John K. Jenkins Sr - The Be Attitudes - Part 3

We're continuing in our final segment of this series on the Beatitudes, and this is part three of the Beatitudes series. As a matter of fact, the terminology used to describe this section of a sermon that Jesus gave is called the Beatitudes, which means to be blessed , to be happy, or to be rewarded. However, I prefer not to use that word. Instead, I want to say the "BBE attitudes." These are the attitudes that we are to become as a part of who we are , and that's what this series has been about. We have, matter-of- factly, looked at six of these eight already. In fact, we examined verse one, which says that Jesus , seeing the multitude , went up on a mountain; and when he was seated , his disciples came to him. Then, he opened his mouth and taught them. We made a distinction that there's a difference between the multitude and the disciples. Not everyone in the crowd is a disciple , and not everyone here is committed to being a disciple . In fact, someone on your row may not be a disciple. Go ahead and see if you can figure out who it is. Now don't point to them or call their name out; just say, "Oh, okay, there they are right there." If you can't tell who it is on your row, it's probably you-you're probably the one on the row. So, he taught his disciples. He said, "Let me teach something to those who are committed to doing what I've instructed to be done ." He begins by talking about it in verse 3: "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 meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." We've discussed all of these and spent the last several weeks looking at each one of these things and talking about them. Today, we come to verse number 9 and the final two: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake . Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Somebody say amen to the reading of God's Word. You may take your seat.

So, we've gone through these first six Beatitudes; we've looked at them and discussed them. We conclude this series today with the final two mentioned here in verses 9, 10, 11, and 12. He says in verse 9, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God." What an incredible statement Jesus makes! Blessed are those who want to make peace. He highlights that a proper attitude is one that seeks to be at peace with people . I don't know if you' ve ever had the opportunity to deal with someone who likes strife. There are some folks who enjoy fighting; they thrive on getting into battles. They like to win, even at the expense of someone else . But Jesus values a person who approaches the table with the mentality of wanting to make peace . He says that I will reward people who take steps to establish peace. If it means taking responsibility for something they didn't do, they will make it so there will be peace. If it means being the one who seems wrong when they believe in their heart that they weren 't wrong, God says, "I reward people who make the effort to bring about peace." Jesus honors those who will go out of their way to create harmony. Some people enjoy conflict; they want to maintain tension and stress. But a peacemaker is someone who goes the extra mile. A peacemaker is a person who, if you ask them to go one mile, will go two miles. Jesus said if they sue you for your coat, here's what a peacemaker will say: "Here, take my coat and my sweater ." Jesus taught that if they ask you to go one mile, you should go two. In the Roman Empire, a Roman citizen could command a Jewish person to carry their pack for one mile. Jesus said if they make you carry that pack one mile, don't stop at the end of that mile in disgust and throw it down . Show that you have a relationship with God . When you finish at the one-mile mark, keep on carrying it for another mile. That 's incredible! He said if they smack you on one cheek, turn the other cheek. That 's the peacemaking posture we need more of in the world. We need more people with the mentality of doing what it takes to foster peace and maintain harmony. Here 's what the Bible preaches and teaches over and over again: Hebrews 12 : 14-jot this down; I don't have time to take you there-Hebrews 12:14 says, "Follow peace with all men." Romans 12:18 says , "If it is possible, as much as lies within you , live peaceably with all. "