Beatitudes
The Beatitudes are the very essence of Jesus’ teachings, sacred truths from the Lord’s Sermon on the Mount.
These precious words are the keys to unlocking the treasures of God’s Kingdom. They challenge our worldly understanding of prosperity, showing us that true blessings come not from accumulating material wealth or power but from a heart that is poor in spirit, a heart that is meek and hungry for righteousness. In a modern society that openly exalts self-centeredness and personal gain, the Beatitudes offer a message of selflessness and service. It is a message to peacemakers and bearers of mercy, those filled with God’s compassion.
THE BEATITUDES WERE NOT GIVEN SOLELY AS A WONDERFUL TEACHING FOR THOSE OF THE PAST; THIS MESSAGE REMAINS RELEVANT TO US TODAY.
The Beatitudes are a roadmap to a life of genuine happiness and spiritual fulfillment. They offer a path that reveals how to apply lessons from Scripture in our daily lives — lessons that apply to our relationships and how we make decisions. This roadmap allows the Holy Spirit to work in us to shape us into the image of Christ so that we might be used mightily for the Kingdom. This righteous pathway ultimately leads us to God’s divine purpose for our lives. And there is no one else on this earth who can fulfill the unique purpose for which you have been called.
The Sermon on the Mount was the greatest sermon ever preached by the greatest preacher to ever walk the earth, Jesus Christ. This sermon represents the moral principles of the Kingdom. It was not a call to sinners but clearly outlines the attributes needed in the lives of those who profess Christ as their Savior. It is a message to believers about their character and conduct. Does your life mirror what Christ calls us to be?
Matthew 5–7 gives us the constitution and bylaws of the New Testament Church. Why do we need this teaching today? Because something is seriously wrong in our world when we are offended by everything but sin!
When preaching the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ audience included the 12 disciples and the thousands who had gathered to hear Him. It was an impactful message being presented to those who would carry it out to the world. This is still the foundation for what a growing life of a believer should look like. We have the Good News, and it is our responsibility to carry it out to the world, that the world may come to know Jesus as their Savior.
Jesus brought a message of hope for the people of Israel. He brought a message of love that forgives and a message of peace. His message was one that the Roman Empire could not destroy.
Around the world, many today are desperately searching for hope and peace. They are searching for the unshakable love of God. Jesus Christ is the answer! Are you sharing God’s love with those around you? Luke 19:40 tells us, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out” (NKJV).
One day, Jesus will return to earth. He will rule and reign forever. His Kingdom will be established on the Mount of Olives, a Kingdom that will never pass away. Until that time, it is up to us to share His message and invite people to join us in a Kingdom that will never end.
The message of the Beatitudes comes directly from the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords. These eight points each begin with “Blessed are…” (Matthew 5:3–10). It is God’s desire to bless you. He wants to bless you exceedingly and abundantly above all you can ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).
Have you asked for the blessings of God to rest upon your house and upon the members of your family? God blessed Adam and Eve, and they became the general managers of the universe (Genesis 1:28). God blessed Abraham, and he became the founder of the nation of Israel (Genesis 12:2).
How does God’s blessing fall upon you and your household? First, you build a relationship with the Lord. He wants to bless you in your relationships and in your finances. He wants to bless you in every aspect of your life. He wants to bless your children and your children’s children. But first, you need to build a relationship with Him. You need to place your life in His hands. Where He leads, you follow. No wavering and no questions.
He wants to bless every aspect of your life. He wants to bless you with joy (1 Peter 1:8). He wants to fill you with hope — hope that makes you look forward to the future (Jeremiah 29:11). The victory was already won on Calvary’s Hill. The devil is a defeated foe. It is time to walk in absolute victory!
Fathers, are you training your children in the ways of the Lord? If not, start doing so today. If the father is absent, mom, make sure your children understand that God’s blessing rests upon them. Speak words of blessing over your children. When you are under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, your words have the power to change their destiny.
YOUR FAMILY CAN BE FILLED WITH JOY AND HOPE WHEN YOU WALK IN THE WAYS OF THE LORD.
You were not called to live in a state of anxiety or fear. You were called to live in a state of favor and blessing as children of the Most High God.
What did Jesus mean when He talked about the poor in spirit? It is the opposite of the defiant attitude that is so prevalent in today’s society, the attitude that refuses to bow to God because of a feeling of self-importance.
What is the portrait of being humble in spirit? It is found in John 13:3–5, when Jesus rose from the table and knelt down, poured water into a basin, and began washing the feet of His disciples. Why didn’t one of the disciples wash everyone’s feet? Because Jesus was the only one spiritually strong enough to do so. The disciples were too weak to do something so humble; they were too centered on themselves. They were ruled by their egos, worried about sitting at the right hand of the Master for all to see.
Are you more worried about how you look than your relationship with Christ? It is time to do away with our egos and focus completely on Jesus as Lord. When Jesus reigns supreme as Lord over every area of your life, everything else will come into alignment.
Are you only willing to serve in your church choir if you can be the soloist? Or serve on a committee
if you can be publicly recognized for your amazing contributions? It is time to put your pride aside and become a servant. It is only in becoming a servant that you are truly like Christ (Matthew 23:11–12).
If you are looking for a life filled with blessings, start carving out a life that follows the Beatitudes. God has rich things in store for your future, but only if you are willing to humble yourself before Him and make Him the focus of your life.
I want you to know how grateful I am for your support of the ministry. Thank you for partnering with us.
Because of your generous support, for 65 years, we have stood shoulder to shoulder, doing all we can to take all the Gospel to all the world.
This month, we are recognizing and celebrating 75 years of statehood for the modern-day miracle of a nation, Israel. With your gift of any amount to the ministry today, I would love to send you a beautiful olive wood ornament that was hand-carved in the Holy Land. Send your best gift today in the envelope provided or give securely online at jhm.org/blessed.
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”(Deuteronomy 6:4-5)
I am humbled and grateful to God Most High for 65 years of fruitful ministry. And every day, I give all praise and glory to God for the great things He has done.
God can give you joy unspeakable and turn your life into something unbelievably beautiful. Choose His ways and His path today…or you can figure things out on your own. The choice is yours. Will you follow Christ, or will you choose your own path? The blessings that come from living a life as a servant of Jesus Christ are unlimited for this life and the life to come.
