(Please note, links are used in place of footnotes for references and citations. Please review each link in order to get the full teaching on these matters. Also, you can pause the Audio podcast to follow a link and resume the audio when ready.)
THINK – The Sermon – Part 4
Matthew chapter five contains a sermon by Jesus, which has been aptly named “The Sermon on The Mount”, simply because it took place on a small mount (hill) which overlooks the Sea of Galilee (the lake at Gennesaret.
This sermon has been named the “The Beatitudes”, again, simply because of the repeated use of the word ‘blessed’ in the sermon, which translate as ‘beatitude’, (beati sunt, “blessed are”), of sayings in the Latin Vulgate Bible.
There are thousands upon thousands of commentaries, articles, published bible studies and more, about The Beatitudes. Most describe this as ‘the greatest moral teaching’ ever. But, it is much more than that.
The Beatitudes can be found in Matthew chapter 5 and continuing through Matthew chapter 7. It is presumed that Jesus preached this sermon over a period of several days. I say it is much more than just ‘the greatest moral teaching ever’, which it is, but it is profoundly prophetic. Jesus Words are prophetic because of what they do, to and through a disciple of Jesus.
– THE BEATITUDES –
A PICTURE OF SALVATION & THE PROCESS OF SANCTIFICATION
God speaks of people as having a body, a mind, and a soul. (see Matthew 22:37, Deuteronomy 6:5). We live and learn on all three of these levels. Our experience begins in our spirit (pneuma) sometimes called ‘the heart’ and work into our soul (psuché), our will and emotions; next, it works its way up into our mind, expressed in thoughts and ideas, and culminates in our body (soma) where our thoughts and ideas are acted upon.
These Words of Jesus work powerfully on all three levels.
Matthew 5:1, “When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. Verse 2. He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,
Verse 3. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
“Poor in spirit” has been described and ‘spiritually bankrupt’, which is like calling the ocean ‘a wet spot’. ‘Poor in Spirit’ (Greek: ptochos) literally means 1) reduced to beggary, begging, asking alms 2) destitute of wealth, influence, position, honor
2a) lowly, afflicted, destitute of the Christian virtues and eternal riches
2b) helpless, powerless to accomplish an end 2c) poor, needy 3) lacking in anything 3a) as respects their spirit 3a1) destitute of wealth of learning and intellectual culture which the schools afford (men of this class most readily give themselves up to Christ’s teaching and proved themselves fitted to lay hold of the heavenly treasure)
This definition comes from a root and alternate meaning “to be terrified”, “as a decaying corpse”.
The Jewish audience understood what Jesus was saying. It should have caused them to wonder, how could they possibly be considered “Blessed” if they are “poor in spirit”. But, that is exactly what Jesus said. He goes on to explain what He meant.
(When was the last time your preacher explained how you could “enter the Kingdom of Heaven”? Was it when he told you to ‘pray this little prayer’: God, I have sinned…etc.?
Has he ever explained the true definition of being “poor is in spirit” and why you must be 1) reduced to beggary, begging, asking alms
2) destitute of wealth, influence, position, honor 2a) lowly, afflicted, destitute of the Christian virtues and eternal riches 2b) helpless, powerless to accomplish an end 2c) poor, needy
3) lacking in anything 3a) as respects their spirit 3a1) destitute of wealth of learning and intellectual culture which the schools afford. (people of this class will most readily give themselves up to Christ’s teaching and are will to be proved, IN ORDER TO INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
Has your pastor or preacher explained that this is the first step and the ONLY WAY to the Kingdom of Heaven? If he has not, why not? It is the first step and the only way into the Kingdom of Heaven!
(This series contains urgent and vitally important information. Jesus warns us to not be deceived, for many will come saying “I am the Christ”. This can come in the form of misinformed pastors, preachers and teachers through INSTITUTIONAL DECEPTION. Beware!)
Please, pray, read, study, seek God on these matters.
Your Brother and Friend
Mike Young
Coming soon: “THINK – PART 5 – BE BLESSED”
Previous article: “THINK – PART 3 – WHERE ARE YOU GOING?”
PS: When I went into the U.S. Army, basic training gave me the impression that I could handle being a soldier. But, when you finish the training and begin your life as a soldier – real life in the military – everything changes. It is nothing like basic training. It is for real!
“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food” Hebrews 5:12
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