ATTITUDE DETERMINES ALTITUDE

MATTHEW 5:1-12

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

There are those who wish to whisk the Beatitudes away to the millennium as unattainable for this, or any past, age. This is impossible to do contextually, grammatically, or even from a historical setting. Christ delivered this to his disciples, and He obviously expected them to get some benefit at that time. The Holy Spirit directed Matthew to write it down, so He obviously intended for people to receive a benefit from it. It really is not that hard to understand. In the last few weeks we have loosely seen “He Told Me”, “He Touched Me” and now, “He Taught Me.”

For decades now I have agreed with Warren Wiersbe's take on the Beatitudes.

 

I. OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD OURSELVES (v. 3)

Here we see the conviction of Humility

1. I am a lost sinner

2. I can do nothing to save myself

3. I can only rely on the mercy & grace of God

No one will ever be truly happy without these truths. The Lord Jesus Himself showed us a man who had sought this world's goods only to conclude this verse teaches [Luke 18:13] And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

Remember, he went home saved, his self-righteous pew partner did not!

 

II. OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD OUR SINS (v. 4-6)

1. A sorrow that leads to repentance [v. 4, 2 Cor. 7:10]

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

2. A submission to the Master's Plan [v. 5, Acts 9:6]

Exemplified by Paul's submission to Jesus Christ when he said, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?"

3. A Satisfaction found only in Christ's gift of Righteousness [v. 6, Rm. 9:30-33]

What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

 

III. OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD THE LORD (v. 7-9)

1. Showing forth His mercy [v. 7, Mt. 18:27-35]

just as the man under authority understood authority so the man accepting mercy should be merciful

2. Secure in His Grace [v. 8, Acts 15:9]

And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

3. Sharing His Love [v. 9, Eph. 2:8-22]

 

IV. OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD THE WORLD (v. 10-12)

1. Expect to be opposed [v. 10]

2. Expect to be spoken against [v. 11]

3. Expect to be rewarded [v. 12]