MATTHEW LESSON 10

     We will begin this lesson in Matthew 5:1 "And seeing the
multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his
disciples came unto him:"  Matthew 5:2 And he opened his mouth, and
taught them, saying,"

     Let me set the scene for you before we begin.  This mountain,
spoken of here, was, probably, actually a high area next to the Sea of
Galilee.  By land, it would, probably, be between Tiberias and
Capernaum.

     Jesus was thronged by a multitude.  Many followed Him, because of
the miracles.  He really did not exclude these people from the
teaching.  He just drew aside to an area where the disciples could sit
closer up for His teaching (whether 12 or more, we do not know; it was,
probably, many more.)  The multitude could listen and glean from His
words, if they were to the point where they could understand this deep
teaching.  In most instances, these people were familiar with the law.

      The statement "when he was set", just means that He sat down in
 the midst of them to teach.  They were eager to hear His teachings.
 This was more teaching than preaching.  The statement "he opened his
 mouth", means that this was not for casual conversation, but rather,
 deliberate teaching on Jesus' part.

     The location is now called the Mount of Beatitudes. A church has
been erected to mark the place believed to be where this message came
from.

     The Sermon on the Mount is the greatest teaching of all time.  If
we could truly understand in depth what Jesus is saying, we would be
able to discern the entire Bible from this.  Let's remember that all
of the Scriptures in this lesson, beginning with Matthew 5:3, are
printed in red in the Bible.  They are the spoken Word of Jesus
Christ, Himself.

     Matthew 5:3 "Blessed [are] the poor in spirit: for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven."

     First let us look at the BE Attitude.  What would we be?  Jesus
is saying in this very first verse of the Sermon on the Mount, can't
you understand that you are not self-sufficient?  Your spirit is
unlearned and dependent on the Spirit of God.  You are poor in spirit
compared to the wealth of God's Spirit.  Depend on God, and not on
self.  This was in direct opposition to the Jewish leaders, who thought
they knew it all, because they had the law. The one thing we want to
receive in this is: our wealth of spiritual knowledge is totally
dependent on our faith in God's Spirit.

     Matthew 5:4 "Blessed [are] they that mourn: for they shall be
comforted."

     There are two ways to look at this statement.  In the physical,
we mourn for our dead; and truly, we will be comforted on that great
day when we meet Jesus and our loved ones in the sky.  Our mourning
will be turned into joy.

     There is another way to look at this, as well.  When we think of
our sins, we are grieved, and we mourn.  Our comfort comes in knowing
we are forgiven.

     We mourn for those out of fellowship with God.  Those, whether
relatives or friends, who have not made peace with God.  Our groanings
for them do not go unnoticed.  Our comfort will come, even in this
life,  as they come into the Church of Jesus Christ.  No one likes the
idea, of mourning, but when it brings us into salvation, how glorious
it is!

     Matthew 5:5 Blessed [are] the meek: for they shall inherit the
earth."

     This word "meek" has been misunderstood by so many.  It really
means humble, or mild-mannered.  This is an attitude of the soul toward
God and man, being willing to be instructed by God and willing to
receive chastisement when necessary.  This has nothing to do with
going around with your head hanging down, or even allowing people to
push you around.  This is an humble heart, quick to understand,
forgive, and obey God.  We see, here, a blessing connected with it.
"Inherit the earth"--Christians will reign with Jesus as His
subordinates here on the earth the 1,000 year reign of Christ, and we
truly shall inherit the earth.  This is just another attribute of the
Christian's humble heart.

     Matthew 5:6 "Blessed [are] they which do hunger and thirst after
righteousness: for they shall be filled."

     This verse really needs very little explanation.  Those who are
trying to be in right standing with God (righteousness) spend a lot of
time in the study of God's Word.  The more we seek, the more we consume of
the Word, the more we are filled.  The only way we can be blessed is
to know that these blessings are available, and to know how to act
upon them.  God's Word reveals the blessings.  Enough said.

     Matthew 5:7 "Blessed [are] the merciful: for they shall obtain
mercy."

     We reap what we sow.  The Lord tells us that He will forgive our
trespasses, as we forgive those that tresspass against us (Mark ll:25-
26).  My cry is not for a just God, but for a merciful God.  Our just
reward is death, but through the mercy of God, we are saved by His
grace.

     Matthew 5:8 "Blessed [are] the pure in heart: for they shall see
God."

