You Are Blessed

New Year, New You: You Are Blessed

Blessed [μακάριος] is the man [that is the Messiah] who does not go in the counsel of the ungodly, and does not stand in the way of sinners, and does not sit in the seat of evil persons. (Ps 1:1, LXX)

¹ Blessed [μακάριος] are they whose lawless acts are forgiven and whose sins were covered up. ² Blessed [μακάριος] is the man whose sin the Lord will never reckon, nor is there guile in his mouth. (Ps 32:1–2, LXX)

Blessed [μακάριος] are all those who fear the Lord, those who walk in his ways. (Ps 128:1, LXX)

1. The beatitudes perfectly describe ___________. We see this most clearly when Jesus is on the ___________.

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up onto a mountain. When he sat down, his disciples came to him. (Mt 5:1)

¹ This is the message that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. ² This will take place in the latter days: The mountain of the Lord’s house will be established as the chief of the mountains. It will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it like a river. ³ Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. Then he will instruct us about his ways, and we will walk in his paths.” For from Zion the law will go out, and the Lord’s word will go out from Jerusalem. (Is 2:1–3)

² He opened his mouth and began to teach them. He said these things: ³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Mt 5:2–3)

¹ The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, on account of which he has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the poor [πτωχός], to heal those who are crushed in heart, to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, ² to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of repayment, to comfort all who mourn, ³ to give to those who mourn in Zion glory instead of ashes, the anointing of joy to those who mourn, a garment of glory instead of a spirit of weariness. And they will be called generations of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for glory. (Is 61:1–3, LXX)

Today, this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. (Lk 4:21)

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted. He saves those whose spirits have been crushed. (Ps 34:18)

Blessed are those who mourn, because they will be comforted. (Mt 5:4)

Blessed are the gentle [πραΰς], because they will inherit the earth. (Mt 5:5)

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (Mt 5:5, NIV2011)

So they will inherit the earth a second time, and eternal cheer will be upon their head. (Is 61:7, LXX)

⁹ For the ones who act wickedly will be destroyed. But the ones who wait upon the Lord, they will inherit the earth. ¹⁰ And yet in a little while, and the sinner will surely not exist, and you will seek for his place, and you will surely not find him. ¹¹ But the meek will inherit the land, and they will delight in the multitude of peace. (Ps 37:9-11, LXX)

[Jesus said] Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am gentle [πραΰς] and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Mt 11:29)

Meekness is being ___________________________. To know that he is our strength and confidence, not human ability. Meekness is a _____________ authority that stands in opposition to _________________ power.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, because they will be filled. (Mt 5:6)

Blessed are the merciful, because they will receive mercy. (Mt 5:7)

Blessed are those who _________ grace and mercy, because they will _______________ grace and mercy. (Mt 5:7)

Blessed are the pure in heart, because they will see God. (Mt 5:8)

³ Who may go up to the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? ⁴ He who has clean hands and a pure heart, whose soul is not set on what is false, who does not swear deceitfully. ⁵ He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God who saves him. ⁶ Such are the people of Jacob who look for the Lord, who seek your face. (Ps 24:3–6)

Then, even after my skin has been destroyed, nevertheless, in my own flesh I will see God. (Job 19:26)

Dear friends, we are children of God now, but what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when he is revealed we will be like him, and we will see him as he really is. (1 Jn 3:2)

Blessed are the peacemakers, because they will be called sons of God. (Mt 5:9)

¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven. In fact, that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Mt 5:10–12)

2. The Beatitudes are not a ____________ list. They are what God ___________ us in Jesus through the _____________.

Points to Ponder

1. What is one thing that stood out for you from this week’s message?

2. How do the blessings in the Beatitudes challenge your understanding of what it means to live a blessed life?

3. Who in your life could benefit from acts of mercy or peacemaking? How can you respond to this call?

4. Reflect on a recent situation where you were tempted to focus on outward appearances (Micah 6:6-7). How could embodying the Beatitudes have transformed your response?

Homework: Matthew 5:13-20