THE MAIN IDEA
Nothing will ever diminish the blessing of following Jesus Christ as Lord.

PRELIMINARIES: This is the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus opens the sermon with eight beatitudes (/bēˈadəˌto͞od), which means “complete happiness.” The word “blessed” in the Hebrew and Greek basically means “happy.” But God wants us to have more than a circumstantial happiness that comes and goes. God wants us to have a permanent, eternal happiness that comes through faith in Jesus Christ. It is also worth noting that this sermon was given to disciples of Jesus—those who follow Him as Lord.

THE POOR IN SPIRIT
The poor in spirit are those who recognize that they have absolutely no spiritual asset in themselves but must completely rely on God for any spiritual blessing. Those who recognize this will receive the kingdom of God.

THOSE WHO MOURN
Those who mourn grieve with God over the brokenness of this world and in our lives. God promises them a new world free from the grief of sin and death.

THE MEEK
The meek insist on nothing for themselves but practice genuine humility. God promises them the inheritance of the new heaven and earth, being exalted with Christ in Him.

THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS
Hungering and thirsting for righteousness is the key to living the kingdom life. Even though we do not, God nurtures this hunger and thirst in us in increasing measure when we walk with Christ.

THE MERCIFUL
Those who need mercy never deserve it. Jesus modeled mercy when He hung on the cross and sought forgiveness for His oppressors. When we give it, we receive it.

THE PURE IN HEART
Purity doesn’t come without a struggle, because our hearts are not pure. When we struggle to overcome the impurity in our hearts, we see the love of Christ.

THE PEACEMAKERS
A world that values power, profit, and success won’t value peace. A world that values relationships will. Peacemakers consistently set aside their own anger and bitterness for the sake of building relationships. Peacemakers become like the Son of God.

THOSE WHO ARE PERSECUTED
Followers of Jesus Christ will always be persecuted because Christianity is always countercultural. Hidden and/or open rejection from the world because of Jesus practically defines the Christian life. The beatitudes are given to His followers to strengthen and encourage them to remain steadfast in the promises of God.

In then end, Jesus tells us that we are blessed “because of ME,” regardless of the hardships we might encounter for being Christian. And so the first command in the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus gives to His followers is “Rejoice and be [exceedingly] glad.” And we can, because Jesus, the Lord of heaven and earth, tells us that our reward will be GREAT!!!

DISCUSSION QUESTION:
What is the greatest blessing you are looking forward to in heaven? If you are not a Christian, what would your answer be imagining that you were?