zion (Jerusalem) (see in depth Note for who these are) Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. (Note) Rev 21:1-5 What does this passage teach about comfort in the future new heaven and new earth? God will Wipe away every tear No longer death No longer mourning, crying or pain God is making all things new These words are faithful and true!	David Brainerd's journal on October 18, 1740: "In my morning devotions my soul was exceedingly melted, and bitterly mourned over my exceeding sinfulness and vileness." James 4 Read Ja 4:1-4 for the context = sin What does God provide that is greater than their sins (Ja 4:6)? Grace What is the general condition one must meet to partake of His grace? Humility (picture of one who is low) God is opposed (arrays Himself against like an army standing opposite a hostile force) to the proud (literally one appearing above others - picture of one who is high) Thinking about "blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted" what is the process of by which one receives God's grace? 1) Ja 4:7 Submit 2) Ja 4:7 Resist devil 3) Ja 4:8 Draw near God (His light will expose your sin) 4) Ja 4:8 Cleanse hands (actions or deeds) and purify heart (motives) - How? Confess & forsake sins (1Jo 7-9) 5) Ja 4:9 Be miserable (*Mt 5:3) Mourn & weep (Mt 5:4) (over your sins) Turn your... Laughter to mourning, Joy to gloom over your sins 6) Ja 4:10 Humble self in His presence > Exalt (Comfort) 1 Cor 5:1-13 What was the problem in the Corinthian church? Arrogance & failure to mourn over overt immorality in the church members What was the danger? The sin would spread like leaven What was the church to do? 1) Deliver immoral man to Satan to destroy his flesh, save spirit 2) Figuratively clean old leaven 3) Not associate with immoral 4) Not even eat (immoral, covet, idolater, reviler) 5) Judge those within 6) Remove wicked man Ezekiel 9:1-11* (cf Ps 119:136) What does this chapter teach about sin in country or community? Jerusalem's inhabitants were to be destroyed except for those who sigh and groan over sin What happened to this group (Ezek 9:4) A mark (Tau, that could be shaped like a "cross" but it is probably coincidence) on forehead of those those who mourn over sin - they would be "comforted" = spared of execution The great characteristic of Jeremiah, the Weeping Prophet, was that he wept for his people (Jer 9:1; 13:17). Charles Wesley has put this beatitude to music in one of the verses in his famous hymn O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing He speaks, and, listening to His voice, New life the dead receive, The mournful, broken hearts rejoice, The humble poor believe. (Play) Have you ever admitted poverty of spirit, and entered thru the small gate into the Kingdom of Heaven? Do your live your Christian life with a Mt 5:3 sense of spiritual bankruptcy and total dependence on the Spirit of the Living God? When was last time I mourned or wept over my sin? Or have I become insensitive to sin's effect on my heart and on the heart of God? Don't ever forget... Sin will take you farther than you ever thought you would stray. Sin will keep you longer than you ever thought you would stay. Sin will cost you more than you ever thought you would pay The saddest thing in life is not a sorrowing heart, but a heart that is incapable of grief over sin, for it is without grace. Without poverty of spirit no one enters the kingdom of God. Likewise, without its emotional counterpart - grief over sin - no one receives the comfort of forgiveness and salvation. If you have never sorrowed over sin in your life (not just its consequences, but sin itself), then consider long and carefully whether you really are a Christian. Genuine believers, those who are truly born again, have mourned, and continue to mourn, over sin. For Christians, mourning over sin is essential to spiritual health. Ezekiel 21:6 "As for you, son of man, groan with breaking heart and bitter grief, groan in their sight." Eccl 3:1,4 There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven--A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance. But encourage (come alongside, exhort, comfort) one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. (Heb 3:13) Lord, let us not forget that the heinousness of sin lies not so much in the nature of the sin committed as in the greatness of the Person sinned against. Give us all grace to make it Lord God Almighty. Amen. “Lord, let me weep for nought but sin, And after none but thee; And then I would-oh, that I might- A constant mourner be!” (C H Spurgeon)
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