LESSONS DERIVED FROM THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT.

Jesus Christ gave a sermon in Mathew 5:3-11 high in the hills overlooking the Sea of Galilee and this became known as the Sermon on the Mount.

He taught about the gospel and how to be righteous disciples of Christ. He taught that God’s children are those who act like God. The teachings are often referred to as the Ethics of the Kingdom because they place a high level of emphasis on “purity of the heart” and embody the basic standard of Christian’s righteousness.

A portion of these teachings are referred to as the Beatitudes, and they are outlined here;

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 children 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.

Let us go ahead and highlight the lessons we learn from this sermon;

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

What does it mean to be poor in spirit? It means to be humble.

Humility is an important virtue to learn because it makes us teachable. You cannot have a teachable spirit unless you are HUMBLE!

If that is you, Jesus says you are “blessed.”.

• Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted

If all suffering and unhappiness could be removed from our lives, what kind of people would we be? I believe it would be impossible to produce strong, noble, generous, compassionate human beings if suffering were eliminated from our lives.

It is true that in this world we will face challenges and problems that will test us. As we mourn over loss or trial, we are promised that we will be blessed as we endure because endurance molds the character of Christ in us.

If that is you, Jesus says you are “blessed.”.

• Blessed are the meek: for they will inherit the earth.

The meek are those who are gentle, kind, patient, tolerant; not proud, mighty, or conceited.

Meekness is trusting that God will take care of you, no matter what. So you stand up for what is right, and you don’t seek revenge.

The phrase “inherit the earth” means live eternally in the new Jerusalem where Christ will rule as a priest forever. Another meaning of this phrase has been seen to say that those that are quiet, gentle, kind, patient, tolerant; not proud, mighty, or conceited will one day inherit the kingdom of Heaven. 

Our Savior Jesus Christ at all times was willing to submit to the will of God. Even in His moment of agony, He could say, “Nevertheless not my will, but yours, be done” Luke 22:42.

If that is how you are, Jesus says you are “blessed.”.

• Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Hunger is a sign of need.

When you are hungry, your body is telling you something: It’s been too long since your last meal and you need to eat. Hunger indicates the absence of food in the body. It is the body’s awareness of its own need.

Jesus tells us that the ones who are blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. In other words, the blessed ones are not those who think they have righteousness, but those who feel they lack righteousness.

Here’s what it feels like to be a Christian: You don’t feel that you have arrived. You find yourself longing to be more like Christ than you are. You say, “I wish I was further along.”

Some people are confident of their own righteousness. The Pharisees were like that, but Jesus does not pronounce them “blessed.” The blessing does not belong to those who see themselves as paragons of virtue. The blessing is for those who see how far they have to go.

Other people are content in their sins. Jesus does not pronounce them “blessed” either. The blessing belongs to those who are not content to remain as they are, but have a strong desire to grow in righteousness.

If that is you, Jesus says you are “blessed.”.

5.      Blessed are the merciful: for they shall be shown mercy.

There is no better exercise for the heart than to reach down and lift someone up.

Jesus Christ always showed forgiveness and mercy. Even when he was on the cross and near death, he said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” Luke 23:34.

If that is who you are too, Jesus says you are “blessed.”.

6.      Blessed are the pure in heart: for they will see God.

Purity of heart leads to a love and knowledge of God.

If we strive to be like God, our motives and actions will be honorable and our hearts will be pure.

If that is you, Jesus says you are “blessed.”.

7.      Blessed are the peacemakers: for they will be called the children of God.

Peacemakers try to keep themselves and those around them from strife and contention.

Christ encouraged men to love and understand each other so that they could live together in peace. We have been commanded to love all men, including our enemies.

If that is you, Jesus says you are “blessed.”.

8.      Blessed are they which are persecuted because of righteousness’: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

We may feel pressures from society or other groups about the way we live, the things we believe in, and the things we do.

Be proud to stand up for the principles of God and His Church. You will be the happiest when you are following Christ’s teachings.

If that is you, Jesus says you are “blessed.”

• Blessed are those who are insulted, persecuted and people falsely say all kinds of evil against them because of Christ.

Following Christ means being treated as He was on earth – spurned, falsely accused, abused and rejected. But there is such a bursting, irresistible joy in it as well.

When we follow Him as Lord, we have Him as Savior and He will walk with us through this life, through every high and every low.

We will never be alone and we will share in the greatest rewards of fulfillment just in relationship with Him.

Conclusion

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, my victory abiding.]

John 16:33

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What are the other lessons you have learnt from the sermon on the Mount?