Keith Battle - What Did Jesus Say?- Part 1

Matthew chapter 5, beginning at verse 1, starts what is called the Sermon on the Mount. This series is taking a portion of the Sermon on the Mount, and we won’t look at the whole sermon because it covers three chapters: five, six, and seven. We’ll only have time in four weeks to look at chapter five. But Jesus gives discernment, and it’s called the Sermon on the Mount because of where he delivers the sermon from. He goes up, the crowd comes to him, and in verse 1, he goes up on the mountainside, sits down, and as the disciples gather around him, he starts teaching. So that’s why it’s called the Sermon on the Mount. He gives a list of things beginning at verse 3. Let me read verse 1: «Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying…» Listen, here is Jesus' blessed list. He gives eight ways that he describes a blessed person. He says, «Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.» Is that on your list? «Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.» Blessed are you, verse 11: «When people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me, rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.» Wow, what a list! There is nothing on Jesus' list that is on our list. Jesus says these are blessed people: the pure in heart are blessed, the merciful are blessed, the peacemakers are blessed, and those who are persecuted for righteousness are blessed. At any one time, there’s no one who wouldn’t want to see a car I bet. On our list, we have, «I’m grateful. I’m blessed. He blessed me with a car. He blessed me with a family. He blessed me with children. He blessed me with grandchildren. He blessed me with health and strength. He blessed me to be clothed in my right mind. He blessed me to make it to church today. He blessed me to be able to walk around. He blessed me. When I look in the mirror, I know who I am. He blessed me to have employment. He blessed me to have a house. We have shelter, clothing, and food.» How many would agree that those are blessings? Those are blessings! But it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re blessed, because there are people who have all the things but don’t have the blessing. The blessing—blessedness—is a state of being. It is greater than things; it is a state. It is not stuff; it is a state that is stronger and deeper than stuff. It is greater than adversity; it is greater than prosperity. There is a level of blessing that prosperity can’t distract and adversity can’t destroy. It is just to be blessed! When I have, I’m blessed. When I don’t have, I’m blessed. I am blessed when I have; I’m blessed. I’ve learned, whatever state I’m in, to be content. I’ve learned to have a lot, and I’ve learned to have a little. Does anybody know what it’s like? Whatever state you’re in, when I’m happy, I’m still blessed. When I’m sad, I’m still blessed. It’s a state. See, this is a kingdom message. Kingdom. Everybody say, «Kingdom.» The kingdom is all over this sermon—in chapters 5, 6, and 7. For example, in chapter 5, he says, «The poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.» In chapter 5, verse 10, he says to those who are persecuted for righteousness, «Theirs is the kingdom of heaven.» In chapter 5, verse 19, he says, «But anyone who disobeys the commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom,» and he says, «Anyone who follows the commandments and teaches others to follow them will be called the greatest in the kingdom.» Then in chapter 5, verse 20, he says, «Except your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees, you won’t even enter the kingdom.» Then in chapter 6, verse 10, the same sermon he’s preaching, he says in what we call the disciples' prayer, «Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.» In chapter 6, verse 33, he says, «Seek ye first the kingdom and all his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.» In chapter 7, verse 21, he says, «Everybody who calls me 'Lord, Lord' will not enter into the kingdom.» Everybody say, «Kingdom.» This is a kingdom message, and whenever you hear a kingdom message, it will collide with our kingdom, our world, our society. There’s a conflict. When you think about being blessed, Jesus says to be blessed is to be poor in spirit, to be persecuted. Okay, let’s do it like this: If I were to say, «Everybody listen to me right now, wherever you may be, wherever you may be watching. If I say, 'Does everyone want to be blessed? ' raise your hand.» Everybody’s hand would go up. If I say, «Stand up here in line and get your blessing,» everybody would want to be blessed, because you see what…