Week 2

Beatitudes continued…Do a brief recap of last week’s beatitudes.

Points to Ponder

Don’t take our cue from the world. Citizens of God’s kingdom are to be entirely different. A peculiar people whose character is completely distinct.

This week we will look at four more principle marks of conduct. The first four dealt with primarily with our relationship with God, now let’s look at the last four. Read Matthew 5:7-10 and review Pastor’s sermon notes.

Talking Points

Blessed are “the merciful” – What is genuine mercy? What is the different between mercy and grace? When we have embraced the first four beatitudes THEN you know your need for mercy and recognize we have a duty to show mercy. We have been forgiven and should be ready to forgive.

Thepromise for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are “the pure in heart” – This speaks to sincerity and heart motive; focusing on righteousness before God and man. Purity of heart is a choice and act of our will.

Do you obey all the traffic laws of your free will? Or do you do so only under the watchful eye of the police officer? This attitude is a reflection of a heart attitude in the natural. Are your actions because your heart tells you to or because the law says you must?

The promise is for they will see God. (The pure of heart sees all things pure and can see Jesus in others)

Blessed are “the peacemakers” – We are called to actively pursue peace, show mercy and humility and not demonstrate conflict and strife. Peacemakers work to correct, reconcile and restore. Peacemakers are different from peacekeepers. Romans 12:18 which are you a peacemaker or a peacekeeper?

The promise for they will be called the children of God.

*This topic will be discussed more completely in a future week.

Blessed are “those who are persecuted for righteousness sake” – Are we truly persecuted? Do people see a difference enough in you to distinguish you from the worldly? Have you ever been insulted or reviled for His name sake? Are you resented because your good example makes other look worse?

The promise for great is your reward in heaven.

This week’s conclusion: What convicted you from this week’s message? How does your life look in the light of these beatitudes? How do Jesus’s definitions of a blessed life differ from those the world subscribes to?

Suggested time: Meditate and reflect on the beatitudes this week.