Matthew 5:1-12

Real Happiness


Introduction:

If a fashion magazine writer were to rewrite the Beatitudes from a contemporary standpoint they may look something like this...

You will see that this modern understanding of happiness is the exact opposite of what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount. (Luke 9:23) Within this text we will see the rewards of discipleship. Jesus knew the art of plain talk. And here He plainly gives us the way to true happiness.



  1. THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS


  1. Wealth

  1. How much is enough money? (John D. Rockefeller)

  2. A Texas millionaire

  3. “Blessed” Gk. makarios Note. v.6; Prov.23: 4, 5; Psa. 49:6-15; Gal.3:13; I Pet.1:18, 19


  1. Power

  1. The political arena

  2. The praise of men is fleeting and will not satisfy


  1. Sexual Liberation

  1. Sex out side marriage – I Cor. 6:18

  2. No life style of fornication will enter the kingdom of God – I Cor.5:11; Eph.5:5


  1. Fame

  1. Temporary euphoria

  2. Well known Absalom – II Sam. 15, 18

  3. Is the pursuit of happiness just a grand illusion? Is happiness attainable?

Can we find true happiness? (Isa.53: 3)



  1. THE WAY TO HAPPINESS

A. Our Lord’s Standards:

  1. “Blessed are the poor in Spirit”

  1. Not poor with material goods

  2. Pride the central sin of Lucifer and the fall of man – Isa.14, Gen.3,

  3. The reward of humility – Prov. 22:4; Acts 20:19; Eph.4:2; Phil.2:3;

I Pet. 5:5; I Cor.2: 3

  1. “Blessed are those who mourn”

  1. Mourning over sin

  2. Mourning over our love ones – I Thess.4:17, 18

  3. Mourning over the world’s sorrow’s


  1. “Blessed are the Meek”

  1. Our culture regards meekness as weakness

  2. Meekness is a man who does not fret – Turn To Psalm 37:1-34

  3. The meek shall inherit the land:

1.) We possess the land by the power of the gospel

2.) We possess the land in an eschatological sense



  1. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness”

  1. The world hungers and thirsts for tangible passions

  2. Hungering and thirsting for Bible Study, Bible reading and Prayer – Psa.16:11


  1. “Blessed are the Merciful”

  1. Notice. There is a PROGRESSION – Poverty of spirit, mourning, and meekness

  2. The fourth beatitude is CENTRAL showing fulfillment of the most important of all desires

  3. Beatitudes 5, 6, and 7 demonstrate FRUIT in the believers life

1.) We are merciful because God has been merciful to us

2.) Holy living is our guarantee that we shall see God – I Pet. 1:10

3) We have peace through Christ and we seek to promote peace –

Eph.2:13, 14


  1. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness” –v.11, 12

  1. You will be treated like your Master – John 15:20;

  2. Suffering persecution – II Tim.3:12

  3. The world hates you because you belong to Christ – John 15:19

  4. Don’t be sad. Rejoice! Your reward is great in heaven!














Pastor Nick Iamaio

Reformed Presbyterian Church

207 South First Street, Fulton, NY 13069

Web Site fultonrpc.org

4/6/08