Mini Sermon Series Happy, happy, happy Jesus teaching us how to be happy in this chaotic world!

Matthew 5:1-12, Luke 6:17-7: Opening Illustration: Recap of location: Near Capernaum and the Sea of Galilee This next mini-sermon series is a critical step into understanding the relationship between Jesus, the fulfilment of the law and your in-depth relationship with Jesus. It is the lynch pin that connects the Old Testament and the New Testament. It offers full and final discussion of some of the most elemental and persistent problems concerning relation to God and our fellow man. The Sermon on the Mount is the greatest statement ever made on the general subject of religion and morals. Practical and profound. This sermon on the mount is simplistic and introduces a direction of spiritual instructions that should quench the thirst of those searching. The sermon provides the basic moral code for spiritual living. It truly moves us from the natural to the supernatural. The challenge is will it move from our heads to our hearts? The Beatitudes of the Sermon on the Mount are poetic in form and paradoxical in content. Short, pithy sentences promise the greatest of blessing to those who have nothing. The pronouncement of blessedness cannot be properly understood apart from Jesus' person. To properly put into perspective the Sermon on the Mount, we must first understand that Jesus lived out the expectations that He is asking us to meet. They are, in-part, a response to the question, "Who can enter the kingdom of God?" This recalls the Old Testament question reflected in Psalm 24, "Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?" (Psalm 24:3, NIV). These are the first in a series of people Jesus deemed "blessed." The Old Testament often speaks of people being "poor," not in an economic or social sense, but in a figurative, spiritual sense. In that case it particularly pertains to the person's relationship with God. Being "poor in spirit" thus points to one's total dependence upon God as Creator and Saviour (cf. Psalm 86: 1; Zephaniah 3: 12). It appears that this usage had acquired an almost technical status during Jesus' day.

Jesus preaching: When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying, This will not be the only time Jesus spends an extended amount of time teaching in one setting. Matthew 13- The teaching through parables. Jesus preached. The nation paused to listen in amazement, but stopped its ears, rejected, and crucified Him. But Jesus did preaching and rose again to send His disciples to preach. Whenever the church has faithfully obeyed the final command, Go preach my gospel,- Christianity has prevailed. Whenever the church has gone to sleep and failed to raise its voice or become fearful and talked in whispers, or Judas like, has betrayed its message, the light has dimmed and the world slipped into the valley or shadows. Whenever the gospel is proclaimed, victory is nigh! When the churches substitute theatrical performances, pie suppers, and pooltables for the preaching of the gospel, then downfall is inevitable. Romans 10

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:1-12 NASB) Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place; and there was a large crowd of His disciples, and a great throng of people from all Judea and Jerusalem

and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon, who had come to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were being cured. And all the people were trying to touch Him, for power was coming from Him and healing them all. And turning His gaze toward His disciples, He began to say, "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets. But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full. Woe to you who are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way. (Luke 6:17-26 NASB)

Over a year ago we went through a sermon series called, Church of the Mountain Climbers. Here we have a similar calling out; Illustration: Faithfull, devoted "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Mechanical Religion: Key words to know: (Matthew and Luke responsible for 28-50 instances of blessed) Blessed: Makarioi: fortunate, Happy is, Secure from lifes hardship, O, the fullness of the blessing of well off, thriving, prosperous, in good condition. These blesseds are another of Jesus attempts to get mans eye off the glamor and glitter of this age that blinds him to the more concrete realities of the Kingdom of God in its practical aspects for this age as well as its promised delight in eternity. No or future; Titus 2:13, Rev. 20:6, James 1:12, Rev. 14:13, 19:19, 20:6 Woe: Ouai

Poor: those so impoverished that they have to beg to survive. Spiritual Bankrupt. Brokenness has not much to do with our position but rather our inability to do anything to help ourselves. It is claticlimsic event where we finally come to the harsh reality that there is nothing that I can do to help myself out of this mess I am in.

Romans 7:8 Lets look at a very basic Principle: I am not God, I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to tod the wrong thing and that my life has become unmanageable. We are sinners, saved by grace. We have sinned and are sin has driven us to 1) Attempt to justify our separation with God by 1) doing things to falsely think we can buy, barter, and trick God into loving us without dealing with our sin, 2) Fear (past failures) & Isolation- To continue a life of depravity To deal with the reality of our depravity. May lead to or out of PrideI dont need the help. I can do this on my own.

Blessed are the poor in spirit- Not about social or economic status, nor our good qualities or traits; rather it searches our awareness of a total reliance on God.

James 2:5

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT The Structure of the Sermon on the Mount Happy, Happy Happy I.The Citizens of the Kingdom of God (5:3-16) (A) Their characteristics and features (5:3-12) Week 1 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Week 2"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Week 3 "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. Week 4 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Week 5 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Week 6 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Week 7"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Week 8 "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Week 9"Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil Against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (B) Their calling and mission (5:13-16)

II. The Law of the Kingdom of God (5: 17-48) The law of Christ contrasted with the law of Moses: the new fulfills and surpasses the old (5:17-20). (A) A higher law of brotherhood Regards murderous thoughts the same as murder itself (verses 21-26). (B) A higher law of purity condemns the unclean desire to commit adultery as much as adultery (verses 27-30). (C) A higher law of marriage does not allow divorce, except in cases of adultery (verses 31,32). (D) A higher law of truthfulness prohibits swearing/as unnecessary and evil (verses 3'3-37). (E) A higher law of right priorities puts goodwill and self-control above the right to vengeance (verses 38-42). (F) A higher law of love requires an all-inclusive love like God's (verses 43-48). III. Genuine Religious Service (6: 1-18) (A) "When thou doest thine alms" (verses 2-4) (B) "When thou prayest" (verses 5-15) (C) "When ye fast" (verses 16-18) IV. Earthly Things (6: 19-34) (A) Storing up treasures in heaven (verses 19-21) (B) The danger of earthly treasures (verses 22-24) (C) "Be not anxious" (verses 25-34) V. True and False Worship (7:1-27) (A) Criticism or prayer? (verses 1-12) (B) The two ways (verses 13,14) (C) Two kinds of teachers (verses 15-20) (D) Two kinds of hearers (verses 21-27)