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Text: Matthew 5:1-12
The beatitudes as they’re called are a record of where the Lord puts his blessings and where the Lord is at home. These nine descriptions are the home address of the Spirit of God in this present evil world. It’s one thing to have a physical address, but how do you locate a spirit? How do you identify the address of a spirit? All of these things describe the spiritual address of the Spirit of God. And the spirit is evident before the physical is manifest.
Some of these things are not fully understood until after the resurrection and I’ll show you why.
Blessed are the poor in spirit… (vs 3)
- Isaiah 66:1-2, 5 – The LORD looking for a place of rest in the earth; a place to set his kingdom. And He’s looking at things He made like the earth, but He’s really asking what is the place you’ve made me?
- Isaiah 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
- Psalm 34:18
- Now the kingdom of heaven is the physical coming of heaven to earth.
- The Lord Jesus Christ is the only one present representing the kingdom of heaven at this point.
- Pray thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
- The land occupied by this kingdom is the promised land given to Abraham.
- In Matthew 8:11 there will be Gentiles and Gentile nations that will be able to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn… (vs 4)
- Ezekiel 9:4 someone burdened by sin
- Isaiah 61:1-3
Blessed are the meek… (vs 5)
- Meek: Mild of temper; soft; gentle; not easily provoked or irritated; yielding; given to forbearance under injuries.
- Psalm 37:9-11 is where this quote comes from.
- Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart..
- Meekness will make a place for God Almighty and the LORD will in turn give place to the meek.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness… (vs 6)
- Appetite for God’s righteousness shall be filled.
- Matthew 5:17 coupled with Romans 3:21-26.
Blessed are the merciful… (vs 7)
- Psalm 41:1-3
- Proverbs 11:17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
- 2 Timothy 1:16-18
Blessed are the pure in heart… (vs 8)
- Proverbs 20:9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
- Purity comes from the word of God
- Psalm 24:3-5
- Psalm 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
- 1 Timothy 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
- Purity comes from doing what you know to do
Blessed are the peacemakers… (vs 9)
- Being a child of God is not a post resurrection concept. It is actually taken from the Old Testament.
- Nicodemus in John 3 Jesus wonders why, even before the resurrection, he doesn’t understand the concept of being born again.
- What does being a child of God have to do with being a peacemaker?
- Being a peacemaker FIRST has to do with accepting God the Father’s terms of peace in Jesus Christ.
- Ephesians 2:14-18 Paul explains all the elements here.
- The gospel that made you a child of God is the gospel of peace according to Romans 10:15, Ephesians 6:15.
- Romans 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake… (vs 10)
- Acts 26:17-18
Blessed are ye…persecute you…for my sake… (vs 11)
- Explained further in John 14-16
- Notice great is your reward in heaven (vs 12) so it’s not on earth yet.
- John 14:1-3 I go and prepare a place for you… I will come again
- Paul said it this way to Gentile believers, Colossians 3:1-5
All of these things describe the spiritual address of the Spirit of God. And the spirit is evident before the physical is manifest.
