True Blessedness

Traditionally called the "Beatitudes" or "Blessed Sayings," Jesus begins a Sermon on the Mount with a series of teachings on the genuine state of blessedness by an individual living for God. In our fallen state, humans seek blessedness in the form of gratification -- of physical fulfillment (food, drink, clothing); desires of the flesh (natural and unnatural); dwelling place (home/apartment); acceptance and praise from others -- really, we seek "happiness" as an emotional state of being. This leads to a continual striving for something that can neither be attained nor sustained.

Main Thought: Jesus teaches us that true blessedness is not good feelings or good circumstances but a godly character destined for great reward in the kingdom of heaven.

"Instant" solutions address a physical issues but fail to address the deeper spiritual needs of an individual.
Jesus' ministry initially drew large crowds seeking miracle cures or entertainment -- He gave them far more.
Jesus teaches that blessedness is attained through the development of a godly character.
The blessings and rewards of kingdom living are unattainable on our own -- we must trust in the Holy Spirit to lead us toward these attributes, empower us to live them, and bear the fruit of them in our life.

1. Instant gratification is short lived; true blessings are those that last.

If you could ask God for a blessing that He would grant right now, what would you ask for? How many of these blessings are short-lived and how many will really last?

1.1. Our natural inclinations are to seek instant gratification, instant solutions, relieve or enhance a physical need:

weight-loss, feel-good remedy, faith healers, anti-aging remedies
self-help books, videos, and tapes
politicians, psychologists, doctors, business consultants

1.2 The quest for instant gratification never results in true blessedness but may relieve you of the burden of money management.

At the turn of the 20th century, Henry Ford was leading the world in mass production of automobiles. One day a huge machine on the production line broke down so that no one could fix it. He flew in one of the machine's designers who, after ten minutes, had the equipment running smoothly. Mr. Ford thanked him as he left. A week later he received a bill for $10,000 -- quite a lot of money in those days. Mr. Ford called him up to question him about the bill pleading, "You were only here for ten minutes!" The designer agreed to adjust the bill. So he sent a new one which read, "Labor for fixing your equipment -- $1. Consulting to know which part to fix -- $9,999."

It is our natural inclination to want the quick fix because we don't really want to work for it or endure the time of study and dedication necessary to achieve what we think we need.

1.3 True blessedness comes from an inner strength which can endure any outer circumstances.

The quick solutions fade just as quickly in this life. A true blessing is one that stands the test of time. To be truly blessed, supremely blessed in fact, one must have an inner character that can whether the ups and downs in this life. To be truly blessed, supremely blessed in fact, one must exercise this inner character to be a blessing to others.

2. Jesus' ministry initially drew large crowds seeking miracle cures or entertainment.

2.1 A Summary of His ministry:

After His baptism in the Jordan with John the Baptist, (Matt. 3:16), He was led into the desert to be tested by the devil. (Matt. 4:1) After this time of testing and preparation, Jesus began His public ministry in Galilee. (Matt. 4:12) He called His first disciples by name (Matt. 4:19) and went about ministering town by town.

2.2 His ministry attracted sick, weary people from all over Israel (Matt. 4:24)

23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them. 25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him. 1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying...(Matthew 4:23-5:2 NIV)

2.3 These people wanted a better life -- and Jesus poured out blessings to them in this life with the promise of unsearchable riches in His kingdom.

3. Jesus teaches that blessedness is attained through the development of a godly character.

1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying:
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:1-12 NIV)

Blessedness	Meaning	Opposite	How does it bless?	Reward
"poor in spirit"	Humility Knowing and acknowledging the source of your strength.	arrogant boastful ungrateful	It pleases God when you acknowledge the source of your strength. Will not take advantage of others Full access to God's power.	The kingdom of heaven. Overlooked now but then "Mr. Big"
"those who mourn"	Genuine sorrow over unrighteousness in your life or the lives of others.	Deny your feelings Hard Cold	Means you are acknowledging your feelings. Releases grief Open to God's correction.	Comfort from Christ
"the meek"	Strength under control Unselfish Difference between a "river" and a "swamp"	Power out of control No power at all	Show respect to others Focused, directed energy Purposeful accomplishment	Own the Earth Receive all of God's promises
"those who hunger and thirst for righteousness"	A desire God's will in your life and your community.	Selfishness Worldliness Materialism	Will find God's good and perfect will for your life. Peace and contentment inside.	God's promise to grant you the righteousness you seek.
"the merciful"	Extending kindness and forgiveness without any expectation of return. Expectations of other not beyond reality (e.g. to a 4-year old, "Grow up!")	Cruel Unjust Vengeful	Grants freedom to others (from guilt or fear) and to you (softens the heart) Feels good when motivated by God's mercy toward you	Mercy from God
"pure in heart"	Single-minded devotion to God United with God and His purposes Undivided interests	Hypocrite "Religious" but not righteous Duplicity (Roman Emporer Decius' plan: break down faith by encouraging deception)	Comprehend the love of God Spiritual vision attuned to God	You shall "see God" meaning to be in the presence of God.
"the peacemakers"	Reconciliation of two previously separated parties. Wholeness or well-being	Troublemaker One causing conflict and anger	Harmony with others Unites people Reconciliation of broken relationships	Recognition as a child of God Personal relationship with God
"those who are persecuted because of righteousness"	Standing firm for the truth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.	Timid/Fearful Go along with evil to avoid confrontation	Stop evil from spreading "Silent witness"	Joy As great a reward as a prophet

4. The blessings and rewards of kingdom living are unattainable on our own -- we must trust in the Holy Spirit to lead us toward these attributes, empower us to live them, and bear the fruit of them in our life.

The whole point of revealing the righteous requirements of kingdom living is to show the futility of trying to "be good" -- you can't so stop striving for it. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer the moment you trust in the Lord Jesus Christ to be your "Helper" in the kingdom. When we acknowledge our helplessness and trust in our Helper, He bears the fruit of humility, sorrow over unrighteousness, thirsting for righteousness, meekness, mercy, purity, peacemaking, and standing firm for what is right.

Gypsy Smith told of a man who claimed that he had received no blessing or inspiration from reading the Bible, although he had gone through it several times. "Let it go through you once," said the evangelist to this cynic, "Then you will tell a different story."

It is the fruit of the Spirit -- when we allow Jesus to love us and live through us, we will bear His fruit.

Reflect on YOUR life: Does your life reflect this blessedness or are you still expecting "happy" feelings all the time? Jesus Christ brings a deep blessedness that wells up from within your soul. It brings stability to your emotional and mental well-being. He teaches us that true blessedness is not good feelings or good circumstances but a godly character destined for great reward in the kingdom of heaven.