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Flipped (p2) – Purity, Peace, Mercy & Righteousness

Flipped (p2) – Purity, Peace, Mercy & Righteousness

Matthew 5:7-12

Matthew 5:7 – Blessed are the merciful

  • This is a description of what it looks like to be a Christian, Luke 6:30, when we’re merciful we’re being like God himself.
  • Grace is giving people what they don’t deserve, mercy is not giving people what they do deserve.
  • When we are merciful, there’s spiritual breakthrough. An example of this is Joseph, who chose to show mercy to his brothers and not seek revenge and as a result God used Joseph powerfully.
  • True godliness is to show mercy to those around us.

Matthew 5:8 – Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God

  • The heart is the seat of our personality.
  • Jeremiah 17:9.
  • Jesus is more concerned about our heart than what’s on the outside, Luke 11:39
  • Living a life with a pure heart on this earth means we’ll see a measure of God’s glory.
  • It’s not about being perfect, but knowing that your heart can be wicked and then asking God to wash our hearts and make them pure through his grace.

Matthew 5:9 – Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God

  • The work of a peacemaker is God’s work, it’s divine work.
  • Two roles of peacemakers. First is an active peacemaker, one who actively seeks to bring reconciliation amongst others. Second is the passive peacemaker, if you’re having a disagreement then someone has to be the one whose willing to make peace.
  • It’s a difficult role and can lead to pain, but you will be a child of God.

Matthew 5:10 – Blessed are the persecuted because of righteousness

  • Persecution is part of being a Christian, we shouldn’t be surprised when it happens, 2 Timothy 3:12.
  • Jesus makes his point twice, verses 10 and 11, because we might want to ignore this part.
  • There is something beautiful about being persecuted because of following Jesus. E.g. when Jesus went through the wilderness the angels came to minister to him, when Stephen was stoned to death, he saw an open heaven. When we’re persecuted there’s something God opens up to us and we’re not alone as we join a long line of prophets and missionaries.
  • Suffering is the badge of true discipleship, the disciple is not above his master – Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
  • 1 Peter 4:12-14

The description of a disciple of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount is in direct conflict with the world and we need the Holy Spirit to help us each day.