     I am so happy that this Scripture does not say pure in deeds.
The Lord will judge our hearts on judgement day.  I have said so many
times, if we are truly saved, we no longer have the desire in our
hearts to sin.  Old things and desires have passed away, behold all
things become new.  It is our heart that has been made new.  The Bible
says, For out of the abudance of the heart the mouth speaketh.  There is a
spiritual seeing of God for the present when our hearts are pure, and
there will be a physical seeing of God when we join Him in heaven.
Those who are not pure in heart will spend an eternity in hell and
will not be with God as the Christians will be.

     Matthew 5:9 "Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be
called the children of God."

     Jesus is the King of Peace.  The only true peace comes from Him.
There will never be peace on the earth, until the King of Peace comes
and brings His peace to the earth.  If we are His children, we pattern
our lives by His; and we, too, bring peace around us as He has given
us His peace within.  Truly, we are His children (followers) in His
peace.

     Matthew 5:10 "Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for
righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

     To be persecuted for something we have done wrong is one thing,
but to be persecuted because we are, to the best of our ability,
serving God is something else.  Paul said, To count it all joy when we
are persecuted for Jesus.  The disciples and Paul thought it a great
honor to be persecuted for preaching about Jesus.  Most ministers today are
not under persecution.  Many are preaching what their congregation
wants to hear.  They are careful not to stir up the regular members by
preaching against adultery, homosexuality, stealing, lying, coveting,
and all the other sins of our day.

     If you start preaching hard against pornography, rock music,
drugs, alcohol, X-rated and PG-rated television and movies, and a
total lapse of fellowship with God, you will see persecution.  People
do not want to be preached to about their sins.  It is okay to preach
about sins they are not committing.  Just don't preach on "their"
sins.

     Many of the early Christians were martyred for the name of Jesus
Christ.  Are we that commited today,  that we would proclaim Jesus
even to the death?

      Being a lady preacher, I have known persecution.  It will not
 stop me from doing the will of God.  With God's help, I will go on
 preaching what I hear in my spirit for the church.  We must repent
 and renew our lives with the Lord Jesus Christ.  Heaven is our home.
 We are just here temporarily.

     The Scripture says, when we see great troubles coming upon the
earth to look up and rejoice for our redemption draweth nigh.  (This
is not a direct quote.)

     Matthew 5:11 "Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and
persecute [you], and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely,
for my sake." Matthew 5:12  "Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great
[is] your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which
were before you."

     This is a continuation of verse 10.  Most churches at some time
have been called cults.  It seems if you are a little more spiritual
in your manner of worship, you are quickly classed as a cult.  Someone
said our church was a cult, because we had church more than once a
week.  Too many people judge something that they are not familiar with
as being bad.  They persecuted Jesus, because He didn't fit into their
pattern.  They will persecute the followers of Jesus for the same
reason.  If you are not under persecution, better take your spiritual
pulse, something is, probably, wrong.

     There is a great shaking in the true church today, only those who
are truly sold out to Jesus will stand.

     Matthew 5:13 "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have
lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good
for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men."

     Salt is a preservative.  Christians are a preservative.  This
earth would already have been destroyed, if it were not for the few
Christians here.  If the Christians fall away, what will happen to the
earth?  That is just exactly what is happening today.  Watered down
Christianity is taking over.  If the Christians do not raise up
a standard, then all is lost.  Lukewarm Christians will not make the
final cut.  God will spew lukewarm Christians out like lukewarm water.
We need to live by the standards raised in the Bible.  Sold out to God
Christians are the salt of the earth.  We must preserve the Bible and
its standards, until Jesus returns.  We must not compromise with the
world.






















                         Matthew 10 Questions


1.  What sea is this mountain near?
2.  What 2 cities was it located between?
3.  Many followed Jesus, because of what?
4.  In most instances, these people were familiar with what?
5.  What is this area now called?
6.  What is the greatest teaching of all time?
7.  Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be what?
8.  What 2 ways can we look at this?
9.  What shall the meek inherit?
10. What are 2 different meanings of meek?
11. What blessing is associated with meekness?
12. What will happen to those who hunger and thirst after
    righteousness?
13. For us to be forgiven, what must we do?
14. What does righteousness mean?
15. My cry is not for a just God, but for what kind?
16. What is our just reward?
17. In verse 8, who shall see God?
18. From what, does the mouth speaketh?
19. What shall the peacemakers be called?
20. Jesus was called the King of what?
21. Paul said count it ____ ____ to be persecuted for Jesus?
22. Where is a Christian's home?
23. Why did the religious people persecute Jesus?
24. In verse 13, we are called what?
25. What is it?
26. If the Christians do not raise a standard, what will happen?
27. What kind of Christians will not make the final cut?
28. How long must the Christians be the preservative?