Season 4 Podcast 35 “The Stories of the New Testament, Matthew Ch 5: The Sermon on the Mount Pt I The Beatitudes”

Season 4 Podcast 35 “The Stories of the New Testament, Matthew Ch 5: The Sermon on the Mount Pt I The Beatitudes”In the last two Podcasts of The Stories of the New Testament, we examined the three temptations of Christ in the Wilderness. In this Podcast we shall discuss the greatest sermon ever given, The Sermon on the Mount, with the focus on the Nine Beatitudes. We first think of Matthew when we think of the Sermon on the Mount.  Matthew begins with the Nine Beatitudes which some interpret as “supreme blessedness” Or “state of great joy.” 1.     Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.2.     Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.3.     Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.4.     Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.5.     Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.6.     Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.7.     Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.8.     Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.9.     Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.The first thing we notice about the nine Beatitudes is that they are all commandments with a promise. Each can be turned into a hypothetical statement:1.     If you are poor in spirit, you shall inherit the kingdom of heaven2.     If you mourn, you shall be comforted.3.     If you are meek, you shall inherit the earth4.     If you hunger and thirst after righteousness, you shall be filled.5.     If you are merciful, you shall obtain mercy6.     If you are pure in heart you shall see God7.     If you are a peacemaker, you shall be called the children of God8.     If you are persecuted for righteousness’s sake, you shall inherit the kingdom of heaven9.     If men revile you and persecute and say all manner of evil against you falsely, you shall have great reward I heaven.The scriptures do not leave us without an explanation. For example, If you mourn, you shall be comforted. Who is the comforter? We are told in JohnJOHN 14: 26-2726 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.Acts 5:3232 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.The fourth Beatitude also refers to the Comforter. “If you hunger and thirst after righteousness, you shall be filled.” Paul tells usActs 9:1717 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.