May

3

Sunday sermon: “Blessed are the peacemakers”

Filed Under Inspiration, Sunday Sermon 

(5/3/09 by Dave Emerson)  Warning: “Sunday Sermons” are spiritual in nature and are usually written from a Biblical/Christian perspective.  If this might offend you, you are free to skip this post. . . or to read on and perhaps broaden your perspective.

2 millenia ago a relatively young, unortodox itinerant preacher preached probably the greatest sermon ever given on a hillside in the remote Roman province of Judaea.   The “Sermon on the Mount,” as it’s commonly called, contains teachings so radical that they have changed the world, yet are virtually impossible to live up to.

Jesus began his sermon by proclaiming  “blessings,” or true happiness, upon eight specific conditions or behaviors.   Many of those aren’t what I’d put on a list of “keys to happiness:”

The Sermon on the Mount

5:1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

The Beatitudes

2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  (Matt. 5: 1-10, ESV)

Pretty profound for a 30-something carpenter with no formal theological training.

My Pastor, Chuck Smith, links the Beatitudes into a progressive sequence in his introduction to the sermon in The Word for Today New Testament:

A Different Way of Life

The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5 – 7) outlines the way that Jesus expects His people to live.  These aren’t commandments for the world; they are the standards for His disciples.

The sermon starts with the Beatitudes.  These are the character qualities that should exist in the life of His followers.  The word “blessed” means “happy,” and these are the qualities that will lead to true happiness.  And notice, these aren’t the qualities that the world will tell you are the most admirable.  These aren’t rules for how to win friends and influence people.  In fact, these qualities may cause those in the world to resent us.  It is a backwards way to happiness.

  1. Those who are “poor in spirit” are those who recognize their own poverty, in light of who the Lord is.
  2. Poverty of spirit is the opposite of pride.  It causes us to mourn
  3. and to be meek.
  4. When we realize our poverty and weep over it, we  begin to hunger and thirst for righteousness.
  5. This leads us to be more merciful.  As we recognize our need for mercy, we begin to show more mercy.
  6. This has a cleansing effect on our lives, making us more pure.
  7. This enables us to be peacemakers,
  8. but some will resent and perseucte us. [numbering added]

The ultimate result of all this is “rejoice and be exceedingly glad.” (verse 11)  We have given up so much that the world has to offer, but we get the kingdom of heaven.  We’ve been comforted, we’ve inherited the earth, we’ve been filled, we’ve obtained mercy, we see God, and we are called the sons of God.  We are truly blessed and happy to be blessed.

Amen.

Advertisement:

Comments

Leave a Reply