Introduction

This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20

When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2 He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying…

What is righteousness?
A complete absence of moral evil,
and a complete possession of moral truth.
Tsedek (Hebrew), righteousness/justice

All His ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and right is He. Deut. 32:4
Dikaios (Greek), righteousness/justice

…God displayed publicly (Jesus on the cross) …This was to demonstrate His righteousness… Rom. 3:25-26

God is righteous, therefore, godliness is being like God.

Jesus describes godliness:
blessed: makarios = God’s favor is upon...

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.

We live in the INTERSECTION between evil and righteousness. (Intersections are safe when people commit to the rules!)

God’s favor is upon those who pursue the most basic:

#1. Vision
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

Hunger/Thirst = Most basic human drive (The only metaphor in the Beatitudes)

Satisfied = totally satiated and bloated

#2. Goal
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”
(The middle point of the Beatitudes)

Therefore, however you want people to treat you, so treat them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. 7:12

#3. Idea
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

Pure : Katharos : Without contamination
No chaff in the threshed wheat
No water added to the wine
No sediment in the olive oil
No unproductive vines in the vineyard

English word: cathartic : to purge the dysfunctional

So What?!

How do I incorporate these 3 beatitudes:

#1. Righteousness is a vision toward ACTION.

…hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

#2. Mercy is a goal toward RESTRAINT.

…merciful…shall receive mercy.

#3. Purity is an idea without CONTAMINATION.

…pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Who is God? Matthew 5:1-16
Pastor Ed Kemp
Prayer Requests:

Group Discussion: What activity brings you great happiness?
Read: Matthew 5:1-16
Verse 12 states that when we apply the beatitudes to our lives God lavishes on us rewards that are way, way above what anyone can ever imagine or think!
This week we looked at the second set of 3 beatitudes. Beatitudes 1,2,3 in vs. 3,4,5 describe the kind of deep humility that God expects from us. Beatitudes 4,5,6 found in vs. 6,7,8 describe the kind of righteousness/justice that God expects from us.
The 4th Beatitude is the only metaphor, hunger & thirst, in the list. It says we are blessed if we “hunger and thirst for righteousness.” When was a time that you were really hungry or thirsty and then satisfied? How did the liquid quench your thirst and how did the food satisfy your hunger? What’s your favorite meal? When do you get to eat that and where? Is it a holiday or a birthday? Is the great satisfaction because of being with family or friends?
The 5th Beatitude is the center of the list. It is the only parallel statement, “the merciful receive mercy,” in the list and involves mercy or withholding from someone the negative punishment they deserve. What you give is what you get. Jesus said, “…however you want people to treat you, so treat them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Describe a time when you were really treated well by a sales person when you were making a purchase. (PLEASE: resist the temptation to complain about the person that didn’t treat you well!) What was it that created that feeling of good will? In what area or relationship do you need to improve how you interact with people? What do you need to restrain yourself from doing?
The 6th Beatitude is the statement that goes to the core, “…pure in heart…” Jesus is commanding his followers not to be externally religious people who follow rules but to invite God to the core and center of your decision making. Describe the process you go through to make a large purchase, a house or a car. How much inner turmoil/anxiety does the decision process create in you? Now, what do you need to consider before you help, serve, are merciful toward, someone?
What do you think about the statement, “If I hunger and thirst for righteousness I’ll be a merciful person because that’s the purest form of Jesus in me.”
Family Time: Read vs. 6 and ask your kids what they would do if there was no food in the house? Then ask, what if there was no encouragement in our house? What if there was no water in our house? What if there was no love in our house? We need to have love, encouragement and kindness just as much as we need food and water.