August 15, 2010M.                             TO HUNGER, AND THIRST.

Matt. 5

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Review:

1. In chapter 3 we saw the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist.

2. Immediately after His baptism Jesus was led by the Spirit up into a mountain and fasted for 40 days.  Then after His fast was over satan came at Him to tempt Him.  First with a miracle to satisfy His hunger. Secondly, satan tried to get Jesus to hurl Himself off a mountain to see if God would keep Him safe.  Thirdly, satan tempted Jesus with fame and fortune.  Each time Jesus defeated him with Scripture.

3. After defeating satan’s temptations Jesus began His earthly ministry.

4. We saw also in chapter 4 Jesus called His first disciples, Simon, called Peter, and Andrew Peter’s brother.  Then He called James, and John.

5. We closed chapter 4 by Jesus going throughout all Galiliee teaching, and healing all that came to Him.  It was said that great multitudes followed Him.

Let’s begin chapter 5;  Within the next 3 chapters you can find Jesus’ thoughts on just about every subject.  So again I emphasize, this is where we need to be reading, and studying.  If this is what everyone would do, there would be no confusion over God’s Word.

THE BEATITUDES:

Mat 5:1-12 KJVR  And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:  (2)  And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 

• DISCIPLE:  A follower; an adherent to the doctrines of another. Hence the constant attendants of Christ were called his disciples; and hence all Christians are called his disciples, as they profess to learn and receive his doctrines and precepts.
• Multitudes are now following Jesus, and what spiritual man or woman wouldn’t want to be His disciple?
• These disciples are seeing God at work, and they are right there with Him.  They are no doubt overwhelmed with what this man is doing.  They know something wonderful is happening, and this man is speaking with all authority, and doing miracles right before their very eyes.
• Now Jesus takes time to take His disciples aside, and teach them concerning His doctrine, or what He teaches.  He begins with: 

(3) Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

• Isaiah prophesied this:  Isa 61:1  The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
• Luke says this in his gospel;  Jesus speaking;  Luk 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
• Poor in spirit, or humble.

(4) Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

• As long as we are in this flesh, there will be mourning.  Thank God we have a Comforter.  Jesus said; Joh 14:26 KJVR But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

(5) Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

• The meek - Meekness is patience in the reception of injuries.
• Jesus said this of Himself;  Mat 11:29 KJVR Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
• No one received more wrong doings than Jesus, yet He never struck back.
• We will continue to find that Jesus teaches us to be meek, gentile, loving, and kind.  There is no get even spirit in the teachings of the Lord.

(6) Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

• After what is right.  The right way to live, and certainly as we study the Word of God, we find that all our righteousness is as filthy rags, and our true righteousness comes from being in Christ, and His teachings.  

(7) Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

• We find Jesus teaching us in the next chapter, we must be willing to forgive people that wrong us, or else God won’t forgive us our sins.

(8) Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

• That is, whose minds, motives, and principles are pure; who seek not only to have the external actions correct, but who desire to be holy in heart, and who are so. Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart.
• Jesus is emphasizing “to be pure in heart, will get you into the very presence of God.”

(9) Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

• Peacemakers?  A disciple that is willing to go that extra mile to create peace in every situation.
• We know what peace is, and we know where it comes from;  Joh 14:27 KJVR Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

(10) Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

• The Apostle Paul said;  2Ti 3:12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
• So we can understand, that as we do our best to be like Jesus, we will suffer persecutions.  But our reward far outweighs the persecutions.

(11) Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

• Peter said this;  1Pe 3:13  And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?

1Pe 3:14  But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 1Pe 3:15  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

1Pe 3:16  Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 1Pe 3:17  For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.  1Pe 3:18  For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

(12) Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

• Jesus says rejoice when this happens.  I think of Paul, and Silas in jail, as they were incarcerated wrongly, and yet began singing, and praising the Lord, and He delivered them from their chains.
• Jesus also is telling us that the spirit of satan, who is the author of persecutions, was in the people that persecuted the prophets, and that same spirit will persecute you also.

A reward in Heaven is mentioned 3 times in these 12 verses.  I mention this for there are some that would tell you, there is no Heaven, and that is why you need to study your Bible.  God will tell you what there is, and what there isn’t.

Almighty God, help us to hunger, and thirst after your will for our lives.  Amen.